Ontario Rat-3

collecter said:
I don't understand how you guys can recommend this knife without qualifying the handle.
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I have no use for partial grip knives either from an ergonomics/security issue. I have had a few customs with small two/three finger grips and they are fine for light precision cutting, but in extended work they get bad fast. Even on very small blades I like a full grip.

Knives that are so grip limited are generally reserved as backup pieces which allow you to carry a knife whereas a full sized grip would make it too difficult to conceal. It is more of a case of better this than nothing rather than an actual optimal designed tool.

USAFSP said:
Then how can Cliff not recommend the knife without even touching it?
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I didn't actually do that in this case, in the original post I just talked about several other knives of that same type. However there are lots of knives I would not recommend even though I have not handled them because of basic design or steel issues.

If it was impossible to infer anything performance wise from pictures and spec's it would be impossible for makers to design knives, and likewise impossible for users to actually shop for knives. The whole process would consist of random actions which would hopefully lead somewhere. This is obviously false.

Yes you can tell more from use and the more use the better, and yes when knives get really similar in design it is near impossible to judge them from spec's especially when they have several which give them an advantage but others which are drawbacks, so it can be difficult to say exactly which will come out on top.

-Cliff
 
The RAT-3 was designed as a fully concealable fixed blade that's comfortable to carry in various positions and placement on gear or the human body. It was not designed to take over the role of a RAT-7 or even a TAK for that matter. It makes a nice "rescue" style blade.

Cliff mentioned that knives deisgned this way are usually reserved for backup pieces. Exactly. But it does work well as a primary piece depending on what your job is or what you do that requires knives. Most of us carry a folder as an EDC becasue they're so easy to carry. There are folks that want a fixed blade that's almost as easy to carry. A lot of military folk (including women) have individually ordered this blade for deployment because of the need for lighter/faster gear.

This knife came about from direct communication with some guys deployed in the field. They wanted something much smaller and lighter than the TAK. We built the first prototype over a year ago and sent it to the field. We tweaked from there and the RAT-3 is what we came up with.

It may not fit everyone's style of carry and we understand that. However, we do listen and do our best to satisfy a large portion of the using market. In the end we want the consumer to know that they're getting a good knife at a fair price.

Jeff
 
That's right, it is made with the specs that we wanted and after it was used, reviewed, and improved it was released for sale. It is exactly what I need. A small concealable fixed blade that can handle the type of cutting job of a large folder without the worries of a lock breaking. R.A.T. I am taking mine to Desert training in Nevada, convoy and detainee ops training in Washington state, and then to Iraq to Camp Bucca where I get reports that our guys (from my unit that we are replacing) are getting into serious conflicts. I will have a few other knives with me, but I plan on giving the RAT-3 a workout and it will be on my TAC Vest. If it fails me, which I doubt it will, I will give the report to you and hand deliver the knife to you (for evaluation) when I go home to CT to visit my parents, so I can get another.
 
USAFSP,

Thanks! This is exactly the kind of feedback we are looking for. Most of the knives that the military is buying from our line got there because of feedback from soldiers in the field.

We're constantly making new stuff and sending it out to guys to test. In fact, we've had a prototype EOD knife in the field for about 8 months now. We got word from the team that it's not exactly what they want so we're re-doing it to fit what they need. These processes usually take a long time to get right and we usually don't release anything for public sale until we have it working. The folder that we just released for pre-sale this week has been a project that has taken over 2 years to get it where we want it. Sure, it's *just* a liner lock folder but it has some features and ergonomics that we demanded it have before production.

BTW: I still have not received an email from you. If you want an extra sheath for your RAT-3 then send me an address and I'll get it out to you. No charge of course.

Jeff
 
model1folder.jpg


ratfolder.jpg
 
Oh my....and you produced a plain edge version, bless your souls. :thumbup:
 
And if one were to be curious where these pre-orders are taking place, where might one go?

Edit:
I'm not really sure why I required two posts there, but oh well... :rolleyes:
 
This has just been released for pre-sale this week so all of the Ontario dealers may not know about it yet, but we do know that Ontario has already taken a lot of orders from dealers in the past 2 days.

Here are the Ontario product #s that the dealer will need to know about. Delivery is scheduled for late October / Early November.

#8846: Black Blade, Plain Edge
#8847: Black Blade, Serrated
#8848: Satin Blade, Plain Edge
#8849: Satin Blade, Serrated

The specs:

4-Position Pocket Clip
Reversible Thumb Stud
AUS-8 Steel - 57-59 Rc.
Open-Post Construction
Hardened Stainless Steel Liners
Liner Lock Construction
Cutting Edge Length: 3.25”
Opened Length: 8.6”
Closed Length: 5.0”
Weight: 5 Ounces

The first production run will be marked "First Production Run"

This folder is made in Taiwan but I assure you the quality is outstanding. Several people are already using production samples as their EDC and they love 'em.
 
Scales are similar to G10. I can run down the exact specs of the material if you want.

MSRP for serrated: 89.95, plain edge: 87.95. Of course that's always a lot higher than they actually sell for.
 
It's a wonderful world we live in and there is a customer for every product!

It's also great that we can talk about these knives because we all take something different from the discussion. It's also great that most BF members can keep it constructive without making the discussion personal.

USAFSP, be safe over there and come back so we can argue about more knives.

Cheers,
Collecter
 
Jeff, that folder looks nice... real nice. Every knife I've owned from Tiawan has been outstanding, so no problems there.

At those prices, I may have to get two, a PE and SE :D.

ugh... I promised myself no more knives this year, but that folder and the RAT-3 really seem to want me to have them...
 
Geez, all this talk of Rat 3 makes me want to get one! LOL!!

Just when I thought I was finished until X-mas.....

...I think this will have to wait until X-mas.
 
Man those folders look fantastic Jeff! :eek: All that stuff just BEGS to be used! :cool: Im glad you steered clear of that cheese grater handle treatment stuff too! I mean there IS such a thing at TOO GRIPPY!! Especially after some hard time, in real use! Rock on guys, that stuff will sell like rubbers at a whore convention.. :D

Take Care
Trace Rinaldi
www.THRblades.com
www.Shivworks.com
 
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