Ontario RAT-1

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AHTOXA
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Ontario RAT-1

Post by AHTOXA »

Time to revive this section with a new review.

I recently ordered an Ontario RAT-1 as a new EDC knife. It's going to replace my older Buck 110. I'll still carry the Buck here and there and it's not going to be fully retired, but the RAT-1 is a better choice for me for EDC. It offers better carry options and it's much lighter.

I still own my TAK-1 Fixed blade as well, which I love, so adding another Ontario knife was a no-brainer.

RAT-1
3.5" blade. 5" length when closed.
G10 scales
Liner lock mechanism


Quality:

Top notch. G10 scales look good, the fit and finish is very good. The lockup is as tight as a bank vault with zero play in the blade, whether sideways or up and down. The action is smooth and can be flicked open easily. The action rides on teflon/bronze bushings (from what i gather online), which makes it durable, tight and smooth. Belt clip can be position at all 4 sides and corners of the knife, allowing versatility in carry options. The clip is made from hardened steel like the blade and is very durable.

Blade is supremely sharp out of the box. Shaves arm hairs readily (knife mange). Steel is AUS8, which is mid-range steel, but by no means sub-par. I'd only expect better steel if I was spending over $65 on a knife in this class.

Versatility:

This is a drop point blade, which I find to be most appealing for me and my uses. I despise combo edges (serrated and plain together) on knives, so mine is a plain edge but loses little versatility in my applications. It is rough-duty folder, which is made beefy enough to deal with heavier tasks. To achieve this, it's a bit hefty at 5oz (most folders of similar size are below 4oz), however this has no meaning to me. I prefer a more robust knife vs. an ounce of weight savings.

Durability:

Remains to be proven, however knowing Ontario's quality products and having read online reviews, I don't expect any problems or worries at all.

Price:

Outstanding. It was originally a $70 knife when it was released a few years ago, however these days it sells for $35 or so. I got it for $36 and change shipped.


Stock picture off the internet. It's the exact color combo I own.
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Re: Ontario RAT-1

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I see nothing in this about FOSE...

More seriously, for what purpose do you carry a knife like this? Work related? I'd be tempted to carry something like a Leatherman or whatnot to work (probably not allowed) just for the flexibility of the tool, not just for the knife.
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Re: Ontario RAT-1

Post by theholycow »

Squint wrote:I see nothing in this about FOSE...
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Re: Ontario RAT-1

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Squint wrote:I see nothing in this about FOSE...

More seriously, for what purpose do you carry a knife like this? Work related? I'd be tempted to carry something like a Leatherman or whatnot to work (probably not allowed) just for the flexibility of the tool, not just for the knife.
I have carried a knife for many years. I believe I started doing it consistently in 2008 or so.

Uses are many. I spend a lot of time outdoors so a knife is always handy. Outside of that and on daily basis I use it to open mail, packages, slice off lose clothing threads. It's a handy tool that I find useful to me. I also simply like knives. Can I tear open a package or a lose clothing thread? Sure. I could also tear at it with my teeth but that's not the most efficient way.

Once you start carrying knife, you realize that trivial things you have done before can be done more efficiently with a knife. Those that know that I always (except for at the office) have a knife on me, sometimes ask to use it.

I do have a Leatherman but I don't carry it daily. Its fairly small and basic and the few tools it has do not overcome its inferior blade. This is why I just chose to carry a good blade.
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Re: Ontario RAT-1

Post by theholycow »

I think Squint was asking why you carry a knife like this, not a knife in general. I know I certainly would wonder. The cutest, smallest little jackknife or utility knife or whatever can handle mail, packages, and stray threads more reasonably than a knife like that.

Not saying you shouldn't carry it, the answer could easily be "I like this one" and that would be fine, but it's just curiosity.
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Re: Ontario RAT-1

Post by Rope-Pusher »

theholycow wrote:I think Squint was asking why you carry a knife like this, not a knife in general. I know I certainly would wonder. The cutest, smallest little jackknife or utility knife or whatever can handle mail, packages, and stray threads more reasonably than a knife like that.

Not saying you shouldn't carry it, the answer could easily be "I like this one" and that would be fine, but it's just curiosity.
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Re: Ontario RAT-1

Post by Squint »

Rope-Pusher wrote:
theholycow wrote:I think Squint was asking why you carry a knife like this, not a knife in general. I know I certainly would wonder. The cutest, smallest little jackknife or utility knife or whatever can handle mail, packages, and stray threads more reasonably than a knife like that.

Not saying you shouldn't carry it, the answer could easily be "I like this one" and that would be fine, but it's just curiosity.
Cowpieski,
Next thing your gonna say is that I should jest get a Ryobi if I think I need a drill.
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Why not???

And yeah, I guessed it was just general use but was wondering what Cow said.
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Re: Ontario RAT-1

Post by AHTOXA »

theholycow wrote:I think Squint was asking why you carry a knife like this, not a knife in general. I know I certainly would wonder. The cutest, smallest little jackknife or utility knife or whatever can handle mail, packages, and stray threads more reasonably than a knife like that.

Not saying you shouldn't carry it, the answer could easily be "I like this one" and that would be fine, but it's just curiosity.
I gotcha. I misread then.

Not a fan of smaller knives due to ergonomics. I have large hands and they don't fit well. They really aren't useful for anything more than what I've described, whereas, I can easily use this specific one as a hiking knife and a medium duty camp knife.

I dislike technical limitations with gear/tools and would rather compromise on a slightly heavier and bulkier item than some functionality and ergos.

At 5" inches folded I don't really consider this an overkill. It's still in an EDC category (albeit on the larger side). My Buck 110 is the same size and I've carried that for years.
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Re: Ontario RAT-1

Post by AHTOXA »

Took the RAT-1 out into the field this weekend, and it performed as expected. While it was never designed to be the main camping knife and I never meant it to replace my main camping knife (the Ontario TAK-1), it performed very well. My only small gripe is that the black coating isn't very durable, but it's not that big a deal, really. Not sure what this coating is, but it's different from my TAK-1. On the latter, it holds up very well to all sorts of use and abuse. I also happen to prefer the micarta scales (grips) on the larger TAK-1, but it's not a knock against the RAT.

Overall, very nice knife and it offers a very large value for the price.

Here's my folding RAT-1 next to my fixed-blade TAK-1. The TAK-1 excels as main camp knife. Bottle cap for size comparison.

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Re: Ontario RAT-1

Post by watkins »

Bought one of these a few weeks ago, as mentioned in the knife thread. I ordered it in a bare metal/black scales combo. So far I love it. I EDC it as well most of the time. I use it constantly at work and pretty regularly at home.

Everything Tonebone had said about this knife I find to be true. Its smooth to open. The lock has absolutely no play and engages with a solid thunk. Its also extremely comfortable to hold and use. Before ordering I was going between the RAT-1 and slightly smaller RAT-2. Definitely glad I went with the larger knife.

Most importantly, I havent stabbed anyone with it yet. I have been tempted though.
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