RAT Cutlery IZULA
By Joe Bingman
I have never really been a big fan of small fixed blades, there was always something about them I didn't like. But once I got my hands on the Izula all that changed. When I first got the package from the UPS guy, I was worried that it was going to be too small to be of any use to me. After opening it, and feeling the blade in my hand, my opinion completely changed. I was amazed at how such a relatively small blade could feel so good in my hand. I tried it without the cord wrap for a little while before deciding that, for me, wrapped would be better.
Once that was taken care of it was time to test it out. Being as I was at work all I had was cardboard to play with. But having worked in a warehouse for 4 years I knew that cardboard was actually a really good test of a knife. I first tried opening some boxes that had heavy duty packing tape. The Izula cut through all the tape without a seconds hesitation. Slices of cardboard were also no problem for this great little knife. Once I had cut up just about all the boxes the warehouse manager would let me have I went back to my office, where the Izula proceeded to still shave hair like a straight razor.
The following day I needed to trim some plastic sheet protectors for a catalog I was making. Out came the Izula, and the job was done in no time. The blade was small enough that I was able to get the precision cuts that I needed without damaging the pages. And still the edge was razor sharp.
Up until this point I had not put the Izula through any outdoor tests, but that changed during my last camping trip. Cutting open food packages, plastic containers, boxes, anything I could throw at it the Izula cut right through. The following morning I was the first up, so it was my turn for fire duty. After gathering all the needed starting materials I set about making some tinder and fuzz sticks. I had brought along a necker that I had used before to make tinder, but it never really worked as well as I would like. So I instead reached for my Izula. In no time I had plenty of tinder, cut grass, and bark shavings ready for the fire. With the assistance of the RAT fire starter that came in my kit I had a flame on the second strike. While doing all this had somewhat dulled the razor edge, it still cut like a champ.
Food prep similarly poses no problems for the Izula. Since it is on my belt most of the time now it sees more action than most of the knives in my kitchen. The small yet wide belly blade slices everything from steak, chicken, and pork to vegetables, garlic cloves, carrots, ect. While a larger blade would be better for the larger tasks, the Izula still handles it better than any other small knife I've ever seen.
The sheath is similarly well made. There are several well placed holes that allow for several different carry methods, including (but not limited to) MOLLE, Tec-Loc, Paracord loops, pocket clip (not sold by RAT), neck, MercHarness, and secured to a larger sheath (such as the RC3) as a companion knife. Since the blade is not stainless steel, and thus more susceptible to rust, there is a small drainage hole at the bottom to allow moisture to escape. And since the sheath holds the Izula securely in place it can be carried in any position the user desires.
The kit includes many useful items, such as a fire starter, split ring, a snap for keyring carry, MOLLE lock, a length of paracord for either wrapping the handle or tying around the sheath for emergency use, whistle, and an instruction sheet detailing the different ways to carry the knife, and how to attach the accessories. I have used the fire-starter twice, and both times it has worked better than the $10 unit I have. I cannot speak for the usefulness of the other items, as I have not used them. But I would have the utmost confidence in their dependability.
The RAT warranty is one of the best in the business. Usually a warranty isn't something that you really think about with a knife, but this one is worth mentioning. They have a unconditional replacement guarantee, if you break it they will replace it. That's how much they stand by their product. And I would venture to say that you'd be hard pressed to break these knives, they are so well made.
So for less than $100 you get a dependable knife that will last a lifetime, a sheath that is as close to perfect as any I've seen, a mini survival kit packed with a ton of useful items, a great guarantee, and the support of one of the best company's out there today. The RAT people are the best I have personally dealt with. The genuinely care about the user and try their best to make a knife that you can trust your life on.