wanting a Ka Bar....advise?

[JShirley]

Get a small dedicated skinner, and another knife for your other tasks.

 

[Big Bill]

I vote ESEE 5 or ESEE 6 (Formerly RAT Knives)...

http://www.eseeknives.com/index2.htm

I own 3 of them. I can't say enough good about them.

(Disclamer - I'm a proud RAT Pack member!)

 

[TimboKhan]

I like the ESEE knives a bunch, but my roommate owns a Campanion, and I have to tell you that it is one heck of a knife. For me personally, I lean towards the ESEE almost entirely because I like the way they do business. Thats not to say that Kabar is a bad company though! In fact, I kind of flip flop in my head which one I would actually choose. Anyway, they are both very good knives and I genuinely feel you can't go wrong with either.

With that being said, take the advice of carrying two knives into the field with you. I would say that even something like your basic SAK is useful in the field for any number of tasks that are possible, but more awkward, with a bigger knife. I personally have a Kit Carson designed CRKT bird and trout knife (that is no longer made) that has been a companion with me in the field for a long time now, and it has paid for itself many, many times over.

 

[skipbo32]

just an update....all of your advise had got me thinking and looking at different knives. i think i have finally decided to go with the RAT RC-4 (ESEE 4) (will try and get a rc-4 since they changed the name). the bk2 and RC-5 looked like "the knife" i needed at first but they seemed a tad too thick and more like mini "large" survival blades rather than small blades. i still may consider the RAT RC-6 ......i like the weight and look of it, but might opt for a heavier duty knife if im going to commit to carring a blade 6 or more inches.

thanks again guys for broadening my horizons on viewing knives. the Ka Bar was my first choice because i didnt know anything else. not taking anything away from the ka bar, but that RAT RC-4 is the knife for me.....i can feel it!

 

[jmr40]

I think you will really like the ESSE. I use the ESSE 3 for a hunting knife. The blade is just under 4" long and is thinner. Seems like it would be easier to keep sharp. I liked it so much I later bought one of the ESSE 4's. This blade is just under 5" and a little thicker. Haven't used it yet. If I need anything longer than that I still have the 7" K-Bar. But it is almost never used.

 

[skipbo32]

so do you think the esee 3 is a little more handy and practical for hunting than the esee 4? i have a sog trident folder for the skinning but also wanted something w/ some heft.

 

[jmr40]

For me yes, When I bought the ESSE 3 I debated long and hard in the store between the 3 and 4. Either would work I think. The 5 or 6 are just too big for a hunting Knife, better as a survival knife.

The actual blade length on the 3 is 3 7/8". The blade it is 1/8" thick. I figured it was big enough for a big game hunting knife. The actual blade length on the ESSE 4 is only 1/2" longer at 4 5/8" and is 3/16" thick. I think either would work. If you can actually handle one instead of ordering sight unseen it would help.

I bought the ESSE 3 from a knife shop first. Several months later I found a table selling them at a gunshow for a lot less than I paid for the 1st one and decided what the heck, I'd just get them both.

 

[skipbo32]

jmr40.....you got the plain edge on your knives yes? or do any of your RATs have a combo edge? i would assume that for hunting you only need a plain edge. i wonder if it helps to have a combo edge to bust through the breast plate....

 

[jmr40]

Yes, both are plain edge with the black finish and green handles. The 3 came with a brown sheath, the 4 with black. I guess the serrated edge combo blades have a place, I just prefer the plain edges.