Is there a difference?

Joined
Jun 30, 2007
Messages
7
Hey guys. I know there is a lawsuit deal going on between RAT and Ontario so my intentions are not to stir anything up. I am just simply asking if there is any difference at all between the knives produced soley by R.A.T. and the ones that are produced by Ontario? Thanks for any help.
 
I have both Ontario versions and RAT versions. The RAT made knives are supperior in fit and finish and edge geometry. Also the handle scales are contoured to be more comfortable(at least to my hand). The Ontarios feel more blocky and many folks(myself included) would give em a reshaping to make em fit the hand better. Also I gotta put my $.02 in on choosing sides: The RAT team are good folks and more than worthy of our support. They have,do, and will bend over backwards to listen to their customers wants and needs and they do their best to make everyone have a good experiance with their products.
 
I have both the older Ontario and the new RC Cutlery/Rowen knives. I can honestly say that the quality is vastly superior on the Rat Cutlery knives. They are more than worth the price and you won't find a better warranty anywhere . Forget the Ontario and go with a best knife ,the RC .It will be worth it.
 
hahaha....well i guess i better buy an RC then or I wont be a good tanker!

I have been reading this board for a while and I know of the legal issues between the two companies. I have also read that RC has much better customer service and make a better product, I was just curious as to what exactly the difference was.

My mind is already made up, I will be a future RC customer. I was just seeing what exactly makes them better. Thanks for the help guys!
 
Just to throw in one more advantage to dealing with R.A.T. -- you're supporting a company that is coming out with innovative new products not available from Ontario: the Izula necker, the SERE, possibly soon the new fire kit.
 
I like RAT as a company, and I think their services are great, but I have used both RAT Cutlery (RC) knives and the Ontario RAT knives, and to be honest there is no significant difference in quality. There are minor changes, but 9 out of 10 people would not be able to tell whether a new knife in the series was made by Ontario or RAT Cutlery. If you want to support RAT Cutlery, then buy your knives from them; if you want to get the same quality for a much lower price, go with the Ontario version. They are both 1095 blades, full flat grind, with the micarta handle. The only actual difference that I have seen so far is that the RC 3 has a longer handle than the RAT 3.

Sorry to ruin the party, but until someone can point out a difference that I have not been able to detect, I must go with Ontario just because of the lower price.
 
I totally diagree Mr. 4 posts to your name.

I have handled several Ontario and RC-blades in my time. The designs are similar. But there really is no comparison between an Ontario and RC-manufactured blade.

Frankly, I've handled Ontario blades with uneven grinds, peeling off coatings and slabs that don't align well with the tang.

Never happened with an RC-blade. Sorry to rain on your parade. Congratulations you have gotten lucky with your Ontario products. I just wouldn't expect that to be the rule. In fact, given everything I've personally seen and then have learned - I think you just might be the exception.

Don't hold it against Jeff and Mike - they just happen to be the guys who scored you a good deal. Now if you want to be legitmate, perhaps you really should consider an RC-blade. Why - might you ask to spend the extra bucks? Well integrity is the answer.
 
I have nothing but respect for people who wish to give away money to a smaller company, and the great guys who run it. However, I own several Ontario RAT blades, and have had no problems with them. I guess I might have just gotten lucky, or I might just be someone who appriciates quality and value without feeling the need to be "legitimate". Who knows; if I get a defective Ontario blade, I will let you know.
 
I will say the fit on my Ontario RAT-7 was perfect. The thing even came sharp -- not something you can always expect from a factory blade. However, the tip was ground with what looked like a 90 degree included angle and had trouble stabbing through paper.

The RC-3 I got had a nice, sharp tip, and the coating is much more durable. IMO the handle is still too small. An RC version of the TAK, say a 4" blade liek the RC-4, but with the RC-6's handle would fit me best, but I assume most people would complain about the balance due to the much larger handle.
 
That is interesting! I actually like a much shorter handle. I must have small hands. I ended up shortening the handle on my TAK 1. Now it is down to 4.25 in. I was never sure why the TAK 1 had such a long handle, but I see now that it fits some people better. To be honest I was upset that I got the TAK 1 when I saw that the RC 4 came out and it had the shorter handle. :)
 
Well, since you have asked a question about function rather than quality I will try to answer you in truth. I think the RC-4 could be a tad longer, about .25" would be ideal. Alternatively, I think the RC-4 handle slabs could be a bit thicker and that would make up for the smaller length.

I waiver on this though. I appreciate a knife that is compact, but then again like something that is very comfy to the hand. For my hand a touch thicker or a touch longer would make it perfect :)
 
I agree the handle could be thicker. It would give a better grip, but I'm not sure it would look as good.

How is the RC 5 series 1/4 in blade thickness going to impact the handle. Are the slabs going to be thinner, or is the handle going to be wider?
 
As far a function goes they are pretty equal. I have a bunch of RAT knives as well as RC knives(everyone they have released thus far) and I guess I am the 1 out of the 9 out of 10 people that would tell the difference!! LOL. I can tell the difference from a mile away. The RC knives have better handles, blade coating and fit and finish. If you put one of knife from each company in each hand you will be able to tell right away which one is which. I have dealt with Ontario and RC in regards to customer service and again, hands down RC came WAY out on top.
 
I agree. I was being cute, you can tell the difference. The RC knives do feel better in terms of texture, and they do look better (except for the liners-what is with that color).

I never disputed that RC has much better customer service. Also, great website!
 
The Ontarios feel more blocky and many folks(myself included) would give em a reshaping to make em fit the hand better.

Rookie question: How would one reshape the Micarta slabs? Sandpaper? File? Thanks for any info that you might provide.
 
Thanks, Cpl. I have a Ontario RAT that I might take the sander to if I feel brave enough. :p
 
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