Any plans for Rats of a different Steel?

R

rolandtk

Joined
Jan 22, 2003
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16
I just ordered the rc4, but i was wondering if there are any plans to offer Rats of a different steel (i won't say "better" to avoid side issues) Im sure the public would buy Rats in say D2, A2, 154, or other "modern" steels..
I know i would.
 
I think Jeff said that it might be in the works farther down the road, but I am not 100% sure. Its probably about #72 on the "crap people are whining about" list.:D
 
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I dont think they would be half as good, and they would cost twice as much. Rowens 1095 is very strong, I havnt used metal as a baton too much but from what I have done with mine I would say its almost as strong as Busse's INFI.

D2 is like glass and hard to sharpen
A2 is alright but IMO the 1095 is equal to the task A2 costs more too.
154 CM? thats not very hard use. Maybe in a folder but not in a Rat. Rats are tools, not jewelery!

Plus I dont know what other steels Rowen does, All I know is they make good 1095. I first used it in my Tops Tracker (bad design but well made knife) these are made by Rowen.
 
SubaruSTi said:
I dont think they would be half as good, and they would cost twice as much. Rowens 1095 is very strong, I havnt used metal as a baton too much but from what I have done with mine I would say its almost as strong as Busse's INFI.

D2 is like glass and hard to sharpen
A2 is alright but IMO the 1095 is equal to the task A2 costs more too.
154 CM? thats not very hard use. Maybe in a folder but not in a Rat. Rats are tools, not jewelery!

Plus I dont know what other steels Rowen does, All I know is they make good 1095. I first used it in my Tops Tracker (bad design but well made knife) these are made by Rowen.
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I have to agree.

1095 is by far my favorite steel and Rowen really does it well.

I would love to see a RAT that would do well around salt water, but I can just get a cheapie for that.
 
if anything I like to see some A2 & 01 other than that 1095 is working Great....I am not a fan of 154cm,I like to see S30v in a folder....
My RC6 is freaking wicked sharp,I stropped it on some leather for about 10 minutes while watch Dallas game, Whoa ! 1095 is Great
 
Why try to fix it if it ain't broke? I can see the advantage of using stainless steel if the knife is used around corrosive conditions but a combination of 1095 steel that's heat treated RIGHT is hard to beat otherwise. Obviously Rowen understands 1095 steel & knows how to heat treat it.:thumbup:
 
t-k-c said:
Why try to fix it if it ain't broke? I can see the advantage of using stainless steel if the knife is used around corrosive conditions but a combination of 1095 steel that's heat treated RIGHT is hard to beat otherwise. Obviously Rowen understands 1095 steel & knows how to heat treat it.:thumbup:
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The above is made of truth. :) I, too, would be interested in seeing a stainless "river RAT" model for aquatic environments. Maybe like a sheepsfoot version of an RC-3. Though I tend not to spend much time out on the water, a lot of our customers do.
 
HAH! so there is in an interest in a more rust-resistant steel! ;)
PS- I never suggested that the 1095 steel is not "good", just that maybe RAT could offer some steel options.
Frankly, the HEST in something more rr would be great, given its intended purpose... would even allow for an uncoated version..
 
Jeff talked at one time about vg-10 (which he couldn't do because of trade restrictions) so I know he is interested.
 
I'd like to see Rat do something in A2, but I'm content with 1095. It really is a great bang for the buck steel, as long as the heat treat is right.
 
rolandtk said:
HAH! so there is in an interest in a more rust-resistant steel! ;)
PS- I never suggested that the 1095 steel is not "good", just that maybe RAT could offer some steel options.
Frankly, the HEST in something more rr would be great, given its intended purpose... would even allow for an uncoated version..
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Here are some thoughts.. I could see other knife designs built around a good stainless steel. We have to remember that the current RAT line is a high quality working man's knife & cost point is an issue. So I would see this as an "additional" steel type AND an "additional" knife line with a higher price point. The knives could be considered as extreme environment/condition knives for example. Of course this would involve a large investment in resources to do.
 
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My randalls show rust if you look at them, when oiled!

my Rats dont even rust when I carry them in humid weather with no protectant. I did have some rust when I carried it in the rain once, rain got all in the sheath. There wasnt much and it came right off, just on the edge. Rats are the best knives you can buy. Busses might be stronger but in the end the Rat can do what a Busse can, in the woods that is. The busse might be more rust resistant though. If Rat had magnum handles they would rule the market IMO.
 
As I mentioned above I think the only time that stainless would belong on a RAT would be in a model purpose built for marine usage. If it's for land or air, then gimme Rowen 1095. :D :thumbup:
 
Wouldn't want a RAT in another steel besides possibly the aforemetioned A2. 1095 with the Rowen treatment is a great steel. Tough as hell, flexible, and takes a great edge easily. A2 would be cool but at the price point of the current RAT offerings, I'm more than happy with what we got.
 
rolandtk said:
Frankly, the HEST in something more rr would be great, given its intended purpose... would even allow for an uncoated version..
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Just a thought... Personally, I would want a coated version of that knife to make it less conspicuous.
 
texastonydobbs said:
if anything I like to see some A2 & 01 other than that 1095 is working Great....I am not a fan of 154cm,I like to see S30v in a folder....
My RC6 is freaking wicked sharp,I stropped it on some leather for about 10 minutes while watch Dallas game, Whoa ! 1095 is Great
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The Mavs/Jazz Game?! That was AWESOME! Hope we can play like that in the playoffs. (If you're talking about a stars game... what a disappointing season).

RC should stick with 1095 in theor FBs. A folder in S30V would be sweet though.
 
I would like to see a different steel only in a larger knife. For the size knives they are making now, 1095 is great.

If they started making something along the lines of an RTAK again, I would like to see 5160 being used or at least an option. Plus 5160 is pretty good at being stain resistant, at least the ones I have used down in Central America anyway and my knives are not coated.

I myself would choose 5160 over A2 everytime for larger knives and I own many knives in both steels.

When I am out in the bush, I never take care of my knives as far as wiping them down and oiling them up. I am not really into maintance out in the field when using any of my bush blades. They do get abused like a red headed step child.

When I am back in the rear, then I clean them up. I am also not out any longer than a week or so as well. If I was out longer, I would watch them closer I guess.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
The above is made of truth. :) I, too, would be interested in seeing a stainless "river RAT" model for aquatic environments. Maybe like a sheepsfoot version of an RC-3. Though I tend not to spend much time out on the water, a lot of our customers do.
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:D:D:D:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
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