New RAT II D2 w/ very hard action due to misshapen "plastic" washers.

B

Bruce Yurman

Joined
Jun 2, 2019
Messages
9
My RAT II D2 came new with very difficult action. Taking it apart revealed smashed, misshapen Teflon (nylon, delrin?) washers. Has anyone else had this problem? How did you solve it? I would like to replace them with very thin bronze washers.
 
Can you show a picture of how they are misshapen?

There's nothing stopping you from replacing them :)
 
Not sure who the rep for them is, maybe @OntarioKnifeCompany

You might reach out to there support and warranty department to see if they will send you replacement nylon washers or send it it for replacing them.

As for pb washers.... You'll have to find the correct size for that model and find someone selling them.
Example of some from here
https://usaknifemaker.com/shop-categories/folding-knife-parts/washers-and-bushings.html

Not sure if you can even measure the washers in the condition they are in, but... When measuring washers you will need to measure three things:

Inside diameter
Outside diameter
Thickness


Here's a post for the rat 1 iirc.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...ed-washers-in-a-folder.1421525/#post-16392501
The Ontario Rat appears to be 2-1/4" .010" thick bronze washers and 2-1/4" .005" thick Teflon washers. I'm thinking the Teflon was used in this model to give some leeway in tolerances as they compress down nicely and give a smooth feel. I would love if it was all PB though
Click to expand...

I couldn't find any old threads with the search criteria that I used specifically for the Ontario rat 2.
 
Don't rats come with bronze washers? I think mine has them, at least it looks like bronze looking in there.

Sure it's not a clone?
 
Each side has 1 pb and a thinner Teflon washer. I don't have any reason to think it's a clone but it's my first Rat. Thanks to mo2, Kreole, and soc_monki. I am waiting to hear back from Ontario Knife Co.
 
Mine have two washers per side ,a small pb and a thin kinked plastic one, the action is perfect on both that I have. Maybe yours slipped thru the QC cracks.
 
is the pb foodsafe?

i'd contact the seller first , then the manufacturer. i know it's a popular knife model in the States but id prefer a crkt for that money
 
kreisler said:
is the pb foodsafe?

i'd contact the seller first , then the manufacturer. i know it's a popular knife model in the States but id prefer a crkt for that money
Click to expand...
I wouldn't ever buy a crkt over an Ontario. I dunno if you've seen the threads on crkt but it's fairly unanimous of there issues in the wide scope of the hobby.
 
oki got it. i never haindled either brand models before. the RAT's just look so bland 's all :rolleyes:
 
I had a QC issue with a RAT I folder having a strange divot on the blade under the washers causing erratic openning behavior. It is one of the few knives I bought on Amazon. I was required to follow the Amazon return procedure and almost never purchase knives from Amazon whenever I can help it. I purchased my second Rat 1 from a sponsored dealer and had no issues.
 
Thanks for your experience. I believe I bought mine on eBay.
Nevertheless I didn't return it as I'm trying to learn about solving knife action problems.
 
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