Fill me in

u812

u812

Gold Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2002
Messages
13,446
I have liked RATs for a while but have not really kept up.
Someone give my a quick history lesson.
Ontario vs RC,what happened there?
Who makes the RC knives?
Why do I see the Ontarios with such a huge price range?
Thanks
 
Ontario wasn't willing to respond to customer demand as quickly as Jeff and Mike were looking for and weren't willing enough to expand the line so, when the contract ran out, Jeff and Mike decided to end the relationship with Ontario.

Ontario, being reluctant to let go of such a popular line, had some issues with them leaving and continued to produce the knives against Jeff and Mikes wishes. Alot of unfortunate ugliness, lawsuits and the like insued and in the end, Ontario is being allowed to continue production while paying royalties to RAT.

Enter Rowen manufacturing. They are producing the RAT line along with a few other, well known brands that wish to remain annonomus. They give RAT more control over the line and better response to customer demand that they were looking for along with a better level of fit and finish.

Ontario still makes a hell of a knife that will serve you well, but alot of folks prefer the RAT line for the warranty and the F&F along with a much expanded line.

Can't comment on the varied pricing of the Ontario stuff. I will say that, IMO, MY OPINION!! you'll soon see the RAT line from Ontario dissappear as they expand the Ranger product group.
 
Thanks
Just what I was after.
I think I will go with the RC line.
 
Another quick question.
On looking at the knife itself what is the best way to tell the difference?
Do all Ontario Rats Have RAT3,RAT4..ect. on the tang?
 
if it is an ontario it will be a RAT-3 RAT-4 etc and have an Ontario stamp on it. a RAT cutlery would be an RC-3 RC-4 etc. also the RAT cutlery knives have the rowen stamp and will say RC knives they are also made in America. the only ontario RAT not made in America is the RAT 1 folder. hope that helps.
 
gundude73 said:
if it is an ontario it will be a RAT-3 RAT-4 etc and have an Ontario stamp on it. a RAT cutlery would be an RC-3 RC-4 etc. also the RAT cutlery knives have the rowen stamp and will say RC knives they are also made in America. the only ontario RAT not made in America is the RAT 1 folder. hope that helps.
Click to expand...

I know the story on the RAT 1,shame really great design.
 
Been looking,think I am going to go with an RC5.
New Graham seems to have a good deal on them.
 
u812 said:
Been looking,think I am going to go with an RC5.
New Graham seems to have a good deal on them.
Click to expand...

RC-5 is a beast of a knife, no doubt.

The RC-6 is my personal favorite for the outdoors, the RC-5 for more urban E&E type of stuff, the RC-4 for a big EDC, RC-3 for regular sized EDC and the Izula for constant carry.

Whatever you choose I think you'll like it.
 
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