ESEE 5 vs. RAT 5 Knife Comparison 

Hey man, good video as always. Thanks for the history lesson at the beginning. I was really never that interested in either of these, but the background was actually rather appreciated.

Outstanding review with no bs at a nice pace! Gawd i wated time on some slow talking reviews only to find they barely used the knife. This is much more informative!

Im sipping single malt scotch. Looking for a knife to impulse buy

Great video, just purchased the ESEE 5. I previously bought a "deep woods bowie" from Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works and it is incredibly tough, but is oversized for small woodworking tasks. The ESEE 5 will be what I am looking for to complete those tasks while being nearly indestructible.

Just wanted to say I bought the ESEE5 and havent looked back. I wanted a Buy once and forget it knife... that EXACTLY what I got! Thanks a million for everything.

When I first got into knives I bought a Tops with a .25" 154cm blade at about 5"...I now know better. While there may seem to be an appeal to such a robust knife the reality is such knives are not that great for 90% of knife duties but batoning and perhaps chopping through an airframe both of which can be done with thinner stock. I encourage noobs to resist the urge of the .25" stock unless its 7" in length and very high saber or full flat otherwise the geometry makes for a knife that sucks at cutting, is cumbersome to handle and is excessive in weight. There is little need to go beyond 3/16" stock.

Say Heah Aaron, A two fold comment. First I was going to use my Rodent 5. It's a Beauty, a Outstanding Knife. But because of rain today, I decided to go with my Steel Will Druid 240 and the Druid 230. Yeah, The brambles are still tough to get through in some places, so that Druid 230 is used to clear through path's. Their not bad and it was your suggestion that I looked into the Steel Will Knives. The steel is 9Cr18MoV which is similar to 440b. but I think it's a little better. Yeah, My Druid 240 holds a decent edge and it's great in wet weather. Infact I just got back in time to watch Thursday Night Football and strop my knives to sharp again. Although the edge on both are still sharp enough, so just a few strokes on the Leather strop with maybe the White Compound. But I still wish the Druid 230 was a little wider than it prolly would be a little heavier as a Chopper. I also use a Danger Leather JRE Sheath with a Firesteel Loop. It matches both my 2Hawks Double Bit Hatchet and my WarBeast Tomahawk which has three sharp edges. My Wicked Tough Saw actually matches the nicest in this Trio. I actually like it because it really is a tough saw. I don't do it, but you can lite chop with it. But what I really like it doesn't bind like my Bacho Laplander which is similar in size, but I can also carry it in the open position in the Scabbard. A nice option to have especially when building a shelter. In colder weather, of course I love my Modified Rodent 6. Hands down it's one of my all time Fav's. I had it thinned down and the top guard taken off. So now it looks like a Ratmandu on steroids. I usually use my 17" Hultafors Bruks Agdor Hatchet and my new WoW Folding Saw. I can also carry it in the open position. But instead of neck carrying my Mora 510. I decided getting the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter. I think you would really like it. Then do a video on it. It's a cutter. Anyhow, as far as a 5" blade, we'll 5 5/8" blades go. My Rodent 5 is really a Outstanding Knife. Your one of the few that reviewed a couple of my Swamp Rat Knives. Thanx You.,,. p

Perfect timing for me find this video. Recently traded my bk2 for a machete, and I'm looking for a similar knife to the bk2. Just watched esee 5 vs bk2 this video will decide my next purchase

Awesome video! BTW what style weave is that para cord bracelet??

Have you tried using the Esee 5 sheath with the Rat-5? They are so similar can't see them not working unless the blade thickness is the issue. I know Rat-7s and Esee 6s will work that way. Since you have both I was hoping you would know.

Great video, I luv my Choils, and the Saber Grind, your absolutly right, a Choil to me is like having two knife sizes in one, I have three great knives, with a 1/4" thickness blades, my BK-2, the O.K.C. Ranger Afghan, and my O.K.C., T.F.I., really good knives two are 5160, and the BK-2 is 1095 CroVan, I think at one time, the O.K.C.'s were tempered higher, but alot of people complained about chipping, I don't have that problem, and I like the 5160 steel on my larger blades especially, like my Gen2 SP-53, and my SP-51, SP-49, even my SP-47, I like my Saber Grinds, especially when I'm processing alot of wood, but for my Field/Camp knife, I like 3/16th, blade, my Swamp Rat Ratmandu really shines, and it baton's great too, it's made out of 52100 Busse's Famous Tempering, and it's similar to the 5160, but it has more carbon, as far as a all purpose knife, I think the 3/16th is just the right size, but but the thicker blade shines in the batoning of wood, as long as the grinds are the same, the Essee is a 1/4" Saber grind, where the Rat 5 is a Full Grind, the Saber Grind will be better to baton with, and the Full will slice better, my Ratmandu will baton better then my Afghan, and yet it's thinner, so will my BK-9, over my friend's SP-50, which again is thicker, it would be a closer comparison if both had the same grind, and the same thickness, that's why I think why you said, the Essee is not as good of a slicer than the Rat 5, and that's why, I like a knife with a Choil, and a Saber Grind, but also a good slicer, so the only knife, that was 3/16ths, and Saber Grind, was my Ratmandu, it's one of my favorite knives, and I have two, one in SR101, the other one in INFI, for more delicate work, I like a shorter blade, and a Scandi Grind,, which is similar to a Saber Grind, without the Secondary bevel, with those two characteristics, but out of those two knives, I like what Essee does with their Tempering, so we as consumers, have to really research our knives, one way I do it, I go to forum's, and hear what they say, then I check out the prices, and ofcource watch your video's, Thanx for helping us out.

Good review..i got the ESEE 5 and I love the weight amd feel of the blade.. also got the ESEE 4 for cutting and doing finer cutting tasks.

@gideonstactical I would be very interested in knowing what kind of watch that is or how you made it? It almost looks like some sort of paracord?

you are the best source on survival knife's that I have seen. what would you say is the best or your favorite survival or bushcraft knife?

Good video. I have beat the absolute tar out of my RAT-5. Mostly used for betanin kindlin. No build quality issues with mine. Scales are a little rough around the stock, but this thing is a beast. Not a daily carry, but definitely a day bag sort of carry. Mine seems to always stay sharp, even still, easy to put a razor edge back on it. Really would like a proper leather sheath for this thing to do it real justice.

Love my RAT 5

I went with the Rat 5 and the ESEE Junglas.

Cheers Mate!

How would the new Utica UTK series UTK-S5 stand up against these 2 proven knives?

See i use a Rat 7 for my Vest Kit. So I need some strap retention for the knife cause I cant just let is sit in a kidex retention sheath

is the sheath on the RAT5 the same as the Becker2? it looks the same to me.

Would you say the extra money you’d pay for the esee is worth it?

I deployed with the esee 5,way too bulky and heavy, stick with an izula 2 or something that doesn't put you way out of uniform,keep in mind - if the knife isn't always on you then it won't be when you most need it.

I've been using my rat 5 for about 7 years now holds great blade retention It's more of a skinning hunting knife at this point because I have my Ontario Bowie for chopping and splitting but overall very very very nice knives and he's right about the hand fatigue with the SE5 because I own that one also doesn't get used much

Hey dude good vid. Im looking for a second sheath for my rat5, do you know if it will fit in the esee 5 sheath? or could you recommend one, thx

Can the rat 5 fit in the esee 5 sheath?

ESSE-4 for carry - love it

Great video , I have both ... they are both nice knifes , each has it's qualities .

Good information. I'm SOLD on the esse the sheath looks good. I'm a little disappointed in the sheath on the rat 5. Thank you.

I love my esee jungless I put it through some tuff times and it's came out like new with clean down with a little butter and vegetable oil in a 70/30 mixture that's all I use to clean my knifes hopefully this information will be helpful thank you William theboss leeds

Do you happen to know if the ESEE-5 will fit in that nylon sheath that the RAT-5 comes with? With the ticker blade, will it slide into the insert?

Comfterbility is not a word, comfort is what you’re tryna say...

I’m honestly not a huge fan of the ESEE 5. It’s an outlier in the ESEE lineup, instead of the 5in version of the ESEE 3/4/6 that it should be. I feel like the ESEE 5 would be great as part of a heavier duty lineup, with 6 & 7in options as well. Thankfully if you want a 5in version of the ESEE 4 or 6, the RAT-5 exists. Kind of like if you wished the ESEE 6 was just a little bit longer, buy a RAT-7.

Great comparison. Thanks. Just wanted to know how does the rat 5 compare to the blackbird sk-5? Would you consider doing a video on it ?

I just watched this video and your ESEE5 vs. BK2 videos. I'd request that you also show or at least say how the spines are with ferro rods. It would be nice to know if you have to modify the knife because of the coating or the angle of the spine.

Great review Aaron. Will the Rat5 blade fit into the Esee kydex sheath? Thx

hi. many thanks for all the videos. may I ask your opinion on whether I should choose an esee 5 or 6. I want a survival/bushcraft knife which is strong and easy to use and maintain. it needs to chop and cut but also feather easily. I have seen your videos but am still unsure. I thank you for your opinions. I havnt included the esee 4 as I find the handle too small.

Good side by side review! The ESEE 5 is probably my favorite fixed blade, though I might be slightly byassed, as mine was an engraved present. But Ive wondered about picking up a RAT 5, to serve a different niche...

How does type Buck Compadre compare?

do a comparison between esee 5 and firstedge 5050 to see which is the most best survival knives.

Why has the blade to be so wide? I´m using the ESEE 4 for bushcrafting and can´t recommend it for this kind of use. To big to do fine work and to small to do the heavy stuff.

Does the sheath on the RAT still dull the edge of the knife with repeated use?

my rat 5 made with d2 tool steel is sure sweet what esee no d2 esee 5?

I would rather have the thinner blade. Both look like cool knives tho

nice video

In my opinion the Rat 5 wins. But the Esee 5 does look better.

I only get Esee for its invincible warranty

I'm deploying as infantry soon but I'm on a budget so should I settle for the rat?

Just bought a brand new Ranger-6, fit n finish is pretty disappointing.

Will each strike a ferro rod

Does the Esee 5 come with the belt clip?

really wish they made a knife that is just perfect for everything

I went with the Esee because I am not a huge fan of finger choils

won't the esee 5 sheath fit the rat 5?

Can u compare the Esee 6 and the Rat 5?

Just get a BK-2. It’s more cost effective and definitely as much knife as these two. Yea you might wanna upgrade that handle but you can afford it with the cost. BK2 is a beast/workhorse might I suggest the izula2 bc the knives we’re discussing are very heavy. I love having the BK2 on my hip and the izula on my shoulder. I can also suggest the Benchmade contego or BK15 on the shoulder. I pack multiple knives and like bigger ones so lately I’ve have the turok on my shoulder although that is a bit excessive but I carry several sooo

RAT 5

People acting like they can't get a Tactical Tomahawk for chopping and protection etc.

The ESEE 5 isn't made for detailed work.

Guys how can i get someone to help me out i would really like check out some knives that im having a hard time affording, id really like to get my hands on a kabar becker bk 2,9,or 16, or a turok / choppa, or the Rat5 / esee5 theres a few others if anyone has one of these amazing knives for gift or sale at a lower cost any help at all is greatly appreciated.

ESEE has a Lifetime warrantee. RAT has a one year.

With all the adrenaline from getting attacked...really wont notice the weight difference defending yourself....or stabbing ability.....

Esee is too thick on the spine and has that ugly edge grind runout as well. Also costs more. I think the choice is pretty clear here

I own both ....lol

All things being equal... FFG is NOT as good as a Saber Grind for Heavy Bushcraft use !!! Because of the shallow edge on a FFG makes for a weaker edge. I'll take a Saber anytime... any place !!! Thx

ugh... even if your knife can baton, it's still not good for it. there are much better ways to split wood. hell you can split a log using nothing more but a mora or a pocket knife...

john 3.16

Say Heah Aaron, It would of been nice if you also included the Afghan of yours.,,.

Its not worth double the price imo, thats just ridiculous.

DBK has not given a good review of esee knives. No finger choil no deal

ESEE ALL DAY!!!!!!!!!!

RAT-5 is ESEE 6 ...just shorter🤷‍♂️

AND ALONG CAME THE SCHF42D..

Esee is much better

ESEE IS THE BEST!!!!! BETTER FIT AND FINISH........

Rat 5 4 evar hahahaah

Esee 5 is more durable.

Big talk for someone who’s never been in a knife fight. This guy is a clown