I just came accross this catalogue:
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0274/2478/4470/files/OKC_2026_Catalog.pdf
Apparently, OKC was bought by Blue Ridge Knives in 2023, but the manufacturing of the RAT 1 and 2 folding knives has continued in Taiwan without stopping (or at least not for long - correct me if I'm wrong).
Now, OKC's website is alive and kicking, and this was interesting in the catalogue (the exact model names are "RAT® 4M" and "5M"):
This looks like a reasonably designed blade and handle shape (no big finger choil like there is on ESEE 4 for example). The stated designer is Jeff Randall (founder of ESEE knife design company). Based on my experience with RAT folding knife, I think he knows how to design a good knife.
Also, the knives are listed in the "stainless" section. Stainless steels like Nitro-V (and 14C28N which is close based on composition at least - haven't tried it yet) should be very tough while still keeping a decent edge, being easy to sharpen, and quite rust-proof. That would be interesting to see in a knife with a shape like in the pictures (even with the nonsense black coating).
Without an "eternal no questions asked" warranty that burdens ESEE, it may be profitable to use the more expensive to manufacture stainless steel and offer a modern useful "do-it-all-OK-ish" knife.
Of course, the "made in USA" tag (next to "stainless") may mean an outrageously high price with questionable choice of steel: either a cheap, less quality stainless or difficult to sharpen "super-steel" that will sell well at huge prices.
Curious to see how it ends up when it is manufactured.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0274/2478/4470/files/OKC_2026_Catalog.pdf
Apparently, OKC was bought by Blue Ridge Knives in 2023, but the manufacturing of the RAT 1 and 2 folding knives has continued in Taiwan without stopping (or at least not for long - correct me if I'm wrong).
Now, OKC's website is alive and kicking, and this was interesting in the catalogue (the exact model names are "RAT® 4M" and "5M"):
This looks like a reasonably designed blade and handle shape (no big finger choil like there is on ESEE 4 for example). The stated designer is Jeff Randall (founder of ESEE knife design company). Based on my experience with RAT folding knife, I think he knows how to design a good knife.
Also, the knives are listed in the "stainless" section. Stainless steels like Nitro-V (and 14C28N which is close based on composition at least - haven't tried it yet) should be very tough while still keeping a decent edge, being easy to sharpen, and quite rust-proof. That would be interesting to see in a knife with a shape like in the pictures (even with the nonsense black coating).
Without an "eternal no questions asked" warranty that burdens ESEE, it may be profitable to use the more expensive to manufacture stainless steel and offer a modern useful "do-it-all-OK-ish" knife.
Of course, the "made in USA" tag (next to "stainless") may mean an outrageously high price with questionable choice of steel: either a cheap, less quality stainless or difficult to sharpen "super-steel" that will sell well at huge prices.
Curious to see how it ends up when it is manufactured.
