Quote from: NT2C on February 04, 2023, 02:26:32 PM

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on February 04, 2023, 01:58:12 PM...not even good pot metal like a Hi-Point is made of.

 

That is f ing funny!!!!! 

Ok. Fair warning. I didn't sleep well last night. Got up three times about an hour each. So rant mode is on! Lol! I'll try not to offend anyone. 😂

I just got presented with another California knife law chart. Which appeared to clearly define knife laws in CA. It also came from an app with gps permissions that claimed to show you real time if you were legally concealed carrying a knife. Its a pretty pipular from what appears to be a good source. 

Only to find out that the app hadn't been updated in three years. Since 2020. And the reviews over the last three years were spotty at best. 

You'd think there would be a legal precedent that made it unlawful for governments to apply laws that were so confusing no one could figure them out. 

I have completely given up on this state for so long! 

I still have my heart set on an ESEE Candiru with a horizontal carry sheath. But now I'm second guessing the law AGAIN.

Nice set up tho right? For a 2 inch fixed blade?

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Quote from: Moab on February 04, 2023, 04:41:16 PMYou'd think there would be a legal precedent that made it unlawful for governments to apply laws that were so confusing no one could figure them out.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Knives are certainly arms.

All the BS laws in California are one more reason why I love my state.

In 2017 we got rid of the blade length limits (used to be limited to 5 inch and under fixed blades. Folders weren't subject to that.) and now you can carry pretty much anything in Texas.

You can even carry a friggin' Scottish claymore like a redneck William Wallace if you want. You might get stared at, especially in the urban centers like Austin, Dallas and Houston, and maybe get asked to leave whatever store you're in, but that's it.

Even stuff like brass knuckles and those collapsible batons like the cops use are legal for me to carry in Texas now.

I have one, but it's a piece of crap that collapses with the slightest movement and doesn't lock open like it's supposed to.

And that ESEE Candiru knife looks nice. A bit small for me, but I'm currently wanting one of their new ESEE-4's in CPM-S35VN stainless steel.

That's more sized for me. Now if they made one of their ESEE-5's in that steel, it'd be even better.

Quote from: NT2C on February 04, 2023, 04:48:00 PM

Quote from: Moab on February 04, 2023, 04:41:16 PMYou'd think there would be a legal precedent that made it unlawful for governments to apply laws that were so confusing no one could figure them out.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Knives are certainly arms.

So f ing true. Thank you nt2c. So many of our young people were never taught why this is so important. They have no connection to how this country was founded. How we kept it. And by what means this is still true today. Look at almost all the countries with gun control? And how much their citizens are controlled? 

Our democracy is bleeding. At an alarming rate.

And yes. Knives are certainly arms. And as the lesser to firearms. Should be the first things protected. 

But our society has this major misconception that the tool is the killer. Not the disturbed individual that used it.

Or at least that is their excuse for disarming us all. 

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on February 04, 2023, 05:37:43 PMAll the BS laws in California are one more reason why I love my state.

In 2017 we got rid of the blade length limits (used to be limited to 5 inch and under fixed blades. Folders weren't subject to that.) and now you can carry pretty much anything in Texas.

You can even carry a friggin' Scottish claymore like a redneck William Wallace if you want. You might get stared at, especially in the urban centers like Austin, Dallas and Houston, and maybe get asked to leave whatever store you're in, but that's it.

Even stuff like brass knuckles and those collapsible batons like the cops use are legal for me to carry in Texas now.

I have one, but it's a piece of crap that collapses with the slightest movement and doesn't lock open like it's supposed to.

I have one of those batons too. I bought it or was given it when I lived in WA. And it was still legal to have in my car. It expands properly and is very tough. I would not want to hit someone with it. Unless I needed to kill someone in a very dire self defense situation. Because I don't think you could lightly tap someone with it. And I've always wondered how much force to someones head would be enough or to much. If you know what I mean? I think its a fine line with a heavy steel baton. But maybe I'm wrong.

I wonder if Ed Calderon teaches that in his self defense classes? He uses pig carcases to teach people knife fighting skills. I wonder if a pigs skull is similar enough to a humans?

Deep gory thoughts of a survivalist with a vivid imagination. Lol. Sorry for the dio into this rabbit hole. 😳

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on February 04, 2023, 05:40:16 PMAnd that ESEE Candiru knife looks nice. A bit small for me, but I'm currently wanting one of their new ESEE-4's in CPM-S35VN stainless steel.

That's more sized for me. Now if they made one of their ESEE-5's in that steel, it'd be even better.

If you get the ESEE4 get the HM. I have the esee5 and the esee4hm. I had the esee5 for a few years before I got the esee4hm. I got more ergonimic rounded scales for the esee5. And it made a huge difference in handling and working with the knife.

The esee4hm comes with ergonomic scales. But also with a curve in the handle that makes it 100 times more usable than a straight spined knife. The ergonomics of this can not be overestimated. Use a straight backed knife. Then use one with a good curve to it. And you'll see immediately why it handles cuts better in the hand. And will not tire your hand and wrist nearly as quick as a straight knife.

It also has a smaller handle and scales. Which fit the hand so much better for just about any skill you would want to master with a knife. And its still thick and strong enough that you would never need to worry about hurting it. I think it is .125 throughout the blade. Leaving just the bottom half or one third to taper down into the edge. This leaves you with a solid thickness thru alot of the blade. Unlike a full grind that goes up nearer the spine. If that makes sense?

I actually think the esee4hm is the perfect blade for bugging out, bushcraft, hunting, survival etc. Etc. Its weight is perfect. The esee5 although more bombproof at .25 thick is a bit on the heavy side for daily use, carry and all the intricate skills needed in the aforementioned uses. It is fine in the hand though. I can use it quite well. And would not stop to use it as my all around carry in a paw say. But the esee4hm does seem more versatile.

The esee4hm is neither to long. Nor to short. The grind is an easy one to maintain an edge on. I own a tanto. But don't get me started on how hard it is to sharpen a nontraditional blade profile. I can sharpen a tradition curved edge with a smooth rock. And that has to count for something.

Lastly, the esee4hm comes with just about everything you need at an affordable price. Knife, bombproof sheath, multiple carry options, micarta scales. You don't need to upgrade anything. Although I would not begrudge anyone that wanted to add a leather sheath for it. I find leather to be a very comfortable carry option. For a work knife.

I think the esee4hm is right kind of carbon steel and sharp soine edge for throwing sparks off a firesteel too. Although I prefer an attched piece of hacksaw blade. Rather than my knife.

This isn't to say there aren't dozens of other knives. That meet this criteria. For even less money. But most are straight backed. Which I think is a huge disadvantage in a daily use work knife and even self defense knife. You'll see even alot of the best self defense knives have a curve to their spine. It gives you alot if extra leverage.

My only grioe with ESEE knives is their engravings. They have some of the coolest engravings on their blades in the industry. The skull and crossed knives(?). The little fish on the Candiru. But all of them are only paint thick. And that paint wears off. And these awesome designs are lost forever.

Fortunately its very easy to make these lasting engravings. With pcb board etching acid. And the paint that already outlines these great designs. You can look up the process online.

But basically you use the markings already outlined with the painted template on the blade. You just apply the pcb acid to the markings. And it etches them down into the steel.

You have to use vaseline to make sure the acid does not run onto any exposed areas like the blade edge. But its a very easy process. I did it on my esee5. And it turned out great.

I don't even think the serial numbers are etched beyond the paint. My esee5 has one. I don't recall if all the other models do. But I etched that as well on my esee5. Look up pics on google and youll see esee blades with the oaint and all markings worn off. This is the only thing I wish they would change.

Lastly, they have a real lifetime warranty.

The ESEE-4 I was looking at comes with some blaze orange scales (not sure if they're G10 or dyed Micarta. More than likely they're G10) and they're butt ugly.

If I get one, I'll probably end up replacing the scales with something less bright. Maybe some flat dark earth G10 or micarta scales would work with the stainless finish on the blade.

And I'll look at the ESEE-4HM. That wasn't even on my radar, but it is now.

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on February 05, 2023, 01:07:25 PMThe ESEE-4 I was looking at comes with some blaze orange scales (not sure if they're G10 or dyed Micarta. More than likely they're G10) and they're butt ugly.

If I get one, I'll probably end up replacing the scales with something less bright. Maybe some flat dark earth G10 or micarta scales would work with the stainless finish on the blade.

And I'll look at the ESEE-4HM. That wasn't even on my radar, but it is now.

Check out the knife connection. I've bought both mine from there. They seem to have the best prices and options. They also sell a large amount of aftermarket scales in both g10 and micarta. I bought contoured g10s for my esee5 originally. As micarta was not available then. But I want to get a set of the micarta tkc sells now.

I would strongly suggest you price out a complete knife kit in esee on tkc. You can get the esee4hm already with micarta scales, a good kydex sheath, and tech lok. For less than if you bought all that separate. I don't know if thats true of the regular esee4.  

I'll check them out, Moab.

It'll likely be awhile until I can afford either blade, but that gives me plenty of time to research all my options.

Got my OKC RAT II today and color me... disenchanted. 

A) It's far smaller than I expected it to be.  Yeah, I knew it had a 3" blade, I just didn't expect the whole knife to be quite this tiny.  I have other 3" blade knives and this is the smallest of all of them.

B) I can't flick it with the thumb studs.  The knife is too small in my hand and the detent is too strong.  Either it gets dropped or the blade barely moves. (and just sliced the tip of my thumb)

C) I did not expect it to be made in Taiwan.  Silly me, I expected a USA-made knife from this USA company.

D) The edges on the spine of the blade are so sharp it took a chunk out of a finger.  If I keep this I'll have to address that with a file and chamfer it.

I also got this fun little toy and I gotta say, if I can still type by the end of the week and have no missing digits it'll be something we need to notify the Pope about.

It's even smaller than the RAT II but at least it has a flipper.  It's also oddly evocative of my CRKT LCK+ Large.  Sorta like a "mini-me" version, especially with one of those #60 blades installed.  I'm gonna go play with it; y'all can practice calling me "Lefty".

Quote from: NT2C on February 05, 2023, 07:32:48 PMI also got this fun little toy and I gotta say, if I can still type by the end of the week and have no missing digits it'll be something we need to notify the Pope about.

It's even smaller than the RAT II but at least it has a flipper.  It's also oddly evocative of my CRKT LCK+ Large.  Sorta like a "mini-me" version, especially with one of those #60 blades installed.  I'm gonna go play with it; y'all can practice calling me "Lefty".

That looks alot like the better made chinese knock offs. I like the scales. How many blades and can u get more? I see ALOT of hunters ysing these now. I used to think they were for guys that disnt know how to sharpen a knife. But now even steve ranella uses them. 

Quote from: NT2C on February 05, 2023, 07:23:53 PMGot my OKC RAT II today and color me... disenchanted. 

A) It's far smaller than I expected it to be.  Yeah, I knew it had a 3" blade, I just didn't expect the whole knife to be quite this tiny.  I have other 3" blade knives and this is the smallest of all of them.

B) I can't flick it with the thumb studs.  The knife is too small in my hand and the detent is too strong.  Either it gets dropped or the blade barely moves. (and just sliced the tip of my thumb)

C) I did not expect it to be made in Taiwan.  Silly me, I expected a USA-made knife from this USA company.

D) The edges on the spine of the blade are so sharp it took a chunk out of a finger.  If I keep this I'll have to address that with a file and chamfer it.

Thats to bad. I wonder if the esee version is any better? Those are two lauded folders for inexpensive survival kit knives. 

Quote from: NT2C on February 05, 2023, 07:23:53 PMGot my OKC RAT II today and color me... disenchanted. 

A) It's far smaller than I expected it to be.  Yeah, I knew it had a 3" blade, I just didn't expect the whole knife to be quite this tiny.  I have other 3" blade knives and this is the smallest of all of them.

B) I can't flick it with the thumb studs.  The knife is too small in my hand and the detent is too strong.  Either it gets dropped or the blade barely moves. (and just sliced the tip of my thumb)

C) I did not expect it to be made in Taiwan.  Silly me, I expected a USA-made knife from this USA company.

D) The edges on the spine of the blade are so sharp it took a chunk out of a finger.  If I keep this I'll have to address that with a file and chamfer it.

You'd probably like the bigger RAT Model 1 folder that Ontario makes. It's made in Taiwan as well, but it's much bigger.

It's got a 3.6" blade with about a five inch handle with an overall length of 8.62". I've got three of them (scored a couple on clearance at Walmart a few years back.) and I like them since they fit my large hands almost perfectly.

My only gripe is the spines are too squared off. OKC should've rounded them off a bit more in my opinion.

Quote from: Moab on February 05, 2023, 08:11:22 PM

Quote from: NT2C on February 05, 2023, 07:32:48 PMI also got this fun little toy and I gotta say, if I can still type by the end of the week and have no missing digits it'll be something we need to notify the Pope about.

It's even smaller than the RAT II but at least it has a flipper.  It's also oddly evocative of my CRKT LCK+ Large.  Sorta like a "mini-me" version, especially with one of those #60 blades installed.  I'm gonna go play with it; y'all can practice calling me "Lefty".

That looks alot like the better made chinese knock offs. I like the scales. How many blades and can u get more? I see ALOT of hunters ysing these now. I used to think they were for guys that disnt know how to sharpen a knife. But now even steve ranella uses them.

Jim Shockey's been using one of the Havalon branded knives like this one for awhile.

I think his shows are sponsored by them.

Quote from: Moab on February 05, 2023, 08:11:22 PM

Quote from: NT2C on February 05, 2023, 07:32:48 PMI also got this fun little toy and I gotta say, if I can still type by the end of the week and have no missing digits it'll be something we need to notify the Pope about.

It's even smaller than the RAT II but at least it has a flipper.  It's also oddly evocative of my CRKT LCK+ Large.  Sorta like a "mini-me" version, especially with one of those #60 blades installed.  I'm gonna go play with it; y'all can practice calling me "Lefty".

That looks alot like the better made chinese knock offs. I like the scales. How many blades and can u get more? I see ALOT of hunters ysing these now. I used to think they were for guys that disnt know how to sharpen a knife. But now even steve ranella uses them.

It says, "...also can use #18 #19 #20 #21 #22 #22A #23 #24 #25 #36 scalpel blades if you like."



So, the whole bottom row of that chart.

Scales are G-10 and the rest is titanium

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on February 05, 2023, 08:42:51 PM

Quote from: NT2C on February 05, 2023, 07:23:53 PMGot my OKC RAT II today and color me... disenchanted. 

A) It's far smaller than I expected it to be.  Yeah, I knew it had a 3" blade, I just didn't expect the whole knife to be quite this tiny.  I have other 3" blade knives and this is the smallest of all of them.

B) I can't flick it with the thumb studs.  The knife is too small in my hand and the detent is too strong.  Either it gets dropped or the blade barely moves. (and just sliced the tip of my thumb)

C) I did not expect it to be made in Taiwan.  Silly me, I expected a USA-made knife from this USA company.

D) The edges on the spine of the blade are so sharp it took a chunk out of a finger.  If I keep this I'll have to address that with a file and chamfer it.

You'd probably like the bigger RAT Model 1 folder that Ontario makes. It's made in Taiwan as well, but it's much bigger.

It's got a 3.6" blade with about a five inch handle with an overall length of 8.62". I've got three of them (scored a couple on clearance at Walmart a few years back.) and I like them since they fit my large hands almost perfectly.

My only gripe is the spines are too squared off. OKC should've rounded them off a bit more in my opinion.

I think you're right, a RAT I would be a better choice for me but since it was going to be a carry knife and Virginia is a bit complex on their knife laws I wanted to limit myself to 3".  I'll keep carrying my Olight Parrot or my Kershaw Seguin.  Oh, and the sharp spine was apparently one of the specs for the knife, intended for using spark lighters in the field.

I guess that makes sense why the spine on the Ontario Rat II is sharp like that.

ETA: And the 3" and under blade length limit does help me a bit should I ever want to send you a knife, NT2C.