Ontario vs RAT

lazerboy2000

lazerboy2000

Joined
Mar 3, 2008
Messages
1,341
Can somebody explain the differences between an Ontario RAT and something like a RAT RC-3? Is there a big difference in quality or durability?
 
The main difference in design is about 3/8" more handle on the RC-3. There is significant difference in fit and finish--the RC is a HUGE step up.

Also, with the RC, you get the no BS warranty from Jeff and Mike.

:) Hope that helps!
 
I know this is a horribly small picture, but can somebody tell if this is an Ontario or RAT?

1210195821-3823471601.jpg


If it is an Ontario RAT, is it good enough to spend $$ on or should I go for RAT RC-x
 
The pic you posted is a Ontario RAT-3 in D2, which is now a pirated knife that Ontario is building since they refuse to pay royalties and have no contract with us, but continue to use our name, logo and likeness selling their knives. If that sounds like I'm a little pissed about how Ontario is operating, well, I am.
 
does it say RAT3 on the blade ? if so then it is an Ontario RAT3,I myself would purchase the RAT Cutlery RC3 version,the powder coating process is better,more handle to grasp,sheathing is better plus you have sheath options and if your into serrations the RC3 serrated edge is 100% better than the old style Ontario version. I own an RC3 PE & RC4 SE myself and waiting upon the new releases as well.....I would not buy anything from Ontario . plus if you did buy the RAT3 and you needed warranty...well good luck on that...OOPs I got alittle long winded.. Buy a RC3 and smile,knowing you just purchased the best Bang for the Buck in Cutlery ~!
 
And if you're wondering whether or not RAT Cutlery is worth the money, please read this: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=554103

RAT Cutlery also has a huge following in federal law enforcement. There are many DEA agents and Deputy U.S. Marshals carrying a RAT Cutlery knife.

RAT Cutlery 100 percent supports the mission of our military overseas as well as our law enforcement officers here at home. And I shouldn't forget to say that we support each and every civilian customer with the same amount of vigor.

Whatever knife you decide to buy, even if it is from another manufacturer altogether, we are still appreciative of the consideration and time you've spent looking at our knives.
 
Get RAT Cutlery, get the real deal, get a high quality product at a fair price and a stellar warranty, get 100% American!

Yes sounds a bit corny, but trust me on this, RC makes *great* knives! You will not regret it.
 
I don't at all approve of what Ontario is doing and I won't buy from them in the future unless they fix the relationship with R.A.T. But, in fairness, aren't a lot of the RATs that are in stock at Rat Cutlery's dealers (like Chestnut, Cumberland, Brigade, KnivesShipFree, etc.) from before the contract expired between Ontario and R.A.T.?
 
That is correct. And if you notice we haven't said anything about not buying from dealers at this stage. The dealer is just trying to make a living with product they purchased before everything happened. Now, with that said, there are some legal things happening right now that will change some things in the future and the dealer is going to have to choose whether they are going to buy pirated knives (which is active participation in the theft from RAT) or buy from the legal company. So, in short, in the future anyone who deals in any pirated knife made by Ontario Knife Company will not be allowed to buy from RAT Cutlery. This will include anyone who buys from us, be they a master distributor (wholesaler) or dealer. We fully believe in Capitalism and allowing any business to do business as it sees fit, but Capitalism also dictates that we do not have to do business with any company who chooses to aid in the theft from RAT.

Ontario refuses to communicate, even with our attorneys, but then again it's typical of Nick Trbovich Jr. to not do anything or make any decisions until he is forced to.
 
Glad I found/read this thread. Now I know. Planning on buying a RC-4 in the new orange handle. GO RC!
 
Haha damn I ask a simple question and get overloaded with info, thanks a lot!

I'll definitely go with a true RAT RC because I do love supporting USA products and will have to look into the crap with Ontario ripping them off sometime.

If anybody wants to donate a RAT so I can finally figure what all you guys talk about and learn what a real knife is, feel free!!!!
 
i have a question, since alot of our fav online retailers, like new graham and knifecenter and cumberland still sell ontario knives... will you continue to sell to them?
 
New Graham has not purchased Ontario since this dispute became public. We do have some RAT RC on the site, and hope to have more direct from RAT soon.
Regards, Mike @ New Graham
 
Here's the deal: a lot of dealers/distributors have a lot of Ontario old stock. We want to make sure these guys can sell their product and get their money back. For example, Derrick at Knives Ship Free has Ontario RAT stock. We DO NOT want to hurt our dealers or distributors in any way and we are giving all of them every chance in the world to sell their old stock of Ontario RAT. However, it needs to be known that any new purchases of Ontario RAT knives is essentially stealing from us, and the dealer or distributor who doesn't have enough principle to keep from stealing from us will not be able to be buy RAT Cutlery products from us - and we do not care who that dealer or distributor may be since right it right. Now, some folks may say, how do we know that Ontario is stealing from you since a judge has not issued a ruling yet? The proof has been laid out in this forum in several threads. There is no denying their attempts to steal our common law marks by applying for them through the PTO (Patents and Trademark Office) almost a year after our contract was over. We have posted those links direct. There is no denying that our 5-year exclusive contract ended with Ontario in April, 2002. There is no deny that they are still selling Ontario RAT knives with out name, logo and likeness. There is no denying that they are not paying us royalty for these knives. Straight up: they are nothing more than bottom of the barrel thieves in our opinion. Our attorney, Mikki Barry, has sent them two letters. 1) on the attempts to trademark our common law mark that was used in commerce prior to Ontario and 2) a ceases and desist as well as a breach of contract since no royalties have been paid for the product they are shipping. Now, even though the contract is expired there was a clause in the contract that said Ontario had to continue to pay royalties on knives sold for 10 years. They are in breach of that at this stage.

So, the short answer to your questions is this: we appreciate each and every one of our dealers / distributors but we will not show any favor once we send out the letter stating they have to choose. If they choose to steal, they will be cut off from buying any RAT Cutlery product directly from us, and we will list any dealer, rep, etc. who continues to buy or sell Ontario RAT product. If they continue to do this then they may be included in future litigation. Now, let me also make this clear: we're not saying they have to stop selling Ontario products but they do have to cease buying, selling or representing any Ontario RAT products. We are pure Capitalists and would never tell anyone how to run their business BUT we will go after anyone who steals from us.

So, if you have a favorite dealer, then you may want to go ahead and send them a link to this thread to give them a heads up on whats coming.

Jeff
 
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