rat 3--- V ---Ontario rat 3 in D2 steel

R

Randy Kickass

Joined
Apr 5, 2008
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RAT 3 knife in 1095 steel or Ontario RAT 3 in D2 steel.
I want to purchase but cannot decide any info is apreciated.
 
I have a RAT RC3 that stays on my pack. It is a very useful woods knife The Rowan made knife is 1095 steel, and one of my favorites.

I have a RAT-7 by Ontario. The D2 steel is sturdy, and I have abused this knife many times. Wipe it down, it shows virtually no wear.

To me, there is little or no difference in performance between the two steel types.

For a single knife to have, I feel the RC3 is too small, and the RAT-7 is too large. The RC5 or 6 might be a better choice if you are carrying one blade.

I think the choice between Ontario and Rowen made knives boils down to availability, and your loyalty to Randall Adventure Training.
tworats.jpg
 
Rat guaranteed for life, you break it its replaced. I don't think the ontario is.
 
RAT knives have the better warranty, and I personally prefer Rowen's 1095 to any D2 knife. But that's just me.
 
I wouldn't get a RAT 3 in 1095 or a RAT 3 in D2.

I would get a RC3 in 1095. Better made, better warranty.
 
Varg Lobos said:
I wouldn't get a RAT 3 in 1095 or a RAT 3 in D2.

I would get a RC3 in 1095. Better made, better warranty.
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Since I'm about to push the button on either or, please explain "better made" to me.
1095 is 1095, has to be HTd to certain point to make a knife out of it, Micarta is Micarta, screws are screws......where is the "better"??
And I'm not the least bit concerned with customer service or warranty, if the knife is that good, shouldn't be using either.

Not trying to start anything, just need to sort this out before I decide. I've handled both and see nor feel any difference in quality.
 
rayban said:
Since I'm about to push the button on either or, please explain "better made" to me.
1095 is 1095, has to be HTd to certain point to make a knife out of it, Micarta is Micarta, screws are screws......where is the "better"??
And I'm not the least bit concerned with customer service or warranty, if the knife is that good, shouldn't be using either.

Not trying to start anything, just need to sort this out before I decide. I've handled both and see nor feel any difference in quality.
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I know what you are saying. I started with the RAT 3 in 1095. Perfectly good knife for most tasks. I recently got an RC3. I believe it to be much better in fit and finish and the handle is better in my hands. The handle is actually a bit longer than the RAT3 which make it better in my opinion, for me.

I ordered my RAT 3 about a year and half ago and I had to wait like 3 months for it because R.A.T. put a halt to Ontario's manufacturing because the product that Ontario was putting out wasn't to R.A.T's standards.

Heat Treatment makes the knife in my opinion, even more so than steel type. Rowen's HT of 1095 is great. Holds an edge for a decent amount of time and sharpens very easily.

I don't use my RAT3 anymore. I do use my RC3.

Good luck on your decision.:)
 
Ontario RAT knives are good, sturdy, dependable knives. Rat Cutlery knives are better. They have a better fit and finish, better quality control, and a better warranty.

The RC-4 is probably the most universally usable of the RAT Cutlery line, but I like the RC-6 because its a little bigger, a little longer, and fits my hand better with a larger handle.
 
Varg Lobos said:
I wouldn't get a RAT 3 in 1095 or a RAT 3 in D2.

I would get a RC3 in 1095. Better made, better warranty.
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you can purposefully break your knife in half and they will give you a new one. i am not saying to do that but it is covered in the warranty.
 
Probably either would work fine for you. I'd recommend the D2 just for the stain resistance, but the RC-3 has a larger handle and that might be a bigger consideration. At this point Ontario is no longer producing the D2 Rat knives and they've sold the last of their stock to the dealers as far as I know. I suspect you'll be able to pick up a RC-3 for a long time. Personally I'd recommend a Dozier D2 knife, esp in that size. More expensive but top quality and it'll keep it's value.
 
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I really like my RAT-3 in D2. Great heat treat, great size, carries well. I had a RC-5 in 1095, and I can say that the D2 holds an edge longer in my experience. R.A.T. makes a great product, so you really can't go wrong either way, but I'll take D2 any day of the week.

If only the RC-4 came in D2! :(
 
RAT has revived the 1095 bug in me, the stuff being made by Rowen is some of the better production knives I've used in years.
 
rayban said:
Not trying to start anything, just need to sort this out before I decide. I've handled both and see nor feel any difference in quality.
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I cant imagine that you cant tell the difference at a glance. The Fit and finish is just so much nicer on RAT cutlery models. Also the spacers are quite attractive and add a visual flair to the otherwise spartan and utilitarian fdesign of the RC 3. In my experience rowen has a better ht on their 1095.

In answer to the op id highly reccomend getting a RC-3 in rats amazing 1095. just my .2 cents
 
Off the cuff question here. What's the difference, if any, between Rowan's 1095 and Ontario's 1095. I'm specifically interested in the RAT7 from Ontario.
 
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J_Curd said:
I really like my RAT-3 in D2. Great heat treat, great size, carries well. I had a RC-5 in 1095, and I can say that the D2 holds an edge longer in my experience. R.A.T. makes a great product, so you really can't go wrong either way, but I'll take D2 any day of the week.

If only the RC-4 came in D2! :(
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I concur. I have a RAT-3 and RAT-7 in D2, and really like them. The RAT-7 is a good chopper and woods knife, but it's a little big to carry easily and I find that a folding saw works better for cutting large pieces of wood. The RAT-3 has an excellent feel and balance to it, and the slim flat ground blade works very well for all small chores.

I would like a slightly large knife than my RAT-3, and the RC4 would be perfect if it was available in D2. I've emailed Jeff Randall about the possibility of there ever being one in D2, but didn't get a response.

I think my dream woods knife (that I can afford) would be an orange handled RC4 in D2. That would be sweet!
 
i have them both. 1095 and D2
1095 is all good
easy to sharpen and tough in the field
1095
buzz
 
I remember reading that RC's handles on those models are slightly longer than Ontario's. I would go RC over Ontario any day.
 
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