Rat-7

udtjim

udtjim

Joined
Sep 4, 2007
Messages
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I sold a couple scopes and have to reinvest the fun money sruff. I am looking at the RAT-7. who has this one and would you recommend the D-2 or Carbon steel and what edge between the Combo and Plain blade. This will be a hard use Camping/Hiking fixed blade knife.

This knife is not available locally so where do you guy order Ontario's. Anyone on this site sell them?
 
I've seen the rat-7 on the internet for as little as 99 bucks...I do not own one but am also considering asking my wife for one for x-mas.... for hard use I would reccomend 1095 over d2... and for a wilderness I knofe I always prefer straight edge over combo....(
 
Skip the D2 and get the plain edge. I have a RAT-7 in 1095 and it is a great knife. The scales are a bit thick for me but they can be easily slimmed down a bit. It comes with a great sheath too.
 
1095, definitely. It's a great steel for this kind of knife.

I bought a RAT7 in D2 and was very disappointed with the edge.
Exchanged it back to the dealer for one in 1095 and I really, really like the knife.
It was very sharp out of the box with a great fit & finish all around.

As for plain or serrated, I like the serrated version of this knife because it's got plenty of plain edge available; and the serrations can be extremely useful.
On a shorter knife, I'd go plain edge.
______________________________

Another thing...

Having bought a TAK1, RTAKII, and RAT7, I'd like to highly recommend www.cumberlandknifeworks.com as the place, in my book, to buy the Ontario RAT knives.

Bill Horn, the owner, is simply a terrific guy to deal with, and has everything in stock and available to ship.
 
I have it in 1095 in plain edge and I have no complaints. It made decent fuzzy stick,but the edge should be thinned out to get tighter curls. I used it to baton through really seasoned wood with alot of knots in a recent camping trip. It went on through with no effect on the edge(like chipping or severe flattening). Of course it did get dull after going through alot of knots and seasoned wood. So I sharpened it by stropping it on my belt and little with a stone. It took it like a champ. At one point of time I was going through some knots in the wood and it put alot of lateral stress on the blade. It was bending like an S. I really got worried that if I keeped going that I with snap it. Nope. It even returned to zero and asked for more. I was truely happy with the results that the rat 7 went through with flying colors. I definitly recommend it for a survival and bush blade.
 
I also looked at the RTAK ll. Its not much more money, same Blade steel but has a 10 inch blade. Whats the maim difference in these knives?

I checked the link to Cumberland, Great prices. Thanks for the tip.
 
I never handled the RTAK II, but I would think that a 10 inch blade would get in the way or be to bulky for me. If you like the extra reach then go for it.
 
I'd say 1095 plain edge too.

I just got a benchmade folder in d2 to try it out for myself. Even the mighty d2 dulls with hard use, and it's much more difficult to bring back to a razor edge.

I was about to order an Ontario RAT knife, but I'm going to get a Ranger RD instead.
 
Also 1095 and plain edge for RAT-7. I own a RTAK-II and it's huge compare to the RAT-7, an excellent chopper but not so great for medium to little task. For the smaller task I have a RAT-3 wich is a great compliment for the RTAK-II...get them off e-bay!!!
 
i love the 1095, way easier to sharpen when i am in the field. my d2 requires me to get home before i can get the edge razor sharp again. So for convinence the 1095 is the way to go.
 
www.cumberlandknifeworks.com
Bill is the guy to buy from IMHO,:D he has the goods at the best price, there are other dealers of the Ontario knives and they are upright people also.
the Rat3 , Rat5 and Tak-1 are fine tools , they will serve you well.
the Rat7 is a real handful. :eek:
btw you can baton the shorter blades to help split firewood and such.....
i carry the Rat3:thumbup:more than the others because it can do a lot of chores for its size and is lighter to carry.
you will do fine with Ontario 1095, it is great knife steel. been around a long time
buzz
 
I thank everyone for their input. I think the plain Blade and the 1095 will be the way to go. We have a Sportsman's Warehouse and Scheels and a Gander Mountain all near by but nobody handles Ontario knives. They have almost everything else. Bummer.:grumpy:
 
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