I stopped in at a knife shop today with the high hopes of handling a BM HKSnody fixed blade (either 14100 and/or 14150). Bad mistake. They didn;t have either. Instead, I picked up and handled the Ontario Knives RAT-3 and RAT-5. Wow! These are beautiful knives for approximately $100 and under!!!! Bead-blasted D-2 and G-10 scales. Outstanding. I was truly impressed and now I'm reconsidering the Snody H&K purchases!
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Ontario Knives RAT-3 and RAT-5
- Thread starter StretchNM
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powernoodle
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I have a RAT-3, a 5 and two 7's. And an RTAK. Just got the 5. I prefer the RAT-7s to the RAT-5 as the handle to blade ratio seems too high on the 5. And when holstered, the 7 and the 5 are pretty much the same length, so why not go with the 7 (I say to myself). Now mind you, I have not cut anything with the 5, and I am such a big fan of the 7s that I'm a little biased.
cheers
cheers
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The blade is not bead blasted. It is texture powder coated but Ontario doesn't say with what. The 1095 blades are zinc phosphate coated. Also, the scales are not G-10. They are canvas micarta. That aside...
I own a RAT-3 and a RAT-7, both in D2. I really like them both. I found them hard to sharpen until I came up with my "secret sharpening technique", which I'll tell you about for 10 cents.
. Actually, if you get one and you want to know, just email me and I'll mail you how I do it. You'll need a Spyderco Sharpmaker and some other items that don't cost much.I emailed Ontario about the possibility of a RAT-5 in D2 and they said probably sometime in 2007. I'll be buying one of those too, if it comes out.
If in D2, I believe them to be just as capable as some more expensive brands on the market for a quarter (or less) the price.
Regards
cb4life_30
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I agree, the RAT3 makes a great alternative to a large folder for EDC. In this day and age where companies aren't puting much effort into sheaths for their knives it is refreshing to see people taking the time to incorporate a total carry system for their knives. I find that using the boot clip to secure the knife IWB for right hand cross draw carry is the most comfortable way to edc this knife when not in uniform.
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As the proud owner of a RAT-5, RAT-7, and Gen 1 RTAK, I have to say I am one of the company's bigger fans.
In the past I considered Ontario to be largely a maker of curiousities and beaters, though they also make the underappreciated Old Hickory kitchen line too.
They definitely raised the bar for themselves with the RAT line. Mine have all been heavy users and have never even hinted at failing me.
The RAT-5 is my favorite because it is still an easy carry and big enough to be really useful for most outdoors tasks. I'd love to see one done in D2.
In the past I considered Ontario to be largely a maker of curiousities and beaters, though they also make the underappreciated Old Hickory kitchen line too.
They definitely raised the bar for themselves with the RAT line. Mine have all been heavy users and have never even hinted at failing me.
The RAT-5 is my favorite because it is still an easy carry and big enough to be really useful for most outdoors tasks. I'd love to see one done in D2.
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Not by me. We have an Old Hickory paring knife that has been a main-stay in our kitchen for over 25 years. :thumbup:
You might want to check my earlier post (#4). I emailed Ontario about this very subject.
Regards
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I think you got lucky with the satin finish. The catalog on the Ontario website doesn't show it available anymore. Nice find.
Bladeprince,
The satin finish comes only with the Ram's Horn Handle. DLT still shows them instock. I also got the same answer from Ontario about the D2 RAT-5. Added comment to my e-mail, they said they were not seeing much interest in it. Guess we all need to e-mail them.
Ron Athay
The satin finish comes only with the Ram's Horn Handle. DLT still shows them instock. I also got the same answer from Ontario about the D2 RAT-5. Added comment to my e-mail, they said they were not seeing much interest in it. Guess we all need to e-mail them.
Ron Athay
Thanks fellows for your replies and advice.....
I stopped AGAIN at the blade shop and I do like that TAK1 knife. It's got the same style blade as the RAT series but it's not quite as deep (edge-to-back height). Only problem is, I think the handle is too thick... it isn't bad, mind you, but you can certainly feel (and see) the difference in thickness when you're handling both the TAKs and RATs. I do like the belly contours and blade-to-handle ratio on all of these knives.
The owner of the shop told me she had asked Ontario about the possibility of a RAT-5 in D2, because of customer inquiries. She said Ontario told her they'd have an answer after the SHOT show.
Here's what I need now (note the use of the word "need")..... the RAT-3 with tan Kydex and the RAT-5 (in D2) with nylon sheath. While I do appreciate your advice, Powernoodle, the RAT-7 is just a little too much blade for my preferences. At least, since I'm considering 2 knives already ($160 plus), it's not a front-runner at this time.
I stopped AGAIN at the blade shop and I do like that TAK1 knife. It's got the same style blade as the RAT series but it's not quite as deep (edge-to-back height). Only problem is, I think the handle is too thick... it isn't bad, mind you, but you can certainly feel (and see) the difference in thickness when you're handling both the TAKs and RATs. I do like the belly contours and blade-to-handle ratio on all of these knives.
The owner of the shop told me she had asked Ontario about the possibility of a RAT-5 in D2, because of customer inquiries. She said Ontario told her they'd have an answer after the SHOT show.
Here's what I need now (note the use of the word "need")..... the RAT-3 with tan Kydex and the RAT-5 (in D2) with nylon sheath. While I do appreciate your advice, Powernoodle, the RAT-7 is just a little too much blade for my preferences. At least, since I'm considering 2 knives already ($160 plus), it's not a front-runner at this time.
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Thanks for the info about the different handle. I did not know.
I don't know what they mean about "seeing much interest". Are they waiting for emails (I sent one) and phone calls? Is that what they mean? That doesn't make sense. They need to make the knife and see how it sells. If the RAT-3 sells and the RAT-7 sells, logic says that the RAT-5 will sell. Somebody at Ontario need to hire some new marketing people.
I'm going to open a new thread about taking a poll for a D2 RAT-5. Will do the same on the other forum. Ontario has a forum there. After we get some response, I'll post the link to their forum.
Regards
Bladeprince,
I think they judge the desire for a particular knife by the pressure they get from their dealers (distributors). I just added to your thread. Good idea. I know one manufacturer came out with one particular knife (a BRKT, cannot remember which one) just because a few of their faithful hounded Mike. I know the response to the RAT-3 was phenominal (sp?). I ordered one as soon as they hit the market and had to wait 2 months (5th production run). RAT-7 has been sold out several times.
Ron Athay
I think they judge the desire for a particular knife by the pressure they get from their dealers (distributors). I just added to your thread. Good idea. I know one manufacturer came out with one particular knife (a BRKT, cannot remember which one) just because a few of their faithful hounded Mike. I know the response to the RAT-3 was phenominal (sp?). I ordered one as soon as they hit the market and had to wait 2 months (5th production run). RAT-7 has been sold out several times.
Ron Athay
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Looks like we have a few RAT-5 users here. No doubt, the RAT-5 is a user. I have a TAK-1, these two knives seem similar, can someone convince me, why would I need to get a RAT-5 if I already have the TAK-1? I'm thinking of it, have been for a while now, so push me over the edge.
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Thanks for the support Ron. I'm a bit surprised at the small number of people posting to the "voting thread" compared to the large number that have read it. If not interested, why read it? If familiar with the RAT line, then why not help out and post on the thread for a RAT-5 in D2? Guess there's no figuring out peoples motives.
Thanks
IUKE12,
I wouldn;t try to convince you to get a RAT-5, but I will say there are a few differences. The RAT-5's blade belly is deeper and the handle is thinner (width-wise). Right now the TAK-1 has a more grippable handle (the linen weave is more coarse) and I think you can get it in D2 (I think but am not sure). Is yours D2 steel? If the RAT-5 would be offered in D2 steel, I would get one and I'd find someway to make the handle more textured (or I'd just put different scales on it).
I wouldn;t try to convince you to get a RAT-5, but I will say there are a few differences. The RAT-5's blade belly is deeper and the handle is thinner (width-wise). Right now the TAK-1 has a more grippable handle (the linen weave is more coarse) and I think you can get it in D2 (I think but am not sure). Is yours D2 steel? If the RAT-5 would be offered in D2 steel, I would get one and I'd find someway to make the handle more textured (or I'd just put different scales on it).
I got a rat 5 for christmas and I was pleased with it overall. I was looking at it closer and I noticed that the edge isnt ground even at all. Is this a common problem with the rat 5 or did I just get a lemon? Should I send it back to Ontario to have them resharpen it or should I just reprofile the edge myself? I think its a great knife but I am dissappointed in the way the edge was ground.
Thanks BG$
Thanks BG$
When I was looking at the RAT-5 the other day, I noticed some inattention to detail by Ontario. The tang end was ground a little sloppily and not finished; the tang through the handle was not ground evenly with the handle; and something else that I can;t think of right now. It was easy to spot these things when I had the RAT-3 (which is finished very nicely) right next to it.
I really like that RAT-5... its shape and size is very nice. I could probably put up with a couple of inconsistencies if the steel was D-2, but then, by that time they might be paying a little more attention to detail and I wouldn't have to worry about it.
Even with all that said, I think the RAT-5, at about $80, is still a fine knife. Sorry to hear your blade is ground incorrectly. Now THAT I wouldn;t like at all.
By the way, I personally would call Ontario and arrange to send that knife back for replacement or correct grind. My guess is they'd be happy to send to you a knife that's "right".
I really like that RAT-5... its shape and size is very nice. I could probably put up with a couple of inconsistencies if the steel was D-2, but then, by that time they might be paying a little more attention to detail and I wouldn't have to worry about it.
Even with all that said, I think the RAT-5, at about $80, is still a fine knife. Sorry to hear your blade is ground incorrectly. Now THAT I wouldn;t like at all.
By the way, I personally would call Ontario and arrange to send that knife back for replacement or correct grind. My guess is they'd be happy to send to you a knife that's "right".
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My Tak-1 is 1095.