Randall's Adventure and Training manufactures several excellent survival knives. This company has only been around since 1997 but they are making a huge impact in the knife world. They recently changed their name from RAT to ESEE due to ongoing confusion with Ontario Knives using their RAT name. Using superior materials and keeping a close eye on function has made these knives a favorite to many outdoorsmen. Plus their knives are made here in the U.S.A.
The ESEE RAT 4 is, in my humble opinion, one of the best bushcraft knives out on the market today. The 4 inch blade is just right for the tasks of bushcraft not to big to get in the way of small carving projects but long enough to be used as a full survival knife.
I really like that the blade is 3/16" (or .188") which is thick enough to easily take pounding and prying on the blade. The handle is made of two slabs of Micarta which I have found to be one of the finest handles the feel is like a dried river rock with just enough grip well still leaving the handle smooth not to make your hand sore after a long day of cutting.
The sheath for RAT 4 knife is very well thought out because it is folded over and held together with the screws instead of rivets. This makes for a very nice sheath design because when the knife is in the sheath you can loosen or tighten the screws to make the sheath tighter for better grip on the knife. I have found this sheath to be so good at holding your blade that there is no real need for the added molle jump sheath attachment. Also, when you do use it there is no way the knife will come out unless you want it too.
The coating on the blade is simply one of the best. It resembles the coating that you would see on a truck bed that has been sprayed for protection this makes it very durable and just as hard to wear off. The steel in this blade is carbon which I use to not be a big fan of but this knife has turned me around. The carbon steel is of a very high grade 1095 and holds a fine edge. However if the blade is not cared for you will get rust but if you are the kind of person who takes care of your gear this will not be a issue.
Many of RAT's knives come with plain or serrated blades so be careful when you purchase yours that you get the right one. There are codes that define the color and the blade type when you order them. You can see some of the different RAT knives here. You can find some great information there.
One of the links below is for the Gray Micarta knife pictured above. And if Gray isn't your favorite color, of course you can look around there for a color you like better.
Oh, and one more thing... RAT's customer service is second to none. I read a post where a guy broke the tip off of his knife using it as a lever to open a box lid. (Something the knife wasn't designed to do). One of the owners asked him to first send him his mailing address and then to post a picture of the knife on the forum for everyone to see. He then promptly mailed him a replacement knife and told him to keep the old one as a "beater" knife. Now THAT'S customer service.
To buy or get more information on the ESEE Knives ESEE-4 Knife with 4.5" Black Combo Blade, Grey Micarta Handles, Black Sheath, MOLLE Locks and MOLLE Back click the link below.
ESEE Knives ESEE-4 Knife 4.5" Black Combo Blade, Grey Micarta Handles, Black Sheath, MOLLE Locks, MOLLE Back
To buy or get more information on the ESEE Knives ESEE-4 Knife 4.5" Black Plain Blade, Grey Micarta Handles, Black Sheath, MOLLE Locks, MOLLE Back click the link below.
ESEE Knives ESEE-4 Knife 4.5" Black Plain Blade, Grey Micarta Handles, Black Sheath, MOLLE Locks, MOLLE Back
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i never knew the history of knifes, thanks for giving this knowledge
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