Question about 2 old RAT knives

S

suchmuchfun

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Aug 29, 2010
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Was at the mall today in the small knife shop (or should I say, pretend sword/airsoft shop with a few knives). Anyway, saw two RAT knives there.

One was a RAT-7, made by Ontario but with Randall's Adventure and Training logo on it, and said it was D-2. Now, being as I am only tacti-sexual around these parts and only book smart, I don't know if that is better, worse, or just different steel from what is used on today's Esee knives.

The second was called an RTAK or something like that and looked Junglas size-ish. Didn't have time to fondle that one. Also Ontario and also with Randall's... logo.

Either of these worth giving a second look for any reason? Like, rare/collectable, etc? Or not worth the trouble. I have no need for either, but considering they are past tense, seemed worth at least asking. The guy said they would no longer be carrying the Ontario or Esee brand after these were gone except for special orders.

PS: Currently own a Esee-4 and Izula.
 
Interesting that on the pic of the RTAK II it still has the Randall's name shown. Are they still printing that on the knives?

The box for the 7 was obviously a bit old and ragged is the reason I said "old RAT", but perhaps I am just poorly informed.
 
I don't think the D2 models are still being made but still no collectible value to speak of.

Both good knives though if you plan to use them.
 
suchmuchfun said:
Interesting that on the pic of the RTAK II it still has the Randall's name shown. Are they still printing that on the knives?
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i don't know what Ontario is currently marking them with. i DO know that sometimes (often) pics on websites or in catalogs don't get updated to reflect some minor change in the product. we saw this a bunch when Rat Cutlery changed names to ESEE. some websites still don't have the pix updated.

The box for the 7 was obviously a bit old and ragged is the reason I said "old RAT", but perhaps I am just poorly informed.
Click to expand...

ohhh.... i thought you were talking about Jeff? :rolleyes:
 
D2 is a different steel than the 1095 currently used - it's tougher to sharpen, but hiolds its edge longer than 1095 and is less prone to rusting in humid/wet environments.
The Junglas is sort of like an RTAK 3 -- it fills that size gap in the ESEE lineup and has a better sheath & nicer grips than the RTAK-II.
that said - if the price was right and you can use them, they'd both be good users.
 
D-2 steel is very tough. It almost meets the standard of being stainless. It is a tool steel that they make cutters for cutting other kinds steel. Made famous by Bob Dozier.

EarlFH
 
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