You guys made my day. I love the RAT 1. Was my EDC for almost two years a while ago and now it's my car knife. I actually requested this video a while ago on the comments, but I don't know if you saw it. Anyways, thank you for the video!
@@CrimeVidnot much money. If you get the regular ones with AUS8 steel then they’re about $35-40 and the D2 steel version are about $10 more. Pretty good deal I’ve had my AUS8 rat 1 for almost 10 years now and it’s still got smooth action just like the day I got it and no rust on the steel. That’s including using it as edc and to skin deer/quarter out deer meat a few times. I can easily get it to sharper than factory edge with just simple whetstone and leather strop.
I love my Buck Bantam. I have used it for years to the point of having to sharpen it a few times. I think anyone who likes to buy USA made gear should consider it for a cheap folding knife to throw in a bugout bag, or in a glove compartment in your car or truck, but I think Buck would be smart to redesign it just a little and add a reversible tip up pocket clip. 4 way pocket clip would be even better. If they could do that, it would be the best modern American pocket knife under $50
it’s an ok knife but the steel is kinda bad for the price and it’s not a very strong knife. plus the entire thing is pinned you can’t take it apart to clean.
This is actually a very important and over looked point. Many of the "hard use" knives I see nowadays only have two bolts holding it together while everything else is slotted to stay in place. Those two bolts have alot more stress on them and if they fail so does everything else. I don't value JoeX's reviews very much but his testing does show glaring weaknesses under extreme circumstances. One such was on the elementum button lock. The lock its self was strong enough but what failed was the lack of support around the pivot, the liners bent around the single bolt that was the pivot and the backstop no longer functioned leading to an early failure.
@@jonathancupp3686 I agree in a sense that they're not as good but if you saw his test of the elementum and the cold steel ti-lite, the ti-lite does better even due to solid construction
@@Ajaxykins they are meant for two totally different purpose. You don’t need every knife to be bomb proof. Hell, my Case Sodbuster would be more than adequate for the needs of MOST people using a folding knife.
The thing that first drew me to the RAT 1 and the reason I have several (although I don't EDC a Rat 1 currently but will likely gravitate back, eventually) is it's specific blade shape and dimensions. One of my favorite pocketknife blade shapes/designs ever is the Case Sodbuster and blade shape (not the handle) of the RAT 1 really reminds me of it but takes that blade shape and puts it in a knife with a locking blade, pocket clip and thumb studs for about the same price. I am digging the size/shape/look of the SOG but not the blade steel. If they offered it in D2 or even SK5 it would be difficult to resist.
My Dad gave me a Rat 1 and I loved it carried it for 3, or 4 years before I left it behind after a failed camping trip lol. I've had a couple knives since then but nothing has come close. Seeing this I think Im just gonna get a new Rat & call it good.
There actually was a large version discontinued over 10 years ago. I was too late into the knife game to get one, but it looked like the actual best knife design for a folder
love my rat 1's i have about 5. i have 1 rat ll. been carrying a rat1 edc for 4 years now. no d2 steel for me. they are all aus8. every time i think about upgrading to a more expensive knife i get a deal on a rat 1 for around $28. i may step up and get the civivi conspirator bc it is a cool looking knife but 3 times the price.
I took my mother to my brother's house for Thanksgiving one year. He had no sharp knives. I gave my Mom my RAT1 and we did all the prep using the one knife.
I have currently edc'd a rat(1or2) for a good 5 years. I think it's a great starter edc knife as well a good one to learn to work on and sharpen(Aus8) knives too.
The rat 1 is damn near perfect for what it is, i own the avispa, the bantam, the tenacious, the honey badger, and the rat 1 totally dominates them.....i would have loved if the rat had a premium steel option, and maybe handle options that were more like the becker.....overall the rat is hard to beat.
@jclaxton78 the buck doesn't have good action and the handles feel cheap, the honey badger has great action but cheap handles, the avispa has bad ergos, the tenacious feels more light duty, the rat1 has d2 steel,good ergos, great action and overall is the best value in my opinion.
Check out the Large model Voyager from Cold Steel - there are a few different blade styles to choose from, and some of them have a serrated blade option.
This was dad's first knife to me when I was maybe 11. I've always been curious about the markings on it because it isn't the same as other Ontario RATs, but the shape and action are spot on. It's got a triangle on the belt clip and blade. The one on the blade has "Randall's Adventure Training" in the triangle with "Ontario Knife Co. RAT Knives" and Model 1 AUS-8 on the front. And "First Production Run" on the other side of the blade. Never knew people loved it so much.
DCA, can’t wait for the measure once, cut twice. The blade shape on the Benchmade Freek is a dead ringer for a premium version of the RAT. You’re welcome. But seriously, thanks for killing it every week.
I have the RAT 1, the Tenacious and the Honey Badger large amongst many, many others. I'd like to get the Cutjack and the Tellus some day and this video has me considering the double-safe Hunter. I carry the Honey Badger much more often than any of the others. I find it very fidgety and the blade is easy to deploy using any method.
I bought a cutjack as a Christmas present for my brother-in-law…blade was not centered and action was stiff. Had to send back twice…3rd one was ok but I wouldn’t recommend them. I have several honey badgers…they’re decent for the price.
Buck 110 / 112 Slim Select.. I like the blade on the ESEE but the Handle of the RAT 1. I was looking at the different parts of the two and considered switching the blades out for one another.
The RAT I is also available with a semi-serrated blade as well as the handle scales come in several colors. I LOVE my plain-edge RAT I. I also LOVE my Spyderco Tenacious for different reasons. Hard to beat either one!
Other than kitchen/butcher knives I'd never owned an Ontario product, until a little over a month ago. Dave at ReallyBigMonkey1 recommended a SP53 or Kukri Machete from Ontario. I bought the SP53 and was impressed as I'd broken a competitor's machete and was looking for a serious tool. Then I found out about Ontario closing their doors so I bought the Kukri Machete (another great tool) and saw the Rat models were getting scarce, so I bought a D2 version of the 1 & 2. They are impressive and not just for the price, they are fine companion tools. Which set me on a path of buying all the lifetime tools I would need to carry me through. Let's keep these companies in business, buy em up like Lay's potato chips.
I have the Rat 1 and 2 in d2 and a rat 1 in s35vn all great knifes I have a Buck bantam and carried it for 8 plus years before really getting into the knife collecting it’s a hard choice between the rat1 and the Buck bantam. I would go with the Rat1
Great reviews & excellent comparison mate. Been using the KaBar & Honey Badger for decades, standard EDC but performs very well in bushland. We feel it's on par with the Rat. Long live Ontario.! Out of sight but never out of mind. Cheers DCA & Thomas from Australia.
I am a housepainter .I've been using my Rat 1 to open paint cans and as an emergency scraper and hammer for 4 or 5 years. Still in excellent shape. Aus 8 version.
The Rat 1 is perfection. I’m talking size and shape. Obviously you could have better materials but the D2 version is no slouch. They hit a home run with this knife.
I went last year to purchase an Ontario Rat-1 and I ended up with Ganzo D727M-GR from that big online catalog site, Axxzcc. I am not a fan of the ball bearing on the pivot of the Ganzo, but the steel quality of the D2 has impressed me with the edge retention being on par with my Spyderco Manix 2 when breaking down boxes and other packaging. The "finger safe" cross bar lock is very nice and the handle feels good in the hand without any hotspots. The Ganzo definitely outperforms my Buck 110 Slim which I keep for my rough use outdoor knife. Eventually, the Ganzo will be in the outdoor beater knife role, but for now, I am enjoying it in the house with my weekly breaking down of packaging for trash/recycling.
I have the same Ganzo and it truly is an awesome knife in more ways than one, especially for the price. But I don’t see it withstanding the abuse that a rat 1 can endure.
My daily EDC blue collar work pocket knife is the Esee Avispa. I beat mine and treat it like a real work knife ought be treated. I love it. I've never had any discomfort-in-hand issues that some say might be an issue with the thinner handle.
14 years on a rat 1 aus8.....edc daily in pest control home camping and fishing , used so much it has a natural convex from hand sharpening ....need to thin the edge back but still awesome
A very nice feature of the Rat 1 that you left out is the fact that it has a spine that will do a great job of scraping down your fatwood, and will strike a ferro rod really well.
I know your a sales guy but damn you do indepth research in your videos. Unlike most creates you get down to the core of the topic with very useful information. I'd say your in top 10 of all community creators
440c has gotten a bad rap. It is rated among the best ingot stainless steels out there, yet people seem to disregard it. Somehow 154cm is widely respected though even though 440c should get you identical toughness and edge retention and even better corrosion resistance than 154cm
I agree. I think being so widely available, led to a higher likelihood of running into bad heat treats and turning people off. Kind of already seeing that with M390. Plus most people assume exclusivity = better quality.
I love the grip on that CJRB Taiga. It’s unreal. Great knife, I just wish it had a thumb stud and the clip is a bit tight for a thick pocket hem. I bent a kink in mine to make a little clearance.
I own the smaller Rat 2 in blaze orange for cutting out in the woods. I have taken the bark off of many trees and have not had to sharpen it yet. A very good cheap knife.
Have both the byrd cara cara 2 and rat1, and god i love the byrd. Easy to spydie flick, better ergos, and i prefer the slim handle. Dissapears in the pocket easier than a pm2.
The ontario knife is ok as a first knife for a kid or for the boy scouts or something. But after that there are thousands of better and cooler alternatives. Most of them are more expensive though.
We have Rat-1s in AUS8 and D2 (get the Taiwan made, not China made). After discussing the pros and cons of liner locks with a friend, I bought a Ganzo D727M-GR in D2 for $26.95 on the A***** site, because it has a cross bolt lock. Turns out it is well made, and after retraining myself a bit, the cross bolt lock probably is safer. While I don’t endorse them, some knockoffs are pretty good.
I was disappointed with the Ganzo 727. It could have been a fantastic alternative except for two design failures. (1) Jimping is rounded off so it provides no grip. (2) The curved front of the handle is reduced in size so the back corner of the blade is proud of the handle when folded closed. Why Ganzo? Why? However, the Ganzo 720 is a fantastic re-interpretation of the Lionsteel SR1 with a cross bar lock. It's a big, beefy, bruiser.
I don’t have the problem of the blade being proud of the handle. Manufacturing variations? But I agree about the jimping being a bit rounded. And overall, it’s a tiny bit smaller than the RAT-1. I’ll have to check out that Ganzo 720. Thanks. @@grepora
LOL! I suppose. Let’s say I don’t endorse the concept, but… imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.🙄 Most knockoffs are crap, but a few imitations are fairly well done. Heck, we could say 1960’s Toyotas were imitations, but after a few decades they became better cars than most. @@davidgarrett5671
There are a lot of great knifes with the same price tag or even less, with the same materials, same build quality, ergo etc. But none of them can beat the Icon! Because RAT-1 is freakin Icon! )) One of the most recognizable knife on the market (i'm not saying the best choice for everyone)
I’ve never even handled a Rat. AUS8 and D2 are not steels I’m interested in. If they made one out of 14C28N or better, I’d be interested in trying one.
Hey DCA, you bumped up the price to 50 on a couple comparisons. I think you should have included the Gerber Gator. They have one around 50. Then they also have the 58 dollar one with 154CM.
Love the Rat 1. I own 50+ folders but still grab the Rat more than others. I hope it survives the ownership etc. Could be a bit more grippy. Could have a slightly bigger lanyard hole ( to more easily accept paracord)
Excellent video! I would have to say that the BK40 comes the closest out of the knives you showed today. All of them are excellent alternatives, but I think of these the BK40 will be one I get to see for myself. I am going to throw a curve ball (maybe) and suggest that the CRKT Pilar 3 would make a decent competitor. I know it’s shorter, but from my experience it is a workhorse. I’m partial to the liner lock on the Rat 1 vs the frame lock on the Pilar, but I would choose either one of them to go to work. Just a thought. Thanks for the great video!
Byrd knives are the most slept on knives ever.... they are Lazer beam slicers.. I hate hearing people say "but it's only 8cr" the don't understand that "geometry cuts" and the cara cara 2 and harrier 2 have Lazer beam cutting geometry.
DCA, I hope you know how much weight your opinion carries in the knife world. The amicus is all set to be the new "it" knife, based solely on your endorsement! I can't wait to pick one up for myself.
Hi David, You mentioned Rat 1 is King! What are the Kings in other folding pocket knife categories? For example, the King of Carry may be the Spyderco Paramilitary 3 lightweight. I believe that is your carry. Tactical, Lightweight, Outdoor, etc.
The Becker BK 40 is close. Price wise probably not at all. Sadly we didn't get many of the S35VN versions 😢 I chopped down a 2 inch diameter tree out of necessity with a Rat 1. I'd say it's a tough guy.
I love my 2 Ontario Rats. Full size and a mini. Only change I would like to see is VG10 blade material. Gotta be careful if you own a bunch of knives and live in a humid environment. D3 will rust/spot if you leave it in a drawer for a while.
I own many other premium knives with super steels but I still sometimes carry my nearly 10 years old Rat 1. It’s simple and easy to maintain plus I don’t have to worry about losing it since it’s inexpensive and I have another one brand new in the box.
I had to check before I said Ganzo, and sure enough it has been mentioned...Ganzo G729 will give the rat a run for the money 😊. Anyhow I love the Rat 2 too...
The besttechman ronin is similar but better in all aspects except price..we need more options of durable stainless with a fat handle and finger safe operation ..for hard use I want a handle like the bk40 but a blade like the rat in 14c
Really wanted to like the Rat 2 but my first experience was my last. My sample (from Amazon) had the blade tip sticking out past the liners and scales when closed. I carry tip up and near sliced my hand open going in my pocket. Had to send it back and never tried again.
I've owned many knives over the years, and the plain satin Rat folders are generally pretty good at their price points and are still viable choices in a day and age of Chinese makers like Civivi and Kizer taking up a considerable share of the modern EDC market. However, I would strongly recommend avoiding the coated models of the Rat folders, I've never experienced any issues with the satin models, but on the coated models I repeatedly experienced severe quality control issues such as torn teflon washers and the locking bar failing to engage. If you need something simple to clean and maintain it might be up your alley, but the same can be said for many of the alternatives shown here like the Buck Bantam.
What a standard this knife set I hope it stays in production. I currently have a rat 1 I've carried for 6 years now been through hell and back with this knife definitely want to get more I own 2 more and want a s35vn one.
Double Safe Hunter: Actually gives the RAT a run for its money Code 4: too thin in the handle and too expensive American Lawman: too expensive, but I like this as an upgrade option, although when talking RAT-1, you can't get away from the insane value they offer, which is why I didn't go into any premium alternatives in this vid. -DCA
This is the first time that I can remember you having a table full of losers. I have some knives that I like more than my right one (I almost corrected this voice to text error , but having thought about it I decided to let it stand. RAT 1 is what it should have been.)in D2, but nothing beats that knife. When I heard that OKC was sold, I immediately spent some more money at your website and got another one
Hi David, What is the best pocket knife, with handle thickness comfort to lightweight ratio? The Rat I one and the Kabar Becker Folder does a pretty good job. At least a 3 to 6.5 inch blade length, please.
It's a shame Gerber no longer makes the Harsey Air Ranger II. That was a great knife, Made in Taiwan from AUS8, solid aluminum scales, and even a secondary blade lock that prevents the primary liner lock from opening while in use. Also, because it's a Bill Harsey design, it's substantially similar to the current production but much more expensive Harsey knives from Spartan.
The RAT 1 is not just out of production, OKC is going out of business. Too bad, been carrying a RAT 1 for quite a few years. The blade design is about perfect. The price was great. I own Benchmade and Spyderco knives, but I carry the RAT 1. Left it at my mothers house last week, so I'm carrying a Griptilian for now.
I’m a fan of them because for such a cheap ass price, you’re getting a quality solid built knife. However my only issue is the heavy metal handles. It’s heavier than some of my fixed blades with a sheath with the same size
The last one was 440C with a cryo which is always helpful, but how good was the heat treat? The fact that they did a cryo treatment makes me think they didn't cheap out on the heat treat. It will be in the middle of the pack on the CATRA cutting test between 425-455 abrasive paper cards cut. D2 runs between 486 to 499 at HRC60with the 440C running between RC 57 & 60 for comparison. Back when 440C was in its heyday it gained a bad rep from a lot of poor heat treat running the ovens low to save on electricity. That's my biggest complaint about 14C28N, it is heat treated softer than it should be and don't give its .11% nitrogen too much credit, but still at RC62 it cut 405 cards, not bad for a medium low carbon content (0.63%) knife steel, but only Civivi HT it to 60-62, but they've stopped and now run 58-60 on its hardness. Cuts almost 100 cards less at RC58 hard versus 62 which is 20% harder according to the Bessemer Rockwell chart. The Rockwell C scale is slightly exponential, 50 to 51 is 4% where 60 to 61 is 5%, but 60 to 62 is 10.3% harder. Nitro-V is essentially 14C28N with a tad bit more carbon, but it has a _useless_ .08% amount of vanadium just so they can put the V in the name, but I see Nitro-V knives selling for more than 14C28N and it's because they typically heat treat it harder so it holds an edge better and these steels based off AEB-L even at RC62-63 are still pretty tough although it does start dropping fast after RC63. If an expensive Nitro-V knife is just running on the name and doesn't get their heat treat right people won't buy that brand. I won't buy it anyway, because it's often too expensive for what it is, a budget steel. My budget steel is D2 because it still holds an edge well even at RC57 where other budget steels don't. I don't care if it might rust, I live in a desert.🤣
Love this. A felt the panic once I heard the news. I will add the Cutjack’s liner lock doesn’t have the strength that the Rat1’s does. I’m typically not a fan of liner lock but Rat1 has to be one of the stronger ones I’ve come across
Loved this segment fellas! The Rat1 is such a fantastic knife for the price, In fact youve remi ded me to buy myself a new R2D2(handed mine off to a buddy on a job and ended up just letting him keep it he liked it so much). Appreciate what you guys are doing, keep it up and I'll keep turning up ;)
Great episode DCA! I have owned and sold almost all of the knives you reviewed in this episode. Just recently started my own youtube channel, thanks for all the great content, it's really helped me get started!
I still would choose the RAT out of all those
You guys made my day. I love the RAT 1. Was my EDC for almost two years a while ago and now it's my car knife. I actually requested this video a while ago on the comments, but I don't know if you saw it. Anyways, thank you for the video!
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Wait.....they make car knives?
How much is an Ontario rat compared with it’s competition ?
@@CrimeVidnot much money. If you get the regular ones with AUS8 steel then they’re about $35-40 and the D2 steel version are about $10 more. Pretty good deal I’ve had my AUS8 rat 1 for almost 10 years now and it’s still got smooth action just like the day I got it and no rust on the steel. That’s including using it as edc and to skin deer/quarter out deer meat a few times. I can easily get it to sharper than factory edge with just simple whetstone and leather strop.
It has been my EDC for 8 years or so, I am a knife nut, it has been great!! I have the Au8, takes a good edge, easy to sharpen....
I love my Buck Bantam. I have used it for years to the point of having to sharpen it a few times. I think anyone who likes to buy USA made gear should consider it for a cheap folding knife to throw in a bugout bag, or in a glove compartment in your car or truck, but I think Buck would be smart to redesign it just a little and add a reversible tip up pocket clip. 4 way pocket clip would be even better. If they could do that, it would be the best modern American pocket knife under $50
The Buck Bantam is an incredible knife for the money!
it’s an ok knife but the steel is kinda bad for the price and it’s not a very strong knife. plus the entire thing is pinned you can’t take it apart to clean.
Nobody ever mentions how many bolts the RAT1 has. 5 bolts, makes it very strong.
This is actually a very important and over looked point. Many of the "hard use" knives I see nowadays only have two bolts holding it together while everything else is slotted to stay in place. Those two bolts have alot more stress on them and if they fail so does everything else.
I don't value JoeX's reviews very much but his testing does show glaring weaknesses under extreme circumstances. One such was on the elementum button lock. The lock its self was strong enough but what failed was the lack of support around the pivot, the liners bent around the single bolt that was the pivot and the backstop no longer functioned leading to an early failure.
@@Ajaxykins imo, liner locks are not adequate. They are one of the weakest locks and they wear more easily than many other locks.
@@jonathancupp3686
I agree in a sense that they're not as good but if you saw his test of the elementum and the cold steel ti-lite, the ti-lite does better even due to solid construction
@@Ajaxykins they are meant for two totally different purpose. You don’t need every knife to be bomb proof.
Hell, my Case Sodbuster would be more than adequate for the needs of MOST people using a folding knife.
RAT is GOAT. Glad to see this series!
Love the Rat line, gave one to all my buddies when they didnt have a knife they cherish it like its a sebenza😆😆😆😆
The thing that first drew me to the RAT 1 and the reason I have several (although I don't EDC a Rat 1 currently but will likely gravitate back, eventually) is it's specific blade shape and dimensions. One of my favorite pocketknife blade shapes/designs ever is the Case Sodbuster and blade shape (not the handle) of the RAT 1 really reminds me of it but takes that blade shape and puts it in a knife with a locking blade, pocket clip and thumb studs for about the same price.
I am digging the size/shape/look of the SOG but not the blade steel. If they offered it in D2 or even SK5 it would be difficult to resist.
My Dad gave me a Rat 1 and I loved it carried it for 3, or 4 years before I left it behind after a failed camping trip lol. I've had a couple knives since then but nothing has come close. Seeing this I think Im just gonna get a new Rat & call it good.
I have always wanted to see a Ka-Bar Dozier XL... that could be a great Rat 1 alternative.
I also wish they would put some washers in there to make it easier to open
@@FightingTemplarand in AUS 10A
There actually was a large version discontinued over 10 years ago. I was too late into the knife game to get one, but it looked like the actual best knife design for a folder
Ridiculous that the kabar dozier in either aus8 or d2 was not included. Superb value.
love my rat 1's i have about 5. i have 1 rat ll. been carrying a rat1 edc for 4 years now. no d2 steel for me. they are all aus8. every time i think about upgrading to a more expensive knife i get a deal on a rat 1 for around $28. i may step up and get the civivi conspirator bc it is a cool looking knife but 3 times the price.
I took my mother to my brother's house for Thanksgiving one year. He had no sharp knives. I gave my Mom my RAT1 and we did all the prep using the one knife.
I have currently edc'd a rat(1or2) for a good 5 years. I think it's a great starter edc knife as well a good one to learn to work on and sharpen(Aus8) knives too.
Love this style of show!
The rat 1 is damn near perfect for what it is, i own the avispa, the bantam, the tenacious, the honey badger, and the rat 1 totally dominates them.....i would have loved if the rat had a premium steel option, and maybe handle options that were more like the becker.....overall the rat is hard to beat.
can you explain why the rat is better in your opinion?
@jclaxton78 the buck doesn't have good action and the handles feel cheap, the honey badger has great action but cheap handles, the avispa has bad ergos, the tenacious feels more light duty, the rat1 has d2 steel,good ergos, great action and overall is the best value in my opinion.
They have a s35vn now with micarta red or green scales.
S35VN is the one I own
I have the Rat 1 and 2. Great knives. For the quality and price, they are hard to beat.
Check out the Large model Voyager from Cold Steel - there are a few different blade styles to choose from, and some of them have a serrated blade option.
This was dad's first knife to me when I was maybe 11. I've always been curious about the markings on it because it isn't the same as other Ontario RATs, but the shape and action are spot on.
It's got a triangle on the belt clip and blade. The one on the blade has "Randall's Adventure Training" in the triangle with "Ontario Knife Co. RAT Knives" and Model 1 AUS-8 on the front. And "First Production Run" on the other side of the blade.
Never knew people loved it so much.
DCA, can’t wait for the measure once, cut twice. The blade shape on the Benchmade Freek is a dead ringer for a premium version of the RAT. You’re welcome. But seriously, thanks for killing it every week.
I have the RAT 1, the Tenacious and the Honey Badger large amongst many, many others. I'd like to get the Cutjack and the Tellus some day and this video has me considering the double-safe Hunter. I carry the Honey Badger much more often than any of the others. I find it very fidgety and the blade is easy to deploy using any method.
I bought a cutjack as a Christmas present for my brother-in-law…blade was not centered and action was stiff. Had to send back twice…3rd one was ok but I wouldn’t recommend them. I have several honey badgers…they’re decent for the price.
Buck 110 / 112 Slim Select..
I like the blade on the ESEE but the Handle of the RAT 1. I was looking at the different parts of the two and considered switching the blades out for one another.
The RAT I is also available with a semi-serrated blade as well as the handle scales come in several colors.
I LOVE my plain-edge RAT I. I also LOVE my Spyderco Tenacious for different reasons. Hard to beat either one!
Other than kitchen/butcher knives I'd never owned an Ontario product, until a little over a month ago. Dave at ReallyBigMonkey1 recommended a SP53 or Kukri Machete from Ontario. I bought the SP53 and was impressed as I'd broken a competitor's machete and was looking for a serious tool. Then I found out about Ontario closing their doors so I bought the Kukri Machete (another great tool) and saw the Rat models were getting scarce, so I bought a D2 version of the 1 & 2. They are impressive and not just for the price, they are fine companion tools.
Which set me on a path of buying all the lifetime tools I would need to carry me through.
Let's keep these companies in business, buy em up like Lay's potato chips.
Rat2 has been my go to for the last couple years. Absolutely love it.
I have the Rat 1 and 2 in d2 and a rat 1 in s35vn all great knifes I have a Buck bantam and carried it for 8 plus years before really getting into the knife collecting it’s a hard choice between the rat1 and the Buck bantam. I would go with the Rat1
Great reviews & excellent comparison mate. Been using the KaBar & Honey Badger for decades, standard EDC but performs very well in bushland. We feel it's on par with the Rat. Long live Ontario.! Out of sight but never out of mind. Cheers DCA & Thomas from Australia.
Honey Badger for decades? Didn't they only start this brand 2014-15???
which KaBar?
@@happyknife8785 combination of both.
@@PLBW81 Selkirk
Got my first rat in like.. 2006ish. Had one ever since. Loved the ergos so much bought 5 more so I'd never be without one!
I am a housepainter .I've been using my Rat 1 to open paint cans and as an emergency scraper and hammer for 4 or 5 years. Still in excellent shape. Aus 8 version.
The Rat 1 is perfection. I’m talking size and shape. Obviously you could have better materials but the D2 version is no slouch. They hit a home run with this knife.
There was a very short run of S35VN this year before closing the company. Unfortunately I didn't get one.
@@The4cp
I got lucky and got one so far worth the extra cost.
@@The4cp me either. Too bad they had to sell. Here’s hoping the next company doesn’t destroy it.
@@The4cpbased on Blue Ridges history and their current IG marketing on the OKC page I'd expect them to keep the red rat in production
@@The4cpbased on Blue Ridges history and their current IG marketing on the OKC page I'd expect them to keep the red rat in production
I went last year to purchase an Ontario Rat-1 and I ended up with Ganzo D727M-GR from that big online catalog site, Axxzcc. I am not a fan of the ball bearing on the pivot of the Ganzo, but the steel quality of the D2 has impressed me with the edge retention being on par with my Spyderco Manix 2 when breaking down boxes and other packaging. The "finger safe" cross bar lock is very nice and the handle feels good in the hand without any hotspots. The Ganzo definitely outperforms my Buck 110 Slim which I keep for my rough use outdoor knife. Eventually, the Ganzo will be in the outdoor beater knife role, but for now, I am enjoying it in the house with my weekly breaking down of packaging for trash/recycling.
I have the same Ganzo and it truly is an awesome knife in more ways than one, especially for the price. But I don’t see it withstanding the abuse that a rat 1 can endure.
One of the Petrified Fish knives belong in that lineup as well.
I carry a blaze orange 24/7. I also have desert tan and grey models tucked away, brand new.
My daily EDC blue collar work pocket knife is the Esee Avispa. I beat mine and treat it like a real work knife ought be treated. I love it. I've never had any discomfort-in-hand issues that some say might be an issue with the thinner handle.
Rat 1 for work, Cold steel code 4 for home, now i will have to pick up a BK40 \m/
BK40 in 14c28n? Sounds like a perfect KC exclusive! Add micarta scales and I'll buy it for twice the price!
14 years on a rat 1 aus8.....edc daily in pest control home camping and fishing , used so much it has a natural convex from hand sharpening ....need to thin the edge back but still awesome
A very nice feature of the Rat 1 that you left out is the fact that it has a spine that will do a great job of scraping down your fatwood, and will strike a ferro rod really well.
Gave my Rat 1 to my son AUS 8 version. Good working knife. Always wanted a Honey Badger. Good video David. Thanks
Bestech Paladin, RealSteel SeaEagle & a few Ruike's (121, 852...). But the winner, from those knives on your table, must be the CJRB!
After 7 years o carrying Rat-1 and thinking to replace it I've decided to carry it another 7 years. Just love it to much.
Where is the K-Bar Dozier??
I know your a sales guy but damn you do indepth research in your videos. Unlike most creates you get down to the core of the topic with very useful information. I'd say your in top 10 of all community creators
440c has gotten a bad rap. It is rated among the best ingot stainless steels out there, yet people seem to disregard it. Somehow 154cm is widely respected though even though 440c should get you identical toughness and edge retention and even better corrosion resistance than 154cm
I agree. I think being so widely available, led to a higher likelihood of running into bad heat treats and turning people off. Kind of already seeing that with M390. Plus most people assume exclusivity = better quality.
I love the grip on that CJRB Taiga. It’s unreal. Great knife, I just wish it had a thumb stud and the clip is a bit tight for a thick pocket hem. I bent a kink in mine to make a little clearance.
I own the smaller Rat 2 in blaze orange for cutting out in the woods. I have taken the bark off of many trees and have not had to sharpen it yet. A very good cheap knife.
Have both the byrd cara cara 2 and rat1, and god i love the byrd. Easy to spydie flick, better ergos, and i prefer the slim handle. Dissapears in the pocket easier than a pm2.
I removed the thumb studs. Hanging up on the pocket. Modified with a dremel. Perfection level attained.👍
Ground a groove for opening.
Love the RAT 1 but probably the best head to head comparison would be the Civivi Praxis.
I think it's been discontinued which might be why DCA didn't reference it
@@nvalley Nope, in fact KC has 6-7 versions available.
The ontario knife is ok as a first knife for a kid or for the boy scouts or something. But after that there are thousands of better and cooler alternatives. Most of them are more expensive though.
I've owned the Rat1 since it was first released and never warmed up to it. Its claim to fame was its price point when it was released.
We have Rat-1s in AUS8 and D2 (get the Taiwan made, not China made). After discussing the pros and cons of liner locks with a friend, I bought a Ganzo D727M-GR in D2 for $26.95 on the A***** site, because it has a cross bolt lock. Turns out it is well made, and after retraining myself a bit, the cross bolt lock probably is safer. While I don’t endorse them, some knockoffs are pretty good.
I was disappointed with the Ganzo 727. It could have been a fantastic alternative except for two design failures. (1) Jimping is rounded off so it provides no grip. (2) The curved front of the handle is reduced in size so the back corner of the blade is proud of the handle when folded closed. Why Ganzo? Why?
However, the Ganzo 720 is a fantastic re-interpretation of the Lionsteel SR1 with a cross bar lock. It's a big, beefy, bruiser.
I don’t have the problem of the blade being proud of the handle. Manufacturing variations? But I agree about the jimping being a bit rounded. And overall, it’s a tiny bit smaller than the RAT-1. I’ll have to check out that Ganzo 720. Thanks. @@grepora
You just endorsed them.
LOL! I suppose. Let’s say I don’t endorse the concept, but… imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.🙄 Most knockoffs are crap, but a few imitations are fairly well done. Heck, we could say 1960’s Toyotas were imitations, but after a few decades they became better cars than most. @@davidgarrett5671
There are a lot of great knifes with the same price tag or even less, with the same materials, same build quality, ergo etc. But none of them can beat the Icon!
Because RAT-1 is freakin Icon! ))
One of the most recognizable knife on the market (i'm not saying the best choice for everyone)
I’ve never even handled a Rat. AUS8 and D2 are not steels I’m interested in. If they made one out of 14C28N or better, I’d be interested in trying one.
Totally agree with you. AUS8 and D2 are a couple of my least favorite steels. 14c28n on the other hand, I really like.
They make a S35VN model
Hey DCA, you bumped up the price to 50 on a couple comparisons. I think you should have included the Gerber Gator. They have one around 50. Then they also have the 58 dollar one with 154CM.
Agreed on the Gator. I expected to see it on the list. Great knife and has been for a long time.
Love the Rat 1. I own 50+ folders but still grab the Rat more than others. I hope it survives the ownership etc. Could be a bit more grippy. Could have a slightly bigger lanyard hole ( to more easily accept paracord)
Really a good show,I would buy any of these ,really nice variety Thanks
Excellent video! I would have to say that the BK40 comes the closest out of the knives you showed today. All of them are excellent alternatives, but I think of these the BK40 will be one I get to see for myself. I am going to throw a curve ball (maybe) and suggest that the CRKT Pilar 3 would make a decent competitor. I know it’s shorter, but from my experience it is a workhorse. I’m partial to the liner lock on the Rat 1 vs the frame lock on the Pilar, but I would choose either one of them to go to work. Just a thought. Thanks for the great video!
Pay the extra money and go with a crossbar lock. Kershaw Iridium is my choice at $65.
Byrd knives are the most slept on knives ever.... they are Lazer beam slicers.. I hate hearing people say "but it's only 8cr" the don't understand that "geometry cuts" and the cara cara 2 and harrier 2 have Lazer beam cutting geometry.
Agreed, the byrds are almost criminally underrated these days. -DCA
I own a double bladed Byrd knife I absolutely love & seems to be a rarity. 1 plain edge , 1 serrated. Its a work horse.
I worked on the OKC hydraulics in Franklinville, NY for years. What a great old place.
That cjrb is better in every way except the ball bering pivot. And some may say that is an upgrade over washers. Buy that one instead
Most comfortable in the Harambe grip
DCA, I hope you know how much weight your opinion carries in the knife world. The amicus is all set to be the new "it" knife, based solely on your endorsement! I can't wait to pick one up for myself.
Cold Steel Hunter I'd like to check. I got KA-BAR 40 and it's really cool.
Needs more fixed blades.
Hi David,
You mentioned Rat 1 is King! What are the Kings in other folding pocket knife categories? For example, the King of Carry may be the Spyderco Paramilitary 3 lightweight. I believe that is your carry. Tactical, Lightweight, Outdoor, etc.
The Becker BK 40 is close. Price wise probably not at all. Sadly we didn't get many of the S35VN versions 😢 I chopped down a 2 inch diameter tree out of necessity with a Rat 1. I'd say it's a tough guy.
I love my 2 Ontario Rats. Full size and a mini. Only change I would like to see is VG10 blade material. Gotta be careful if you own a bunch of knives and live in a humid environment. D3 will rust/spot if you leave it in a drawer for a while.
I love my Rat 1, ad 2. There are some nice knives here, but I wouldn't trade my Rats for any of them.
I own many other premium knives with super steels but I still sometimes carry my nearly 10 years old Rat 1. It’s simple and easy to maintain plus I don’t have to worry about losing it since it’s inexpensive and I have another one brand new in the box.
How can you beat the ka bar beartooth at 19.99? I love the rat but that’s the one for price, quality, look, and materials. And price.
I had to check before I said Ganzo, and sure enough it has been mentioned...Ganzo G729 will give the rat a run for the money 😊. Anyhow I love the Rat 2 too...
Nice choice of budget knives... maybe a Civivi or two could have been added...😊
The besttechman ronin is similar but better in all aspects except price..we need more options of durable stainless with a fat handle and finger safe operation ..for hard use I want a handle like the bk40 but a blade like the rat in 14c
I keep one in my glovebox at all times. Never know when you’ll need a hard use folder. If that’s not enough knife I’ll break out the Rat-5 😊
Or the Junglas... 😂
Really wanted to like the Rat 2 but my first experience was my last. My sample (from Amazon) had the blade tip sticking out past the liners and scales when closed. I carry tip up and near sliced my hand open going in my pocket. Had to send it back and never tried again.
I've owned many knives over the years, and the plain satin Rat folders are generally pretty good at their price points and are still viable choices in a day and age of Chinese makers like Civivi and Kizer taking up a considerable share of the modern EDC market.
However, I would strongly recommend avoiding the coated models of the Rat folders, I've never experienced any issues with the satin models, but on the coated models I repeatedly experienced severe quality control issues such as torn teflon washers and the locking bar failing to engage.
If you need something simple to clean and maintain it might be up your alley, but the same can be said for many of the alternatives shown here like the Buck Bantam.
What a standard this knife set I hope it stays in production. I currently have a rat 1 I've carried for 6 years now been through hell and back with this knife definitely want to get more I own 2 more and want a s35vn one.
I use and abuse my Rat II. My absolute favorite knife! I carry this thing everywhere.
Would like to see more videos per week if you're able. You are selling knives with these videos after all.
I’m really surprised to not see a Cold Steel on here. A Code 4 or American Lawman would have been really good
He showed a lesser known model.
@@rtz549 I see that. Definitely not the move
Double Safe Hunter: Actually gives the RAT a run for its money
Code 4: too thin in the handle and too expensive
American Lawman: too expensive, but I like this as an upgrade option, although when talking RAT-1, you can't get away from the insane value they offer, which is why I didn't go into any premium alternatives in this vid. -DCA
This is the first time that I can remember you having a table full of losers. I have some knives that I like more than my right one (I almost corrected this voice to text error , but having thought about it I decided to let it stand. RAT 1 is what it should have been.)in D2, but nothing beats that knife. When I heard that OKC was sold, I immediately spent some more money at your website and got another one
Hi David,
What is the best pocket knife, with handle thickness comfort to lightweight ratio? The Rat I one and the Kabar Becker Folder does a pretty good job. At least a 3 to 6.5 inch blade length, please.
I used to have the oil slick bone variety and traded it off. On of my biggest regrets!! Great carry!! 👍 👊
love all these knives i would also include the petrified fish beluga!!
The preview audio is disabled for this one for some reason
It's a shame Gerber no longer makes the Harsey Air Ranger II. That was a great knife, Made in Taiwan from AUS8, solid aluminum scales, and even a secondary blade lock that prevents the primary liner lock from opening while in use. Also, because it's a Bill Harsey design, it's substantially similar to the current production but much more expensive Harsey knives from Spartan.
The air ranger would be amazing with better materials
The RAT 1 is not just out of production, OKC is going out of business.
Too bad, been carrying a RAT 1 for quite a few years. The blade design is about perfect. The price was great.
I own Benchmade and Spyderco knives, but I carry the RAT 1. Left it at my mothers house last week, so I'm carrying a Griptilian for now.
Should have shown both the ESEE folders.
I’m a fan of them because for such a cheap ass price, you’re getting a quality solid built knife.
However my only issue is the heavy metal handles. It’s heavier than some of my fixed blades with a sheath with the same size
The last one was 440C with a cryo which is always helpful, but how good was the heat treat? The fact that they did a cryo treatment makes me think they didn't cheap out on the heat treat. It will be in the middle of the pack on the CATRA cutting test between 425-455 abrasive paper cards cut. D2 runs between 486 to 499 at HRC60with the 440C running between RC 57 & 60 for comparison. Back when 440C was in its heyday it gained a bad rep from a lot of poor heat treat running the ovens low to save on electricity.
That's my biggest complaint about 14C28N, it is heat treated softer than it should be and don't give its .11% nitrogen too much credit, but still at RC62 it cut 405 cards, not bad for a medium low carbon content (0.63%) knife steel, but only Civivi HT it to 60-62, but they've stopped and now run 58-60 on its hardness. Cuts almost 100 cards less at RC58 hard versus 62 which is 20% harder according to the Bessemer Rockwell chart. The Rockwell C scale is slightly exponential, 50 to 51 is 4% where 60 to 61 is 5%, but 60 to 62 is 10.3% harder.
Nitro-V is essentially 14C28N with a tad bit more carbon, but it has a _useless_ .08% amount of vanadium just so they can put the V in the name, but I see Nitro-V knives selling for more than 14C28N and it's because they typically heat treat it harder so it holds an edge better and these steels based off AEB-L even at RC62-63 are still pretty tough although it does start dropping fast after RC63. If an expensive Nitro-V knife is just running on the name and doesn't get their heat treat right people won't buy that brand. I won't buy it anyway, because it's often too expensive for what it is, a budget steel. My budget steel is D2 because it still holds an edge well even at RC57 where other budget steels don't. I don't care if it might rust, I live in a desert.🤣
Any knife that is still in production beats anything from Ontario hands down. RIP Ontario.
Do one on tactical or self defense oriented folders and fixed blade.
This SRM knife should have been on your list. SRM Knives 9201-GW Folding Knife 3.54" D2 Black Stonewashed Clip Point Blade, under $30.
No Civivi? Praxis, mini Praxis, or Elementum should be in the mix!
Love this. A felt the panic once I heard the news. I will add the Cutjack’s liner lock doesn’t have the strength that the Rat1’s does. I’m typically not a fan of liner lock but Rat1 has to be one of the stronger ones I’ve come across
Been waiting for this one since I heard about OKC selling. Good options...I'm liking the Ka-Bar, but I'll keep using my KC exclusive Rat-1
Loved this segment fellas! The Rat1 is such a fantastic knife for the price, In fact youve remi ded me to buy myself a new R2D2(handed mine off to a buddy on a job and ended up just letting him keep it he liked it so much). Appreciate what you guys are doing, keep it up and I'll keep turning up ;)
Great video! Thank you!
I wish more knives still came with phosphor bronze washers, I still like bearings but I prefer washer based knives.
Awesome video. Tough to beat the Rat Model 1. Thanks.
Great episode DCA! I have owned and sold almost all of the knives you reviewed in this episode. Just recently started my own youtube channel, thanks for all the great content, it's really helped me get started!
I don’t know if you’re taking suggestions, but I’d love to see the Becker in something like 14C28N or NitroV