Ontario RAT 1 vs. Spyderco Tenacious

It is really interesting to see how price affects perceptions of quality.

The Rat 1 was a tank and a good buy at $100. It fared well when compared to other $100 (street) priced brands/models.

Then at $60. It strangely compared well to $60 knives.

Now, it's been compared to $30 dollar knives with the same results.

?
 
RAT 1, all the way. None of those in-handle retention issues like my Tenacious had. The lock-up is solid on the RAT 1. I dig the full flat grind, as well. I own 3 of the RAT 1s, and I will say that you will probably want to loosen the pivot screw on it if you get one. All 3 of mine came so tight that it was difficult to open with one hand. Once you loosen it, however, it opens up easy and still locks up with no blade play.
 
RAT - Model 1 (Made in Taiwan)
Spyderco Tenacious - (Made in China)

Hope that helps with your decisions....


00max00 said:
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:
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I think he is saying that he failed geography, sociology, world governments, current affairs... something like that.

The correct name for Taiwan: Taiwan People's Republic of China

Correct name for China: China

See the similarity? China is China. I don't see how one China is different from another. Taiwan belongs to China, and only the political powers there are in denial of that fact.

It is well known that parts, pieces, and partially assembled devices of all types (come now, don't think of just knives...) are traded back and forth. Since they are about 125 miles apart by water, any type of skullduggery could be performed quite easily at any time.

As far as the two folder mentioned go, I like them both quite a bit. To me it would depend on what you are going to be using them for personally. Both feel great in my hand. I would give the edge as a straight work knife for my construction duties to the RAT, but that's because it feels better in my hand after long use. It gets a lot of crappy jobs, but still works great and is a heckuva value.

BUT... as far as a slicer goes, I like the Tenacious better. That long flat grind will really take and hold a great edge. Both carry easily, although have a different profile in your pocket. If I am only doing carpentry work, I will take the Tenacious to work since in all likelihood I will be cutting with the knife, no prying, cutting shingles, scraping caulk, etc.

I like the comments above. Try them out for feel in your own hands. I don't think you would be disappointed with either knife.

Robert
 
FFG means a full-flat grind on the blade. it means that the blade tapers down to its edge from the spine.
However, i dont see how this makes the tenacious any better than the Rat 1, it has the same grind
 
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rainermh12 said:
FFG means a full-flat grind on the blade. it means that the blade tapers down to its edge from the spine.
However, i dont see how this makes the tenacious any better than the Rat 1, it has the same grind
Click to expand...

he knows what it means, read more carefully :rolleyes:
 
I have both blades. I just received the RAT 1 a few days ago. After all the hype I am disappointed with the RAT 1. The thumb screw is awkward, the ero is not good for me. I much prefer my Tenacious.
 
I wouldn't say one is necessarily better than the other, just different, which is why some people prefer one over the other. I personally prefer the RAT 1 because of it's ergo's, but that's not to say I don't like the tanacious. Sometimes I feel like carrying the tenacious and sometimes the RAT, just overall I prefer the RAT.

Despite this I also recommend you wait a bit longer and go with a Buck Vantage Pro. I picked mine up for about $50, and with S30V steel, Paul Bos heat treatment and G10 handles it's a steal. Easily outperforms both the RAT and tenacious, and is my favorite edc knife right now.

Hope this helps!
-Tibbs
 
The Tenacious, along with little brother Persistence, has one of my favorite shaped blades. It's well-made, easy to use (and fun to play with.) A steal at the price.

The Rat is one of my hardest to open folders. I've consigned it to the tool box.
 
I know it's not on your radar but maybe you can look into the Byrd Raven 2. It's also made in China under Spyderco.

It's got a good overall shape, G10 handles and the best part is the blade is now made of American made CTS-BD1.
 
I don't have a tenacious, but I do have a persistence (slightly smaller version). The rat1 fits my hand better. I do prefer the shape of the blade on the tenacious and the handle material of the tenacious. I prefer the aus8 on the rat over the 8cr13mov of the spyderco. Both are great budget knives. I have no blade play on either of mine, and both have a solid lock up. I would probably take the rat though, if I had to choose.
 
I enjoyed the tenacious more. Held a longer edge and was more comfortable in my hand. The thumb hole was also my preference.

The RAT shapened better but the edge seemed less durable.

But I really enjoyed how easy it was to sharpen.

I'd say either one is a win.

You will buy both anyway. Just pick one to buy first :D
 
Might consider a Byrd Raven 2, similar price to the Tenacious but better (US) steel and a nice finger choil if you're into that kind of thing.
 
I own a RAT1 and love it, its one of my two goto's for EDC. I have had two RAT1's and the first one opened fast enough to startle me at first and the second one opens the same. Easy to sharpen and no blade play, solid lock up. I love my RAT1.

I have held but never used a tenacious, a buddy owns one, it seems to be a really sweet knife. Opens well, no blade play at all. This guy is no knife nut either, he is the type to abuse a knife and then buy a new one when its so dull its useless. I'm impressed with the way the tenacious has held up so far.

Personally I'd still go with the RAT1 but the tenacious is on my list now.
 
I consider myself a spyderco fanboy. But to this day, i have my ontario rat 1 and sold my tenacious a while back. The ergos are better on the Rat 1. I prefer aus 8 to 8cr13. I like the utilitarian blade shape, and there's various color variants and choice of serrations or not. If you look into the higher end knives then I'd go spyderco all the way. But for budget options I think ontario does a better job
 
Rat 1 by a mile

Tenciuos rusts and the build is weird. Just take one apart and compare it to a Rat and you will have your answer.
 
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