Ontario RAT 1 vs. Spyderco Tenacious

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wixo3

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Feb 24, 2010
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Ontario Rat 1 vs Spyderco Tenacious

Which of the two do you recommend? Just looking to get a high value folder that's tough. All my folders are cheap and i'm looking to get a nicer/tougher one.

thanks
 
Can't speak to the Spyderco, because I've never owned one. I do, however, own a RAT folder. It has been my EDC for nearly two years. It's sleek and tough. Another benefit is it can be carried tip up or tip down and used left or right handed depending on where you keep the thumb stud and pocket clip!:thumbup:
 
i have em both and so should you! i like the spyderco alot more because of the g10 and the blade shape. The rat 1 is one of the best feeling (in hand) folders i have held. If anyone says one is better then the other dont listen. they both kick ass
 
As tough as the decision is, I have to say Tenacious. It's lighter, grippier, has a more accessible liner lock and the thumbhole has more control.
 
I own both...they are excellent!
I prefer the Rat-1 ergonomics...
I love the Tenacious thumbhole...
A difficult choice....Why not both?
 
I have owned and used both, but I've gotten rid of them both, too.

If you're looking for tough, I'd advise against the Rat-1. Some people tout it as sturdy or hard use, but the liner lock on mine could be defeated by smacking the spine of the blade against the palm of your hand. IIRC, it also has teflon washers, which I, personally, am not a big fan of.

While I'm not a fan of the Tenacious in and of itself either, I found it to be a much better blade than the Rat-1. Lockup was more secure with less play and it was much harder to make the lock fail. The G10 handle is also superior to the plastic handle of the Rat-1, although that's just my personal preference.

Basically, I'd skip the Rat-1. Some people love it, but I don't think it measures up to the Tenacious.
 
I've never owned a tenacious before, but I've played with one. The steel it uses is very similar to aus-8, the gymping is sharper-not painful sharp but the rat1's gymping blows, and it's got a spyderhole. Which is way easier and more comfortable than a thumb stud. You bass washers with the spyderco too, makes it open more smoothley. I would get a tenacious definatley.
 
In my experience, the 8cr steel that they use on the Tenacious(which I own) is junk. While working yet not sweating, the moisture just from being clipped to my pocket caused rust spots over the entire blade...but the blade was never wet. Nothing against Spyderco though, because the knife is priced appropriately and the Para is my favorite folder. :) I havent owned a RAT 1. It was on my list and in the very long process of waiting for one I sorta became a steel snob. IMHO id suggest looking at a Buck Vantage Pro with an S30V Bos heat treated blade and g10 handles for only 20 bucks more. I also own this knife, and you will not beat it for the price. Sorry for ranting. If I had to choose it would be the RAT 1 simply because I like the design better and my experience with the Tenacious was not good. Plus it doesnt hold an edge for crap. I rolled the edge popping paracord right out of the box.
 
I've owned both and I like the RAT-1 much better. The ergonomics of RAT-1 is much better than the Tenacious and the lockup has a very solid and satisfying feel. The steel in RAT-1 is also better (finer grain and less prone to rust).
 
tuffthumbz said:
i have em both and so should you! i like the spyderco alot more because of the g10 and the blade shape. The rat 1 is one of the best feeling (in hand) folders i have held. If anyone says one is better then the other dont listen. they both kick ass
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Best advice on here :thumbup:
 
It's up to you. As much as I love Spyderco I went with the Rat-1. Both get a lot of praise and I think they both make great beater knives. The Rat has Phosphor Bronze bushing (not Teflon), and is incredibly smooth. It is my beater knife and I have had no issues with the lockup. My experience has given me no blade play, and I could not defeat the lock as easily as a previous poster stated.

Both are good working knives that you shouldn't be afraid to use hard. I would pick up a tenacious, but seeing as I already have the Rat 1 as a beater, my sights are set on some more luxurious Spyderco models.
 
I to have both,I like the Rat a lil better just cause it feels better in my hand, both are great values for the money IMO,,both take a great edge, both smooth as hell, the rat just fits me better, no problems with either knife.
 
I have had a RAT 1 for 6 months now and it is a great folder for the money. I keep saying it is built like a tank. I have abused it a lot and it has taken everything in a stride. But I haven't had a tenacious so I cant say anything on that.
 
RAT - Model 1 (Made in Taiwan)
Spyderco Tenacious - (Made in China)

Hope that helps with your decisions....;)
 
CBurgerjr said:
RAT - Model 1 (Made in Taiwan)
Spyderco Tenacious - (Made in China)

Hope that helps with your decisions....;)
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Why does this help? Taiwan is part of China. Are you saying since Taiwan commands a higher labor cost over Mainland China, the Tenacious would represent higher value than the RAT? :confused:
 
I own both and prefer the Tenacious, heres why:

I like the Spyde hole
The handle fits my hand well
I like the large leaf type blade
FFG grind

I dont like the Rat-1 because:

Plastic handle
Thumbstuds are awkard and hard to use, placement bad for me.

If the Rat 1 had the 2 problems resolved the choice might be much harder. Now if it had a slot type opening hole like a Strider I might overlook the plastic handles.
 
bchan77 said:
I've owned both and I like the RAT-1 much better. The ergonomics of RAT-1 is much better than the Tenacious and the lockup has a very solid and satisfying feel. The steel in RAT-1 is also better (finer grain and less prone to rust).
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:thumbup:I don't own a Tenacious or a Vex but I did look at them at several retailers and both the knives had a very weak liner lockup, tension.While the Rat 1, I own has a strong liner lockup.I don't see how it could be possible close from being spine whacked.

Like it's been said before it's a TANK.
 
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