Black or Satin Blade on a RAT 2?

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Mifune326

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Apr 17, 2018
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I'm going to pick up an Ontario RAT 1, plain edge (Sorry about the title of this thread. I initially wanted a RAT 2 but decided to go with the RAT 1 because it feels more comfortable in my XL hand) for EDC and light camp work and don't know whether to go with the black or satin finish on the blade.

Also, I'm thinking AUS-8 over D2 due to ease of sharpening, but not sure about that either!

Thoughts?
 
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Satin was my choice. Great finish on the blade, especially for the price. The aus 8 holds up really well compared to other companies. The d2 is worth the money if you want it.
 
Very cool Italian. Thank you. I'm now kind of leaning toward the D2 for the edge retention even though it may be a little more challenging to sharpen.
 
I would go for satin as well. Don't know how well a black tacticool blade would work on a RAT.
 
I'm kind of waffling between the RAT 1 and RAT 2. The 1 seems a little large for EDC and the 2 seems a little small for me. I wish they made a RAT 1.5 hahahahaha
 
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Satin for sure. I own both the Rat 1 and Rat 2 in Aus-8. From what I read the black coating that they use is more like pain and chips/scratches off very easily. Not the way Diamond coating scratches, think more like when ladies wear nail polish that's been worn too long and is now chipping. Also, Ontario does a good job w/their aus 8 and it holds up well. I've never owned nor tries D2 kn snu knife.
 
Satin if you're concerns about looks. The black coating on the Rat knives doesn't hold up well at all.
 
Rat 2 is more versatile as an edc ( imho). It will never not be useful, and you can always upsize later. I have a pretty meaty paw and the Rat 2 ergos work fine for me. My first Rat 2 was in AUS8 but I just picked up a tan D2 and it came screaming sharp. I'll be handing down my AUS8 to one of my kids for backpacking.
 
You could always get a rat 2 in aus 8 for around town and a rat 1 in D2 for your light camp work. Then if you end up finding you gravitate towards one more than the other for everything, sell the other one or give it to a friend to get them into the hobby.

If you're set on only getting one, though, I'd like to throw out some philosophy - you want whichever one you wouldn't hesitate to use. If you think you'd find yourself hesitating to use the rat 2 because you aren't a fan of its ergos, get the rat 1. If you think you'd find yourself hesitating to use the rat 1 around people because of its blade length, get the rat 2. If you think both those things might cause you to hesitate, maybe consider a different knife.
 
Satin Rat 1. I've had several of each size, and the small just cannot be made to work. A larger knife can always do the job, but too small a knife will never grow up.
 
Thank you olywa, Daniel and sonnydaze. That's all good advice. I think I'm going to go with one of each. After all, it's not like the RATs are expensive, and which ever one I prefer less, I can pass on to a buddy who will get great use out of it!
 
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I actually have the Rat1 with D2 and satin blade. I’m not a big fan of blade coatings so I recommend a satin blade. AUS8 is definitely easier to sharpen, but D2 shouldn’t be too awful bad unless you let your edge completely dull.
 
TheEdge01 said:
I actually have the Rat1 with D2 and satin blade. I’m not a big fan of blade coatings so I recommend a satin blade. AUS8 is definitely easier to sharpen, but D2 shouldn’t be too awful bad unless you let your edge completely dull.
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I think I'm going to do the same. First pick up a RAT 1 in D2 and see how it works. If it's just too darn big, then I'll go for a RAT 2.
 
Mifune326 said:
I think I'm going to do the same. First pick up a RAT 1 in D2 and see how it works. If it's just too darn big, then I'll go for a RAT 2.
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The Rat 1 is a large folder, I was actually a little surprised when I seen it. It carries easy though and has a nice solid feel to it. The Rat 2 almost seems too small to me, but I have large hands.
 
y'all are cryin over a 0.6" blade length increase... between the rat 1 and 2. 3" vs 3.6"...
I know it's larger than that, due to the increased blade width, but still

they probably should just refine the rat1 to be 3.5" so that it gets a green light in many districts/states where 3.5" is the limit but I've seen people mod their rat1's to fit anyway...
do you really want to give up the great large handle?
 
No doubt about it! Satin Rat1... I have the Rat1 and bought the rat2 for my wife... I think the rat2 is more for a girl..
 
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