Rat-3?

M

moonshine47

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
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110
I Just want to know what you guys think of this, as i am looking for a new small fixed blade to use in the bush

If i got one id go with the 1095

I really would like to know how thick the blade is, as i plan to abuse the heck outta the knife i get (as in its not sitting in my pack all trip)

It seems to be Popular, but would it be worth me saving up alittle more and getting a gameskeeper, or would the rat slove my problems.
 
it is 1/8" thick.

abuse? as in use it for things knives arent meant to be used for? if so id say get a thicker knife.

if you plan on using it throroughly as a knife, meaning cutting, whittling, battoning, carving, etc, then yes, it works great. I've battoned mine through hard oak and carved a lot of wood and it holds up great. (i have the d2 version)
 
Moonshine47, I don't have a RAT-3 but it is one of those 'to get' items on my list.

Check out this review: http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=210

The Rat-3 has a thickness of 0.125" which is respectable but not a tank. For almost the same price you can go to a Ontario TAK-1, 1" longer (4.25" blade) and a 0.187" thickness. This one is probably ready for much more abuse that the Rat-3; the Rat-3 is probably a better cutter & whittler.

The gameskeeper is thicker still at 0.217" and the same length as the Tak-1. It is also twice + more the price of the RAT-3 or TAK-1. The Barkies are sure prettier than Ontario RAT's with all those handle options, satin blades and the gameskeeper should take its share of abuse. Although I'm not sure I would be batoning such a pretty knife - even if the blade could take it. I would probably wail on the TAK-1 and scuff the heck out of the coating without thinking....Right now I'm relegated to wailing on my buck 119, chipping it almost every time I use it and the grinding it back to sharpness. Something I'll fix soon.

You will probably find a lot of suggestions for the fallkniven f1 which seems to have a great following in this area.
 
Anything will fail if abused, even a sledge hammer. Maybe you didn't mean "abuse", just use hard. More info?
 
I just ordered 2, one in D2 and one in 1095, they will be here tomarrow and Ill let you know what I think. I have a few other RATs and have abused the hell out of them on purpose to see how they would take it. I planned on ruining these knives, the only thing that happend was I respect the hell out of them now. The others I have are also D2 and 1095. The coating on the blade doesnt scratch off, however I did put some scratches in one of mine when I was chopping through a pig head, the teeth might have been too much for the coating; but bone and wood are not going to scratch it off.
 
The RAT-3 has been my EDC fixed blade for over a year I love it I never leave home without it. I can't says enough positive things aboutthem. I have 3 all in D2 I want one in 1095 really bad.
 
If you want a thicker knife the same size then check out the TOPS knives website !!!
 
i have the rat 3 in d2. very nice knife. fit and finish are good. i took it camping a few weeks ago, along with some others.

i threw it, batoned it, and did a little food prep. when i batoned it into a log, the blade deformed slightly. when it was removed, it returned to true. i was worried it might snap, but it took everything i had.

here's a pic, its on the left.

camping003.jpg
 
If you are going to move up to a slightly larger knife and want one you can give hardcore use to, you might want to consider the Swamp Rat Howling Rat. Its a little 4" tank.
 
whoa, I just noticed it was moonshine, from ns, haha did you ever get out to the mersey? :D

P.S. I think you'll like the RAT3 more, more of a user, not to say the barkie isnt, but I'd feel bad to do so. :)
 
I've been meaning to get myself a Rat-3 in 1095 also :)

After seeing that modded one that mtnfolk mike posted the link to,
I'll have to get 2 and do some grinding on one of them :D

I really like that modded design :thumbup:
 
I think of the RAT-3 as a light and compact version of the "ugly stick" or "sharp prybar" class of knives. It would make a great trail knife. If you like that style of knife and want something more capable of abuse, a RAT-5 is just a little more money and a bit longer and a 3/16" thick blade.

Any of the Bark River knives will serve you well, but as others have said, but really bashing one makes me wince, just because they are such a good looking tool. I have no doubt you could use a Bark River hard and it will outlast you--- and a couple more generations of Moonshiners :) They have developed some classic lines, and definately on my wish list.

If you want to get a knife to abuse, the Cold Steel Bushman is a tool I could beat with a rock and not feel any guilt. I think they are great for survival kits. Moras come to mind in the same way-- more for abusive cutting than batoning. I keep a mora in my toolbox for cutting abrasive and gooey stuff and I hike with one too. Machetes fall into this class too: cheap, easy to sharpen in the field, and made to whack with.
 
Mike don't post links like that!!! My wallet is trying to crawl out of my pocket. That moded RAT-3 is a beauty!
 
Hey Fonly, i hear you are moving back to N.S, I havent gotten to the mersy cause ive been swamped with horses, work work work, show season is coming up

That lifetime 100% warranty on the gameskeeper sounds like a sweet deal
 
moonshine47 said:
Hey Fonly, i hear you are moving back to N.S, I havent gotten to the mersy cause ive been swamped with horses, work work work, show season is coming up
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know what you mean, are you going to the one in windsor, or down in the valley, like at the middleton exibition?
 
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