I think I discovered the RAT secret!

Cpl Punishment

Cpl Punishment

Joined
Jan 28, 2006
Messages
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That is, to their knifemaking business model:


Mike and Jeff got together and said" Let's make knives. First let's think of all the knives we bought and what the companies did that really pissed us off and do the opposite."

They've been very responsive to our whining, but also have brought out products that at least made me go "Why hasn't anyone else done this?" Such as a fire kit that really is useful in an emergency with a big enough handle to grip with reduced dexterity and can hold a useful amount of tinder. Oh, how about sheaths that don't suck, and that can use as many of the mounting options in common as is possible? Useful survival kits that you don't just buy for the container and throw the rest of the stuff out to put in your own?

Oh yeah.

Keep up the good work, guys.
 
You are exactly right in your thinking!

Mike and I set out to "revolutionize" the way a knife company can do business, because honestly we have not been impressed with the way a lot of companies run in this industry. It seems like a lot of companies in this industry are always trying to out-do everyone else, steal their intellectual property or play hardball. Throughout all of these court battles, stealing and trying to prove a point based on pure emotion and ego, they forget about the end-user customer. The bottom line is all any compnay has to do is do what they're good at and not worry about the "competition." In fact, they should welcome competition instead of trying to destroy them.

When we found Shon Rowen we knew we had found the guy that could help us achieve our goal. Shon's philosophy is you can build a knife in the U.S., maintain quality and keep the price point low enough to compete.

The simple keys to RAT Cutlery's success is we listen to the end user and treat them (and their dollars) with respect, build a quality product, keep our price points in line and don't pick fights with our "competition."
 
As a side note to this, RAT has always been about more than simple knives. RAT is a life's philosophy and life's work for us. There are those that want to see us go away and will spend tons of emotional dollars trying to get rid of us. Who knows, they may in fact succeed in their own simple-minded goals, but that doesn't mean RAT goes away. This has always been about integrity to Mike and I. Whatever happens in the future we will always maintain our integrity. Karma has a way of dealing with those who do not have integrity.

RAT is about networking like-minded individuals. We also do a lot of things other than knives that most folks don't even know about. So, regardless of what the future holds, RAT is here to stay.

Who knows, we may all have to live in Galt's Gulch together some day in the future ;)
 
I know I've said this before, but I'm gonna say it again:

Thanks for all you guys do! :thumbup: :thumbup: RAT's are some of the finest knives I have ever owned, and I'm proud to be a member of the RAT family. You guys actually listen to what the end user has to say, whether it's praise or criticism. All your business practices are done with the utmost integrity, and you will never compromise your philosophy or integrity for any reason. That's very rare in today's business world. I deal with manufacturers in my business life, and I can tell you first hand that most of them wouldn't think twice about doing something underhanded if it meant more business or cut production costs. But you guys have always been a cut (no pun intended) above.

Your products, actions, and communications have made me a proud customer for life. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to spending many more of my paychecks on your products! :D
 
When I first came across RAT here on BF I started reading thru many of the posts and noticed that Jeff and company REALLY listened to what people had to say. I think that was one of the biggest things that impressed me the most. Also having been around for a little less than a year now I have also noticed that when designing a knife the focus has always been what will fuction the best as opposed to trying to put out a knife for the sake of putting out a knife. It's not about " Hey, we have a cool new knife out", it's about function, quality, and integrity before anything else. RAT knives are designed with a purpose in mind and manufactured to that end. Jeff,Mike, and Shon have started something great and I think we are lucky to be a part of it :thumbup::thumbup:.
 
No one else in this sissified industry of puffed out chests and big mouths would have the stones to actually put something out called an "E & E Kit." I'm waiting for the Wanker Brigade to start whining about this one actually. :)
 
R.A.T. said:
The simple keys to RAT Cutlery's success is we listen to the end user and treat them (and their dollars) with respect, build a quality product, keep our price points in line and don't pick fights with our "competition."
Click to expand...


This is one of the things I was taught early on to watch for. If any company/store etc NEEDS to pick apart another company's product to make their own look good, stay away from them.

Clearly RAT Cutlery hasn't, doesn't and from what I've seen will never get into a mud flinging fight.
 
I can always count on RAT to speak its mind. Even when I'm of a different opinion, they state their arguments and listen to others. I never mind the philosphical/political meanderings here as they are stated with honesty and integrity.

As far as business practice. They are the reason I keep pointing to this subforum and saying 'See there are ethical and moral companies that stand by the product and customers'. Nothing urks me more than the comments of BF about 'who cares about the ethics, just give me a good knife cheap'. There is always a cost - I'd rather have that cost finance integrity!
 
The RAT pack is second to none. They have made quality products we all have come to know and love, and they offer top notch CS and a warranty that is second to none. They are the most ethical, and they work with the customer, and not ignore what they want.
So, I will continue to support RAT through any and all challenges.
 
kgd said:
Nothing urks me more than the comments of BF about 'who cares about the ethics, just give me a good knife cheap'. There is always a cost - I'd rather have that cost finance integrity!
Click to expand...

Yeah, you know what? I agree completely.
I was just in a battle on another forum where guys were complaining about the high cost of RC knives. I was like WTF? Don't they see what they GET with RC?

When I bought my RAT-7 way back in '03 or so, I thought it was the shiz -- and back then, it was. I used the hell out of that thing. But, it looks like a piece of crap next to the RC-6, and the sheath is a piece of crap next to the RC-6's. And yet, the price I paid then is only about $20 less than the RC-6 is now, 6 years later. Looking at it today, since I order everything I can from KSF, the price diff (since KSF doesn't have the RAT-7 to compare, right now in 1095) is about $10. If the price diff between the 1095 and D2 versions would be the same $20 at KSF as other places, then it'd be a $15 diff.

I honestly don't know any knife company that offers a knife with a sheath that isn't a piece of dog poop for that price. Not to mention one that performs as well or has the same warranty.

You just don't get top of the line stuff when you have that kind of Wal*Mart mentality. The really stupid thing is, they could get the much better RC product for not much more money (and less money if you factor in having to buy a better sheath.

OK, I've obviously had too much coffee.


DISCLAIMER: The above is in no way an encouragement to Jeff or Derrick to raise their prices. :D
 
Cpl Punishment said:
...I was just in a battle on another forum where guys were complaining about the high cost of RC knives. I was like WTF?...
Click to expand...

In the past I've purchased Busse and Swamp Rat knives almost exclusively, so when I discovered RAT Cutlery they seemed like the bargain of a life time! :D

I still like Busses, but RC offers every bit the knife (minus rust resistance) and matched customer service at 1/3 to 1/4 the cost. In that respect, RAT knives are a screaming bargain. I'm going to buy more!!!
 
jrb said:
in the past i've purchased busse and swamp rat knives almost exclusively, so when i discovered rat cutlery they seemed like the bargain of a life time! :d

i still like busses, but rc offers every bit the knife (minus rust resistance) and matched customer service at 1/3 to 1/4 the cost. In that respect, rat knives are a screaming bargain. I'm going to buy more!!!
Click to expand...

+1000 :d
 
hwpaintballer said:
:D So thats the secret recipe, I always thought you laced the blade coatings with crack.
Click to expand...

I think Mike and Jeff are just Class A personality types. Probably never worked a 12 hr day in their life. Too busy working 16h days!
 
JRB said:
In the past I've purchased Busse and Swamp Rat knives almost exclusively, so when I discovered RAT Cutlery they seemed like the bargain of a life time! :D

I still like Busses, but RC offers every bit the knife (minus rust resistance) and matched customer service at 1/3 to 1/4 the cost. In that respect, RAT knives are a screaming bargain. I'm going to buy more!!!
Click to expand...

There's the rub.
Busse's are great. Most of their designs don't appeal much to me. I've bought the ones that do, simply because there's no other knife out there that combines the "cool looks" of a fantasy knife with the hard-use capability. There are some guys out there that use them in ways that most, if not any, other knife wouldn't survive (prying open car doors, hacking through plane fuselages on rescues, being SHOT, etc). However, very few of us will ever use them as such. My biggest gripe with them is that they don't even give you a crappy, if useable sheath. Not a big deal on their smaller blades since you can just shove them in a Spec Ops or something, but the big blades? Sucks buying it and then having to wait weeks or months for a custom sheath before you can even carry it.

But here we have RC knives. A person can buy them and never have to buy another. They can do all but the most I-should-really-be-using-a-crowbar-or-sledgehammer-for-this tasks without blinking, and you don't have to buy another sheath for it, unless you want a custom. All for a working man's price.

Yeah, what's not to love?
 
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