I currently have an ESEE 3mil that I purchased with the idea of carrying as a defensive blade. I am finding more and more I am not carrying it because I do not like the design of the handle and feel that the wide blade is more of a utility blade than a defensive blade.
Any other suggestions on low profile fixed blades between 3.5-4" would be appreciated as well.
Inventory doesn’t always get updated so I would shoot one or both of them an email and let them know what you’re specifically looking for.
Bladerigs used to make the sheaths for a lot of the Sayoc contract blades, including the RAT.
One of my favorite EDC knives is a modded Bladerigs mini-pentagon with sheath and T4research just made me a sheath for a 15 year old, made in Pakistan, Kerambit that I modded. Both good people and very knowledgable about blades and carry systems.
I have owned one for over a year now (back when you had to get KD to vouch for you just to get to buy one). Great knife and the sheath system is fantastic for carrying in just about any type of clothing (swim shorts, over a instructor belt, whatever).
For those that don’t have $500 for a knife, the Spyderco Reverse designed by “SouthNarc” and Michael Janich will be out soon. We will be stocking them.
I know this is subjective but is it worth the $500? I WILL be buying a defensive fixed blade would I be better off going with a $250ish Joe Watson option, or is the Headhunter really worth double the price. I try to maintain a buy once cry once methodology, and while the price is not a deal breaker, $500 is not a small drop in the bucket. The most attractive feature of the Rat to me is the grip design. It looks like it will be a faster more positive draw under stress and be less likely to slide or move once deployed.
At the time, I hadn’t seen anything this well thought out (all around) so I had no problem paying it. I will admit though that I have a knife fetish and $500 isn’t a lot of money to me.
I would say that it balances out because you’re getting the sheath and the trainer. Joe Watson knives are great, but once you factor in the trainer with the live blade, you’re pushing $500 anyways.
You say “at the time”, are there any better alternatives hat are similar you would suggest? You are definitely leaning me towards the Rat so far. I would much rather grit my teeth through a larger expense and buy the best now and not have to sell it down the road in lieu of something better suited for the task.
If I may stay in my “lane,” I am not a fixed blade/knife fighting guru (much more knowledgeable folks out there than I). So there could be some options out there that I am unaware of, but I haven’t seen any yet (to date) that I like more than my RAT.
Objectively, no, it’s not worth it. You can find a ABS journeyman bladesmith to make a custom work of art to your specifications, differentially heat treated, from high end steel, for less money.
The people who buy this knife are those that buy into the Sayoc mystique or those that like to drop names of trainers they took a class from.
You don’t have to spend $500 to get a good self defense knife and a trainer.
(I make knives on a 2x72 grinder and a paint can forge I built myself for less than Rat knife.)
