Ontario Rat 1 thoughts

I had good experiences with the RAT1. My only complaint is that is doesnt open as fast as my ZT0350CB. LOL! Seriously they are just great knives for EDC. I have no issue with the FRN as they are easier on your pants. Ontario is releasing a G10 version exclusive to an online dealer. I might just get them too. I tried the back whack to see how the liner lock hold and have not encountered failure thus far. Also there are no play at all and the blade is centered from day 1. The blade is very sharp and easy to maintain. Satin versions have sharp edges on the back and will throw nice sparks from firesteels. Black coatings are paint and will scratch eventually but scratches makes the knife looks cool.

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Cheers!
 
In my personal opinion the RAT 1 folder is THE best $30 or less folder available today. You get AUS8 blade steel and made in Taiwan rather than China and the fit and finish and functionality of mine is nothing short of outstanding. Mine flies open with a nudge of my thumb, the blade is dead center, the blade work itself is beautifully done and the lock up is rock solid in all directions. If the RAT 1 had G10 scales and a super steel of some sort, it could easily be a $100 knife or more, street. I have a Satin PE and it's in my rotation next to an Umnumzaan, ZT 0551, Custom Jake Hoback A10 folder, Lionsteel SR-1, Spyderco Superleaf, Sage 2 and SMF CC
 
The "new" ones with colored handles are NOT G10. They're colored FRN or whatever the original black material was...sort of a bummer but still a great knife...
 
stampede said:
The "new" ones with colored handles are NOT G10. They're colored FRN or whatever the original black material was...sort of a bummer but still a great knife...
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They are Nylon-6. Still great knives and still worth $30.
 
^ any links to where they can be obtained?

I got my a couple of weeks ago and it's to this date my largest edc blade I own. Action was stiff but after a little oil and constant fondling everyday the action is getting smoother.. Blade is also the heaviest EDC I own but it's the kinda weight that makes ya go " hey, that feels really solid in my hand". Comfortable grip, great blade shape, and can hold an edge and bring it right back no problemo. It replaced my tenacious as my EDC and that used to be the biggest EDC I owned..
 
Hmm, I could have swore I replied to this already? Maybe it's just Déjà vu.

I had one and traded it. I liked it just fine but I want one of the new G-10 models and I can do w/o it for a while. I think it's one of the nicest low-cost knives made today.
 
great knives for the money. really good slicer and fish knife, easy to clean

I can't think of a better deal except maybe the kabar doziers
 
It's a user/beater. It's well put together and for the price [$25] i almost don't care if I ---- it up or loose it. It deploys a little stiff though. No big deal.
 
^ you won't regret it.. and for ~$30 you won't be crying about "having" to add another blade to the collection :D
 
I received my orange/satin RAT 1 yesterday. I am very pleased with it. The fit and finish is top notch IMHO. The folks in Taiwan have some good QC. The action is a bit stiff, but should loosen up nicely with use. The blade is sharp and the grinds are nice and even. It easily shaves arm hair out of the box. The blade design and handle shape are exactly what I expect from a RAT/ESEE design: pure functionality. There’s not a hint of mall ninja to be found. The handle is large and feels great. It seems to be built for use. A common complaint I read about this knife is its weight, and it is not light, but I carry a lot of heavy things in my pockets. The post about the lock failing when the guy hit the back of the blade against his palm worried me a little before I received mine. All I can say is that MY knife is not going to do that! It locks up like a bank vault with ZERO play and the liner lock is actually quite beefy and stiff. All in all, I’m thrilled with this knife. In all honesty, I must admit that I’m not what you’d call a knife snob. I have no fancy, expensive folders. My usual carry folders are a very old and well used CS large Voyager or a handy little SOG Flash 1. If I was use to a slick custom folder, I might feel different. As it is, I feel this is an outstanding outdoor knife with an incredible price. I very well might pick up another one or two. Take care.
 
Well said and I concur. As I mentioned before, mine is in my rotation amongst an Umnumzaan, ZT 0551, Superleaf, Sage 2, and a couple of customs.

The locking liner is certainly not thin and mine locks up like yours. Mine flies open with the push of my thumb so I can't call the action on mine stiff as others have mentioned. From day one too.

jdk1 said:
I received my orange/satin RAT 1 yesterday. I am very pleased with it. The fit and finish is top notch IMHO. The folks in Taiwan have some good QC. The action is a bit stiff, but should loosen up nicely with use. The blade is sharp and the grinds are nice and even. It easily shaves arm hair out of the box. The blade design and handle shape are exactly what I expect from a RAT/ESEE design: pure functionality. There’s not a hint of mall ninja to be found. The handle is large and feels great. It seems to be built for use. A common complaint I read about this knife is its weight, and it is not light, but I carry a lot of heavy things in my pockets. The post about the lock failing when the guy hit the back of the blade against his palm worried me a little before I received mine. All I can say is that MY knife is not going to do that! It locks up like a bank vault with ZERO play and the liner lock is actually quite beefy and stiff. All in all, I’m thrilled with this knife. In all honesty, I must admit that I’m not what you’d call a knife snob. I have no fancy, expensive folders. My usual carry folders are a very old and well used CS large Voyager or a handy little SOG Flash 1. If I was use to a slick custom folder, I might feel different. As it is, I feel this is an outstanding outdoor knife with an incredible price. I very well might pick up another one or two. Take care.
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Thanks again for all the response. I ordered and received 2 more rat 1's: the green satin plain and the desert tan with black plain blade, and my thumbs are sore from dicking around with them all the time. Both the new ones are stiff mothers to open, and after lots of playing around with my original black satin plain, the black still isnt "flying open effortlessly" oh well, I like fast opening folders ( who doesn't ) but I love pretty much everything else about these knives and am glad they made them in different colors so geeks like me can get duplicates of the same knife. Obviously the knife gets opened, but it takes a little more concentration. Slightly annoying but oh well. They'll get slicked up just as my boys want to take them over im sure..ha.
 
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