should I get a RAT3 or the ENZO kit?

C

collecter

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Aug 21, 2002
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I'm contemplating getting the RAT3 or he ENZO Trapper knife kit. Both cost close to the same. I'd have to finish the kit and then make a sheath.

The RAT3 has a smaller handle than I like but its already finished and I really like the sheath.

Steel is about equal so that's not a deciding factor to me.

My use for it will be general camping chores and bushcraft.

What do you guys think, Enzo or RAT3?

Thanks,
 
If the ENZO reuire finishing work you can get what you want. If the RATS grip is to short you'll more than likely stop using it it it will most likely sit in a drawer.
 
I'd recommend the new improved RC-3 over the older rat-3. More pricey, but much better quality, fit and finnish. There also seems to be numerous reports of inferior quality rats coming out of Ontario right now as well. With the RC-3 you will get a bigger handle and excellent sheath system.

The Enzo kit knife looks like a really good knife also. Described as a hybrid between a scandi and a north american fullt tang knife. See tknife's recent thread (a few pages back) where he reported on building the kit knife. You will get a fantastic looking knife for a good price.

Either knife should excel in bushcraft, general camping chores. They have very different styles, so I guess it comes down to personal preference - more traditional looking pukko or tactical looking RAT.
 
I have handled the Rat3, but I have to agree with thebladerunr. The handle on the rat is to short. I found myself putting my finger in the choil alot more for stability.
The enzo seems to be a good deal considering that you can get it in D2 or O1 steel. Also you can get it with different grinds too. You can personalize to fit your hand and the quality seems to be there also. I would go for the enzo just because of this reason.
I'm sure there are a few on here who handled both and they will chime in soon.
 
I've been using two different Enzo kits. Kits are very easy to put together and IMO a first rate woods knife. The O1 is very well heat treated. I have been using it to carve some cherry wood, and have not had any chipping even with the high scandi grind.

Also, you don't have to make a sheath. You can order the kit, and a sheath from here saving on shipping:

Sheath to fit the Enzo (I have one and it fits perfectly)
http://www.bensbackwoods.com/servlet/Detail?no=385

Enzo kits:
http://www.bensbackwoods.com/servlet/Categories?category=Knives:ENZO

I don't have a RC-3 yet......but for he $$$ the Enzo is as good as any custom I've owned yet.

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IMG_0345.jpg
 
sorry tarmix101 I accidently referred to tknife w.r.t your post earlier...the t's got me confused. That mircata enzo looks great too!

Hey are those things in some really weathered stump - or are you playing excalibre - He who can relinquish all three blades from this stone shall be king. He who can only reliquish the sak shall be vice-president :)
 
kgd said:
sorry tarmix101 I accidently referred to tknife w.r.t your post earlier...the t's got me confused. That mircata enzo looks great too!

Hey are those things in some really weathered stump - or are you playing excalibre - He who can relinquish all three blades from this stone shall be king. He who can only reliquish the sak shall be vice-president :)
Click to expand...

LMAO..........:D

Ohh..... no problems mate. ;)
 
I looked at the Enzo kits as I like to tinker with knives myself but I decided to order the RC-3.

Handle is a bit bigger than the RAT-3 and it comes with a really sweet sheath system.

Not to mention, your supporting a good, american company.
 
I don't own either, but if it were me I would go with the O-1 Enzo just because I would prefer the scandi grind, and I like O-1, and I don't personally care for coated blades.
 
cocomen69 said:
That Burl is nice, but its not for me... If you were selling the micarta one, I would have said the magic words ten minutes ago... :D
Click to expand...

I struggled over which one to sell. I like that the birch is lighter, but the micarta is more durable, sooooo.

Sorry for the thread drift.:o
 
Don't own an Enzo, so I can't address that, but your choice should be between an Enzo and a RC-3. I have an RC-3 and it is one excellent little knife. On the other hand there is a lot of bad press about the RAT-3.

Take a couple of minutes and go over to the R.A.T. sub-forum here at BladeForums for a tune-up. It might save you wasting your money.

Doc
 
I never new there was a RAT3 and an RC-3. I thought hey just updated the RAT3. This is good information! I will do a search for the RC-3.

Thanks
 
I had no idea that there was a difference. As a matter if fact, I used to have an early RAT-3 but didn't like the short handle so I sold the knife. Looking at the RC-3 specs I thought Ontario updated and improved it. Not realizing there was a difference I just assumed they were the same knife. Am I glad I posted this topic because I was leaning towards the RAT3 over the Enzo.

Maybe I should wait to see what the Becker Kabars will be like.
 
I have and use both. To my mind, each functions exactly like it looks like it will.

The RC-3 is a durable knife, designed for toughness, with an excellent sheath system.

The Enzo is a very nice knife, with some extra beef to it.

I would do things with the RC-3 that just would not feel right doing to the EnZo, and I expect the EnZo to cut and perform like a fine tool.

Get whichever one appeals to you the most, as to me they perform like they look.
 
That ENZO Kit looks terrific. I was thinking of making my own knife out of a file but now that I am proficient doing my own handles... I might just get one of the knife blanks and put it together with some green or blue micarta handles.

The main problem is that I don't own any big bench stones and I can't see how I could sharpen Scandi grinds without them. I am all out now for convex grinds so I am stuck with the usual mouspad, sandpaper combo mated with a loaded leather strop. Any hints here?

Mikel
 
Mikel, You can use a mouse pad on the scandi grind. There are no rules. I strop by scandi and hollow ground blades on a piece of leather loaded with rubbing compound and works well. Some times I use a an Arkansas stone and sometimes I use one of those yellow things with the carbide and ceramic sharpeners on it.
 
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