-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Kershaw skyline vs. Ontario rat 2
- Thread starter Jraut98
- Start date
I like Skyline more.
As far as durability and strength, there's probably not a significant difference between them. I've carried and used a Skyline a lot, and it has held up well. I haven't put the RAT-2 through nearly as many reps, but it has handled well in all my uses so far. I would venture to guess anything you could do that would seriously damage one knife would also damage the other.
I've had good experiences with both the 14C28N and AUS-8 steels used in the Skyline and RAT-2 respectively. Both are pretty easy to sharpen, take a keen edge, and have good edge retention. The 14C28N steel does seem to polish up a bit easier.
The flipper on the Skyline is functional and actually a bit fun to use. The thumbstuds on the RAT-2 are perfectly functional too. The Skyline has textured G10 vs. the FRN on the RAT-2. The G10 does provide better traction/grip.
Both knives have a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer. Kershaw also offers a blade-replacement service for $10 if you do manage to break the blade.
As far as durability and strength, there's probably not a significant difference between them. I've carried and used a Skyline a lot, and it has held up well. I haven't put the RAT-2 through nearly as many reps, but it has handled well in all my uses so far. I would venture to guess anything you could do that would seriously damage one knife would also damage the other.
I've had good experiences with both the 14C28N and AUS-8 steels used in the Skyline and RAT-2 respectively. Both are pretty easy to sharpen, take a keen edge, and have good edge retention. The 14C28N steel does seem to polish up a bit easier.
The flipper on the Skyline is functional and actually a bit fun to use. The thumbstuds on the RAT-2 are perfectly functional too. The Skyline has textured G10 vs. the FRN on the RAT-2. The G10 does provide better traction/grip.
Both knives have a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer. Kershaw also offers a blade-replacement service for $10 if you do manage to break the blade.
I can't vouch for the Rat 2 because I've never had one (although I've heard good things about it) but I sure can tell you to not underestimate the Skyline. It's one tough mofo. It was my first "real" knife and I did, uh, unknifely things with it. It surprisingly held up really well.
If you're going to be taking this knife out in public, id go with the ontario rat 2, in my experience, the flat grind gets better reactions vs other grinds. The blade shape too. The skyline will deploy faster, but I feel like the rat can take a bigger beating vs the skyline. This is all based on what I know of each maker. I personally do not own either, but have used both.
But to be completely honest, both of these knives will work perfectly fine. Just pick one that you think looks better, or one that you think will have better ergonomics (how comfortable would it be to hold each for extended periods of time?)
Also type each knife into YouTube. A few channels are highly regarded in the knife community are: nutnfancy , gideonstactical , Kaila Cumings (she's hot, but she knows what she's talking about), and WeAllJuggleKnives
If you've done your research, then pick whichever appeals to you most!
But to be completely honest, both of these knives will work perfectly fine. Just pick one that you think looks better, or one that you think will have better ergonomics (how comfortable would it be to hold each for extended periods of time?)
Also type each knife into YouTube. A few channels are highly regarded in the knife community are: nutnfancy , gideonstactical , Kaila Cumings (she's hot, but she knows what she's talking about), and WeAllJuggleKnives
If you've done your research, then pick whichever appeals to you most!
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2001
- Messages
- 27,079
I believe the better EDC is whichever one you like best.
I carry neither, but have owned both. In fact, the Rat 2 is my wife's current EDC.
More durable is up for debate. I believe the skyline (IIRC) has only 1 liner, but g10 scales. The Rat has dual liners but frn scales. I'd give AUS8 the edge as far as blade steel.
If I was personally choosing between these two knives to carry every day, I would go with the Rat 2.
Why? I know you only asked about durability, but my decision would be made much more on ergonomics.
I hate the handle on the skyline. Hate it. Every time I picked it up it just felt "wonky" I guess. It felt like the back of the handle was perfectly straight and forced my hand into a weird position, instead of naturally curving a little and working with it. The Rat has a slight curve to the handle and a nice ergonomic place to rest your thumb. To me it was a much more comfortable knife to use. Plus, full flat ground blade vs. saber? No contest. The Rat is the better slicer.