Swamp rat Rodent 3 vs ESEE 3

[95wrangler]

And go!

Looking at these two knives as an edc. Have heard alot about ESEE knives here but does anyone have an opinion about the Swamp Rat knives? From what I read they have the same no questions asked warranty. Does anyone in the area have them? About the only downside I see is they don't come with a sheath.

 

[95wrangler]

Sorry not the ESEE 3. Meant the Izula 2. More the same size.

 

[jbombelli]

Swamp Rat puts out a quality blade. You can't go wrong with one. But you do need to get a sheath.

 

[tradertator]

Both will make you a great knife. I would personally go with the Swamp Rat and give it a few points over the ESEE in regards to the steel, but the differentially heat treated 1095 works incredibly well. The Bussekin knives are also a little more unique and tend to be pretty collectible, even if you use the hell out of it. The ESEE gets a few points too though for coming with a sheath, but that's not a really big deal anymore. Everyone and their brother is working with kydex nowadays, and many of the big names will already have a Bussekin knife on hand to make it.
Personally though, I like the Rodent Solution a little better because it doesn't have the finger grooves.
Rodent Solution - Swamp Rat Knife Works Store

 

[jd4320t]

After buying my daughter and nephew Rodent 3's I kinda wished I'd gone with the Rodent Solution. Both are great knives at a good price.

I've handled Esee's and had an Esee 5. It just seemed blah to me. When I handle and use a Busse or kin they feel a lot better.

I prefer to buy knives that aren't made in limitless quantitities.

 

[95wrangler]

I really don't mind the rodent not having a sheath, Id like to try my hand at kydex. I am seeing the Swamp Rat knives are selling for almost twice the new price, probably due to the limited runs and the wait times. Maybe Ill buy both! LOL

I see the steel types are different between the two but I don't know much about the type that SR uses. I do like the design on the Rodent 3 better than the ESEE, and I do like the Solution better than the 3 but I like the size of the 3 for EDC. I plan on wearing it horizontally and think the longer knife would tend to stick out and be in the way more.

 

[jd4320t]

Man you should've checked out the Busse table at the 1500. There was a sweet little Rodent Solution variant that I regret not buying.

I'd get on the Swamp Rat site and pull the trigger.

 

[95wrangler]

I didn't even get to the 1500, haven't been in a couple years. Im not much of a crowd person. I may have to go to the next. Im close to pulling the trigger on both!

 

[Knife Lady]

If you decide on an ESEE I know who you can get one from.......

 

[rhino]

I would consider what uses you have the for the knife and then consider blade thickness. I'm not familiar with Swamp Rat, but Busse knives tend to be thick (way too thick in my opinion). If the Rodent 3 is substantially thicker than the ESEE Izula, then it might be stronger, but it's not going to be as efficient at actually cutting things you need to cut.

 

[95wrangler]

I have thought about that rhino. the rodent is thicker but only a little. This will be just an EDC utility knife, mainly cardboard and packing tape and plastic packaging. I have contacted Knife Lady and should be a new Izula 2 owner by next week. Still thinking about ordering the Rodent too.

 

[rhino]

I have thought about that rhino. the rodent is thicker but only a little. This will be just an EDC utility knife, mainly cardboard and packing tape and plastic packaging. I have contacted Knife Lady and should be a new Izula 2 owner by next week. Still thinking about ordering the Rodent too.

The best answer is always . . . both! HAH!

You'll be happy with either (or both), but I think you'll find the Izula to be a superior slicer. The work great as neck knives with a ball chain too.

 

[chezuki]

The work great as neck knives with a ball chain too.

And make quick work of the Big Ugly!

 

[rhino]

And make quick work of the Big Ugly!

INDEED IT WILL.

 

[95wrangler]

Aaaand you lost me! Lol

 

[chezuki]

Aaaand you lost me! Lol

I witnessed The Rhino carve up a 1 pound Big Ugly Burger with an Izula at an INGO meet (meat?) & eat. Several tried, but The Rhino and I were the only ones to get our pictures on the wall that day.

 

[95wrangler]

Ah. Nice.

 

[rhino]

Aaaand you lost me! Lol

See below!

I witnessed The Rhino carve up a 1 pound Big Ugly Burger with an Izula at an INGO meet (meat?) & eat. Several tried, but The Rhino and I were the only ones to get our pictures on the wall that day.

That's because we're awesome! Next time, we use ZT products at the table.

 

[Limpy88]

I would chose the esee 3 over rodent 3 if I only had that option. Because the handle of the rodent 3 is to small for my hands. But I would chose the rodent solution over both of those. Order direct from the company or used for the best prices. I have a few esee's but my busse, swamprat, scrapyard, (bussekin) get used more often. The swamprat and scrapyard knives generaly are not as thick as the busse counter parts. They are more on part with normal thickness of others.

 

[95wrangler]

Well I bought an Izula 2 from Knife Lady Saturday! Have to say a wonderful meeting! I love the size for Edc. I have it mounted horizontally on the left front of my belt. Easy to get at with either hand. Just used some of the paracord and the slip adjuster that came in the kit. I did sharpen it with my Smiths precision sharpener, much better that out of the package!