New Rat 1 - Very Impressed!

aleforme

aleforme

Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
2,130
So I don’t really buy many “expensive” knives. My Falkniven S1,Gayle Bradley and a Beer Scout are the most I have ever spent. Typically, I tend try and find knives that interest me or are good values in terms of cost vs. price. This is my first Ontario knife to date.

I just received a RAT 1 and I must say, this is a hell of a lot of knife for the $30 I paid for it. I get it why it doesn’t cost much. Cheaper scales (nylon vs G10), cheaper hardware, cheaper blade metal, cheaper coatings, heavier and cheaper liners, etc. Fine, it’s not a mid level Spyderco, Benchmade or ZT. I own all of these so I see where the differences are.

That being said, I am truly impressed with the build quality, fit and finish and function of this knife in the short time I've had it. It flicks open with ease, locks up well, is razor sharp right out of the box and is built really well. Best $30 I have ever spent on a new folder by far. Again, I get it. It’s not in the same league as some other higher end knives but this thing is really impressive for the price. I don’t really consider it a budget knife at all.

I'm thinking a Rat 2 is now in my future as well.

Anyway, just thought I would post my thoughts.

IZ7cech.jpg
 
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Yep.. Great knife for the price!! I mean that in a GOOD way!! Like my 1 better than the 2 I got.. Fills my hands better for me.. John
 
Yup. I like mine too. It's a well designed, well built and practical knife.

Some more RAT 1 porn

 
aleforme said:
So I don’t really buy many “expensive” knives. My Falkniven S1,Gayle Bradley and a Beer Scout are the most I have ever spent. Typically, I tend try and find knives that interest me or are good values in terms of cost vs. price. This is my first Ontario knife to date.

I just received a RAT 1 and I must say, this is a hell of a lot of knife for the $30 I paid for it. I get it why it doesn’t cost much. Cheaper scales (nylon vs G10), cheaper hardware, cheaper blade metal, cheaper coatings, heavier and cheaper liners, etc. Fine, it’s not a mid level Spyderco, Benchmade or ZT. I own all of these so I see where the differences are.

That being said, I am truly impressed with the build quality, fit and finish and function of this knife in the short time I've had it. It flicks open with ease, locks up well, is razor sharp right out of the box and is built really well. Best $30 I have ever spent on a new folder by far. Again, I get it. It’s not in the same league as some other higher end knives but this thing is really impressive for the price. I don’t really consider it a budget knife at all.

I'm thinking a Rat 2 is now in my future as well.

Anyway, just thought I would post my thoughts.

IZ7cech.jpg
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I love my Rat-2 knives. That's what I EDC. It carries so well and it's no where near as tall as my Spydercos, which is what i prefer.
 
Rat 1 and 2 are always my go-to suggestion when someone asks about a quality affordable (for the non-knife nut) knife.
Every time.
 
this_is_nascar said:
I love my Rat-2 knives. That's what I EDC. It carries so well and it's no where near as tall as my Spydercos, which is what i prefer.
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It does carry really well. I just switched mine to tip up and it sit perfectly in the pocket. I like when knife blades faces back into seam at the back of the pocket.
 
It's about at the max for what I carry around town. It's pretty slim though it hides away nicely in the pocket. I could see how it would be a little intimidating though when deployed around someone.
 
aleforme said:
It's about at the max for what I carry around town. It's pretty slim though it hides away nicely in the pocket. I could see how it would be a little intimidating though when deployed around someone.
Click to expand...

Isn't the RAT 1 about the same size or a little smaller than a Buck 110? I'm carrying a 110 until I have the "extra" funds for a RAT 1.
 
afishhunter said:
Isn't the RAT 1 about the same size or a little smaller than a Buck 110? I'm carrying a 110 until I have the "extra" funds for a RAT 1.
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It actually very similar in closed length. Maybe a tad slimmer? Haven't had a 110 for while so my memory is failing me.
 
Hoping mine shows up this weekend in the mail... I just ordered my first, OD scales, black combo edge blade.....thinking it might finally retire the Camillius that I've been EDCing for 10+ years now...

Can't believe with as many knives as I own ( 120+ ) I don't already have one of these.....

I like the knife but the price point is what sold me, at 32.00 delivered if I break or loose it, I can have another on the way the same day..... I just wish they had G10 scales instead of nylon, I'd have been willing to pay 50.00 for the same knife with G10.....

Heck as many of these things as they evidently sell why are they not selling G10 scales separate kinda like Becker does the Micarta scales.....it would be a pretty easy no brainer 20-25.00 add on sale to about half the Rats sold.....
 
Hawgsnawt said:
Hoping mine shows up this weekend in the mail... I just ordered my first, OD scales, black combo edge blade.....thinking it might finally retire the Camillius that I've been EDCing for 10+ years now...

Can't believe with as many knives as I own ( 120+ ) I don't already have one of these.....

I like the knife but the price point is what sold me, at 32.00 delivered if I break or loose it, I can have another on the way the same day..... I just wish they had G10 scales instead of nylon, I'd have been willing to pay 50.00 for the same knife with G10.....

Heck as many of these things as they evidently sell why are they not selling G10 scales separate kinda like Becker does the Micarta scales.....it would be a pretty easy no brainer 20-25.00 add on sale to about half the Rats sold.....
Click to expand...

I was a little worried about the nylon scales but have been pleasantly surprised how good they are.
 
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