Rat 1 Blade and Clip Play: Dealbreaker?

B

B.F.U

Joined
Jan 1, 2013
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I loved the Rat 1 for the first week that I had it, but after another week of pretty light use it has some noticeable side to side blade play, so much so that I worry the lock will disengage. The clip also moves, and is getting looser, no matter how much I tighten the screws. Finally, the blade is not centered at all and nearly touches the liners when closed.

So, I know this is a 26 dollar knife, but I read up quite a bit on the Rat 1 before buying it and heard nothing but great things. I was still impressed when I got it. And that's why I'm so bothered about these issues. Basically, I'm wondering if the (much more knife educated than I) people of BladeForums think I am expecting too much from this knife or if I got a dud?

ALLHSS

(I didn't know if this should go in the Ontario sub-forum or not.)
 
When you tightened the pivot does the blade come back to center or at least close?
 
I have not experienced these issues with mine. I did tweak my pivot so that it opened smoothly, but that did not add to the blade play. Its pretty tight. Locktite on the clip will work wonders.

Please explain what you consider light use.
 
It did move the blade a bit, but then it went back pretty quickly. I just realized I guess it could be the pivot screw.

Light use as in I cut some boxes down, whittled a few sticks, used it for eating (cheese, some meat, etc.), helped put mats in to a gym (just opened, broke down boxes and cut pieces). Nothing I wouldn't trust my Native FRN with.
 
Yes, we all have different definitions for "light use". What does your look like?
I personally haven't had any issues with my Rat 1 and have had it for over two years and has been in my EDC rotation often.
The only thing I don't like on mine is that the blade is slightly off center, but for the price I sure can't complain!
 
Also, mine opened smoothly since purchase. I'm starting to suspect the pivot isn't staying tight.
 
So, if I did return it, I could either just get a replacement and hope for a better one or use it (~$27) towards a tenacious (which I've read reviews comparing them) or persistence. I like spyderco. I think I am leaning towards the persistence. Any thoughts on it as a hard use folder? I intended the Rat 1 to be my "going in the woods and don't want to worry that it will/care if it does break knife" at ~$44 I would be more unhappy with a broken persistence though, for sure.
 
There's something wrong with it. My clip had a bit of play after a while, but tightening down the screws fixed that. Your blade isn't centered because of the pivot. Your pivot is off because the screw is loose. Use some Loctite!

For what it's worth, I've had three Rat 1s and a Rat 2, and all have had perfectly centered blades and a smooth action. I haven't had any issues other than the clip loosening a bit, but Loctite fixes all of that.
 
ALLHSS said:
I've always been wary of using glue on pivots/screws, and therefore haven't tried it. Is it a done deal then, like I couldnt take it apart or anything?
Click to expand...

Use Loctite 242, or 243 (one is oil resistant) is a removable screw adhesive. It's reusable 4-5 times.
 
As long as you use the blue loctite which is releaseable you are OK. That is the only thing that will keep the pivot tight for a long while. Be sure to take the oil off the pivot screw threads using a little alcohol or acetone. Apply the loctite to the pivot screw threads after degreasing and tighten up to the pivot after reassembling where you like it and then leave it alone for 24 hours so the loctite sets up nice and hard. You shouldn't have any more problems after that. Also put some loctite on the clip screws at the same time.

Do not use red loctite. Red loctite is for stud and bearing mounts and is extremely hard to loosen requiring high heat to lossen up. Don't use the red under any conditions or you will regret it later.
 
The great thing about Loctite is that on screw threads it doesn't need to be super strong. The screw does the strength part and all the blue Loctite has to do is prevent the threads from wiggling themselves loose under vibration. Thank you, Archimedes!
 
Huh, I did not know that the blue stuff was loctite. I thought it was just grease. I also didn't know that loctite was resealable. Thanks all!
 
ALLHSS said:
Huh, I did not know that the blue stuff was loctite. I thought it was just grease. I also didn't know that loctite was resealable. Thanks all!
Click to expand...

Not all loctite is reseable.
What you need is Loctite 242 or 243. The house depot has it.
 
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