"upscale" or "upgraded" Rat 1? Will we ever see more scale and steel options?

S

Sterculius

Joined
Oct 12, 2003
Messages
339
I love the Rat 1 folder. And while I agree it is a budget priced knife, it seems way more than "budget" quality-wise. It is really well made and I think that is one of its biggest selling points.

Will we ever see some more premium steel options or scale material options? Not to compare to another manufacturer, but Spyderco has done this repeatedly with sprint runs, etc.

I would just love a "higher end" Rat 1.
 
Definitely one of the best value-for-money knives on the market.

Would love to see a version in 154cm with grippier handles, maybe G10 or even better, canvas micarta.
A stonewashed D2 blade would be great as well, come on OKC, do eet :thumbup:
 
C_Becker said:
Definitely one of the best value-for-money knives on the market.

Would love to see a version in 154cm with grippier handles, maybe G10 or even better, canvas micarta.
A stonewashed D2 blade would be great as well, come on OKC, do eet :thumbup:
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OH YEAH! BUT, damascus and ivory never heard anybody. (excluding africa)
 
Knifeworks has a few exclusives of these with different colored scales. I've seen people have them rescaled in different materials, too.
 
how about a flipper version? I don't think it would mess with the geometry at all, just adding a little tab to the blade.
 
We do have G10 handles on the assisted openers, and we occasionally kick around the idea of putting G10 on others as well. We can't really comment on whether anything like that is actually planned right now, but if you don't mind, we'll take this opportunity to learn more about your thoughts on the idea.

People love the RAT1 because it's inexpensive but not cheap. A knife you can take with you anywhere because you're not afraid of losing it, since replacements are readily available and inexpensive. Any of the design suggestions you're bringing up would raise the price, so where would you guys draw the line? We wouldn't raise the price on something like this more than we had to, but it's always a concern when upgrading a popular design and we'd love to hear your thoughts.
 
If I had to choose one upgrade, to keep the price increase modest, I would choose the blade steel. I don't mind the handles. I would think something like CPM 154 or VG10 would be nice as a midgrade steel, without raising the price through the roof. I would pay up to $60 for upgraded steel, but after that, you're getting into territory that has a lot of competition, so you might start to lose some potential customers to some of the other mass makers (Spyderco comes to mind, as they seem to have very strong entries in the $50-80 range).
 
OntarioKnifeCompany said:
We do have G10 handles on the assisted openers, and we occasionally kick around the idea of putting G10 on others as well. We can't really comment on whether anything like that is actually planned right now, but if you don't mind, we'll take this opportunity to learn more about your thoughts on the idea.

People love the RAT1 because it's inexpensive but not cheap. A knife you can take with you anywhere because you're not afraid of losing it, since replacements are readily available and inexpensive. Any of the design suggestions you're bringing up would raise the price, so where would you guys draw the line? We wouldn't raise the price on something like this more than we had to, but it's always a concern when upgrading a popular design and we'd love to hear your thoughts.
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They're asking for Sprint runs out alternate versions.

Since just like the Rat period, regardless of cheap. I just like the way it fits my hand. I tried to buy more expensive knives but just didn't like the ones I handled. Handle length was too short or just too fat.

I'd enjoy being able to purchase a higher grade steel, so would every knive nut here. In fact the knifeworks exclusive would be all sold out before I got a chance to buy one.

Ps, bring out the blaze orange.
 
stvpourciau said:
They're asking for Sprint runs out alternate versions.

Since just like the Rat period, regardless of cheap. I just like the way it fits my hand. I tried to buy more expensive knives but just didn't like the ones I handled. Handle length was too short or just too fat.

I'd enjoy being able to purchase a higher grade steel, so would every knive nut here. In fact the knifeworks exclusive would be all sold out before I got a chance to buy one.

Ps, bring out the blaze orange.
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That's great info, we're taking notes.
 
Yes, I agree with stvpourciau -- I just really like this knife -- the design is classic and it is very well made and tough. Upgraded steel is choice #1, because there are already folks who make replacement scales, but the only place for a replacement/upgraded blade is the manufacturer. Exclusive runs at a vendor like Knifeworks would indeed sell out -- bring back the toxic green color -- I never got one. :(

Top 3 "upgrades":

1. Blade Steel (154CM, VG10, super steels, etc.)
2. Milled liners for weight reduction
3. Handle scales

I think the $60 price range is totally fair for an initial run and I would definitely pay that. And thank you for listening. :)
 
I am a huge fan of the Rat 1 as is, but a steel upgrade to 154cm would be nice. I like the handle scales as they are, but see the appeal of G10. Maybe an aluminum handled version for a slightly different feel overall? Depending on the upgrades $55 - $65 would seem reasonable.
 
Grippier handles would be a nice improvement on the standard model, its really the only thing I don't like that much about the RAT-1.
Is there any way to give the Zytel a little more grip ?

I would definitely pay >60€ for a 154cm or D2 blade version with G10 handles. I mean the standard RAT-1 is 45€ here and a RTAK II goes for 180€ :eek:
So 60€ wouldn't be that much for such a blade.
 
I love the blade and handle shape. I even like the smooth texture, it's kinder on pockets. CPM154 would be nice.
 
I'd love a Knifeworks exclusive with G10 & an upgraded steel. A regular run probably wouldn't be worth it but a KW sprint run for folks like the ones on this thread would probably sell out quickly. I'd be all over it.
 
Are we approaching a consensus? D2/CPM154 and micarta/G10? KW exclusive, or limited edition? I personally think D2 with G10 seems the most do-able, as these are materials they already work extensively with. I'd definitely go for that at $60. What say you, gents? Raise the hue and cry!
 
raindog101 said:
Are we approaching a consensus? D2/CPM154 and micarta/G10? KW exclusive, or limited edition? I personally think D2 with G10 seems the most do-able, as these are materials they already work extensively with. I'd definitely go for that at $60. What say you, gents? Raise the hue and cry!
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I agree with micarta and either D2 or 154cm. Exclusive KW edition seems to make sense as this has been done before, correct, the grey and orange scaled versions? Maybe a new scale color not used before to commemorate the occasion?

At $60, I'll take 2 please. ;)
 
Would a flipper model be too great a departure? I'd be all over a $50.00 Rat-II flipper, even in Aus-8. I guess it does mean changing the blade which would mean tooling changes :grumpy: but I feel like adding a flipper model would diversify the line-up more than the previous AO additions. And, once a flipper was done, I'm guessing you wouldn't need to adjust the designs or tooling to do an AO flipper too, it would probably be the same as the AO thumb stud design.
 
I'm in...
G-10 (black, coyote, earth tones in general, but please no orange if its just one choice) S30V (stone wash) $90 sprint run. I would probably never get the chance to get one before its gone but yes...

D2/154CPM with micarta/G-10 I believe at $65 would sell regardless of sprint or standard option. I wouldn't even feel bad about missing the the S30V/G-10 sprint run if this was a standard option.

My wife would say I'm a collector but I consider myself a user and lover of knives. I throw out the boxes and carry them all. I don't sell but occasionally give or trade. So sprint runs only excite me only if they are functional not I hope this goes up in value factor or Its cool I own #1 of #200 made. If its a great useful knife everyone should have the opportunity to own one. The RAT1 is an outstanding value and great knife regardless of that value. Many people I know would love to see a steel and handle upgrade.
 
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