What's the difference between Ontario Rat and Rat Cutlery

[hydrasmith]

For the same model number, they looks pretty much the same and the steel is same too.

So what's the difference?

 

[hardheart]

RAT Cutlery is the real deal, Ontario has been ripping them off for some time now by violating their rights of ownership to name and design

 

[dtownknifekid]

I dont have first hand experience, but in adition to what Hardheart said, I think that RAT cutlery delivers knives with better heat treats, fit and finish and sharpness. Of course, I could be wrong.

 

[hydrasmith]

thank you for the info

but why Rat didn't sue Ontario?

 

[ROBB]

I believe Randall the owner of RAT Cutlery first designed knived for production by Ontario. When the contract expired Randall formed his own knife company "RAT Cutlery". I don't know if the breakup left some bad blood or not but it seems Ontario still makes Randall's designs. I don't know where this winds up legally. Check out the "about us" page at www.ratcutlery.com for some more info.

 

[Knife Outlet]

RAT Cutlery is the real deal, Ontario has been ripping them off for some time now by violating their rights of ownership to name and design

Oh, for Pete's sake. Not true. Ontario licenses the designs from RAT and pays them a royalty.

 

[karnavor]

thank you for the info

but why Rat didn't sue Ontario?

Oh, for Pete's sake. Not true. Ontario licenses the designs from RAT and pays them a royalty.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540826

 

[Gerberblades]

Pull your head out, when all communication stopped between the two companies I am sure the money flow did too.

Oh, for Pete's sake. Not true. Ontario licenses the designs from RAT and pays them a royalty.

 

[Nikx]

You just poked a hornets nest Hydra

A big one.

 

[IRON HEAD]

I have a ontario rat 7, the fit and finish are top notch, for a production knife. Don't own a r.a.t. knife but from compairing it to pictures I don't see any big difference, and it's sharper then most people I know.

 

[Thomas Linton]

According to Mr. Randall, and consistent with Ontario's own site, "R.A.T." stands for Randall's Adventure and Training. http://www.jungletraining.com/ Mr. Randall says he licensed use of that trademark it to Ontario for a fixed period. The license ended by it's own terms. A written notice of the end of the license was sent and received. At that point, Ontario's right to use the intellectual property of another ended. Ontario continued to use the mark and to claim association with Randall Adventure and Training. http://www.google.com/url?q=http://...t&cd=3&usg=AFQjCNGvGxBxHqZlxbpeEzIe8T2AA763Lw

You will note that the RAT-3 and RAT-4 no longer appear on Ontario's site. .

The knives made by Rat Cutlery Company have liners to prevent corrosion under the handle slabs, slightly different lines (including larger handles), and are nicely finished. I never owned an Ontario "RAT" so I can't otherwise compare them.

I know nothing of Pete's role in all this.