RAT Infestation..Ontario Style..Pics Included

Tolly

Tolly

Joined
Jan 1, 2006
Messages
555
It is no secret that I am a Ranger Knives fan, but in fairness I have decided to give the Ontario RATs a try just to see if any of them will fill a niche in my outdoor knife collection. The only RAT I didn't order was a RAT5 simply because I think the pointed skull crusher is ridiculous and a potential discomfort if worn on the hip. Well, here's the line up, what do ya'll think?
In the first picture left to right: RTAK II, RAT7, TAK I, RAT 3
RATS-1.jpg

RATS-2.jpg


For those of you who might be interested in knowing, the knife weights are as follows;

1. RAT 3 = 4 7/8 ounces
2. TAK I = 10 ounces
3. RAT 7 = 12 5/8 ounces
4. RTAK II = 22 5/8 ounces

As a reference point, my satin finished G10 scaled RD7 weighs 19 1/4 ounces.

An unmodified wood handled 18" Tramontina machete weighs 17 3/4 ounces.

A standard run of the mill "New" Buck 110 weighs 7 3/8 ounces.
 
Hey Tolly...

That's a Great group picture....

A matching set...

You really should order a RAT 5 though.... :)


I gotta get me one of those there RTAK II's.. That's a nice chunk of steel...
Much improved over the original RTAK which I have....

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Hey Normark, I think your the one I need to talk to about some custom kydex.
 
Wonderful pictures. I have been looking at either the Rat 3, Rat 5, or TAK for a long time. I actually really like the looks of the Rat 5 myself, but everyone raves over the Rat 3. The TAK has a very practical and utilitarian look to it. I read that Randall Adventure Training is now making their own renditions separate from Ontario. Is that true? I have also heard that some of the Rat series leave the factory quite dull or incorrectly profiled. I am sure that is bound to happen sometimes. That rumor is not enough to make me not want one.
 
All factories produce bad products sometimes, but it is a non issue with Ontario RATs. The reason it is a non issue is because they have excellent customer service and would immediately fix or replace your knife.

Yes, it is true that RAT cutlery is up and running and will be making their own versions of some of the blades starting with the RAT3. Their version are much more $$$ though and I would just call Justin at Ranger knives and have him make whatever it was that I wanted different before paying the extra dollars for the RAT cutlery offerings. That is unless they offer something that is really a step up or if they level out their prices more. These are just my opinions and they are not meant as argument fodder.
 
The RC-3 fixes the shortcomings of the rat-3. I have and use the Rat knives quite a bit, they are all good tough knives. Jeff and Mike are great guys as well.
 
Hey Tolly...

Tolly said:
Hey Normark, I think your the one I need to talk to about some custom kydex.
Click to expand...

Yes,, I would be the one.. :)

Feel free to email me Anytime...


Bigbcustom...

What is the RC-3 ??
Enlighten me Please..


ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Normark said:
I gotta get me one of those there RTAK II's.. That's a nice chunk of steel...
Much improved over the original RTAK which I have....

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
Click to expand...

It is a nice piece of steel, and it's HUGE.
It's so big that every time I go to pack it for a trip, I end up taking my Becker BK9 instead.
 
The only thing I see better about the RC-3 is the longer handle, but even that is a matter of personal preference. When you are actually using the knife, yes it would be nice to have a little bit longer handle on the RAT3, but if you are trying to carry it concealed, or in a neck rig, you want it as small, short and light as you can get it.
 
For those of you who might be interested in knowing, the knife weights are as follows;

1. RAT 3 = 4 7/8 ounces
2. TAK I = 10 ounces
3. RAT 7 = 12 5/8 ounces
4. RTAK II = 22 5/8 ounces

As a reference point, my satin finished G10 scaled RD7 weighs 19 1/4 ounces.

An unmodified wood handled 18" Tramontina machete weighs 17 3/4 ounces.

A standard run of the mill "New" Buck 110 weighs 7 3/8 ounces.
 
I went ahead and ordered a RAT5 today so that I wasn't leaving any part of the family out. Even though I still think the pointy skull crusher is ridiculous on that knife.
 
Love my RAT7 & 3, and plan on getting the RAT5 too. But I will grind off the glassbreaker pommel. In that respect I don't think the RC3 is an improvement over the RAT3 either. The short handle doesn't really bother me either, but I do use a 'pinky lanyard' (a paracord lanyard just big enough for my pinky finger). It provides that added control and security.
 
Tolly said:
I went ahead and ordered a RAT5 today so that I wasn't leaving any part of the family out. Even though I still think the pointy skull crusher is ridiculous on that knife.
Click to expand...

I've got a RAT-5 and it's a great blade, but I second your opinion about the skull crusher. There's always the dremel, eh?
 
I got the RAT-5 too. I think the pointy pommel is a non issue. I never had problems with it, poking in my side or whatever.

The size is great, the handle is great and I like the geometry of the blade in general. It's a great user!

CZ
 
Great looking set but I see one problem....they arent all dirty bloody and marked up!!!!:eek:n Go use em man:thumbup:

Seriously though I very much like my RATS and I hope you are as pleased with yours as I am, they have been pretty comfortable and handy for me to use.
 
I plan on getting one or two of them dirty during a horseback hog hunting trip this weekend.
 
I think i would like the RC-3 better if it didnt have the glassbreaking pommel. the slightly larger handle is a nice feature though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top