Ontario: Rat 1 or Utilitac?

Both are nice for the price. Rat 1 is a little more classic looking, fits into the pocket weel, less likely to frighten people. Utilitac II is a bit more tactical looking, kind of large in the pocket, and might make a bystander think you're packing too much knoife.
 
In my experiance the utilitac is better. Lock up is better,no blade play,flipping action is smoother,looks better,rougher grip(which i like). Rat is also good though me personally like the Utilitac II is better. Rat 1 might be easier to sharpen though.
 
I prefer the looks of the Utilitac, or I should say don't like the looks of the Rat. That alone steered me toward the Utilitac II.
 
Never had a Rat. However, after owning a Utilitac II for a while, I don't see myself ever picking one up.

The Utilitac's name says it all. It's the perfect mix for utility, and if one should desire, tactical applications as well.

It's a beefier knife that fills my hand better (I have handled many Rats at the local Bass Pro Shop) and I prefer the blade shapes. Yes, I said shapes because the Utilitac offers more options, which is also a plus.

In the end, you won't go wrong with either knife. Both receive a lot of love on the forum. I'm just throwing in my 2 cents.
 
As inexpensive as they are, you should pick both of them up and decide for yourself, then give us your opinion.
 
Daddyo16 said:
As inexpensive as they are, you should pick both of them up and decide for yourself, then give us your opinion.
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This is good advice.

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The only pic I have of the Rat 1, I love it. I never needed to buy the Utilitac.
 
I have both, and they honestly both have their place. I feel like the RAT 1 is an almost perfect EDC knife. However, if I was going out for a hike, or was going camping and I didn't have a huge steel budget, the Utilitac would be coming with me just because it feels a tad heavier. It feels more rugged. Really though, Daddyo hit it correctly. Buy them both and check them out for yourself. They both convey a different message.
 
just_the_doctor said:
Is there much difference between the tanto and normal utilitac, other than the obvious?
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My honest answer would be "not really". They're both very wide, sharp blades. Except one has a tanto point, so two flat edges, and the other is a drop point with a belly to it. Both are capable slicers.
 
I don't have a Utilitac yet, I got a Rat 1 and think it's one of those knives everybody should have in their collection, it slices like a laser and the handle is ergonomic. It's a versatile blade that can be used for different things and a good work knife that you won't be worried about messing it up or losing it. The Rat 1 is just a no non sense knife.....I plan on getting the Utilitac II with the tanto blade soon.
 
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Have several of both, and it's hard to say one is "better", but if I was ever forced to choose, I'd take the RAT 1. For me, it comes very close to the best "jack of all trades" folder since the Buck 110.
 
Don't have a RAT 1 but I do have a Utilitac II, so that would be my choice. Also, the configurations of handles, blade shapes, and coatings is endless on the Utilitac.
 
Bear Claw Chris Lappe said:
Have several of both, and it's hard to say one is "better", but if I was ever forced to choose, I'd take the RAT 1. For me, it comes very close to the best "jack of all trades" folder since the Buck 110.
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I agree about the Buck 110 and Rat 1.....although the Rat 1 is not as old as the 110, I consider the Rat 1 already as a classic knife. No collection is complete w/o these 2.:thumbup:
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Ulf Krogstad said:
In my experiance the utilitac is better. Lock up is better,no blade play,flipping action is smoother,looks better,rougher grip(which i like). Rat is also good though me personally like the Utilitac II is better. Rat 1 might be easier to sharpen though.
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Do you mean to say that the RAT has blade play?
 
Quiet said:
I have both, and they honestly both have their place. I feel like the RAT 1 is an almost perfect EDC knife. However, if I was going out for a hike, or was going camping and I didn't have a huge steel budget, the Utilitac would be coming with me just because it feels a tad heavier. It feels more rugged. Really though, Daddyo hit it correctly. Buy them both and check them out for yourself. They both convey a different message.
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What messages are those?
 
Rat 1 is much, much better for cutting/slicing, which is the reason for having a knife. Utilitac is for people who think they will break their knife using it for very non-knife things, and I cannot stress the "very" enough since the Rat 1 is beefy in its own right. The grind on the Utilitac is less satisfying when it comes to actually cutting through things, as opposed to cutting something apart, which any sharp knife is proficient at. Same as ZT, Benchmade Adamas etc; that grind is just not appealing. The Rat 1/2 are the most hassle-free knives I have found, and the 2 is probably one of the best slicers in the modern folder field, with the 1 not far behind.

I guess it depends on whether you want a knife, or a sharp brick.
 
I have both.

They are both great for the price. The Utilitac is a little more "heavy duty". That is the main difference. If you like thinner knives that slice well, get the Rat. If you like heavy duty and overbuilt, get the Utilitac. They really are cheap enough that you can get both and sell off the one you like less.... or keep it. I think they are both worth owning for different reasons.
 
just_the_doctor said:
What messages are those?
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It's clear that the RAT was designed to be a perfect EDC. It's slim, yet with a big, long blade that's ready to do some work if needed. Then, you have the Utilitac, super strong, overbuilt, solid in the hand, with jimping that clearly speaks to the designer understanding that this knife might be held in a variety of grips, possible in a defensive role, or some other hard work based task. Look at the coffin grip handle, when I hold in in a blade-down hammerhold, my thumb rests perfectly atop that jimping on the end of the handle. Perfect for stabbing, or perfect for holding the knife completely secure while I cut through some material, for example.

These two knives were designed to do two different things, and that's part of the appeal for me. The RAT 1 is a slacks knife, the Utilitac is a jeans or cargo pants knife.

Also, this is all in my own opinion, that's all.
 
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