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RAT-3
- Thread starter JRS58
- Start date
No, they are not the same, but they are very similar and stem from the same roots.
Ontario Knife Company (OKC) used to make knives for Randall's Adventure Training (RAT) under the RAT name and logo. These RAT- and RC- knives were and are good knives. OKC also makes the cheaper but similar "Ranger" line of knives.
RAT insisted on "American made," and when OKC decided to outsource overseas, RAT broke with OKC. In the break-up, OKC retained the right to use the RAT name and logo. (remember the weird little singer who was "formerly known" as some goofy symbol?)
With so many OKC-RAT knives already sold, RAT renamed themselves EESE and found a great manufacturer (Rowen) in Idaho to produce their products. Warranty was another reason for the name change: EESE knives have an unlimited lifetime warranty, which the RAT knives do not. EESE knives are made in America. Their high-end sheath option is bullet proof....and has an extra cover flap for airborne operations. Their blades are probably better, but it may depend on what kind of grind you prefer.
Check out the EESE web-site and learn all about them and their real forte: Jungle survival operations!
Ontario Knife Company (OKC) used to make knives for Randall's Adventure Training (RAT) under the RAT name and logo. These RAT- and RC- knives were and are good knives. OKC also makes the cheaper but similar "Ranger" line of knives.
RAT insisted on "American made," and when OKC decided to outsource overseas, RAT broke with OKC. In the break-up, OKC retained the right to use the RAT name and logo. (remember the weird little singer who was "formerly known" as some goofy symbol?)
With so many OKC-RAT knives already sold, RAT renamed themselves EESE and found a great manufacturer (Rowen) in Idaho to produce their products. Warranty was another reason for the name change: EESE knives have an unlimited lifetime warranty, which the RAT knives do not. EESE knives are made in America. Their high-end sheath option is bullet proof....and has an extra cover flap for airborne operations. Their blades are probably better, but it may depend on what kind of grind you prefer.
Check out the EESE web-site and learn all about them and their real forte: Jungle survival operations!
Hate to argue... But my OKC RAT 7 is made in the USA. I just got it in the past 2 months.
I too own the RAT-7 and it is made here in the good ol' US of A.
No arguement on where OKC's RAT fixed blades are currently made, although the RAT folders come from Taiwan.
ESEE parted from OKC back in 2007 and things change.
ESEE recently backed off of their "American made" stance, probably due to some of their collaborations with other knife makers.
The RAT-3 / RC-3 used to be made by OKC for the company now known as ESEE.
Bottom line is that the RAT-3 is made by OKC in New York and the ESEE-3 is made by Rowen MFG in Idaho for ESEE.
ESEE parted from OKC back in 2007 and things change.
ESEE recently backed off of their "American made" stance, probably due to some of their collaborations with other knife makers.
The RAT-3 / RC-3 used to be made by OKC for the company now known as ESEE.
Bottom line is that the RAT-3 is made by OKC in New York and the ESEE-3 is made by Rowen MFG in Idaho for ESEE.
I have 2 of them and love them they hold a edge and sharpen very easy . And u can abuse them . Well worth the $
