I was always a steel snob. The older I get. The busier I get. The more I realize how much I like softer steels. They sharpen up so quickly. The super wear resistant steels are cool, but sometimes sharpening them becomes a huge chore 😂 I will say that CPM-S35VN is definitely one of favorite steels though. Holds a good edge and sharpens up fairly quick.
The Rat series folders are the best good quality knife for the money. Good for them. At that price it should be very competitive with fancier knives. They are bulletproof.
Great review, as always. I use Ontario Knives at my work bench for cutters and choppers (I have a couple of wooden handle full tang jobs. One's a Bowie knife. I use the heck out of them).
I picked one of these up when they first dropped last year. I have several of both the Rat 1 and 2's with various mods, and this is a welcome upgrade. I'd like to see other colors, and also a Rat 2 with the upgrades would also be nice.
I have this one on my list but I'm hesitant because OKC D2 sucks it's way too soft even the AUS-8 outperforms it. That's why I'm waiting for more reviews on this knife.
I bit the bullet and bought this knife. I should get it this week sometime. I’ve had my eye on it since it came out. Mine cost me $160 (Australian dollars) but I think it’s worth it. We get shafted on knife prices.😂
@@SwampOperator I mainly agree, though there is a slight caviat with frame locks though, they are often thinner in the grip. For outdoor use, the Rat 1 has a more substantial grip. For EDC, frame lock all the way. Flat smooth metal side for ez extraction from the pocket. 😁
Would be nice if Ontario went to the trouble to upgrade the steel they could of improved the knife too with making a deep carry pocket clip and a cross lock
I have one of these knives. The liner-lock does not secure the blade in place. In the event that the spine of the knife blade gets smacked, the blade will fold. God forbid your fingers are wrapped around the handle holding it when that happens.
Love the rat models and all mine are aus8 steel and i dont think its worth the money buing the new steel ,aus8 with the right hardening is enough in my world
Yeah, it is not strictly necessary. What happens is that the factory gets in these new steels and basically offers it to the brand as an option and the brands just sign off on it to keep up with other brands doing it.
They closed their US factory and were sold to new owners, but the folders that are made in Taiwan are still around, thankfully! They might be re-opening fixed blade production on a limited basis.
Good news - the new buyers of the company are apparently going to continue with their American factory but with a somewhat reduced catalogue and the folders will still be available as they are produced overseas.
If they did this years ago, I might have been interested, unfortunately they missed the boat, too little too late. It’s completely lost its allure, not that I believe all of the hype in the first place. I can see why Ontario knife company was losing money, the new owners aren’t helping much by the look of things. I guess they’re trying.
Did you mean there are other optionIt sos these days? I got a Bestech Swordfish in the same steel, recently, you might like that one better, it is a bit longer than this knife.
The folders will still be made and from what I have seen/heard - white river is going to keep production going at the American shop but with some of their less popular models being discontinued. The folders will still be available except for some of those titanium framelock abominations
@@sopwithcamelus alot of folks seem to have good luck with em. I haven't though. That Chinese company ganzo makes a copy with an axis lock.. I wish Ontario would put out a legit rat1 with axis style lock
i dont claim to be a steel expert or anything but the amount of alphabet steel with various numbers and letters im just wondering when we're getting duped by chynuh like oh you thought this was premium but it pot metal lol "cerakoted". its hard to keep up with all these different steels lmao
Magnacut seems like the hot new steel of the moment, it seems like they got a big shipment of it in The East, so you're going to see a lot of new knives that are Magnacut.
No thanks. I don’t want a folding knife without a back spacer. Even a plastic back spacer would have been acceptable. I don’t want my blade edge being damaged by other things in my pocket or bag/pack etc… leaving a spacer out only reduces weight by a few grams and it’s just not worth the risk time and aggravation for me. Other than that everything else about it is good.
@@WeAllJuggleKnives With a little sap on it, it breaks the 6 oz one. They really need to skeletonize those liners, especially at this price and quality range.
Showing the Ontario Rat 1 Folder with a big steel upgrade to CPM-S35VN. Made in Taiwan for Ontario. - US Link, Rat 1 Red: s71.co/4aNuUnK
Nice to see that the RAT is still in production !!!!
I was always a steel snob. The older I get. The busier I get. The more I realize how much I like softer steels. They sharpen up so quickly. The super wear resistant steels are cool, but sometimes sharpening them becomes a huge chore 😂 I will say that CPM-S35VN is definitely one of favorite steels though. Holds a good edge and sharpens up fairly quick.
I just bought one today for the fantastic price of $85! 👍💥⚔️
Still using my original Rat 1 in AUS-8 & Rat 2 in D2. Love them both! Nice to see them continuing this design. Thanks for another great review!
The Rat series folders are the best good quality knife for the money. Good for them. At that price it should be very competitive with fancier knives. They are bulletproof.
Great review, as always. I use Ontario Knives at my work bench for cutters and choppers (I have a couple of wooden handle full tang jobs. One's a Bowie knife. I use the heck out of them).
Rat 1 is an awesome design & knife, i had one for years , gifted it ...need another one lol
The Rat 1 Aus 8 was my first folder! I will try to get one of the s35vn ones. Thanks Is
That an awesome folder. I would love to have one in my rotation.
I picked one of these up when they first dropped last year. I have several of both the Rat 1 and 2's with various mods, and this is a welcome upgrade. I'd like to see other colors, and also a Rat 2 with the upgrades would also be nice.
Glad you got one, I concur, this was a must-have for me.
They just released the same upgrade for the smaller Rat 2 (also red G10 scales & S35VN).
Very cool! I really like the RAT1, need to pick up this upgraded version. Have a great weekend, buddy!
Thanks, bro!
My go to on every outdoor activity, 10+ years. OG aus 8... looking like time for an upgrade!😂
For sure, I have the old one from way back in the day too, so this was a must-have for me.
Beautiful iconic folder now with premium steel 👍😉!
I have this one on my list but I'm hesitant because OKC D2 sucks it's way too soft even the AUS-8 outperforms it. That's why I'm waiting for more reviews on this knife.
There is no more Ontario bro. Very good buy. I finally used mine (in aus 8) on a long camping trip, that knife bites deep.
The rat as always be a 🏆 in the Great outdoors.most knife people will have one or get one .yes .
I bit the bullet and bought this knife. I should get it this week sometime. I’ve had my eye on it since it came out. Mine cost me $160 (Australian dollars) but I think it’s worth it. We get shafted on knife prices.😂
Love that knife awesome review brother.
I have a d2 rat 1, I must have this! 😉
A good way to let us know that Ontario Knives are still here.
I'd like the Esee Avispa in this steel. It's a frame lock rat 1.
And superior in every way. Liner locks suck
@@SwampOperator I mainly agree, though there is a slight caviat with frame locks though, they are often thinner in the grip. For outdoor use, the Rat 1 has a more substantial grip. For EDC, frame lock all the way. Flat smooth metal side for ez extraction from the pocket. 😁
They done it alright. They also raised the price significantly.
Great value and quality . Cheers
I can't believe they did it!
At first, I did not believe they would do it. And then, they did it :D
Would be nice if Ontario went to the trouble to upgrade the steel they could of improved the knife too with making a deep carry pocket clip and a cross lock
Never had s35vn before i got a bestech swordfish last year. Kind of a bitch to sharpen until i got diamond stone but i love the edge retention.
I love the RAT 1 design. I just upgraded to the d2 steel after 10 years with the original
A true classic for sure!
I have one of these knives. The liner-lock does not secure the blade in place. In the event that the spine of the knife blade gets smacked, the blade will fold. God forbid your fingers are wrapped around the handle holding it when that happens.
5.2 oz. I guess they still haven’t milled the liners.
Cool...I thought OKC closed their doors???
Their NY factory did shut down, but their folders were always made in Taiwan.
I love it.
Glad you like!
Didn`t okc shut down July 27 2023?
Their US factory closed, but not the company in Taiwan that makes the folders.
@@WeAllJuggleKnives ahh i see thanks for clarifying
Nice.
Can you test the speed of opening with a chronograph?!🤪
I am far too fast to be measured, need NASA help.
Ontario should have brought this out sooner. Keep your eyes open for the red RAT-2. They are showing up at numerous vendors.
Interesting! Looks like BladeHQ has them in now.
@WeAllJuggleKnives Knife Center too.
You're gonna need a bigger boat!
I thought OKC was going out of business.
Their US factory did close, but they did not go out of business, they got sold to new owners.
Just in time for the Grand Closing.😬
Love the rat models and all mine are aus8 steel and i dont think its worth the money buing the new steel ,aus8 with the right hardening is enough in my world
Yeah, it is not strictly necessary. What happens is that the factory gets in these new steels and basically offers it to the brand as an option and the brands just sign off on it to keep up with other brands doing it.
So what's going on I thought they went out of business
They closed their US factory and were sold to new owners, but the folders that are made in Taiwan are still around, thankfully! They might be re-opening fixed blade production on a limited basis.
@@WeAllJuggleKnives thanks bro...
If only Ontario hadn't just gone out of business.
Lol wut
Good news - the new buyers of the company are apparently going to continue with their American factory but with a somewhat reduced catalogue and the folders will still be available as they are produced overseas.
If they did this years ago, I might have been interested, unfortunately they missed the boat, too little too late. It’s completely lost its allure, not that I believe all of the hype in the first place. I can see why Ontario knife company was losing money, the new owners aren’t helping much by the look of things. I guess they’re trying.
Did you mean there are other optionIt sos these days? I got a Bestech Swordfish in the same steel, recently, you might like that one better, it is a bit longer than this knife.
I thought Ontario went out of business
They got sold. Their factory in the US was closed for a while, but the Taiwan knives are still being made.
Ontario knives went out of business and i think white river bought the name ETC.
I think their folders will stay in production in Taiwan, so luckily we can still get them from the new owners.
The folders will still be made and from what I have seen/heard - white river is going to keep production going at the American shop but with some of their less popular models being discontinued. The folders will still be available except for some of those titanium framelock abominations
Love the knife, but no way I’m paying $105 for a RAT knife…no matter the steel
109 bucks they coulda put a crossbar lock on it. Ive owned 6 rat 1s, all would fail the slightest spine tap after a month
But now you can own one that will fail with a better steel. :D
I use mine often. I've never had one fail.
@@WeAllJuggleKnives 😭😭
@@sopwithcamelus alot of folks seem to have good luck with em. I haven't though. That Chinese company ganzo makes a copy with an axis lock.. I wish Ontario would put out a legit rat1 with axis style lock
i dont claim to be a steel expert or anything but the amount of alphabet steel with various numbers and letters im just wondering when we're getting duped by chynuh like oh you thought this was premium but it pot metal lol "cerakoted". its hard to keep up with all these different steels lmao
Magnacut seems like the hot new steel of the moment, it seems like they got a big shipment of it in The East, so you're going to see a lot of new knives that are Magnacut.
Another fking “Liner lock!” Put a real lock in the thing!
I think the Tri-Ad Lock is still patent protected though.
No thanks. I don’t want a folding knife without a back spacer. Even a plastic back spacer would have been acceptable. I don’t want my blade edge being damaged by other things in my pocket or bag/pack etc… leaving a spacer out only reduces weight by a few grams and it’s just not worth the risk time and aggravation for me.
Other than that everything else about it is good.
Its private joker😂
He's got guts and guts is enough.
Please, god, no!
😂😂😂
They did it. And the world was not prepared.
... at the same ridiculous weight. No thanks.
yes it does break the 4 oz rule.
@@WeAllJuggleKnives With a little sap on it, it breaks the 6 oz one. They really need to skeletonize those liners, especially at this price and quality range.
Liner Lock ? No thanks; same price as Recon 1 which has a much better Triad lock.
I hear you, but remember they don't sell this as a fighting folder.