Like my rat II better than my barrage

J

jusclaires

Joined
Feb 12, 2014
Messages
37
I don't know how but I actually like my rat II for EDC better than my mini barrage, but I do. Very thin so I don't feel it in my pocket. And it's much easier to sharpen for me. Still like my benchmade. Just not sure if the extra $80 was worth it. It has the 154 cm steel and I wish I had gone s30v. Maybe that would have made the difference. I just struggle getting a razor sharp edge on it.
 
It's totally personal. I carry my Delica frequently. In fact, I've sold off a lot of other more expensive knives due to lack of use. It works for me. For others, the Delica is the worse knife they've ever touched and VG-10 is a terrible steel that can't get sharp.

In my experience, a different steel won't make a huge difference in whether or not I like a knife. If one steel can cut 500 linear feet of cardboard compared to another that can only cut 300 linear feet, it doesn't matter as I probably sharpened it after 20 linear feet. If I can sharpen it freehand, and keep it sharp on the Sharpmaker, I'm good to go.
 
IIRC the RAT2 uses AUS8 blade steel, which is generally easier to sharpen than 154CM. S30V has higher wear resistance than 154CM and it is generally more difficult to sharpen, with some users reporting it is significantly more difficult to sharpen.

What are you using to sharpen? This plays a huge role here, especially with higher performance steels. Further, what angle are you sharpening the Benchmade at, and what grit stones are you using?

I think we can get you to a point where you are getting the 154CM as sharp or sharper than the AUS8. 154CM is a fantastic steel, but a little more tricky than some others. A product like the Spyderco SharpMaker is one of the finest in existence, can sharpen anything made of metal, is very affordable, and is super easy to get any and all steels super sharp. And an inexpensive strop can help you periodically revive the edge so you have a razor sharp knife 24-7 and you reach a degree of sharpness that exceeds that of what you got from the factory.
 
Jeff's design is a winner, Ontario scored by giving him the support when he needed it, and this knife is a winner. I will be ordering 3 next week.
 
It sounds like there are two issues here. Wear resistance, and how easy to touch up. To sharpen a blade is different from touch up the blade.

When I have to sharpen, I use diamond sharpener with various grit so It doesn't make much difference between softer steel vs. harder, more wear resistant steel. (Unless I am mirror polishing with compound.)

When I use steels like AUS8, I would make sure to touch up after a lot of use. I think I can say S30V needs to touch up a bit less than AUS8 or even 154cm.
 
jusclaires said:
I don't know how but I actually like my rat II for EDC better than my mini barrage, but I do. Very thin so I don't feel it in my pocket. And it's much easier to sharpen for me. Still like my benchmade. Just not sure if the extra $80 was worth it. It has the 154 cm steel and I wish I had gone s30v. Maybe that would have made the difference. I just struggle getting a razor sharp edge on it.
Click to expand...

I have a Warn / Barrage. Love looking at it and holding it but hate carrying it as it is heavy and bulky.
I have a Rat 1 which I do enjoy and there's certainly nothing wrong with Aus 8 although my experiences differ from others as I find it the most difficult to hone to a razor edge while S30V is the easiest.
 
Yeah the weight was my biggest factor in not really liking the benchmade. In jeans it was fine. But you pop some shorts on and the pocket it's clipped to starts flopping everywhere. I had one kershaw with s30v and I really liked it wish I remember the model it was. But I lost it when it fell out of my softball bag. But I haven't had to bad of a time sharpening the AUS 8 so far "knock on wood" but that 154cm has given me fits. If anyone has pointers I'm all ears. I use a lansky system and an old belt to strop them. And haven't had to much of an issue till this benchmade. I actually had a bit of a chuckle to how bad of an edge I created today with the second attempt to get the damn thing sharp.
 
I was pretty disappointed with my Benchmade Adamas the first couple times i tried to sharpen it. It just seemed like i couldn't get it really sharp.Then changed the angle when sharpening and poof! got to hair popping sharp. That might be it. I have a mini barrage in my mail box that ill pick up in awhile here.Hope it's a good one.
 
Ulf Krogstad said:
I was pretty disappointed with my Benchmade Adamas the first couple times i tried to sharpen it. It just seemed like i couldn't get it really sharp.Then changed the angle when sharpening and poof! got to hair popping sharp. That might be it. I have a mini barrage in my mail box that ill pick up in awhile here.Hope it's a good one.
Click to expand...

What angle did you start using. I've been messing around with the angles trying to find a good one that lasts and gets really sharp. I tried 25 degrees this last time. But I've gone as far as 30 degrees just trying. Not sure how well the edge would hold up with less. But I'm willing to try any angle really.
 
pnsxyr said:
IIRC the RAT2 uses AUS8 blade steel, which is generally easier to sharpen than 154CM. S30V has higher wear resistance than 154CM and it is generally more difficult to sharpen, with some users reporting it is significantly more difficult to sharpen.

What are you using to sharpen? This plays a huge role here, especially with higher performance steels. Further, what angle are you sharpening the Benchmade at, and what grit stones are you using?

I think we can get you to a point where you are getting the 154CM as sharp or sharper than the AUS8. 154CM is a fantastic steel, but a little more tricky than some others. A product like the Spyderco SharpMaker is one of the finest in existence, can sharpen anything made of metal, is very affordable, and is super easy to get any and all steels super sharp. And an inexpensive strop can help you periodically revive the edge so you have a razor sharp knife 24-7 and you reach a degree of sharpness that exceeds that of what you got from the factory.
Click to expand...

Sorry didn't really touch base with the original posts. The computer didn't load those right away so I didn't see them. I use a lansky sharpening system. Not the diamond one but I feel a decent enough sharpener none the less. I'll have to check out the spyderco one. If it requires any hand stuff I don't know how capable I am. Hand sharpening isn't a strength of mine
 
Use my Rat 2 every day, never had a dull moment(lol). I just wish I had something similar that opened faster.
 
RemyKaze said:
Use my Rat 2 every day, never had a dull moment(lol). I just wish I had something similar that opened faster.
Click to expand...

What about the Rat 1 AO? I don't have it, but I wouldn't mind trying out their assisted opening. I can flick my Rat 1 open quickly and easily. Must be tougher on the 2 from the smaller blade.
 
No, I mean like a Spyderhole or something. Something wider, with more purchase, for quickly indexing. Also, a few Spyderco knives come close, but not many as as thin, and also as light. Centofante series, maybe the Delica, Dragonfly(little small for fast opening), and the Chaparral. They all have back locks though. Would be nice to see something as thin as the Rat 2 with an axis or compression lock.

Pretty much hate assisted, because it automatically means that closing a knife is made more annoying for very little improvement in opening. Actually, I can flick both a Rat 1 and 2 faster than they could open assisted.
 
I think an assisted opening rat 2 would be great. I've got the rat 1 as well it's just a little big for an EDC knife.

Any tips for the lansky type sharpening system. Even if it's not to use it?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top