Ontario Rat 3 vs Becker BK11

J

Jimmie600

Joined
Dec 30, 2011
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As the title suggests, I am wanting (not really needing) another knife. Mostly, just because I love knives. I carry and use folders every day, but haven't really ever carried a fixed blade much. Two knives that I am looking at, both available to me for about $70, are a BK11 with the micarta scales and belt clip, and the Ontario Rat 3, which also has micarta scales, but I understand comes with a nylon sheath. What would be your choice and why? I wouldn't much be interested in any suggestions of knives not US made, but would consider other suggestions as long as they were similarly priced, but please don't suggest your favorite $200 knife.
 
I have a bk11. I don't have a rat 3 so I can't say which is "best". But my 11 has handled everything I can throw at it. In my eyes you can get a rat 3 for about $60-$70. Or you could get a $30 11, $30 scales, and a $30 kydex sheath. Yeah if you upgrade the 11 it will be more expensive than the 3, but the 11 will have probably higher quality scales (aftermarket vs made for the knife under the price point) and a higher quality sheath for the 11. You can also wait and upgrade the 11 when you have the money for it. You decide. (Just my opinion)
 
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Beavis! As for the cost, I have found a BK11 that comes with the scales already installed, and also the TDI clip, for about $70 total. So, essentially, there really is no difference price wise. No question the sheath is better. How I got to this point, is that I do have a Bk11 already, which I like, but really haven't used. As soon as I put this knife in my hand, I knew that I wanted the micarta scales for it. So, is the blade heavier or lighter on the 11, than the Rat3? How does the 11 feel in hand with the scales, compared to the Ontario? Those are things that I wonder. I am sure that I will be happy with either, but is one really a better choice for me? Another plus for me is that, if I go with the Becker, I can use the scales as a pattern to make some for my other knife.
 
hey! in my opinion the rat 3 is far better compared to ergonomics as well as steel.

SPECS:

-Overall length of 7.8"
-Blade length of 3.5"
-1095 steel
-Blade Thickness of .131"
-Full Tang
-Full Flat Grind w/ Drop Point Blade
-Black Powder Coat
-Tan Micarta Scales (removable)
-Exposed Pommel w/ lanyard hole

Being a smaller knife its limited in its function. Your not going to chop trees down with it. A knife this size is more designed for camp chores or cleaning game. Although it can be used for more, like batoning smaller sized wood. It would also serve well as a EDC fixed blade.

The black powder coat looks great and held up very well even after rough use. Since 1095 is a carbon steel it is susceptible to rust. The powder coat will prevent that.
 
My sons RAT 3 came with a nice molded sheath.
Did they change that?
I just looked at a few on line and they showed the same molded sheath he has. Black, Tan or OD Green.
 
FTR-14c said:
My sons RAT 3 came with a nice molded sheath.
Did they change that?
I just looked at a few on line and they showed the same molded sheath he has. Black, Tan or OD Green.
Click to expand...

no im pretty sure its still a molded sheath
 
Thanks for the reply! I actually went ahead and ordered a Rat 3. I figured that I already have a BK11 that I can play with, so why not. I also think that the slightly larger size of the Rat's handle will be nice. The manufacturer lists the sheath as being nylon. I originally thought that it was of a cordura type. I didn't realize that it was the rigid sheet type nylon, so that is another point in its favor. They are both 1095 steel, and the manufacturers list the Becker blade as being slightly thicker. I am looking forward to handling it, as it should be here in a couple of days! In the mean time, I went ahead and did a paracord wrap on the Becker. I may yet put scales on it, but am enjoying the cord for the time being. I am happy to have affordable American made blades to choose from! In fact, I was about to purchase a Benchmade folder when I decided that I wanted another fixed blade. I will post again later this week with my first impressions of the Rat 3.
 
Chestnut Ridge shows a picture of molded but the description says Cordura Nylon.
Its a shame if they did change it.
I bet you could shop around and find one with a molded sheath still in stock.
 
My Rat 3 was delivered this week. I have played with it a bit, and will say that I am quite pleased with it. It really fits my hand well. I was a bit surprised at how slim it is, and was a bit concerned with how it would feel in my hand, but found it to be very comfortable to grip. This is my first knife with micarta scales, and I love them! As for the sheath, it did come with the hard plastic sheath, much like the one the BK-11 comes with. It does have a belt clip installed, and comes with the teklock clip as well. The shape of the blade is virtually identical to the Becker, but the handle is obviously longer. I had already noted from the manufacturers web sites that the blade thickness on the Becker is a little more. It is enough that you can see it when you hold them next to one another. I need to take a little time to make some scales for the Bk-11, so I can compare them more evenly. As it is I am quite happy with both knives.
 
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