Ontario Rat 1 vs Enlan el01

J

jakemrepic

Joined
Apr 27, 2015
Messages
1
I was looking for a good budget folder that will last me for a long time as an edc. I have $30 to spend and I narrowed it down to the two choices. I'm willing to spend up to $40 but would rather not. I can't bring myself to decide which one is better, even though the enlan is cheaper. Is the Ontario worth the extra money?
 
I have both knives. The RAT 1 is a better slicer and has a better feel in the hand.......and the Enlan el01 is a much more beefy knife when you compare them side by side, the Enlan el01 also has a beefier liner lock and the tip of the blade is more strong than the RAT 1.

Honestly I like Enlan el01 more than the RAT 1......both are good folders though.

The RAT 1 was one of the sharpest knives I ever had when it was fresh out of the box and Enlan el01 didn't come with a factory edge as good as the RAT 1.

if you are willing to spend up to 40 dollars you should really consider getting the Cold Steel Voyager in AUS 8 before they become discontinued and hard to find because of the upgraded steel they are using now on the Voyagers.
 
Last edited:
I was also looking for a knife like this as a kind of bushcraft backup. You might also look at a Sanrenmu Land PR-905. It's a buck more than the EL-01 from Fasttech, and has a good following. Or an Enlan Bee L05-1.
 
Woodcamo Nut said:
Cold Steel Large Voyager is much better than the RAT 1 & Enlan el01.
Click to expand...

i agree

o.png
 
I've both too. the EL01's blade and handle are thicker (and heavier). I think it's also sturdier than the RAT1. but the RAT1 cuts better, feels more comfortable in the hand, and has smoother opening.
If you want a beater take the EL01, if you want a better slicer take the RAT1.
 
Agree on the voyager - very good suggestion.

Havent owned the Rat but had a couple of El01's, great solid knife for the price.

Woodcamo Nut said:
I have both knives. The RAT 1 is a better slicer and has a better feel in the hand.......and the Enlan el01 is a much more beefy knife when you compare them side by side, the Enlan el01 also has a beefier liner lock and the tip of the blade is more strong than the RAT 1.

Honestly I like Enlan el01 more than the RAT 1......both are good folders though.

The RAT 1 was one of the sharpest knives I ever had when it was fresh out of the box and Enlan el01 didn't come with a factory edge as good as the RAT 1.

if you are willing to spend up to 40 dollars you should really consider getting the Cold Steel Voyager in AUS 8 before they become discontinued and hard to find because of the upgraded steel they are using now on the Voyagers.
Click to expand...
 
don't know anything about the Enlan product, but I do know a fair amount about Ontario and ESEE. I have a RAT1 and a RAT2. I think highlyl of them both.
 
Love my RAT1, if its not beefy enough look at the Ontario Utilitac line. Id take either or any of the SRMs I own.
 
Enlan EL-01 around $14 from FastTech - $19 for the EL-01D with Rosewood scales from same place.
The EL-01 is a very strong knife as it is but like any knife at this price point it pays back a bit of using and lube-ing tenfold in terms of easy action and usability. You can upgrade the pivot washers to phosphor bronze if you want but for an EDC user that's not needed, they do make it very smooth and very fast opening. You could do the same to most knives and get an increase in performance.

Tough enough? Watch this video by SrJoben to decide.

[video=youtube;axX_vsTvDWE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axX_vsTvDWE[/video]

He now has pivot washer and pivot screw kits, easy 10 min. install.

Edit.............Just thought I'd mention that I like these knives enough to collect them, one of each and two of a couple of models. Really strong knives.
 
Last edited:
the Kershaw Tremor would be the other knife I would recommend as it's just a quality budget knife with a big blade for those that need a full size EDC blade......too bad they were discontinued, Kershaw actually brought them back for only a short time in 2014 and I purchased an extra one for a 2nd time.....Those Tremors sold out quickly when Kershaw had re-released them last year.
 
Thanks to this thread I picked up another Tremor! Dave has them going for a couple bucks less than what I bought my first one for. Might be the best knife deal going right now!
 
craytab said:
Thanks to this thread I picked up another Tremor! Dave has them going for a couple bucks less than what I bought my first one for. Might be the best knife deal going right now!
Click to expand...


yep, grabbed one myself. thanks for the heads up tim.

on topic. i own both knives and the voyager. all good for the price point. they do what they are designed to do.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top