Rat 1 Folder

bdws1975

bdws1975

Joined
May 19, 2006
Messages
3,721
Hi all,

I received a rat 1 folder today that I bought used off the forum recently. I have to say that I am pretty impressed with it. I know it's made in taiwan, but I really don't mind at all. the lock up is solid and the blade has ZERO play. I am not really a fan of AUS 8, but for the money it's not bad.

This is my first rat but probably won't be the last.

Thanks,
Brett
 
is that the one you beat me to for $30 Lightly used with box ?...Dang it.. I guess I will have to just wait for the RC1 USA folder...
 
HA!!! Yes, that's the one. It's areally nice knife (not to rub it in).

I can foresee me using this one for a long time.

Brett
 
I have one in my right front pocket. I have my druthers on the thumbstud but it is still an excellent work knife and very easy to resharpen.
 
the only thing that bothers me is that I drop it on my deck tonight and it folded right up. I picked it up, opened it back up and tapped it VERY lightly on the wood railing and it folded like nothing.

Honestly, won't be carrying this one. Guess I'll wait til another one comes out.

Brett
 
Just wait until the USA version comes out..... I am...still would not of minded picking that one up....(lucky)...LOL enjoy, if it has a defect talk to Mike about having it fixed..TTD
 
bdws1975 said:
the only thing that bothers me is that I drop it on my deck tonight and it folded right up. I picked it up, opened it back up and tapped it VERY lightly on the wood railing and it folded like nothing.

Honestly, won't be carrying this one. Guess I'll wait til another one comes out.

Brett
Click to expand...
Brett, let Mike or Jeff know. I am sure they will make it right. The RAT-1 should never do that:(
 
thanks.

actually, I sold the baby to texas. I messed around with it a bit today and I think I might have not locked it completely or something. It was much harder to get to fail, although it did with enough force.

thanks,
Brett
 
I got one recently and really like it. Plain edge, satin blade. I can't wait for the USA Model 1 to come out, but in the mean time, this one will see plenty of pocket time.
 
thanks Brett, Satin PE locks up fine....no issues other than Tawian stamped on blade...i hate to be picky but dang, that really bothers me....I can not wait until the USA version hits the shelf....my son carries the RAT-1...when we go to the woods....it takes all of his back pocket up and that is funny......
 
diceman said:
I got one recently and really like it. Plain edge, satin blade. I can't wait for the USA Model 1 to come out, but in the mean time, this one will see plenty of pocket time.
Click to expand...

thought you didn't like liners.

i just got one new for $28.99 shipped. coulda saved another dollar buying satin serrated, but i wanted plain and black was in stock.

get searchin, boys. low inventory.
 
I also just got a GREAT deal on one serrated ($26) and one plain ($27). Both brand new from the dealer. This is the deal of the year!! Shop around, you'll find it!
 
26 and 27 dollars for this folder worries me when most large dealers have them priced a lot higher than that. There's more to this story but we wanted to get things straightened out with Ontario before posting here. The bottom line is we cannot control what comes form China and Taiwan. It is rumored that Ontario has ordered more of these folders even after we agreed to stop production due to it being made overseas. We have also heard that they bottom has fallen out of the price so I'm not sure if these are still being made in Taiwan or now being made in China. We have asked Ontario to remove RAT's name from the folder since they have ordered more of these and gone against the original agreement we had to stop producing them. RAT does NOT endorse this product nor will we warranty it.

Jeff
 
In addition to what Jeff said I would add that I don't like not being able to gets parts for our knives to give customers spare parts when they need them. Parts are near impossible to get for the folder.

The whole "made in Taiwan" label is impossible to verify. The truth is more likely made in China and assembled and shipped from Taiwan. There is not the separation of manufacuring between the two countries as there once was. As China embraces more and more open market practices the two countries have become more and more one in the marketplace. I have no problems with true market capitalism between us and other countries but China heavily subsidizes it's export manufacturers so it isn't anything like fair trade. The other problem with China is it's negligence when it comes to quality control. The last two years have been full of news stories with toys and food and paint --all made in China that had to be recalled. In light of that how do I know the metal in a knife is made from what they say it is? Who verifys that--the same guy that verifies the toys and food and paint? This will continue and they will get better at fooling their trading partners about the quality of their goods. I would rather choose another country of manufacture that I can rely on for quality and fair trade. To the U.S. companies that still sell the gas station Chinese cutlery I say you are destroying yourselves to make a short term buck.

We will arrange a U.S. maker for the folder but it will take a little time. Meanwhile we have a lot of good ideas to bring to market that we think you will enjoy using. Mike
 
With all that said, I still carry one of the original Model 1 folders in my pocket every day and it has served me well. I also know a lot of folks who carry them as EDCs. We're not saying the folder is bad, we're just saying we cannot control quality or offer any warranty repair due to it being made overseas. Not to mention the numerous folders that have been stolen in Customs every time they were shipped from overseas. It's just not worth it anymore to deal with Asia on knives, so Mike and I have pulled any and all endorsement of any future Model 1s produced in Asia.
 
Well I know I am not the only one eagerly awaiting an American made version of this folder. I think it is a very well designed knife and I know the American made version will be even better.
 
We'll get there. Rowen manufacturing is already researching producing it and with them at the helm the quality will be second to none. I still think we will probably go frame lock on it instead of liner lock.
 
I prefer the frame lock,liner locks are ok, but most folders I purchase that have a lock mechanism, I look for the frame lock...I am glad to here it is leaning toward that version of locking, no matter I will pick up more than one USA versions,PE for me all the way !!!!!
 
Mike and Jeff,

I have always been on the up and up with every thing I sell and every thing that I buy from you guys and Ontario. I am the dealer selling the knives for the low price.

In addition the knives are made in Taiwan and have always been made in Taiwan not China. I got the knives from Ontario (just as I always do) and the knives have a warranty.

I know Ontario well enough, they will not let a customer hanging over a warranty issue.

I'm not getting in between the RAT/Ontario politics. I just want my customers to know that these knives are not knockoffs, and they were obtained just like all other knives.

Tom
Chestnut Ridge Knife Shop
 
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