Rat 1 - Really that good? Can it be true for so cheap!?

doesn't like AUS8 and wish it would be another, D2 perhaps, or CPMs30v, but other than that, it's a great knife. great ergonomics, I haven't got any hotspots so far... it's in my EDC rotation.
 
762cal said:
doesn't like AUS8 and wish it would be another, D2 perhaps, or CPMs30v, but other than that, it's a great knife. great ergonomics, I haven't got any hotspots so far... it's in my EDC rotation.
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Sure, but that would defeat the $30 price point. :)
 
AUS-8 is good stuff, honestly. It's not the latest and greatest, but it's a very solid performer and I like it.
 
I don't understand all the hate for AUS8. It's not a premium steel, but then again, you're not paying a premium price for it. It takes a ridiculously sharp edge and will hold it for 2 days or so if you actually use your knife...if it sits clipped to your pocket all day then much longer. These knives are great to beat on and throw in packs, kits, and the truck. They field sharpen great on whatever you have.
 
I bought one and it immediately kicked my Spyderco Tenacious and Para2 out of my pocket.. Not long after, I sold the Para2 and bought another RAT-1. Great ergonomics, crazy cheap, and does everything from opening letters to field dressing game. You really can't go wrong.
 
Just to add another thing...

Past two and a half weeks I've used the crap out of one of my AUS8 folders without doing my usual 4-6 days minute or two sharpening routine that I do with any knife. After slicing the tops off a few aluminum cans, cutting a bunch of wood, cardboard, tape, cheap walmart rope, plastic flashing, blister packs, steak, etc. it is still shaving sharp.

All I've done is spend 5-10 seconds now and then stropping the edge on my jeans, cardboard it was cutting, scrap leather, or steeling the edge on the spine another knife.

Putting a proper initial edge on it and performing honing/touch ups lowers the edge retention gaps. I've done similar wait and see test before with a Vic SAK and a tiny itty bitty portion would still shave also :)

Think a lot of the "need" for magic steels is somehow related to the "need" for $150-$200 sharpening kits.
 
People often foolishly associate price with quality and their is also an ego boost from owning something "pricey". I love to see 2 buck chuck at the top of the results of a wine testing, when compared to 12-20 dollar stuff.

My EDC for nearly 20 years was a Benchmade AFCK and I just recently decided to try a few other knives. I picked up both the Rat 1 and a Ontario Utilitac II in the past few months and although I think they are both excellent knifes (irrespective of price), my personal preference so far is for the Utilitac. I think it compares well to my old (expensive) knife. I found the Rat 1's thumb stud spacing a bit cramped and I also didn't care for the offset blade.

Utilitac's for $25 here - http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/ON...-3-12-inch-Satin-Plain-Blade-Textured-Handles
 
Got 3, one from the early production runs and it's still going strong and 2 newer ones that are flawless.

The RAT-1 has earned every bit of it's good reputation IMO and more. I'll put one up against a lot of folders selling for several times what the RAT-1 does.

And AUS8 is just as good, or better, than a lot of the glamor steels that ride in pockets and get showed off a lot, but hardly really used.
 
ozgooner said:
I bought one and it immediately kicked my Spyderco Tenacious and Para2 out of my pocket.. Not long after, I sold the Para2 and bought another RAT-1.
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Hah wow, well that'll do I think along with all the other responses. Much appreciated everyone, I think it's pretty clear that the Rat deserves it's rep., that video of the one that made it back from Afghanistan after obviously serving well, inspires confidence for sure. Thanks guys, will be a Rat in my pocket real soon and I'll update the thread after I've given it a little use.

-G
 
I love my Rat 1 too!
Have you had much time to test it out yet? Love to hear your impressions!
 
Lamnia has Rat-1 for 30 euros! Damn, maybe I should get one just as a beater knife.

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Just got one of these and like it quite a bit. I would like to see more aggressive jimping, milled liners and a larger lanyard hole but that wont stop me from getting another.

While I feel it's a quality and capable knife I won't be selling my para2 because I have a rat 1.
 
I ordered one the other day just to see what it's all about, hoping I'm gonna like it! I'll be ordering a para 2 this week sometime so we'll see how the two compete!
 
havent carried mine a whole lot, but it does seem to be a really good knife....especially considering the price. you could do ALOT worse for $30, and that is a fact
 
Which would be more corrosion resistant, the plain black blade or the satin finish?

I've seen mention of FRN and G10, do these come in either handle material?

Thanks
 
It's funny to see how short-lived can memory be... it wasn't that long ago that AUS-8 was considered a premium steel...

hands down the most bang-for-the-buck folder out there. I'm handing out several of them this year as christmas gifts to good friends. My only gripe was the back blade coating chips off too easily, but tha allowed me to get creative and made a design on mine with another blade that to this day is still quite purdy.
 
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