Ontario RAT7 vs SP43

E

Enkrig

Joined
Dec 17, 2015
Messages
258
Hi everyone,

I'm looking to buy my first knife from OKC and I'm set on a RAT7 or a Gen II SP43. I'm considering the knife for survival/wilderness situations. So chopping and batoning are likely to be the main tasks. I'm leaning toward the SP43 because it seems like a better value (longer blade, thougher steel, and cheaper) but I'm concerned about the thinner handle tang.

So, if any of you guys has both, which one do you prefer and why? Or, do you know SP knives failing at the handle to blade joint?

Thank you all for your comments.
 
For your intended use I would say get an sp48. Not much more weight. Way more chopping Nd batoning power.

Better sheath too.

And on toughness I'd go for an sp. that 5160 is done right and pretty amazing stuff.
 
My vote would be for the SP43, easily my favorite of the SP line.

I have two SP43's, one I have abused with the intent of seeing if I could break or damage it... within reason of course :D

It's still going strong, no damage at all :thumbup:

I much prefer 5160 over 1095 in a " survival " type knife.
 
Thank you for the comments, jdigi101 and brboru7.

I looked at a number of knives of the SP line, and I liked the blade shape of the 43 the best. The SP48 looks like a chopper but the blade seems too broad for me. Yes, the 5160 steel seems like the tougher steel and, like I said, I'm leaning toward the SP43. That said, I'd like an opinion from someone that has, had, or handled a RAT-7 as well...
 
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Just looked at the sp43. Just my preference but I'd rather keep my Rat7. I like the handle better on the Rat7. That's just by looking at the pic of the sp43. I've used the Rat7 for limbing poles for a fence, cutting down Xmas tree size trees for goats. Took a deer apart a few weeks ago. Liking the Rat7. Perfect size in my opinion. The Sp43 would be as good I'm sure
 
Dang. I have an sp46, sp47, and sp48 right now.

And now this thread has me wanting an sp43.

This is the last thing I needed in the midst of a full on Busse and Kin binge.

I really have been thinking of grabbing 1 of each of the gen 2 line. That 5160 is just a glutton for punishment. I love these knives.
 
bore said:
Just looked at the sp43. Just my preference but I'd rather keep my Rat7. I like the handle better on the Rat7. That's just by looking at the pic of the sp43. I've used the Rat7 for limbing poles for a fence, cutting down Xmas tree size trees for goats. Took a deer apart a few weeks ago. Liking the Rat7. Perfect size in my opinion. The Sp43 would be as good I'm sure
Click to expand...

Isn't the handle on the Rat 7 the same as the Rat 5? I've bought a Rat 5 before and returned it. I wasn't impressed by the handle; very roomy but fit was rough. That wasn't the reason I returned the Rat 5 (it was because I hated the balance; very handle heavy which made very awkward and tiring to the wrist), but if the handle is the same then I'll have a reference.

Relatively speaking, the Rat 7 sure looks more like a survival knife whereas the SP43 looks more like a fighting knife. But "looks" are hardly something to be rational about...
 
jdigi101 said:
Dang. I have an sp46, sp47, and sp48 right now.

And now this thread has me wanting an sp43.

This is the last thing I needed in the midst of a full on Busse and Kin binge.

I really have been thinking of grabbing 1 of each of the gen 2 line. That 5160 is just a glutton for punishment. I love these knives.
Click to expand...

lol

jdigi101, I'm sorry to be doing this to you. It reminds of another post were someone asked for comments to help him choose between two blades and he ended up with 3 blades that he was interested in...
 
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The balance point is close to the beginning of the handle. Handle is 5 1/8 from the edge of the micarta at the blade to the outer edge past the lanyard hole. The micarta only are about 4 3/4 inches. Just for reference to compare to the RAT5. I find the handles are ok but then I haven't really used it to carve for any longer time. Also another difference is the finger notch whatever its called past the handle. Very handy

DSC_0012_zpszfr3fv5c.jpg
 
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I might... eventually...

However, *personally*, I don't feel much the need to have large knives. To me a blade length between 4 and 6 inches is ideal, and outside of that it is kind of pushing it. If one needs longer than that, then maybe one should just get a machete... although in the area I live a machete seems overkill (and is likely to get one in trouble with the authorities for whatever you are using it). I was looking at one of those two because I wanted to have one to at least see why so many people think that one must have a large knife, rather than pass judgement blindly.
 
I own a rat 7 and have owned a rat 5 as well as several of the SP series knives (currently have the SP10). The handles on the rat5 and rat7 are the same shape with the only difference being the steel thickness. I personally prefer the handle on the RAT knives (the balance on the 7 is much better than the 5, IMHO) over the SP series. The aggressive lugs/checkering on the SP handle tends to hurt my hand if doing an extended amount of chopping. That might be help with good gloves but I seldom wear them. For extended brush clearing I think I'd prefer a machete over either of them.
 
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