Hello. I got another review / comparison request. Tony wanted to know how the Byrd Cara Cara stacked up against the Ontario RAT 1 folder. They're both nice knives for the price, and they both fill the niche of folding tactical / large EDC knives.
First, some similarities: both knives are around the same price; both knives are foreign-made; both feature lanyard holes and a four-way pocket clip, both have plastic handles; both have full steel liners. The exact knives I'm comparing are the Byrd Cara Cara in FRN, model BY03BK and Ontario RAT 1 Folder, model 8848. Both are plain edged, satin finish. How do they measure up? Let's find out...
Country of Origin: The Cara Cara is made in China, and the RAT 1 is made in Taiwan.
Price: The Cara Cara costed $21; the RAT 1 was $28 from the same source.
Handle Length, Construction, and Impressions: The Cara Cara is 4-3/4" closed, compared to the RAT 1 at 4-7/8" closed. The Cara Cara is 3/8" thick, and the RAT 1 is 1/2" thick; this isn't counting the pocket clips. Both knives have lanyard holes large enough to slip gutted 550 cord through, and they are located the same distance form the butt of the knife. both knives are screw-together construction using Torx screws; both are size T-6. The Cara Cara uses three of these T-6 screws for the handle and one T-8 screw for the blade pivot; the RAT uses ten (five on each side) T-6 screws for the handle and two (one per side) T-8 for the blade pivot.
Both knives have handles made of black plastic; the Byrd has FRN handles with bi-directional texturing, while the RAT 1 has Zytel handles with a G-10-like texture. The Cara Cara is definitely more aggressive. Both knives have full stainless steel liners. The only cut-outs on the Byrd are the four small comets, which probably don't lessen much weight at all and shouldn't even be considered cut-outs. The liners on each measure exactly 1/16" thick. The Cara Cara's are hidden under the handle scales; the RAT 1's liners are visible.
Comfort-wise, I like the Cara Cara more. It's not as slippery and seems to rest more easily into my hand. I'm not saying the RAT 1 is slippery; it isn't. I'm just saying the Cara Cara has a better grip texture for me. Both knives have a finger choil, of which I actually prefer the one on the RAT 1.
Pocket Clips: Both are four-way clips. You can carry either one in your left or right pocket, either tip up or tip down. That's great! Both carry exactly the same; they ride lower in the pocket tip down than they do tip up, with no difference between the two knives. The Cara Cara has a stainless pocket clip that's adjustable via three Phillips-head screws. No, not Torx. The RAT 1 uses Torx (T-6), and there's three of them. They're black, like the clip. The RAT 1's clip is slightly longer, so take that for what it's worth. Retention is good on both, although the RAT 1 is easier to draw without disturbing the contents of your pocket.
Locking Mechanisms: Two different types of lock. The Cara Cara uses a lockback located in the middle of the handle. The RAT 1 uses a jimped linerlock. Both knives lock up solid with absolutely no blade play. I prefer the lockback, but there's nothing wrong with the RAT 1's linerlock; it's actually one of the better liner locking knives I've used.
Opening: Both open smoothly. The knives each have a pair of phosphor bronze bushings; one on each side of the blade. The Cara Cara opens via thumb hole, while the RAT 1 opens via dual thumb studs. I can open the RAT 1 much easier with just a flick of my thumb because it has a linerlock and thumb studs, but I can easily (and did) wave the Cara Cara. It's up to you; personally, I prefer the opening of the RAT 1. Both are smooth and fast.
Blade Length and Construction: They're about the same to be honest: 4" with a 3-1/2" edge for the Cara Cara and 3-7/8" with a 3-3/8" edge for the RAt 1. The Cara Cara has an 8Cr13Mov blade that's hollow ground; the RAT has an AUS-8 blade that's flat ground. Performance-wise, both steels are pretty much equal. I prefer the flat grind of the RAT 1, but both will readily shave hair. The RAT 1 has a more upswept blade than the Cara Cara does; the Cara Cara is pointier. Both have aggressive jimping on the spine, of which i prefer the RAT 1's. Both blades come in at 1/8" thick. The Cara Cara will slice easier because of the hollow grind, but the RAT 1 will hold its edge longer. Take your pick of which feature to have.
Which Is Better? I prefer the RAT 1. Everything considered, I just like it more. The flat ground blade of good steel and quicker, smoother opening make it better for me. Maybe you like hollow grinds and thumb holes. That's cool too. Hopefully Tony will have abetter idea of which knife will suit him more.
Below are stock photos of each knife.
Byrd Cara Cara...
Ontario RAT 1 folder...
First, some similarities: both knives are around the same price; both knives are foreign-made; both feature lanyard holes and a four-way pocket clip, both have plastic handles; both have full steel liners. The exact knives I'm comparing are the Byrd Cara Cara in FRN, model BY03BK and Ontario RAT 1 Folder, model 8848. Both are plain edged, satin finish. How do they measure up? Let's find out...
Country of Origin: The Cara Cara is made in China, and the RAT 1 is made in Taiwan.
Price: The Cara Cara costed $21; the RAT 1 was $28 from the same source.
Handle Length, Construction, and Impressions: The Cara Cara is 4-3/4" closed, compared to the RAT 1 at 4-7/8" closed. The Cara Cara is 3/8" thick, and the RAT 1 is 1/2" thick; this isn't counting the pocket clips. Both knives have lanyard holes large enough to slip gutted 550 cord through, and they are located the same distance form the butt of the knife. both knives are screw-together construction using Torx screws; both are size T-6. The Cara Cara uses three of these T-6 screws for the handle and one T-8 screw for the blade pivot; the RAT uses ten (five on each side) T-6 screws for the handle and two (one per side) T-8 for the blade pivot.
Both knives have handles made of black plastic; the Byrd has FRN handles with bi-directional texturing, while the RAT 1 has Zytel handles with a G-10-like texture. The Cara Cara is definitely more aggressive. Both knives have full stainless steel liners. The only cut-outs on the Byrd are the four small comets, which probably don't lessen much weight at all and shouldn't even be considered cut-outs. The liners on each measure exactly 1/16" thick. The Cara Cara's are hidden under the handle scales; the RAT 1's liners are visible.
Comfort-wise, I like the Cara Cara more. It's not as slippery and seems to rest more easily into my hand. I'm not saying the RAT 1 is slippery; it isn't. I'm just saying the Cara Cara has a better grip texture for me. Both knives have a finger choil, of which I actually prefer the one on the RAT 1.
Pocket Clips: Both are four-way clips. You can carry either one in your left or right pocket, either tip up or tip down. That's great! Both carry exactly the same; they ride lower in the pocket tip down than they do tip up, with no difference between the two knives. The Cara Cara has a stainless pocket clip that's adjustable via three Phillips-head screws. No, not Torx. The RAT 1 uses Torx (T-6), and there's three of them. They're black, like the clip. The RAT 1's clip is slightly longer, so take that for what it's worth. Retention is good on both, although the RAT 1 is easier to draw without disturbing the contents of your pocket.
Locking Mechanisms: Two different types of lock. The Cara Cara uses a lockback located in the middle of the handle. The RAT 1 uses a jimped linerlock. Both knives lock up solid with absolutely no blade play. I prefer the lockback, but there's nothing wrong with the RAT 1's linerlock; it's actually one of the better liner locking knives I've used.
Opening: Both open smoothly. The knives each have a pair of phosphor bronze bushings; one on each side of the blade. The Cara Cara opens via thumb hole, while the RAT 1 opens via dual thumb studs. I can open the RAT 1 much easier with just a flick of my thumb because it has a linerlock and thumb studs, but I can easily (and did) wave the Cara Cara. It's up to you; personally, I prefer the opening of the RAT 1. Both are smooth and fast.
Blade Length and Construction: They're about the same to be honest: 4" with a 3-1/2" edge for the Cara Cara and 3-7/8" with a 3-3/8" edge for the RAt 1. The Cara Cara has an 8Cr13Mov blade that's hollow ground; the RAT has an AUS-8 blade that's flat ground. Performance-wise, both steels are pretty much equal. I prefer the flat grind of the RAT 1, but both will readily shave hair. The RAT 1 has a more upswept blade than the Cara Cara does; the Cara Cara is pointier. Both have aggressive jimping on the spine, of which i prefer the RAT 1's. Both blades come in at 1/8" thick. The Cara Cara will slice easier because of the hollow grind, but the RAT 1 will hold its edge longer. Take your pick of which feature to have.
Which Is Better? I prefer the RAT 1. Everything considered, I just like it more. The flat ground blade of good steel and quicker, smoother opening make it better for me. Maybe you like hollow grinds and thumb holes. That's cool too. Hopefully Tony will have abetter idea of which knife will suit him more.
Below are stock photos of each knife.
Byrd Cara Cara...
Ontario RAT 1 folder...
