Ontario rat 2 vs Cold Steel voyager

The RAT 2 is downsized in ever way leaving it with a fairly slender liner lock. Between that and plastic handles, I don't think it would hold up in the field as well as the CS. Of the two I'd suggest the Voyager IF you can handle the triad lock. You might also look at a Byrd.
 
pinnah said:
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?
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bghorn said:
Not necessary but preferable.
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Not in my experience.

Can you describe food prep or wood working tasks that are safer with a locking folder instead of a slip joint folder?

I taught my kids on slip joints and friction folders. They're 19 and 16. My youngest has taken to knives more and he now has lock backs but I watch him like a hawk and I continue to stress to them both that all folders fold. No lock should be trusted or leaned on.

I watched a college age kid who was caretaking at a high camp open a can of food with a standard looking modern liner lock. She just jammed the blade in like some... well... like some Cold Steel video. I just cringed. Nice way to loose a finger.

The OP sounds like a nice kid, but he's been asked several times what he needs this knife for and he's not been able to describe it.

I think we've all been 13 and into knives and I think we all know what's going on here. He wants himself a cool knife. Nothing wrong with that.... If he's ready for one.

I wouldn't let my 13 yo kids pick their own knives by themselves. <shrug> Not my kid. Not my fingers.
 
Go with the voyager. Oh and if you can find this, even better :cool:

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blade dude said:
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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Not if he states the intended use is abuse, which he has.
 
The Voyager is a good knife. A little chunky, but relatively light, strong and comfortable. If you pick the Voyager, get the clip point.
 
Both are great knives. Cold steel will take a lot more stress on the lock and will last forever if you use it like a knife should be used. I'd go for the Cold Steel for outdoor use, RAT2 is good and will also last but it's more of a general light EDC.
 
Go with a rat 1, I feel the rat 2 is just too small. And then I'd use a mora fixed blade for carving and wood work
 
The rat 1 is one of my favorite blades. I would whole heartedly endorse it. I much prefer it's size to that of its little brother the rat 2.
 
I have had both....while both are great knives, I really dig my Rat. I keep one in the glove box of all my cars.
 
And for what it's worth, when I was 13 (if memory serves) my main knives were a SAK (camper or climber I think), a buck 110, and a Schrade (old timer) trapper model. I was never unable to find a way to make those tools work for me. Its not so much about the knife as the time you spend using it and learning with it.
 
I am sorry to also think neither of these options at the mo. Get a SAK, even the soldiers knife if you really want a locker.
They have useful tools, tools that you will find a do a lot of work adding to the enjoyment of out door trips.

My reasoning is that I used a SAK in my youth both camping and for everything else and despite having a healthy collection of nice locking knives, a slip joint SAK still defaults into my pocket. I carry one daily and I carry one internationally when I travel My son was a scout and I purchased him a standard red huntsman model at 10. It was his first tool kit and still gets a lot of use even after I bought him a swisstool last year. He is now 17.

I have several cold steel folders and I like them, but they have a long bedding in period and the triad lock was initially very, very, very hard to release on the majority for a long period of time. I do not think a young man of this age will be able to get it shut safely once opened.
I bought my Mum a Byrd caracara recently as a travel food prep knife and she cannot release the backlock on that safely so I have replaced it.

Therefore of the two mentioned, I would go for the rat..........however do have a think about a SAK.

Growing up should be a about learning skills, a slip joint teaches you not to rely on the knife not to fold and how to use it so it doesn't.

If you really want a lock then the locking models victorinox offer, the soldier, the trekker are safer than most other locks IMHO , have a useful and cool tool set and are very good knives.

Anyway, whatever you pick. Have fun and be safe
 
Thank you all for helping me! After a lot of research, I have decided to get the Cold Steel Voyager! Thank you for your feedback
 
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