Awhile back we received a request to review an ESEE brand knife. There are several knives that we’d like to review but, like everyone else, we have to stay within a budget. At today’s prices, 75 dollars is the maximum we’re willing to spend on a knife and sheath which makes the ESEE knives overpriced.

However, we were able to acquire a previously owned but unused Ontario RAT-3 knife. The RAT series (acronym for Randall Adventure & Training) are the predecessors to some of the ESEE line of knives. Some online forum chatter states that the Ontario Co. and Randall parted ways, spawning the ESEE brand. Ontario is still offering several RAT knife varieties including the RAT-3 at this time.

This knife has been available for a few years and has already earned an excellent reputation so we aren’t intending to use this knife but would like to just provide the specs and some additional photographs that aren’t available at the online retail sites.

SPECS:

• Blade: Full Tang, 1095, 3.5″ Drop Point, Non-Serrated, Black Powder coat
• Blade Thickness: .131″, Full Flat Grind.
• Handle: removable Tan Micarta, exposed pommel, lanyard hole.
• Sheath: Hard Molded with removable belt clip. Multi-Carry Tek-Lok  adaptor included
• Overall Length: 7.8″
• Made in the USA

We all really like the quality of this knife. Ruggedly simple…..The full tang construction makes this knife a workhorse and the removable scales offer the owner an opportunity to make a one-of-kind custom knife.

In my opinion, it’s the perfect size for everyday carry. The slim profile of both the sheath and the knife provide several carry options. It’s a little on the heavy side but not so heavy that it couldn’t be worn comfortably as a neck knife if you wanted to do so.

The sheath is manufactured from a very hard plastic. The website isn’t clear on what material is used. It isn’t flexible like kydex but hard molded like a glass-filled nylon. It is very well made and the design is very functional. Knife retention and release is excellent.

The knife does take a little getting used-to if you’re accustomed to a larger grip. It’s not uncomfortable at all, just narrow compared to Ontario’s Spec-Plus knives.

This knife is currently available at Amazon:

Justus