Do you prefer RAT having a limited # of blades?

penenpitsu said:
Just to set things straight, Rowen is the manufacturer, not the designer. Jeff and Mike come up with the designs. When the Izula folder comes out, it'll be a RAT user inspired design.
Click to expand...

Ah didn't know that. Nice piece of info. Regardless, the rest of my point holds true.

I'm so used to seeing a name on a blade and calling it the designer.
 
The only new blade I'd like to see from RAT is a well thought out multi tool.
Click to expand...

I RAT multitool would be amazing, maybe have one that has a fire flint in it and other surival accessories you don't normally find on multitools.
 
I do like how I'm seeing the company in its simpler phase where each new product is a step in a new direction for them, instead of just another variation or option of something they already had. Instead of a 'new concept we're working on combining this along with inspiration from that, with a particular steel to try out that you've never heard of', you get, 'Hey, we made a machete'. I have my eye on a few different products, the arrowheads are a sign that they're trying out a direction I like very much.
 
I read an article about the appeal of Apple computers. The article focused on Apples "limited" line up. They make pretty much one or 2 models per type of computer with varying specs. The more choices the more burden. Is this the right one for me? What is the difference between this and that? Features, price, design etc... You go to Apple and you want a laptop. If you are a "pro" macbook pro 13" 15" or 17". Macbook 13" for everyone else. Compare that to Dell. I'm a computer guy and I was intimidated by the site. I was buying my sister a laptop for her graduation and I had to spend more time than I wanted learning about their products. Lattitude?Inspiron?XPS? Studio? Studio XPS? 4500? 9330? and every combination of those words and those numbers all with varying monitor sizes 14" 15" 17" 12" "12.5" 19".

A lot of people with knives and flashlights and cameras and gadgets spend way too much time dealing with hypothetical specs and tests. X brand knives with x type steel under x conditions for x minutes. I get caught up in it too but at a certain point it gets maddening. People buy cameras and test lenses and sensors until kingdom come but do they ever take a picture worth looking at? Using the items for their intended use becomes secondary to testing and measuring their specs. Youtube is full of poeple hacking knives against things and coming to some conclusion. I wonder how many of those people have used the knife more to test it than in everyday use.

RAT has it nailed down. You are free from the burden of so many choices. They offer what they offer. The same knife, give or take, in a few different sizes and color combos. That is what's appealing to me. When manufacturers have 34 types of knives, with 8 types of steel being manufactured at 5 different factories in 3 different countries it makes my brain hurt. RAT soothes my brain. They gained my loyalty the minute I saw that they weren't pumping out model after model after model.
 
I like that if a buddy of mine said, I have $100 to buy a really solid knife, all I have to do is show him the line-up and instantly he'll know what he wants, even if he isn't that much of a knife guy. I agree that the lineup should be limited to one blade per niche, and so far that seems to be the case. with the assumption that either the junglass or another knife in the pipeline will fill the heavy-chopper role in hardwood environs(rtak).

Add to that the non-steel goods which we know will be torture tested and solid, or at least with known limits, and that to me is a good business model. The musicians I work with talk about being intentionally exclusive. Not making something that everyone will kinda like, but something that a few will really like. Bjork made a career, and a very successful one at that with music that few people enjoy, but those few people will shell out for it without a second thought.

The only "variations" beyond what is available that I can see is the stainless izula, as that will be a benefit for some folks.

as for other kit that RAT could come up with, imho as a shovel. a small e-tool sized camp shovel.

Where many "survival" companies start at the kit and add a knife, RAT starts at the knife, and then adds a kit, to me that is a much better idea, and one that I hope they never leave.

just my .02
 
Last edited:
I think the sheaths need a work over. They are ok if you are a molle freak but to belt carry it's seems like a after thought "tie on some para cord". I'll bet 90% of RAT buyers would like a proper belt sheath. I know we can make our own or buy from someone else but paying 50-100 $ is more than some RATS cost.
 
jnanson said:
I think the sheaths need a work over. They are ok if you are a molle freak but to belt carry it's seems like a after thought "tie on some para cord". I'll bet 90% of RAT buyers would like a proper belt sheath. I know we can make our own or buy from someone else but paying 50-100 $ is more than some RATS cost.
Click to expand...

i havent seen custom sheaths that much. maybe for a really big knife but not any RC's
 
jnanson said:
I think the sheaths need a work over. They are ok if you are a molle freak but to belt carry it's seems like a after thought "tie on some para cord".
Click to expand...

Huh? All the molle backed stuff makes for perfect belt carry, in fact they've all got belt loops built in. Then you've also got the steel spring clips for the RC5/6 which are great for fast belt carry, and I re-drilled one for my RC4. The RC3 boot clip is pretty good for IWB carry, but I usually just use the molle back on my belt

4138393859_daa95ff1c4.jpg

4160059139_ff66ffd710.jpg
 
I prefer the sheath as is, I find the paracord a great idea. give far more options that many knife mfgs. plus there are great aftermarket sheaths available, like the sharpshooter ones. personally I like that 90%of the cost is the knife, not 50% like a lot of others.
 
I would not put it "that way."

I would say, instead, that I prefer R.A.T. continue down the path they've already chosen: solid design, excellent quality, top-notch fit & finish, utterly practical and reliable. If that results in only a handful of models, I'm completely happy with that. The only one I haven't bought is the -5, and I may well eventually snag one of those, too.

As others have mentioned, I'm eagerly awaiting additional R.A.T. merchandise beyond knives -- all developed with the same philosophy.:thumbup:
 
OldPhysics said:
I would not put it "that way."

I would say, instead, that I prefer R.A.T. continue down the path they've already chosen: solid design, excellent quality, top-notch fit & finish, utterly practical and reliable. If that results in only a handful of models, I'm completely happy with that. The only one I haven't bought is the -5, and I may well eventually snag one of those, too.

As others have mentioned, I'm eagerly awaiting additional R.A.T. merchandise beyond knives -- all developed with the same philosophy.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Well put OP, as always.
 
jnanson said:
I think the sheaths need a work over. They are ok if you are a molle freak but to belt carry it's seems like a after thought "tie on some para cord". I'll bet 90% of RAT buyers would like a proper belt sheath. I know we can make our own or buy from someone else but paying 50-100 $ is more than some RATS cost.
Click to expand...

The Molle back gives you some very good belt carry abilities.

IMO the sheaths are one of the best parts of RAT knives. You won't get a better sheath with any other factory knife that I know of.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
The Molle back gives you some very good belt carry abilities.

IMO the sheaths are one of the best parts of RAT knives. You won't get a better sheath with any other factory knife that I know of.
Click to expand...

That was one of the first things that got me excited about RAT. :thumbup:
 
the knife sheath packages, were one of things that sold me on the rat's.
they give you a lot of carry options. and now they sell tek-lok's as well.
for the price range, i think they are the best on the market. iam 51 so
believe me, i dont jump on bandwagons, theres not very much that impresses
me anymore. this company does, so i hope they can keep coming up with new
ideas. if they dont iam still quite happy with what they offer. sorry for the rant!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top