Ontario Rat 1 A -- Assisted opening Rat 1 !!!

S

Sterculius

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Oct 12, 2003
Messages
339
Just read that Ontario Knife Company is releasing a new, assisted opening Rat 1, called the Rat 1A.

Excerpt from article:

OKC Introduces the RAT1A Assisted-Opening Model to its Popular RAT Line As part of its 125th Anniversary celebrations, Ontario Knife Company® (OKC) is proud to announce the addition of its new proprietary assisted opening mechanism. OKC's exclusive patent-pending Tactical Assisted Opening (T.A.O.) system, designed by Joe Pardue, compliments the user's manual one-handed opening motion to create a folding knife with truly fast action. Capable of integration into most folder designs, OKC has decided to introduce T.A.O. on one of its all-time best selling folding knives: the RAT Model 1. - See more at: http://www.shootingwire.com/story/311900#sthash.IS0XNn2z.dpuf

Anybody see one yet?
 
I've been meaning to get a Rat 1 as an alternative to my Tenacious (they seem to play a similar role). I'll probably hold out for this now though. Any ideas of when we can expect it?

Also, for any of you who have experience with a Rat 1, does it hardware issues like the Tenacious?
 
The MSRP will determinate whether this is a good or not good thing. What the Rat 1 has going for it more than anything is value.
 
Eh I think I'll still just buy a manual. I like assisted sometimes but mostly with flippers. It just kind of feels weird to me with thumb studs.
 
Meh. If ever a knife didn't need an assist.
I can't wait for the first "I de-assisted my Rat-1A" thread.
 
I saw a video of it a SHOT. Not excited for it at all. Having a safety on an AO knife totally defeats the purpose of having AO. I'd rather see it left manual but add a flipper.
 
I don't get AOs. Just added complication begging to screw up at the worst possible time. Besides, I can open my Chaparral, Centofante 3, or Caly 3 as fast as any AO I have ever used...not that it matters worth a whit, since I have never been in a situation where a blazing fast opening is necessary, or even desirable. Complete overkill. The RAT-1 is just FINE the way it is.

The simpler the mechanism, the more reliable the mechanism. The more reliable the mechanism, the better the mechanism, in my books.
 
I'd go even further in my objections to assisted opening knives, than Quillan's accurate critique of an overcomplicated mechanism.

To be safe, an AO has to have a lock. Thus, there is an extra step to open it. Thus, it is inherently slower than any kind of lock. You name it, I can open any modern one handed folder faster than a knife where I have to disengage the safety first, before I can move to open it.
 
jeffwithaj said:
Meh. If ever a knife didn't need an assist.
I can't wait for the first "I de-assisted my Rat-1A" thread.
Click to expand...

Yes sir, agreed.

I am liking the fact that they are using G 10 instead of whatever they are currently using. That's an upgrade I can get on board with.
 
Some folks like assist-open. I'm one of those folks. I have multiple ZT and Kershaw knives that have it. I love the feature. I'll probably buy a couple of these, since I've already got multiple RAT 1s and 2s. I like colors, what?
 
I'm gonna get one and race myself. RAT 1 A in the left hand, RAT 1 in the right. READY, SET, FLICK! :confused:
 
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