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

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 but the steel is certainly the #1 upgrade.
 
Cpm154 not 154cm please. And g10 would be great. Micarta too. No aluminium please. Too expensive and it gets worn easily.
 
To be honest, of all the knives I have and have owned, I've never had a Rat 1. I love the aesthetics and design, but the materials are what keep me from purchasing it. I think the ideal solution would be to keep the normal production model, but produce sprint runs, similar to the Spyderco PM2 methodology. Multiple variants and colors could be devised, and the steel would ultimately determine, and justify, the end cost of the knife. The current production model couldn't demand $100, but a model with G10 handles and an S30V or D2 blade certainly could. If one of those sprint runs were produced, I know I would purchase one.

What also comes to mind is the recent Kershaw Skyline sprint with S30V blade and carbon fiber handles. The Rat 1 seems like it fits in a similar position insofar as price and target market, so such a sprint methodology could also be modeled.

I also want to take a second to say thank you to Ontario Knife Company for their responsiveness to this thread; it always impresses me more than anything when a company takes the time to directly communicate with their customers on these positive topics.
 
Should they make a few options and dub this the Ontario 1 Elite Series?

Ps, I just replaced the Orange Rat 1 given to me on this forum that I had given away to an interested teen in Wal-Mart with a Satin finished Coyote brown model from my girlfriend for my birthday it no longer has any R.A.T. branding, just "Ontario1"; Whaddup wit dat?
 
Textured G10 with 154cm....... And maybe even a tougher black blade coating (that's a minor concern though).

A man can dream
 
stvpourciau said:
Should they make a few options and dub this the Ontario 1 Elite Series?

Ps, I just replaced the Orange Rat 1 given to me on this forum that I had given away to an interested teen in Wal-Mart with a Satin finished Coyote brown model from my girlfriend for my birthday it no longer has any R.A.T. branding, just "Ontario1"; Whaddup wit dat?
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There's probably what looks like an O with wings, too, correct? It's really just the way the new product runs are.

As for the other comments here - all getting gathered for the product guys. No guarantees they go for anything in particualr, and it would be a while before they came out, but they'll definitely have all of this information.
 
OntarioKnifeCompany said:
As for the other comments here - all getting gathered for the product guys. No guarantees they go for anything in particualr, and it would be a while before they came out, but they'll definitely have all of this information.
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We definitely appreciate you listening and sharing our ideas and dreams with your product folks. A sincere "Thank You". :D:thumbup:
 
Definitely, thanks for letting us provide some input. :thumbup:

So is this the pre-order thread? ;)
 
I would jump at an upgraded steel let alone g-10 too. I definitely second everyone saying upgrade blade before handle.

Also thanks OKC for hearing everyone out. Not everyone does that.
 
CPM154, VG10 or (preferably) D2 blade please. G10 or micarta handles would be cool, but not really necessary. Price point around $60-80 and I'd buy one in a second.
 
IIRC the Japanese don't export their steel in raw form, so it would have to be produced there.
 
In order of preference:

-Flipper
-Higher end steels (S30V, VG10 etc)
-G10
-Deep carry clip

I think a RAT with a higher end steel, especially a limited run, could easily sell for $80-90 and be well worth the money. After all, in many people's opinions (including myself) the current RAT is a value far above it's market price.
 
I'm very happy with the handle material, clip style, and the AUS 8A steel on both my Rat 1 and Utilitac 2

I think they could both benefit from having the liners milled to lighten them up though.


Aside from the weight I think they are close to perfect!




wish list -

milled liners
 
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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Personally would really love to see a modern folder ( like the rat 1 or utilitac) in 1095..... you guys already work the steel and I think you could easily market it to the carbon steel fans ( like myself) here on bladeforums. Really hoping to get a response on any possibity of this as it would be a unique offering from Ontario that no other budget knife company has matched to date. not even esee offers a carbon steel modern folder. Just something to look into maybe.

P.S. Please send me an email if a rat one or drop point utilitac come out it 1095. Ill buy one immediately.
 
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moraldilemma666 said:
personally would really love to see a modern folder ( like the rat 1 or utilitac) in 1095..... You guys already work the steel and i think you could easily market it to the carbon steel fans ( like myself) here on bladeforums. Really hoping to get a response on any possibity of this as it would be a unique offering from ontario that no other budget knife company has matched to date. Not even esee offers a carbon steel modern folder. Just something to look into maybe.

P.s. Please send me an email if a rat one or drop point utilitac come out it 1095. Ill buy one immediately.
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omg! Yes!



i want!
 
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