Kersahw Skyline and Ontario Rat 2 are very similar

[BJE]

[/URL][/IMG]No real purpose for this thread but to praise both knives and compare them side by side.

I have had a skyline for a couple years and honestly havent carried it much, but I recently aquired an Ontario Rat 2 on my trip to SMKW, and it dawned on me how very similar these knives are.

Both are priced similarly with the Skyline retailing for a bit more than the Rat 2, both can be had for under $50, both are about the same size and thickness and both have liner locks.
The blade steel is comparable as is the fit and finish (both knives fit very well and are finished nicely, espcecially considerind the price point).
Both knives have a very good blade to handle ratio and packs a lot of blade in a very slim package. They both open smooth as butter and lock up solidy with no blade play whatsoever. Not a big fan of kershaws bead blast finish compared to the rats satin finish on the blade.

The Skyline has grippier handles being real G-10 whereas the Rat uses some kind of nylon, both pocket clips can be set up for tip up or tip down carry and the rat is reversable for left hand carry as well.
I like the Rat pocket clip better as it is a little more flexible and isnt as hard to remove from pocket, but both do the job pretty well.

Both knives are very good slicers and they are equally razor sharp, the skyline has a flipper but useless thumb studs, the rat has very good thumb studs and no flipper. The Rat has jimping on the blade that is very grippy and useful, the skyline does not.

The skyline is made in the USA which is a plus, but the Rat is made just as well and retails for a bit less money, both knives weigh about the same and carry very well in the pocket, with a slight edge to the rat do to the clip riding higher and hiding more of the knife, the skyline leaves more handle sticking out.

If I had to pick just one for carry, I would pick the Rat due to price and ergos, but they are very close and either would make a great edc for someone looking for a slim and well made folder that wont break the bank.
The Skyline is a little more fun with its smooth flipper, the Rat is more of a no-nonsense worker IMO.

 

[rubberdog]

Interesting comparison. I love my RAT 2 and carry it regularly. My only complaint is that the liner on mine engages all the way over on the other side - what you would call 100% engagement I guess. I wonder if it will develop play eventually as a result of this. How is the engagement on your Rat vs your Skyline?

 

[Karda]

This is interesting.
Considering that Randall's Adventure and Training had severed its relationship with Ontario knives because they basically stole the RAT cutlery name from them forcing the change to ESEE knives. I'm wondering if ESEE is aware that ontario is making the blades with the trademark "Randall's Adventure and Training" name and logo and if these knives are actually endorsed by ESEE knives.

http://eseeknives.com/history.htm
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...er-from-Ontario-s-attorneys?highlight=ontario
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...een-Ontario-and-RAT-Cutlery?highlight=ontario

 

[BJE]

I'm sure they are aware by now.
And as for the lock up question, both the skyline and rat 2 have about 35-40% lock engagement. I couldn't have asked for better examples of each.