RAT 3 Ontario

[museummuscle]

Hello,

I have a RAT3 from Ontario with the sheephorn handles. I really like the knife, but one handle slab seems to be warping away from the tang. Although the space is very slight, if you squeeze the handle, it makes an audible "pop". Should I be worried that it will eventually crack? Or should I just ignore it? The handles are beautiful, but I suspect there should be a third rivet/bolt to secure.

Thanks,
museummuscle

 

[Mexpete]

G'day mm - the same knife is in my collection, in the same condition! It's just the LH scale (looking at the knife from the spine with the tip pointing away) and the gap is only 1/2 mm or 1/64 " . The bone seems to flex okay without risk of cracking, but if it was an EDC, I'd be inclined to inject a little 5 minute Araldite to stabilize the scale. The reason for the bowed bone is a mystery - not affected by humidity like would wood be...
just my 2c ;>}

 

[MikePerrin]

The ram's horn knives should be returned to Ontario for them to correct this defect in manufacture. There will be no charge to you for fixing it. A third rivet was considered in the very early stage of design but we felt that for the small knife it would detract from the handle material. The scales were fastened with two rivets and an industrial epoxy. AT any rate yours should not have a gap or popping sound when handled. email me at mike@ratcutlery.com and I will help you with this. Mike