The future of RAT

[R.A.T.]

Has RAT Cutlery ever followed a trail?

 

[Dizwolf]

I am wondering what blade steel is going to be used in the folder? Anybody knows?

If it is high carbon, then I will buy one. May be it is just me, but I hope that RAT Cutlery will not follow the trail of countless "stainless" folders.

When did stainless become a swear word?

 

[adaman04]

Has RAT Cutlery ever followed a trail?

Welcome back, Jeff. Hope the Thanksgiving went well, I'm sure it was warmer than mine. Maybe for next year's getaway you can come up to Missouri and help me hang Christmas lights.

Dizwolf -

For a folder, I think stainless is a pretty good option. Wouldn't hurt my feelings any. Does matter, I want one either way!

 

[otis williams]

I am wondering what blade steel is going to be used in the folder? Anybody knows?

If it is high carbon, then I will buy one. May be it is just me, but I hope that RAT Cutlery will not follow the trail of countless "stainless" folders.

not all stainless is evil.
from a few pages back:

We want to blade to be D2 and the liner/frame to be stainless.

 

[Dizwolf]

not all stainless is evil.
from a few pages back:

yea, im down with d2. Ive got a benchy in it I love. just don't understand all the dislike... esp in a folder, where im not very picky.

 

[stokka]

When did stainless become a swear word?

Personal preference based on personal experience, nothing scientific.

 

[stokka]

For a folder, I think stainless is a pretty good option.

Ok, can you please explain a bit - you are ok with stainless on a folder but not fixed? What makes folder's cutting edge different?

 

[otis williams]

there are good stainless steels out there. pocket knives tend to encounter a lot of moisture. being stored in a pocket where water, sweat, etc. may remain on the blade for hours, rust would be inevitable. the pivot area is one place you really don't want rust. it can destroy the knife, and can be difficult to keep dry. stainless can be a good option.
i'm sure whatever steel RAT goes with, it will be an excellent choice.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Ok, can you please explain a bit - you are ok with stainless on a folder but not fixed? What makes folder's cutting edge different?

Folders tend to be smaller than fixed blades, as well as (of course) having a pivot and locking mechanism that prevent it from taking as much strain as a fixed blade without failure. Since folders tend to be used more for precision cuts with less strain being put on the blade, the blades may be made harder to accommodate a finer edge and better edge retention. As a combination of factors, stainless is a perfectly acceptable option in folders.

 

[stokka]

Ok, just for the sake of argument - do not we have an option to disassemble the folder after using it in harsh conditions and clean it? As a diver I would say that regardless of blade material the vast majority of diving knives (and I am talking fixed blade, not folder) are made the way you can strip it down to bare blade for cleaning - salt water is a killer and will eat through if not. Same would apply to a folder. After harsh conditions- cleaning is a part of a deal. Again, like with fixed blade.

As for edge retention (and again, it is based only on my personal experience) the balance between good edge retention, hardness and brittleness which can be reached with high carbon steel is out of reach to the stainless.

To elaborate a bit on my experiences with stainless - I have verboten for mentioning on these forums brand in S30-V, which I chipped (not much, but unpleasant for that kind of money!) opening a can, I have the same problem with the same material on Spyderco Native, my SealPup is not capable of holding a decent edge after I sharpen it, and I have bended a tip and chipped the edge on my 440C hunter (which I made out of a purchased on some big "knife kit" site blade. The blade was "made in Japan"). Also I had chips on my Mora stainless blade. So I do not know - perhaps I am having a bad luck with stainless, but none of my high carbon blades had those problems. I can take $10 Mora and open a can with it and the blade will get dull, but not chipped. Izula is the same way - but much stronger for "prying".

Maybe I am a barbarian in the way I use my knives, but it is what it is. And that is why I use RAT Cutlery knives - they can take it, unlike others. Oh, yeah - I tried making my own knife out of 1095 blank, but screwed up heat treating it and the knife get curved in some reason. But it does not chip and holds the edge very well.

So I am hoping that RAT folder is going to be high carbon. I would buy that one right away. To tell you the truth if it is in stainless, then I am going to buy it anyway just because of the power of the brand and trust I have built using other RAT knives. But I will be very suspicious

 

[adaman04]

stokaa, just personal preference but I'd rather not have to take my folder down to clean it. RAT will make a good folder, we have no worries about that.

 

[stokka]

I know what you saying, adaman04.

BTW - can't you do other things (like blueing or oxidation) on carbon steel to get it somewhat more rust resistant? In salt waters of Northern Pacific untreated high carbon will have stains in a half an hour and solid rust in two hours. In a day - scars which you would have to remove by sanding... I wonder if there anything can be done.

Stainless is not completely stainless too and will rust, but much slower.

 

[adaman04]

Sure, a patina would help fight some rust in most cases.

 

[shunsui]

Spyderco makes some fixed blades and folders in H1 rust free steel. Check out the Pacific Salt folder and the Aqua Salt fixed blade.

edit: This is just a suggestion if you need a rust free knife for diving, not a recommendation for the RC folder. I'm fine with whatever they want to use on that folder design.

 

[otis williams]

i had a camillus cuda folder in D2. used to open cans with it on my lunch breaks at work, or out in the woods. never chipped, and was still shaving sharp after. D2 is a good steel.

 

[stokka]

but D2 is not stainles, isnt it?

Pacific salt is not really a diving knife... Caspian is more so and I was looking at it, however not sure what it offers anything special. However it is a bit an of off topic here ..

 

[harkamus]

but D2 is not stainles, isnt it?

Pacific salt is not really a diving knife...

Nope, d2 is not classified as stainless, but many people report that their d2 knives have not rusted.

 

[Rev]

I am wondering what blade steel is going to be used in the folder? Anybody knows?

If it is high carbon, then I will buy one. May be it is just me, but I hope that RAT Cutlery will not follow the trail of countless "stainless" folders.

440c is what Jeff said.

 

[stokka]

Ok, then... I guess I have to show some faith... I have absolutely no reason not to trust RAT Cutlery's judgment..

 

[XMP]

I too would love it if the Rat folder were a high carbon, instead of a stainless. There are plenty of stainless folders to choose from, but only a few in high carbon (most of which are traditional patterns like Stockmans). Having said that I'm sure the Rat folder will be great regardless of what steel they put in it.

Remember too that there isn't a hard and fast distinction between carbon and stainless; its more of a continuum. D2 isn't technically a stainless, but it is right on the border.