Sulaco
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2003
- Messages
- 2,422
I'm a bit of a knife snob. Not like some of you guys, but I tend to shy away from any sort of steel below say, 154CM or similar. I also don't like knives made anywhere other than America. I'm just patriotic that way.
But lately I've been reading up a lot on the affordable knives out there, ones like the Chinese Spyderco line and the Rat 1 (obviously) from Ontario, etc.
I've tried out a few cheaper knives over the years but was always let down. I liked the lock on the Cold Steel American Lawman, but I didn't like the Teflon washers and cheap blade coating (why coat a stainless steel?).
I also didn't like the first Rat 1 I got. The lock was sticky and lockup was almost 100%. Also the liners and scales had some gaps.
I also recall sending back a good many Kershaw and ZT knives to get made "right". Granted, I've done the same with Benchmades, but there was a significant different in the number of issues I had with them compared to KAI.
So anyway, I decided to trade in to a Rat 1 and all I can say is wow, this thing sure is nice. If my first one had been this nice, I'd be writing this a long time ago.
I've had lots of knives with AUS-8 steel, most recently Cold Steel, but this AUS-8 performs really well. It seems to stay sharp longer and it doesn't roll nearly as quickly. I cut some thick zip-ties earlier and fully expected to see some dings in the edge, but a quick few swipes on a loaded strop and it's hair-popping sharp again.
I like properly done AUS-8. It seems to take a really fine edge and this one shows that.
I also like the open pillar construction - a nice tough on such an affordable knife - and having five of them means the handle is nice and solid from tip to butt. The full steel liners are nice and give the knife a very solid feel. This one locks up around 40% or a little more - more than I'd prefer but I'm not complaining. It locks up 100% solid with no play at all. The detent holds the blade closed perfectly as well.
The grinds are perfect on both sides as are the secondary bevels. It came very sharp out of the box. The blade is finished nicely, being not too dull and not too bright.
It also carries in my pocket surprisingly well to be such a large folder. It's obvious a lot of thought went in to this design and all of these things combine to show why it's so popular and has been for so long. I think everyone should at least try one out. For 30 or so dollars, it's hard to justify not having one!
Here's mine.
But lately I've been reading up a lot on the affordable knives out there, ones like the Chinese Spyderco line and the Rat 1 (obviously) from Ontario, etc.
I've tried out a few cheaper knives over the years but was always let down. I liked the lock on the Cold Steel American Lawman, but I didn't like the Teflon washers and cheap blade coating (why coat a stainless steel?).
I also didn't like the first Rat 1 I got. The lock was sticky and lockup was almost 100%. Also the liners and scales had some gaps.
I also recall sending back a good many Kershaw and ZT knives to get made "right". Granted, I've done the same with Benchmades, but there was a significant different in the number of issues I had with them compared to KAI.
So anyway, I decided to trade in to a Rat 1 and all I can say is wow, this thing sure is nice. If my first one had been this nice, I'd be writing this a long time ago.
I've had lots of knives with AUS-8 steel, most recently Cold Steel, but this AUS-8 performs really well. It seems to stay sharp longer and it doesn't roll nearly as quickly. I cut some thick zip-ties earlier and fully expected to see some dings in the edge, but a quick few swipes on a loaded strop and it's hair-popping sharp again.
I like properly done AUS-8. It seems to take a really fine edge and this one shows that.
I also like the open pillar construction - a nice tough on such an affordable knife - and having five of them means the handle is nice and solid from tip to butt. The full steel liners are nice and give the knife a very solid feel. This one locks up around 40% or a little more - more than I'd prefer but I'm not complaining. It locks up 100% solid with no play at all. The detent holds the blade closed perfectly as well.
The grinds are perfect on both sides as are the secondary bevels. It came very sharp out of the box. The blade is finished nicely, being not too dull and not too bright.
It also carries in my pocket surprisingly well to be such a large folder. It's obvious a lot of thought went in to this design and all of these things combine to show why it's so popular and has been for so long. I think everyone should at least try one out. For 30 or so dollars, it's hard to justify not having one!
Here's mine.
