Ontario RAT3-D2. Anyone using one?

Loneriderz

Loneriderz

Joined
Dec 1, 2008
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I know many forum members support RAT Cutlery and has the RC3 but I've never had a D2 blade or a fixed blade for that matter and I do like the idea of having better corrosion resistance because of the tropical climate here. This knife looks like a very good deal. Does anyone have one? What are your thoughts on these? Are there any issues that I should be wary about?
 
Loneriderz,

I take my D2 Rat-3 with me on every trip I make out into the bush. It was one of my first quality fixed blades, and it's been a reliable companion for about 2 years now. The D2 steel is great in a smaller knife like the Rat-3, and the coating holds up well. The micarta scales are great, and add a Tek-lok to the sheath and you'll have plenty of carry options. In terms of corrosion, I haven't had any problems but I'm also not in a tropical climate so I can't comment on that.

My only concerns with the knife for you would be the smaller handle size and ease of sharpening. If you have big hands, the Rat-3 won't be very comfortable to use. Also, the D2 can be a pain to sharpen sometimes, but the knife is worth it IMO.

Hope that helps.

Ludwig
 
Thank you...

That has to be one of the best response cum review I've seen in a while. I have small hands so I doubt the small handle on the RAT-3 will matter much. I like the utility look of the knife, it helps keep immigration and custom official from getting on my case at airports and such. I've heard of D2 chipping under use, could have been rumors but I do remember a couple of threads on it. Have you experienced this?

I'd be bringing this for a week long backpacking trip... Since I'm not in the habit of hacking stuff it'll mostly be used for food prep, cutting cordage etc. General camp stuff. Does the Tek-lok comes with the knife or do I have to purchase it separately? How do you carry yours when you're out and about?

What do you use to sharpen yours and how well does it holds it's edge? Sorry for all the questions...
 
I'm glad the review was helpful.

I have not had any issues with the D2 chipping though I do remember reading quite a few threads about that as well. The thing with the Rat-3 is that it's such a compact knife that users aren't as likely to put the D2 through rough enough use to cause chipping. That's not a good excuse since the Rat-3 might be the only thing you've got in an emergency, but you have to use your head. IIRC, the D2 chipping was more relevant to the old Rat-7s which were often used for chopping and other rougher uses, thus, the chipping issues. To get to the point: no, I have not experienced chipping. Keep in mind I also put more of a utility edge on my bush knives - the edge is less likely to chip or roll.

For food prep, cutting cordage, and light to medium camp chores, you should find great comfort in the Rat-3. Unfortunately, the Tek-lok does not come with the knife. The boot clip and sheath it comes with is very secure and rides well on a belt. That's how I originally carried, but now I either attach it to the left strap of my backpack (draw with my right hand) or it rides horizontally on my belt for a cross draw. Both of these carry methods keep the knife out of the way if your pack was straps that go around your waist.

For sharpening, I just use a Spyderco Sharpmaker. Don't let the knife get too dull. Touch it up every now and again, and you won't find the D2 difficult to sharpen. It's when you're reprofiling the edge when D2 can be a big pain. Keep in mind my sharpening skills are amateur at best, and I can put a good edge on the Rat-3.

Ludwig
 
Good to know that there has not been any chipping on your knife. I usually keep a utility edge on my users too. I don't really need my knives shaving sharp. A small pocket stone may be something worth packing just to touch up (maybe the diamond variety) but I doubt I'd dull up the blade much in a week. May pack a bit of Tuff Cloth too since I'll be in the coastal areas. Food prep will be minimal since I'd be packing dehydrated food for most part of the trip so it'll probably be one of those "in case" item that put even more weight to my pack.

Too bad it does not come stock with a Tek-lok but I guess I can get them on the bay easy enough. I prefer belt carry but it may be a good idea to strap it to the bag to minimize chafing from the hip strap during long walks.

Thank you for the help... Appreciated. This will be right on top of my "to buy list". I'll put up a review as soon as I get mine and test it on a few shorter trips.
 
I actually just took my RAT3 with me out to the woods a week ago & used it solely to prep firewood.

I keep an inclusive edge of about 35 degrees on my mine & under some moderate to hard use, it pick up two small chips near the tip. No big deal though, it sharpened out nicely with some DMT stones. When I have time, I think I'll bring the edge down a more without much worry. I do think the original edge is dull as heck. I believe it arrives between a 45~50 degree inclusive edge.

We put it thru some good use (used a rubber mallet on it's spine to split some logs cross grained.)

The Ontario Rat-3 is definitely a keeper for me.
-Scooby
 
Just so you know, Rat Cutlery, and Ontario are two different companies. Rat quit having Ontario make their knives after some sort of dispute over design developement I believe.
I do not have a D-2 model but have the standard Ontario Rat-3 and love it.
I have larger hands and it fits me just fine. I have absolutely no problem with the handle and have used it with no problems whatsoever.
I have carried the Rat-3 as my everyday knife for several months, and have no complaints with its ergonomics, or edge holding capability.

The Rat-3 knives that I have purchased(PE and part serrated) did come with the tek-lok in the box. The boot clip was attached to the sheath, but there was a tek-lok included in the package with necessary hardware to attach it. The boot clip works fine for belt carry in the vertical position, but if you want to carry horizontal, the tek-lok will be necessary.

Overall, you will be very happy with either version that you decide on, I was entirely pleased with the standard version, and did not opt for a D-2 version for ease of resharpening. Purely personal preference on my part.

Chuck
 
Thanks for the info Chuck. I bought my Rat-3 here at the forums, and I thought the Tek-lok was thrown in to make the deal sweeter.

I have to say I'm surprised that the knife is really comfortable for you, even though you have large hands. Maybe my hands are larger than I thought :D Regardless, it's a good idea that you have the Rat-3 at the top of your list Loneriderz, you won't regret it.
 
By no means do I have big old monstroid meat hooks, but my hands are not small, and the RAt-3 just fits me right. One of those freak things I guess.

Chuck
 
Ludwig said:
Thanks for the info Chuck. I bought my Rat-3 here at the forums, and I thought the Tek-lok was thrown in to make the deal sweeter.

I have to say I'm surprised that the knife is really comfortable for you, even though you have large hands. Maybe my hands are larger than I thought :D Regardless, it's a good idea that you have the Rat-3 at the top of your list Loneriderz, you won't regret it.
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Good news... I have one on the way to Singapore. :D

I was mindful of the difficulty of field sharpening so I got myself a set of pocket stones (Spyderco double stuffed, fine and medium grit) which should do the job. I'll have a review out as soon as I can. Thanks guys... Good to know that the Tek-Lok is part of the package. D2 steel, Kydex/ plastic sheathe and Tek-lok. Seems like an amazing deal.
 
chuckinohio said:
I'll wager that you will find the Rat-3 to be useful beyond what is expected, and a very good example of the performance to price ratio being in your favor.

Chuck
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Hehe... I can't wait for the knife to arrive. I hate the "waiting for a new knife" thing...
 
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