Rat II D2 Blade Tip Clearance

[salimoneus]

The tip clearance on this knife is a bit too close for comfort on my example. I barely have any finger nails and can fairly easily dig the tip out with one of my nubs. Just gently rubbing a finger across the end I can feel the tip digging in slightly.

Is this typical for this model, or did I receive one that is slightly out of spec?

Of course not the end of the world, but it's not too hard to imagine some bunched up pocket cloth getting caught up in there and deploying the blade during removal, or any number of other feasible scenarios.

There's a lot to like about this budget folder, but not sure if I can get past the tip being that exposed.

 

[sv4]

I just compared your pictures to my new Rat 2 D2. The tip on mine is more recessed, so it looks like yours is indeed a bit out of spec, maybe insufficiently ground off. I can't feel the tip when I rub my finger against the end of my Rat 2.

 

[D2FB]

I will try to get a photo but I actually have a rat 1 aus8 that was in the tip up position when I bought. I recently reached into pocket that it was clipped to and sliced the outer edge of pinkie that rubbed the edge. Switched clip to tip down, it may also grind tip a bit. I compared to two Other rat 1s that I have and the offending one definitely has a more exposed blade tip

 

[LG&M]

My rat 2 does not have that problem. It's well below the handle.

 

[smitty44]

My new Rat 2 D2 CF, if I run over it with a finger nail it doesn't touch, but with my finger just barely but not enough to cut, I really like mine, hope that helps. Retired E9, USAF 62-93

 

[KennyB]

Mine has this problem too and got bit exactly the way you were describing today

 

[HKGuns]

My R2D2 suffers not from this issue.

 

[sv4]

Mine has this problem too and got bit exactly the way you were describing today

That's nasty. Hmmm, it certainly appears that Ontario does have issues with certain batches of their R2D2 blades being out of spec. It would be good if the Ontario rep here can chime in to address this.

 

[Blue Sky]

Sorry to see anyone get cut like that. When the blade closes, there must be a stop pin somewhere. Maybe a little polish in the contact area on the blade might let it sit down a little further? That might affect the detent, so careful. A better idea might be to file the clip down a little. Shouldn’t have to do that on a new knife, but...

BTW, the Ontario rep hasn’t been on the forum in almost a year, so it looks like we’re on our own.

 

[The_HolyMackerel]

Hoping to revive an old post... Just recieved mine and noticed the same problem and was wondering if anyone has more information. Any luck fixing the issue or exchanging it for a blade that sits deeper in the handle?

 

[Dan Maragni]

An exposed blade is a serious problem. I recommend to anyone that has this problem with any of the folders to return it to Ontario and it will be replaced. In the meantime I will contact QA and make them aware of this.

 

[David Nowlin]

Glad i saw this. Been wanting a O Rat for awhile now. Big Star Wars Fan back in the day so R2D2 is the one i would want. With Christmas and all but need to now make sure this isn’t a real problem?

 

[The_HolyMackerel]

Glad i saw this. Been wanting a O Rat for awhile now. Big Star Wars Fan back in the day so R2D2 is the one i would want. With Christmas and all but need to now make sure this isn’t a real problem?

Requested an exchange and the second one had the same problem. Returned them both for a refund.

 

[D2FB]

I’ve had issue with a Rat1 aus8 - have 2 others that are fine

 

[David Nowlin]

Well ordered the Rat I on sale at BHQ and a
Rat II in D2 in the dark earth or desert whatever they call it. Guess we shall see. I’ll let you know after i get them.

 

[Walt69]

I picked up the rat 2 d2 with tan scales and it had this same problem back in November. Got bit reaching to pull it out of my pocket. Sent Ontario a message about it along with pics and they said they hadn't really heard of this problem, so they didn't have a fix and I would have to just send it back for a refund. Kind of disappointing after hearing how everyone loved these. I've been tempted to try again now that it's been a couple months but not sure if it will happen again.

 

[specgrade]

I took my Rat 2 apart and sanded down the kick ever so slightly. That took care of the problem. It didn't take much with my belt sander.

 

[David Nowlin]

So the kick in the blade or the part inside where the blade rest? Im confused as if it’s the blade you wouldn’t have to take it apart?

 

[specgrade]

So the kick in the blade or the part inside where the blade rest? Im confused as if it’s the blade you wouldn’t have to take it apart?

It was apart to clean it. The kick is part of the blade, just before the pivot. Having the blade separate made work a lot easier.

 

[Triple_D]

I saw this thread a while back, but decided to go ahead and order a RAT II, in D2, last week. I'm usually up for a challenge, and thought I might be able to fix this issue, if necessary.

Well sure enough, the knife I received yesterday, needed a little love. It wasn't too bad, but if you pressed your finger against the end of the scales, you could feel the tip of the blade. So, I quickly broke out the coarse, DMT diamond plate, and went to work. I managed to angle the tip of the blade downward a little by grinding on the spine side of the tip. That left a little bit of an angled "hump" on the spine of the blade so I smoothed it out to match the original profile of the spine. Then I smoothed out everything with the Spyderco medium, and fine ceramic, stones. It only took about 15 minutes, and I think the result is a nice looking, and safe (when closed) blade. I also removed the clip (they just don't work for me), and, even though it was pretty sharp from the factory, I gave it a good sharpening on the KME system.

I'm quite pleased with the knife now, and I think it may become my new EDC...at least for a while.