Do Ontario Rat & Spec Plus knives make good Field knives?

A

ak74auto

Joined
Jan 28, 2006
Messages
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I am looking at an Ontario Rat 7 (1095) with serrations or possibly a Spec Plus knife to be used as a field knife when I go down range.


Will either knife stand up to :

Light prying
Chopping
various cutting chores
and ...?

Will the serrations on the Rat-7 easily break if the knife is used as a chopper, and is 7" too short for a field knife that may be used at home to cut saplings ?
 
I thought there had been a review or two on the Rat 7 here on BF in the past, but I do not have search capabilities check. I think it is a decent knife, but for the money, I would get a RAT Cutlery RC-6 before I got the Rat7.....much better product and much better warranty.
JT
 
I got an ontario sp 10 a while back and it has become one of my favorite large blades. The tip looks flimsy but it works just fine. The only bad thing about it is the sheath that it came with but I can't complain much since I got it for around $50.
 
ChRh said:
I got an ontario sp 10 a while back and it has become one of my favorite large blades. The tip looks flimsy but it works just fine. The only bad thing about it is the sheath that it came with but I can't complain much since I got it for around $50.
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What have you done with it as far as work is concerned ?
 
I bought an Ontario TAK-1 in 1095 used for under 50 bucks. It works great.

If I were going to pay for a brand new knife I would go with spec plus. If you want a new RAT -for an extra 10-15 bucks it is worth getting a real one (RC).
 
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I've batoned some logs about 6" across. The blade length made this pretty easy to do. It was also a very good chopper.
 
Jake Bauer said:
Unless you get a bad heat treated blade..... I'd go with a more reputable company like Rat Cutlery or KA BAR
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In the few legitimized cases Ive seen on this fallible internet, Ontario has resolved the issue. All BS aside, they make good knives.
 
I've had one of the ontario spec plus quartermaster knives for the past 5 years or so. Its held up fine to general yard and camping tasks. A bit of chopping, a bit of batoning, stuff like that. While its obviously not the greatest line of knives out there, they do a perfectly respectable job at their price point IMO
 
Nothing's really wrong with the Spec Plus line (I've had a couple), especially for their price point, but I think their handles fall short of the Ontario RATs, RC, or even the Beckers, IMHO.

The Becker BK7 is a good one to look at, but I think the RAT 7's just fine, too, & so is the RC6. You're going to find some people that will tell you to steer away from Ontario RAT knives & stick with RCs. That aside, I think any of them will probably do what you need of them. I'd probably get the RC 6 myself, but I believe they are more expensive than the other 2.

Having said all that, my personal knife of that size is a custom Ranger Knives RD 6 (In my avatar) & I have a Breeden Peacemaker coming in (On a trade). Can't wait to try that one out.
 
Politics and BS aside, if you get a RAT RC-6 you will not be dissapointed. Great knife, great warranty, great toughness, and exceptional fit and finish. Anyone who would imply that a person recommending an RC knife over an ontario rat is just being political, obviously hasn't handled and used both versions.
 
J_Curd said:
Yes, everything out of Ontario works as it should.
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I wouldn't say that. After 3 hours of modifying and sharpening, yes. But from the factory 50% of their knives are barely useable. Takes a soft and a hard stone to get them to where they need to be... heck sometimes even a belt sander.
 
gottahaveit27 said:
Anyone who would imply that a person recommending an RC knife over an ontario rat is just being political, obviously hasn't handled and used both versions.
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Agreed there. They are both good knives...I personally prefer Ontario's D2. No heat treat issues on the ones I've owned, if anything it's been exceptional.
 
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