Please post for a RAT-5 in D2

More votes for a D2 RAT-5? I just sent this link to Ontario Knife Co. so please add your post.

I've never tried to "lead" anything like this before but it seems like the RAT-5 in D2 is just a "natural" so thought I'd give it a try. Thanks to all that posted and to any others that might post in the future.

Regards
 
I'd vote twice if it would help Bladeprince....

The RAT-5 is all on its own while the RAT-3 and RAT-7 are getting all the D2 glory.
 
Why so much preference for D2? If i'm right, it holds an edge longer and is more resistant to corrosion, but its more brittle = prone to breakage and the 1095 is easier to sharpen and stronger for leverage tasks and if oiled corrosion shouldnt be a problem.. Seems like about an even tradeoff??
 
repro said:
Why so much preference for D2? If i'm right, it holds an edge longer and is more resistant to corrosion, but its more brittle = prone to breakage and the 1095 is easier to sharpen and stronger for leverage tasks and if oiled corrosion shouldnt be a problem.. Seems like about an even tradeoff??
Click to expand...


They make the Rat-3 and Rat-7 in D2. Why not give customers a choice of D2 in the Rat-5? Any many other reasons....

Plus, I'd like a matched set.....;)

Regards
 
I just ordered a RAT7 in 1095, because i read it was better for chopping. Can someone please quikly explain th differences between the two materials (in the RAT models) thanks.
 
D2 is a great steel....but 1095 certainly falls into the great steel category as well. It certainly isn't just "OK" D2 is awesome but I'd rather not spend the time it takes to sharpen D2 after using it heavy in the woods. I have a RAT-5 in 1095 that I can sharpen back up no time. My RAT-3 in D2 takes much more time. It just depends on what you're doing with the knife.


MDG said:
I have a RAT-7 in D2. I would buy a RAT-5 in D2. 1095 is an OK steel but I like D2.
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Since owning and living with my RAT-3 in D2 for several months now, I've changed my mind. I could care less whether or not Ontario makes a RAT-5 in D2 except of course, for reasons like Bladeprince's: to have a matched set.
 
I'm sorry, but why are we conducting market research for "the other forums" again?
 
Easy on me, guys...lol. I can quite easily live without a Rat-5 in D2. This is just a hobby for me. In the grand scheme of things, I really don't care.

However, since it is a hobby, I'll "hobby it up" for a bit....

I had a heck of a time sharpening D2 in large blades, especially my Rat-7. I played around and came up with the following technique.

I reprofiled to 30 degrees by clipping some 220 grit BLACK sand paper (buy a auto parts stores) to the Sharpmaker rods. This gets rid of the coating that "gums up" the rods.
http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=4542795

Then I go back to 40 degrees and sharpen again with the 220 grit but leave a nice back bevel.

I have a piece of 1/8" split hide tacked to a 2x4.
http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=4542797

I finish cleaning up the edge using this with 400 grit paper. If I want a smooth edge, I then use 800. But for D2, I usually just use 400. The roughness gives it "micro serrations" (Bob Dozier suggestion).
http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=4542798

After some practice, sharpening large fixed blades, even very dull ones, only takes a few minutes. If it's REALLY dull, I use 220 grit on the leather block.

Regards
 
I love my Rat 3 in D2, and I definitely would like to see a Rat 5 in D2 as well.
 
I have a Rat-3, -5 and -7. That Rat-5 is somewhat redundant as it has the same handle as the -7, so I've never quite seen the point in losing those 2" when going with the -5. But that didn't stop me from getting one. :thumbup:
 
I would buy a RAT-5 in D2 as soon as I could. I've called and asked about them myself......been waiting............................
 
I just spoke with Bob in customer service at Ontario Knives, he said that he was aware of the companies plans to go into production of the RAT 5 in D2, possibly sometime late summer early fall.
 
The RAT-5 in D2 is in the process of being produced. Not sure when the release date will be but it should be in the next month or so.

With that said, this will be the last design that Randall's Adventure & Training will do in collaboration with Ontario Knife Co. As it stands now, Ontario will still produce our current line, but my partner and I are starting a new company for our future designs. The new stuff by RAT Cutlery will be an upgrade on overall fit/finish, some upgrades to sheathing, and absoluely made in the USA. This will be more along the line of "mid-tech" than mass production, but most of our current distribtuors will be handling the new line. Our first design should be out within the next month.

We have shared a lot of success with Ontario and we appreciate every user that has bought and used one of our knives, but Mike and I feel it's time to move on and get better control over the RAT series of knives.

Best regards all,

Jeff Randall
Randall's Adventure & Training
 
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