Ontario Heat Treat for 1095

D

Dr. Pepper

Joined
Sep 26, 2006
Messages
167
I have been finding mixed RC numbers from different web pages about the heat treat of the RAT series 1095 steel.

I was wondering from those of you use Ontario's 1095, how does the edge compare to what you consider normal for production 1095?

I have read that it is hard for edge retention and I have read that is soft for toughness. I am lost.

Can you dress/skin a whole deer without having to resharpen?


Thanks,
 
Depends on the size of the deer. A small southeastern white tail... no problem. You'll skin and dress the deer without any need for touching up the edge. For a larger deer (e.g., Elk or Mulie or Moose), you may have to sharpen the edge to complete the task. The great thing about 1095, though, is that it's pretty easy to sharpen in the field.
 
With all of the 1095 Rats being bought recently surely somebody can comment on edge retention as compared to another well known and similary sharpened value knife brand like Kabar or Buck (stainless I know).

Thanks,
 
Wow, still no serious bites.

Please help me get this question answered. I "know" someone has used their 1095 Rat to do real work.

Perhaps a more experienced knifer/poster could give advice on how I should change the question or represent it in another forum?

Should I repost in the Wilderness area since that is where the Rats see the most action?

Thanks for any input!
 
I would post this in the wilderness survival forums. I know alot of the guys there have the RAT-3 & 5.


As far as 1095 goes, If you carried a small sharpening steel and touched it up every so often it will be razor sharp for many deer.
 
I Have a lot of experience with the Spec Plus Ontario knives. This is work experience. I use them for chopping bark and limbs off while trimming up my walking sticks. I have also used them for hunting big game. They hold an edge pretty darn well but are soft enough that I have never been able to chip or damage a blade. They are very easy to resharpen and six to eight pulls through the EdgeMaker hone will have them back in action. The are one of the best dollar value knives on the market IMO. I have five that I have been using for about 18 years.
 
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