Ontario rat 2 vs Cold Steel voyager

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Yodasko

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May 13, 2016
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Hi all, I am a boy scout and am looking for my 1st regular pocket knife. After lots of research, I have narrowed it down to these two. I will be using it for camping ( Cutting wood, shaving it, and carving) and once in a long while food prep.I really like cold steel's Triad lock but I've seen people race about the Rat 2. I can't make up my mind on which to get. I also have a Smith 3 in 1 sharpener and I wonder if this sharpener is good did these knives and any tips. Thank you and please help me make a decision.
 
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Tough decision as both are great knives for the money. Stick with Aus8 steel and your Smith sharpener should work fine. Not sure what your age or hand strength is but sometimes the Triad lock can be a little difficult to release. I would suggest looking hard at both and choosing the one that appeals to you the most. If you have any specific questions, there are a lot of good people here to help you. Good luck
 
I am 13 years old and have hands just big enough to use the 3" voyager. Thank you for your help!
 
One more thing. Try not to abuse any folder if you can help it. For really tough jobs use a fixed blade.
 
For my camping and backpacking, the primary use of my knife is for food.

I also use my folder for making feather sticks and wood shavings. The closest I come to "hard use" or "abuse" with a folder is very strong cutting forces. The locks/joints of some folders loosen up with this sort of hard cutting and develop vertical play. This is not the sort of thing generally tested in most lock strength tests, which tend to focus on resisting closing forces. (IME, all folders should be assumed to be likely to, you know, fold when you least want them too, so safe knife handling skills are more important than lock strength.)

Of the two, I'd go with the Rat2, no question.
 
If you want your knife to be able to take abuse, I recommend Cold Steel. Look for Cold Steel Pro Lite. It came out this year. It looks cool and it has Tri-Ad locking.
Here is a Youtube review for this knife. https://youtu.be/_b1uTqSWqKs
 
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I don't have the Cold Steel Voyager but I can highly recommend the Rat 1 or Rat 2. You are getting a lot of knife for the price. The action is so smooth on these knives. My Rat 1 is probably one of the smoothest opening knifes I have and I have some pretty decent knives. The Rat 2 is just as smooth but a little more difficult to position in my hand given it's smaller size. Just takes a little practice though and it's just an issue with my particular hands. Still love the Rat 2 though. Carry it a lot.

Given your a Scout and will likely be out in the wilderness, you might check out Knifework's orange version of the Rat 2. That's what I have. Very visible when left on the ground or dropped.

You might also consider the Delica 4 as well?

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What do your parents/guardian think? How about the Scout master? Why would you be abusing a knife?

Personally, I would take an Esee Zancudo over the RAT 2 but that is a personal choice because of the frame lock. The cold steel is fine too. Either knife will do fine as long as you use it correctly. Hopefully you are learning to use a knife the correct way. That is more important than the actual knife choice.
 
craytab said:
What do your parents/guardian think? How about the Scout master? Why would you be abusing a knife?

Personally, I would take an Esee Zancudo over the RAT 2 but that is a personal choice because of the frame lock. The cold steel is fine too. Either knife will do fine as long as you use it correctly. Hopefully you are learning to use a knife the correct way. That is more important than the actual knife choice.
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I agree with this. Either a Rat 2 or ESEE Zancudo would be perfect for what you need the knife for. In addition to the frame lock, I prefer the Zancudo's blade shape for outdoor tasks (especially food prep). Either will serve you well. I also have the Smith 3-in-1 sharpener and find it to be great for the Rat and the Zancudo.

One thing to consider is that the 3" Voyager from Cold Steel is discontinued, so you may have to do some looking to find anyone who still has one in stock.

As one poster above said, the Spyderco Delica is also a great option but in a different price point.
 
Adding to Zancudo bandwagon, fine wood cutting tasks often call for a thumb on thumb on spine hold and knives with ramps don't do as well.
 
I recommend the cold steel, in my youth I know I was sometimes tempted to do some more abusive tasks with my knife ( I'm still tempted now a days but I resist the urge more often). The cold steel will shrug off most abuse laugh and ask for more. But if still open to suggestions I think the delica is a all time favorite around theese forum's and for good reason it would serve you very well.





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Is this a trick question? Of the two mentioned, get the Cold Steel Voyager. It is a much stronger design. Plus, experience will teach you not to put too much trust in liner or frame locks. A back lock is stronger and more secure (just keep the lint out of the lock).

As has been suggested, you might also look at the Spyderco Delica or Endura (longer blade). If you can spend a bit more a Spyderco Native would be a good choice. Also, you can find the stellar Cold Steel Mini Recon 1 with the old AUS8 steel for bargain prices right now (get the spear or clip point. Tantos look cool but are not much real use).
 
You can still find medium Voyagers for about 25 bucks.
I have the Rat1 also and the Voyager is the better knife imo.
 
DocT said:
Is this a trick question? Of the two mentioned, get the Cold Steel Voyager. It is a much stronger design. Plus, experience will teach you not to put too much trust in liner or frame locks. A back lock is stronger and more secure (just keep the lint out of the lock).
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Are strong (with respect to closing) locks necessary for food prep and wood working?

Am I overlooking an expected use by a 13 year old boy scout?

A large Case Sodbuster would do (and would teach good knife safety skills).
 
pinnah said:
Are strong (with respect to closing) locks necessary for food prep and wood working?
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Not necessary but preferable.


pinnah said:
Am I overlooking an expected use by a 13 year old boy scout?
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Yes

pinnah said:
A large Case Sodbuster would do (and would teach good knife safety skills).
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You could also teach firearms safety with a musket.


My choice would be Voyager. Better in most aspects.
 
bghorn said:
You could also teach firearms safety with a musket.
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And think of all the valuable lessons that would be learned. Hopefully the boyscouts are teaching valuable knife safety lessons. It is hard to imagine so if the question here being posed is not first answered by the troop leader, parents, or guardian.
 
Obviously a Boy Scout would already know knife safety so with that in mind, I would suggest a cold steel. If you need a lock on a knife why not go with the strongest as long as you can handle it and you're not too weak to close.


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