Spyderco Tenacious Vs Ontario Rat 1, High Value-Heavy Duty

Slider817

Slider817

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Mar 26, 2010
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The Tenacious and the Rat 1 are both great high value knives, both only cost around $30, however they have great actions, very fast deployment, the ergonomics are excellent, very tough and utilitarian. Both flow through design. Adequate for a heavy duty User knife steels, Aus-8 for the Rat, and 8cr13mov on the Tenacious.
The Tenacious has slightly longer cutting edge, while the Rat has a larger blade.
Both not too heavy, Rat 5oz, Tenacious 4oz. Great Jimping on both. Both FFG blades. For me the Rat is more comfortable due to the larger handle, but both are very comfortable, and have solid and stable feel in the hand.

Which knife do you prefer?
And, Is there any comparable knife that can beat either for value and function?
 
i have both and like them equally. but i favor the rat 1 a little because the handle is a little bigger and i have a big hand
 
I think the Ka-Bar Dozier Hunter for $17, weighing about 2.5 ounces with a choice of thumbhole or thumbstud that have different blade-shapes.
 
i personally prefer the rat... drop point, more comfortable in hand and carries easier than the wide tenacious in pocket. as far as aus8 vs. 8cr13mov, i havnt noticed any difference with use.
 
i prefer the RAT mainly due to the handle shape. Don't like the black coated ones though, the coating chips of way to easily. also dont like the jimping on the rat.
still prefer the RAT overall though.
 
I prefer the tenacious, it fits my hand, the thumb jimping is spot on and that blade profile and cutting angle is just perfect.
 
I prefer the ergos and steel of the Rat by a long shot. The Tenacious, for me, was a blister factory and I found myself needing to sharpen it after every single day of work when it was my dedicated work knife. I prefer the spyderco thumbhole to the thumbstuds on the Rat, though, and the Tenacious had a much better lockup than the Rat. I was able to disengage the lock on the Rat with a very light spine wack. I ended up selling them both, though; I found there were way better options out there for the price (30-40$).
 
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Tried both, been carrying the Tenacious for around a year or so now. I've got smaller hands and it fits just right.
 
Got a RAT 1 on the way as we speak. The Spyderco didnt speak to me, so i ordered a Rat 1 in satin.

Cheers, Scott.
 
I like the tenacious ok, it is very well made, I just find the design less appealing than the rat, I do prefer g10 over the rats pastic.
I think the ka bar dozier folders handle better than either and cost less to boot.
 
Zombie Zeke said:
I prefer the tenacious, it fits my hand, the thumb jimping is spot on and that blade profile and cutting angle is just perfect.
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:thumbup: +1

Really pretty much a toss up and a matter of personal taste.
I have the Tenacious and was interested in the RAT, but after handling one I lost interest.
The Tenacious seems to fit me better and I think its a tad better constructed.
 
Also, although with my right hand (I am right handed) both knives open very easily. But with my left the Rat 1 is a bit difficult to open. And the Tenacious is quite easy. This I this is quite valuable in a self defense situation, but in terms of utility has no real effect. However, with all my knives if I can get better secondary functionality in a self defense role I will take it (or primary).
 
I'd have to say for the minor extra a CS recon or American lawman is the best value heavy duty you can buy. There is just no way I can ever see myself breaking this knife....
 
T.L. said:
What are these "way better options"? I'm pretty curious.
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Hey, look, a blast from the past. :thumbup:

At the time (two years ago), you could get a brand new Kershaw Cyclone with 13c26 steel, aluminium handles, speedsafe (or not) opening, FFG blade, made in the USA for all of 30$.

Now, the Cyclones have been discontinued for a while, but you can still get:

- a Ganzo G704 with 440c steel, G10 handles, well-executed Axis lock opening, for 14$
- a Kershaw Leek with 14c28 steel, speedsafe opening, and a steel framelock for 25-30$
- a Victorinox Pioneer with Alox handles for 20-25$
- a Buck Vantage Avid with 13c26 steel for around 40$, or a Vantage Select with 420HC steel for 20-40$
- an Ontario Utilitac in any number of configurations for 20-30$
- a Kershaw Needs work with 14c28 steel, speedsafe opening, for 30$
- a Boker Exskelibur with G10, titanium liner lock, and 440c steel for 40$

...and so, so many more. So, now when you go back in time two years, you'll know what knives to buy. :thumbup:
 
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