Looking for a solid combat knife
- Thread starter SonOfRoost
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Ahhh, no sorry, that is incorrect. ESEE was formerly known as Rat Cutlery, not the Ontario made RAT. ESEE is superior in quality and have a no holds barred, unconditional full replacement warrantee. They are superior knives for the money. Check out the ESEE 4, 5 and 6 for these uses.
I also have a Fallkniven F1 and two Bark River Bravo-1's which are also excellent for all around survival, bushcraft, and combat zone knives.
Gentelmen,
There are combat knives, fighting knives, collector knives. My favorite was my Gerber Mark 1 I bought at the PX in 1966/67 (?). It is currently riding the boot of a career NCO who I helped train in Search & Rescue as an Explorer Scout. To me it is and was a fighting knife pure, plain and simple. Now when I carry a sheath knife it is a puukko purchased from Ragnar's forge on the Internet. It is one of the most versatile knives I have ever owned, I believe it is called the troll. I have skinned elk, cut for campfire, carved with it, cleaned fish, and shown it off more than once to others who were mystified by it's ability to absorb punishment and maintain an edge. As for combat or fighting, it was more than capable when the Germans invaded the Scandinavian countries in WWII. Mine is made of three plies of steel and is carbon steel, not stainless.
blindhari
Sgt Ranger
Like my father before me
There are combat knives, fighting knives, collector knives. My favorite was my Gerber Mark 1 I bought at the PX in 1966/67 (?). It is currently riding the boot of a career NCO who I helped train in Search & Rescue as an Explorer Scout. To me it is and was a fighting knife pure, plain and simple. Now when I carry a sheath knife it is a puukko purchased from Ragnar's forge on the Internet. It is one of the most versatile knives I have ever owned, I believe it is called the troll. I have skinned elk, cut for campfire, carved with it, cleaned fish, and shown it off more than once to others who were mystified by it's ability to absorb punishment and maintain an edge. As for combat or fighting, it was more than capable when the Germans invaded the Scandinavian countries in WWII. Mine is made of three plies of steel and is carbon steel, not stainless.
blindhari
Sgt Ranger
Like my father before me
SonOfRoost
Member
Thanks, the camping knife is what I was looking for. The fairbairn would be for show, it's just an afterthought. I don't want to buy a "survival knife" unless it has a full tang, absolutely NO exceptions on that rule, I would also like it to hold a good edge (I do a little carving now and then). So sorry about the fairbairn comment, it belongs on a different thread, my bad.
Pilot,
I think you misunderstood naolith. I think he's referring to the original RAT knives and not the ones produced by Ontario under agreement with Randall's Adventure & Training. If we do a little more digging into the history of RAT and ESSE we find that around 2002 Ontario entered into an agreement with Randall's Adventure and Training Team (RAT) and started offering a production version of the "real" RAT knives. RAT had been making knives since 1997 and had developed a stellar reputation. Much like other collaborations the folks at Randall's weren't happy with the Ontario RATs and eventually Randall and Ontario parted ways. RAT continued to make their outstanding knives. In 2010 Randall's Adventure & Training changed the name of the cutlery division to ESEE. Same company, same knives, different name. Read the press relief yourself. http://www.eseeknives.com/February 1 Press Release.pdf
I think you misunderstood naolith. I think he's referring to the original RAT knives and not the ones produced by Ontario under agreement with Randall's Adventure & Training. If we do a little more digging into the history of RAT and ESSE we find that around 2002 Ontario entered into an agreement with Randall's Adventure and Training Team (RAT) and started offering a production version of the "real" RAT knives. RAT had been making knives since 1997 and had developed a stellar reputation. Much like other collaborations the folks at Randall's weren't happy with the Ontario RATs and eventually Randall and Ontario parted ways. RAT continued to make their outstanding knives. In 2010 Randall's Adventure & Training changed the name of the cutlery division to ESEE. Same company, same knives, different name. Read the press relief yourself. http://www.eseeknives.com/February 1 Press Release.pdf
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
Troll?
The "Troll" that blindhari mentions is made by Brusletto.
The one RagweedForge sells has this picture:
I have one that's similar, but not as well put together.
I should probably get a photo of it, since it's the only Norwegian knife I have.
The "Troll" that blindhari mentions is made by Brusletto.
The one RagweedForge sells has this picture:
I have one that's similar, but not as well put together.
I should probably get a photo of it, since it's the only Norwegian knife I have.
My thanks to the moderator. I purchased 4 of these a while back (lower price then) and have yet to wear out the first one. I have given one to each of our children and the third is still pristine because of the wood on the handle. My wood carving tools are Ramelson and this is on an eaqual footing as far as quality, but far more useful for casual or slab carving.
blindhari
blindhari
tcsnake
Member
+1 to the Thepunisher'sArmory
06
Member
My old RAT 7 has cut wood, chopped anything in the way, and will still shave you(after a mild sharpening that is). It is my second favorite-first is a freebie from a bud. It is a Gerber and unbelievably sharp, tough, and easy handling. The BOB has a "Rambo" piece of junk and on top is a fighting knife(dagger). Different tools for different jobs.
Thanks HSO. I am very familiar with RAT Cutlery and the name change to ESEE. I have three of their fine knives as well as a fire starter and even a coffee mug.
I'm also active in their forum here.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=816
I assumed he was comparing the Ontario made Randall designed RAT knives to the current ESEE/RAT Cutlery knives. Thanks for the clarification.
SonOfRoost
Member
Thanks for the links, although a wood handle seems a little fancy for a camping knife that may be exposed to a variety of bad conditions. Rubber or leather grips seem a little better for the situation.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I have seen and repaired a lot of leather washer handles on WWII combat knives that just fell off due to jungle rot.
The wood handle knives seems to have survived just fine, even from the civil war & WWI era, as they are not subject to jungle rot or being damp 24/7 for months.
Rubber handles are a fairly recent development.
We will have to wait 75-150 years to see how well they compare to wood for longevity.
But I wouldn't place any bets on them lasting that long.
rc
The wood handle knives seems to have survived just fine, even from the civil war & WWI era, as they are not subject to jungle rot or being damp 24/7 for months.
Rubber handles are a fairly recent development.
We will have to wait 75-150 years to see how well they compare to wood for longevity.
But I wouldn't place any bets on them lasting that long.
rc
You're making an incorrect assumption. Leather stack washers are a recent feature compared to wood. I've handled wooden gripped knives from before the civil war. They might crack, but they don't rot off like leather.
SonOfRoost
Member
hmmm, guess I didn't think about that... I also prefer the feel of leather or rubber to wood, unless it's checkered wood. Any suggestions for checkered wood?
You don't want a checkered handle on a knife. They'll raise blisters.
SonOfRoost
Member
good thought.... but smooth wood doesn't feel right to me. Any non conventional grip suggestions that aren't smooth?
The Highlander
Member
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Micarta and G10. (Micarta is layered Canvas, Linen, or Paper impregnated with a durable synthetic resin/epoxy and G10 is similar to fiberglass and is also reinforced with epoxy; both can be made smooth or textured)
stag
SonOfRoost
Member
Thanks, I'll take a look at some of those grip options. I feel kind of stupid not thinking of stag though . My dad owns a Ka-Bar tanto, don't want an exact copy of his, but thanks.
. My dad owns a Ka-Bar tanto, don't want an exact copy of his, but thanks.You could always try the "rough use knife" at Cheaper Than Dirt - http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ItemListing.aspx?catid=682;
If you don't like it you are only out ten bucks. Better yet save your pennies and get the Ka-bar.
If you don't like it you are only out ten bucks. Better yet save your pennies and get the Ka-bar.
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WVMountainBoy
Member
I got one of the Glock combat knives for christmas and its a fine blade. Holds an edge very well. Must confess, never been in a knife fight though
zignal_zero
Member
Cold Steel Recon Scout. you can get the cheaper (high carbon steel, black coated) for apx $60
as others have said "combat knife" and "fighting knife" are two different things. imho, a combat knife is more useful because it will fill in for the fighting knife better than the fighting knife will fill in for it (utilitarian).
as others have said "combat knife" and "fighting knife" are two different things. imho, a combat knife is more useful because it will fill in for the fighting knife better than the fighting knife will fill in for it (utilitarian).
The Highlander
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If you want a cheap tanto Cold Steels Kobun aint bad and if youre lucky you can see them as low as $25-30
SonOfRoost
Member
All sound like good suggestions. I would like a completely straight edge though, also thinking about a bone grip, any suggestions?
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