Did I just get a fake Rat 1?

Here is a recent thread on the subject.

Micarta Rat-1 made in China

I ordered one of the new Ontario Rat-1s in micarta. It showed up yesterday and I noticed that these knives are made in China. I don't want to start a political conversation here, but I was surprised since I thought all RAT-1s were made in Taiwan. My initial impression is that the knife seems to...
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They weren't much help. I don't think the enthusiasm is going to be there over a $30 knife.

Interesting though, she says "all of our folding knives are made in Taiwan ".

I encourage you guys with the China stamped Rats to possibly reach out to OKC. See what they say.

 
Billy The Hungry said:
They weren't much help. I don't think the enthusiasm is going to be there over a $30 knife.

Interesting though, she says "all of our folding knives are made in Taiwan ".

I encourage you guys with the China stamped Rats to possibly reach out to OKC. See what they say.

Click to expand...
Lolz. They have several folders that are made in China. Shikra, Wraith, etc. I think the person handing your email is not well versed in their product line.
 
I didn't even know that there was a Rat 1 clone. Or that the real one was now being made in chicom😞. Good things to keep in mind. Curious how this turns out. Maybe I should grab the next aus-8 taiwan model I see to have a spare...
 
Shrub said:
I didn't even know that there was a Rat 1 clone. Or that the real one was now being made in chicom😞. Good things to keep in mind. Curious how this turns out. Maybe I should grab the next aus-8 taiwan model I see to have a spare...
Click to expand...
If you prefer D2: it's also available in the Taiwanese offerings.
 
Billy The Hungry said:
I was in a hurry, so I ordered it from Amazon. It said it was fulfilled by and shipped by them, so I was hoping this wouldn't happen. The OKC dealer on there apparently ran out before I ordered. I normally order from BladeHQ.
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It’s important to buy it from reputable place. Your seems legit but sometimes knock offs are sneaking up there too.
Im a huge fan of the Rat1 model, own few for myself. Seen few fake too. There is one that is marked Model 3, much larger that the original Rat 1.
‘Your looks fine, judging by the look of the scales, jumping, thumb studs and so on. Aus 8 Rats used to be made in Taiwan, excellent quality, I wasn’t fond of the initial HT but when they introduced the D2 models I was very happy.
One very good indication for authenticity of the early Rats is the D shape of the stand-off holes in the liners.
look at the below picture, youll se it. This is done because the standoffs and the stop pin are with the same shape and size so when your stop pin wears out with the time, you can replace it with one of the few available standoffs
Chinese copies do not have D shaped holes,t hey also use some clear super glue like for thread lock.

q6ro.jpg


With the time, I think they got away from the D shape because I do have legitimate models that do not have the D holes.

Here few d measured parts, top is Chinese Rat 3, bottom Rat1

bcsh.jpg

Here another old picture with few models along with the Ganzario ~ the Ganzo Rat with Axis lock.

nT8I20.jpg

Here are the lettering and part of the jumping

R78EQY.jpg



Your seems fine to me, I hope I’m not mistaking.
 
Last edited:
POCEH KOCEB said:
It’s important to buy it from reputable place. Your seems legit but sometimes knock offs are sneaking up there too.
Im a huge fan of the Rat1 model, own few for myself. Seen few fake too. There is one that is marked Model 3, much larger that the original Rat 1.
‘Your looks fine, judging by the look of the scales, jumping, thumb studs and so on. Aus 8 Rats used to be made in Taiwan, excellent quality, I wasn’t fond of the initial HT but when they introduced the D2 models I was very happy.
One very good indication for authenticity of the early Rats is the D shape of the stand-off holes in the liners.
look at the below picture, youll se it. This is done because the standoffs and the stop pin are with the same shape and size so when your stop pin wears out with the time, you can replace it with one of the few available standoffs
Chinese copies do not have D shaped holes,t hey also use some clear super glue like for thread lock.

q6ro.jpg


With the time, I think they got away from the D shape because I do have legitimate models that do not have the D holes.

Here few d measured parts, top is Chinese Rat 3, bottom Rat1

bcsh.jpg

Here another old picture with few models along with the Ganzario ~ the Ganzo Rat with Axis lock.

nT8I20.jpg

Here are the lettering and part of the jumping

R78EQY.jpg



Your seems fine to me, I hope I’m not mistaking.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the informative reply. The pictures are great. I'm glad to know you think it's a legit Rat.

I have to say, I am disappointed, somewhat. The action on this one is not good compared to my old Rat 1. I remember my old one would nearly drop shut. Very smooth. And it had no blade play. This one has a smidge of play.

Anyway it's all good. I'm sure it's going to be a good knife for me. I just get in my feelings when I repurchase something and the quality isn't as good as it used to be, haha!

First world problems. We're so blessed!
 
It could be some of the more recent production are suffering a bit, as this model has enjoyed a long tenure. Aging machines and tolerances, along with labor issues could be suspect.

I recently bought two R2-D2 models. One was not centered and had a bit of play. I am unable to dial in either by tinkering with it. The other was perfect.

All my older models are perfect.
 
mmyron1 said:
Not going to lie. I had no desire to get a RAT 1 or 2 until this discussion. I might just have to order one of each in D2 now.
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They were amazing knives for the money. It is looking like the quality might be declining, however.
I would have paid $60 for my old Rat 1 and felt good about it. I'm glad I didn't pay more than the $27 before tax on this one.

I promise I'm not trying to sound negative, because I am really not. I just see a decline in the quality, in my sample. So just a thought before you purchase one!

MolokaiRider said:
It could be some of the more recent production are suffering a bit, as this model has enjoyed a long tenure. Aging machines and tolerances, along with labor issues could be suspect.

I recently bought two R2-D2 models. One was not centered and had a bit of play. I am unable to dial in either by tinkering with it. The other was perfect.

All my older models are perfect.
Click to expand...

My old Rat 1 was perfect. And you are probably right.
Bob Denman said:
Give it a little break-in time, and see if the action improves... 👍
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Absolutely!
 
Looks legit to me.

I've gotten a fake Rat off of Amazon once before. Luckily it was pretty easily to spot (and feel) the differences. I think that's the case with the vast, vast majority of Rat clones. I mean the margins just aren't there to really make a high quality clone of a $25 - $35 knife.

CF is fake in case it isn't obvious.
Egf4xuz.jpg


Fake on the left.
PFRfwfT.jpg


Fake on the right.
QKNC9Kc.jpg
 
Fixall said:
Looks legit to me.

I've gotten a fake Rat off of Amazon once before. Luckily it was pretty easily to spot (and feel) the differences. I think that's the case with the vast, vast majority of Rat clones. I mean the margins just aren't there to really make a high quality clone of a $25 - $35 knife.

CF is fake in case it isn't obvious.
Egf4xuz.jpg


Fake on the left.
PFRfwfT.jpg


Fake on the right.
QKNC9Kc.jpg
Click to expand...

You know what? Your blade stock on the fake one looks like my old Rat's blade.

I bet my old one was fake!

Damn, that was a great fake knife. 🤣🤣

Thank you for the pictures and the help!

Edit: Does your fake Rat have a sharp spine? Does your real one?
 
Fixall said:
Looks legit to me.

I've gotten a fake Rat off of Amazon once before. Luckily it was pretty easily to spot (and feel) the differences. I think that's the case with the vast, vast majority of Rat clones. I mean the margins just aren't there to really make a high quality clone of a $25 - $35 knife.

CF is fake in case it isn't obvious.
Egf4xuz.jpg


Fake on the left.
PFRfwfT.jpg


Fake on the right.
QKNC9Kc.jpg
Click to expand...
Kinda looks like the fake one might be nicer than the real one...
 
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