- Joined
- Aug 30, 2007
- Messages
- 5,483
I must say, even though all of the you know what happened with the you know who, I am very happy with two Ontario RAT knives and even though they're made by you know who, I still recommend them.
I recently got a RTAK-II on the exchange and TexasTonyDobbs sent me his Ontario RAT Model 1 folder.
The RTAK-II was one that I had been interested in trying, but not really actively looking for due to already having a big blade, my Ranger RD-9, and not needing another one.
The Model 1 folder I had wanted to test out for a long time, but had heard too many horror stories about, and I must admit I was swayed by not only it being AUS-8 from Taiwan, but also, from what I understand, having serious QC issues.
I have had both for a good while now, have put them through their paces, and here is what I think. This is a totally objective opinion that is only about the knives themselves, not who produced them or where they are made.
The Ontario RAT RTAK-II:
Upon first getting this big bastard in the mail, I thought that the handle was too big and the blade was a little overkill, despite its thin stock. The factory edge bevel was pretty small, no doubt to hold up to longer abuse between sharpening, but in my opinion, a little less slicer aggressive than I prefer. I don't mind sharpening my knives every single time before I go out so I like them to have a little more slicer-esk edge to them. The reason for this is because usually when I take a big blade out into the woods, it's going to be used for everything. I'll have a smaller knife with me, but I don't like to switch back and forth between them.
After reprofiling the edge, sharpening it up, and turning the sheath into a baldric rig, I was ready to head out into the woods with it. While I was out there, I chopped through several trees, branches, dead hard wood, really put it through its paces. Rather quickly, I got used to the big handle, and after a while even started to appreciate it. The blade was thin enough to go through smaller stuff like a machete, just lasing through branches lightening fast, and it was thick enough for some real chopping and batonning. There were no hotspots anywhere. It was very comfortable to use for extremely long periods of time. Naturally, the hair popping edge was gone pretty quickly, but it retained a good working edge for a LONG time. I honestly could have gone right back out the next day and done the same work without sharpening it and it would have performed just as well. I have taken it out several times since I got it for day long chopping chores and I have to admit that it has surpassed my Ranger as my main go-to big blade. I am very very happy with it and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a large blade. Considering the amount of work I've put it through, the coating is holding up pretty well. It has rubbed off up to about 1/4" from the edge, but I expected much worse considering what it has been through.
The Ontario RAT Model 1 folder:
When I took this folder out of the package Tony sent it in, I immediately tossed it to the side, because there was something else in the package I wanted to check out more, Tony's Koster Bushy, but we'll skip that. When I finally put my attention back on my new folder, I started noticing things about the design that I liked right away. The ergos of this knife are wonderful. When I hold it in my usually working position, it seems to disappear into my hand. It locks in the grip very solid and you can tell that you'll be able to comfortably use the knife and put some serious cutting power behind it. The belt clip on the knife was set for "safe" carry. I don't know if Tony repositioned it from factory or if it came to him that way. Regardless, that is the way I prefer. The fit and finish was great for a production folder and there was no blade play at all. It locked open with a good snap and stayed very tight. The lever lock sat right in the middle of the slant. The whole knife seemed very sturdy and looked like it could take some abuse.
The blade was a decent thickness, no doubt for hard use, and was satin with a lovely "First Production Run" on the side. As many know, the blade is AUS-8 steel. I have hear several people don't prefer this steel. For me personally, I don't mind it at all in a working folder. I have several EDC folders that use this same steel, including the EDC that I retired to start carrying the Model 1, the Recon 1, and I like this steel just fine. Naturally, if I had my druthers, it would be something else, but It's good for keeping the price down and is a fine steel. After sharpening it up to hair-popping and oiling the pivot (it was a little stiff) it was ready for the pocket.
Since then, I have carried it every single day. I have yet to touch up the blade. I've used it to cut boxes, spread mustard on my sandwiches, cut heavy duty tie-down webbing, and everything in between. I tried out some light batonning with it, about 2" thick pieces of various types of wood. It has performed perfectly and still has a good edge on it. It could use a touch up, but is still sharp enough to glide though webbing and boxes. The knife has held up great. There is still zero blade play. I am very happy with this knife. Now, unlike the RTAK-II, these do not have as steady a reputation when it comes to QC, so I can't say that they will all last as well as this one. Again, from what I understand, problems with QC was what started turning people off to this knife so badly, along with you know who doing you know what. I have heard that there are plenty of good ones out there and the price point is right for the gamble in my opinion. As far as I'm concerned, the ergos on this knife are it's high point and the designers no doubt hit the jackpot on the ergonomic design.
The Conclusion:
Both of these knives are worth owning. I know several people have reasons for not purchasing these from Ontario and I understand why. In those cases, purchase them from someone else who already bought them. That way, you aren't helping Ontario. You're helping a fellow forumite pay his bills. For those who don't have a strong moral qualm about purchasing them from one of the regular distributors, pick one up. Neither of them are expensive AT ALL and are well with it.
By the way, sorry for the lack of pictures. I'll try to get some up if I ever get my home connection working again. I can't load pictures onto my work computer from my camera so no pics yet. I'll try to get some up soon though so you can see how the blades are holding up.
Dylan Fletcher
I recently got a RTAK-II on the exchange and TexasTonyDobbs sent me his Ontario RAT Model 1 folder.
The RTAK-II was one that I had been interested in trying, but not really actively looking for due to already having a big blade, my Ranger RD-9, and not needing another one.
The Model 1 folder I had wanted to test out for a long time, but had heard too many horror stories about, and I must admit I was swayed by not only it being AUS-8 from Taiwan, but also, from what I understand, having serious QC issues.
I have had both for a good while now, have put them through their paces, and here is what I think. This is a totally objective opinion that is only about the knives themselves, not who produced them or where they are made.
The Ontario RAT RTAK-II:
Upon first getting this big bastard in the mail, I thought that the handle was too big and the blade was a little overkill, despite its thin stock. The factory edge bevel was pretty small, no doubt to hold up to longer abuse between sharpening, but in my opinion, a little less slicer aggressive than I prefer. I don't mind sharpening my knives every single time before I go out so I like them to have a little more slicer-esk edge to them. The reason for this is because usually when I take a big blade out into the woods, it's going to be used for everything. I'll have a smaller knife with me, but I don't like to switch back and forth between them.
After reprofiling the edge, sharpening it up, and turning the sheath into a baldric rig, I was ready to head out into the woods with it. While I was out there, I chopped through several trees, branches, dead hard wood, really put it through its paces. Rather quickly, I got used to the big handle, and after a while even started to appreciate it. The blade was thin enough to go through smaller stuff like a machete, just lasing through branches lightening fast, and it was thick enough for some real chopping and batonning. There were no hotspots anywhere. It was very comfortable to use for extremely long periods of time. Naturally, the hair popping edge was gone pretty quickly, but it retained a good working edge for a LONG time. I honestly could have gone right back out the next day and done the same work without sharpening it and it would have performed just as well. I have taken it out several times since I got it for day long chopping chores and I have to admit that it has surpassed my Ranger as my main go-to big blade. I am very very happy with it and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a large blade. Considering the amount of work I've put it through, the coating is holding up pretty well. It has rubbed off up to about 1/4" from the edge, but I expected much worse considering what it has been through.
The Ontario RAT Model 1 folder:
When I took this folder out of the package Tony sent it in, I immediately tossed it to the side, because there was something else in the package I wanted to check out more, Tony's Koster Bushy, but we'll skip that. When I finally put my attention back on my new folder, I started noticing things about the design that I liked right away. The ergos of this knife are wonderful. When I hold it in my usually working position, it seems to disappear into my hand. It locks in the grip very solid and you can tell that you'll be able to comfortably use the knife and put some serious cutting power behind it. The belt clip on the knife was set for "safe" carry. I don't know if Tony repositioned it from factory or if it came to him that way. Regardless, that is the way I prefer. The fit and finish was great for a production folder and there was no blade play at all. It locked open with a good snap and stayed very tight. The lever lock sat right in the middle of the slant. The whole knife seemed very sturdy and looked like it could take some abuse.
The blade was a decent thickness, no doubt for hard use, and was satin with a lovely "First Production Run" on the side. As many know, the blade is AUS-8 steel. I have hear several people don't prefer this steel. For me personally, I don't mind it at all in a working folder. I have several EDC folders that use this same steel, including the EDC that I retired to start carrying the Model 1, the Recon 1, and I like this steel just fine. Naturally, if I had my druthers, it would be something else, but It's good for keeping the price down and is a fine steel. After sharpening it up to hair-popping and oiling the pivot (it was a little stiff) it was ready for the pocket.
Since then, I have carried it every single day. I have yet to touch up the blade. I've used it to cut boxes, spread mustard on my sandwiches, cut heavy duty tie-down webbing, and everything in between. I tried out some light batonning with it, about 2" thick pieces of various types of wood. It has performed perfectly and still has a good edge on it. It could use a touch up, but is still sharp enough to glide though webbing and boxes. The knife has held up great. There is still zero blade play. I am very happy with this knife. Now, unlike the RTAK-II, these do not have as steady a reputation when it comes to QC, so I can't say that they will all last as well as this one. Again, from what I understand, problems with QC was what started turning people off to this knife so badly, along with you know who doing you know what. I have heard that there are plenty of good ones out there and the price point is right for the gamble in my opinion. As far as I'm concerned, the ergos on this knife are it's high point and the designers no doubt hit the jackpot on the ergonomic design.
The Conclusion:
Both of these knives are worth owning. I know several people have reasons for not purchasing these from Ontario and I understand why. In those cases, purchase them from someone else who already bought them. That way, you aren't helping Ontario. You're helping a fellow forumite pay his bills. For those who don't have a strong moral qualm about purchasing them from one of the regular distributors, pick one up. Neither of them are expensive AT ALL and are well with it.
By the way, sorry for the lack of pictures. I'll try to get some up if I ever get my home connection working again. I can't load pictures onto my work computer from my camera so no pics yet. I'll try to get some up soon though so you can see how the blades are holding up.
Dylan Fletcher
Like you I have a RD-9.
