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Ontario RAT 1 or Spyderco Tenacious for EDC?

I'd go for the RAT-1. Feels more solid in hand, more comfortable to handle (especially if you have to put any weight into the cut), and arguably slightly better blade steel. The Tenacious has several good points too. The G10 handles do grip better, the knife is lighter weight, and the Spyder-hole is a bit easier to open if you're wearing gloves.

The Tenacious family just never really did it for me. While they're certainly not bad knives, it was just several little things that would bug me ever so slightly, and the effect was cumulative to where it would be just enough to be noticeable (not unlike the sensation of a small pebble lodged in your shoe). If you are considering these, I'd suggest spending the extra to get to the Dragonfly/Delica/Endura/Stretch instead. Those are all terrific knives in just about every category (great steel, compact, lightweight, solid-feeling, refined ergonomics, and just about everything else you'd want in an EDC knife).
 
Concerning thumb hole v.s thumb stud: I have never had a quality knife that had a hole, so I do not have an opinion on them.

concerning coated blades: I don't care if the finish is scraped off, The well used look doesnt bother me, it is a tool after all!

Concerning the finger guillotine: Is it the lock that is guillotining (is that a word?) your finger? How thick is the piece that you are talking about? Will it effect your want to use the knife?

Concerning hand size: I have normal or smaller hands. The benchmade mini-griptilian feels pretty good in the hand, slightly bigger handle would be my preference, just for a size comparison.
 
The RAT-1 is tank like without any refinement. It is kind of heavy. I have a number of Spydercos but not a tenacious. I think that RAT-1 is a very touch essentially soldier-proof knife. The blade profile is very handy and mine came rediculously sharp. It is a hell of a lot of knife for the money you pay.
 
Another vote for the Ontario RAT-1... :thumbup:

rat101.jpg
 
I have got both and for EDC I perfer tenacious because it opens and closes much easier that RAT-1.........BUT RAT 1 cuts better (for me), has got better steel, stronger blade and much much nicer handle.
 
There is a couple good side-by-side pics posted here for you but no pics showing the width compairson, the rat is quite a bit wider than the tenacious. Either are great knives and I wouldn't feel under-knived with either, but if I could only have one I'd go with the tenacious because of the additional pocket space it gives you.
 
I have them both as well and have had them for about three or four years. I got one of the first Tenacious models when it was offered and the RAT immediately after that.

I like them both a lot and use them in my construction work. Here are the features that make a difference to me:

- Tenacious is a larger width profile when closed. I carry my work knives in my pocket using the clip, and the Tenacious takes up more pocket space due to its width making it more difficult to get change, etc., out of my pocket

- Tenacious has a significantly thinner lock bar. After using the Tenacious pretty hard (never any abuse) the bar has traveled over quite a bit and now covers the last third of the blade. I have carried and used the RAT1 three or four times as much, and the heavier lock mechanism is still where it started, on the first third of the blade

- RAT has FRN scales that feel good in the hand when you first get the knife. But with normal use, the FRN is now smooth and very slick making it slide a bit in my hands when I am really sweaty

- RAT has a more obtuse grind than the Tenacious, making the working edge more blunt, but not at all fragile. The Tenacious has a longer, thinner grind and will get really sharp making it a great slicer. It is easier to get a good slicing edge on the Tenacious. Unfortunately with both knives, the steel is pretty soft so neither are great at edge holding. The good news with both is that the soft steels mean a few swipes on the rod and you are back to a good working edge

- Not that it matters that much on this kind of knife, but the fit and finish was much better on the RAT. I was really surprised just how well the the parts actually fit, and nothing has moved or changed since then. The blade on my RAT (although quite scratched and with a blunt tip) is still centered, the scales haven't shifted any, the opening is still very smooth, and the lockup is still as good as new.

I would give the edge to the RAT as a work knife. Better ergos for me, easier to use with gloves on, and now has a proven job site track record of good performance.

Robert
 
outdooredge said:
I have got both and for EDC I perfer tenacious because it opens and closes much easier that RAT-1.........BUT RAT 1 cuts better (for me), has got better steel, stronger blade and much much nicer handle.
Click to expand...

This thread was 9 months dead before your reply...:)...but since it's back...

My RAT 1 opens easier than my Tenacious. If yours doesn't perhaps it needs a cleaning. After a little over a year of carrying my RAT 1 it would hardly flick open, took about everything I had to get it open. I disassembled it, cleaned it, lubed the pivot, reassembled and it was literally good as new. Within the next day or two it was easily flicking open, even easier than the Tenacious. Also it might not even need cleaned, maybe your pivot is just too tight? Point is, all my new RAT 1's flew open.
 
My rat-1 opens amazingly, so smooth, smoother than most of my other knives including several (higher than the tenacious series) spyderco's. As fetzer said if it isn't smooth I'd recommend a good cleaning and oiling it up really good, yes the hole makes it deploy better (if your use to a hole opener) but the tolerances and F&F is what makes the blade's action smooth.
 
I prefer the Tenacious over the Rat 1. Better ergonomics, more reliable manufacturer, and better deployment/lockup.

At this price point, however, it is very difficult to beat Cold Steel's offerings. Mid-range Japanese steel (opposed to low-end Chinese steels) and the strongest lock on the market.

Ideally, consider saving up to afford the $100-$150 price point. There are an incredible amount of amazing-quality options in that price range.
 
Tenascious has a smoother action than a RAT? Really? Was the RAT you held lubricated with sand or something? The Tenascious is decent, but smoother is a big no.

I think AUS8 performs better than 8CR13MOV. The liner in the Spyderco is also a bit springier which I don't like.
 
I have the smaller versions of both, persistence & Rat 2, and prefer the spyderco. It has a more solid feel in your hand and the thicker liner seems to lock up much stronger making it a more hard use knife. My Rat 2 came with almost 90% lock up which I consider a bit far for a thin liner lock. My persistence is around 50% with a much thicker lock.
 
Just to weigh in, I have multiple RAT 1s, and had a Tenacious at one time. I ended up selling the Tenacious to a buddy because I never carried it. My RAT 1's however, are often EDCed. It's just so much knife for the money. I have an order I'm waiting on from BladeHQ and Knifeworks with a couple more. Another Rat 1, and a Rat 2, just because I was curious as to how I'd do with the smaller size. Also, my RATs open supremely smoothly, I love the ergos, and mine came wickedly sharp. It also takes a great edge with just a few swipes on my Arkansas stone.

That said, you should get them both, because they both have positives about them.
 
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