Ontario RAT 1 & ESEE Avispa Comparison, Teardown & Review (Knife Content)
Published: 3 years ago
Since I now have them both, I figured I'd share a comparison of the Ontario Rat Model 1 and the ESEE Avispa. Both are designed for use with Randall Adventure Training, but also make decent, if not heavy, EDC knives.
Ontario RAT 1 is tried & true. Has solid steel liners and nylon handle scales that are textured but still very smooth.
ESEE Avispa is a Frame lock, so it's thinner. It comes with some compromises and caveats though, which is the focus of this video.
RAT 1 Specs:
3.6" D2 blade with 2.9mm stock thickness
4.93 oz / 140 gram weight
0.50" handle thickness (Nylon)
Liner Lock
Phosphor Bronze & Nylon washers
ESEE Avispa Specs:
3.5" SK-5 blade with 2.9mm stock thickness
4.6 oz / 130 gram weight
0.37" handle thickness (Nylon & Steel)
Frame Lock
Phosphor Bronze & Nylon washers
Ontario RAT 1 is tried & true. Has solid steel liners and nylon handle scales that are textured but still very smooth.
ESEE Avispa is a Frame lock, so it's thinner. It comes with some compromises and caveats though, which is the focus of this video.
RAT 1 Specs:
3.6" D2 blade with 2.9mm stock thickness
4.93 oz / 140 gram weight
0.50" handle thickness (Nylon)
Liner Lock
Phosphor Bronze & Nylon washers
ESEE Avispa Specs:
3.5" SK-5 blade with 2.9mm stock thickness
4.6 oz / 130 gram weight
0.37" handle thickness (Nylon & Steel)
Frame Lock
Phosphor Bronze & Nylon washers