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As we all can see, there are real differences between an Ontario RAT and a real RAT.
 
I don't believe personally that D2 makes a good batonning knife, it's tough but it's not terribly impact resistant. A good high carbon steel like 1095, or a steel like 3V is much better.
 
65535 said:
I don't believe personally that D2 makes a good batonning knife, it's tough but it's not terribly impact resistant. A good high carbon steel like 1095, or a steel like 3V is much better.
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I don't know anybody with a Dozier knife who has any qualms about battoning them. Done right D2 is excellent and provides a good compromise to low edge wear and stain resistance.

BTW - batoning is not at all hard on the edge. Once the edge sinks past the bevel into the wood, the edge no longer contacts anything for the rest of the split. Chopping is far, far, far harder on the edge than batoning is. This refers to batoning with grain, not cross grain.

I've never rolled an edge or suffered a chip while batoning. Those who know me, also know I baton more often than any parade girl ever dreams of. I've experience both - chips and edge rolls during chopping several times. Chips often occur when I encounter not good stuff - like nails, sand embedded into the wood or glancing blows that wind up deflecting your blade off or into a rock.
 
This thread actually kept me awake last night. The sight of that RAT-7 snapping like a dry twig bothered me. Back when Jeff and Mike were affiliated with Ontario I bought a RAT-7. I used the heck out of that knife, and it proved to be plenty tough. So I got the "nicer" one in D2. It would be a backup or a nice gift for some fellow outdoorsman. About the time I decided to get a RAT-5, the big stink with Ontario and the new RAT Cutlery erupted. So I held off getting that knife, waiting on the RC-5 which I just ordered. But I am not getting a RC-6 because the RAT-7 is close enough. I know, the Rowen made RATs are better, but why get rid of a proven performer? But what if my D2 RAT-7 is a pos? I have used knives in D2 before with no problems. One is a chopper. So today, I took that pristine RAT-7 in D2 and beat the heck out of it. This is tough, hard, dry, aged maple. Just because Ontario screwed up the heat treat on a batch or two, that doesn't mean you guys with old D2 RATS need to throw them away. But I would suggest testing them out at home before you pack one into the boonies.
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All it needs now is a convex edge. Can't wait to test that RC-5. :D
 
Good call Horndog....Thats thing about heat treat. Bad apples are just that, doesn't mean that every one on the tree is no good. I make it a matter of distinction to test every blade I have. Since I never purchase a knife with 'resale' in mind, I don't have any without a few love scratches on them.

In fact, its the first thing I do. Part of the joy of opening up a new knife package. I open the front door, grab the package, fish my EDC (Izula) out of pocket and open it up as I'm walking through the house to my back deck where I have a handy stack of wood. I then baton that sucker and make curls and carve a few notches. Its how I rejoice my new knife. Christen it in wood shavings. Great way to say - that handle is comfortable or not etc.

I've never had one snap on me yet. If I did, I'd package it right up then and there and send it back to where it was purchased. Explain the situation and demand a replacement. Some knife companies provide warranties that give them wiggle room using the word abuse etc. SOG comes to mind for the reporting of poor customer service and reps labelling batoning as abusive even undermining their BF company rep's public statements about a given incident. I avoid buying from companies with piss poor customer service reputations like that.

In fact, RC-cutlery, Bussekin and Becker (via Kabar) are about the only production companies I'll entertain buying from. Beyond that its pretty much all custom makers for me.
 
Thanks, kgd. I usually do just what you do. I've been known to beat on expensive blades right after getting them. But I was saving this one, since I had another one like it in 1095. Until today it was still new in the box. I would have felt bad if I sold, gave, or traded it to somebody and it snapped like the one in the video. Or even worse, if I took it way down into the swamp and it snapped like that when I was depending on it. You can bet I'll try out the new RC-5, too. I broke a defective Barkie batoning. Of course, they made it good with a replacement, which I promptly beat the heck out of. :D
 
ironmike86 said:
What no lifetime warranty?? From Ontario?
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I don't think so. I really don't know for sure. I have never had to send one back, but I doubt that they would honor a warranty on a knife I bought years ago, even if it is like new.
 
I have seen 1095 do the exact same thing. My friend's 1095 machete snapped in two abut 6" from the handle just hitting a pine sapling. My identical machete does just fine. If the heat treat is good, the D2 is pretty tough, as I clearly have shown. That maple I split was so hard I had to use a 4" thick log as a baton to hammer that D2 blade all the way through. As has been noted, Ontario has had some bad batches. From what I hear so far, Rowen seems to have better quality control on their heat treating.
 
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Horn Dog said:
I don't think so. I really don't know for sure. I have never had to send one back, but I doubt that they would honor a warranty on a knife I bought years ago, even if it is like new.
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I mean if you had problems there should be a warranty or at least an expiration date. Even RC knives have an expiration date.........none:D
This is why I decided to buy these knives and the active forum members who swear by them.


No Questions Asked Warranty. If you screw it up, break it, or cut it in two with a cutting torch, send it back and we'll replace it. Warranty is transferable. In other words, we warranty the knife no matter how many times it's been traded, sold or given away. We don't ask for a sales receipt, date of purchase or where you bought the knife - No fine print and no hassles. If you have a problem, contact us.
 
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