How does the Rat 2 hold up to the Rat 1?

JerryIsAlive

JerryIsAlive

Joined
Jun 13, 2012
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I have been out of the knife game for a few months. Currently I own a Ritter mini grip, skyline, and a case. I knew I wanted an Ontario Rat 1 because I have heard for a while how its a nice, cheap option that can hold up to many of my daily tasks. I then realize there is a Rat 2. Most of my current knives are the same size, but if the Rat 2 is just as strong and reliable as the Rat 1, why get the bigger, heavier folder? Thoughts and input is appreciated. Thanks
 
Just from what you've said here, and the knives you own, I would definitely go with the rat-2. I prefer <3" knives (my mini grip is my favorite knife) and the rat-1 is a large, beefy folder, its blade is quite long for being a 3.5" blade and the handle is THICK. The rat-2 is plenty capable and fits better in the pocket & hand (again if you accustom to 3" knives).

I have a rat-1 and I do love it, it however isn't an EDC, its just to large, I use it all the time as a camp knife, it lives in my daily go-bag and even sees some kitchen duty as well since its such a good slicer but when it first showed up I was actually surprised how thick it was and how long that 3.5" blade really was. Sometime soon I'll pick myself up a rat-2 for EDC because its the size I prefer.

Edited in after fetzer85 posted below: I have to agree the rat-1 is perfect for my hand, the ergos are great! In hand its on par with any of the spyderco's I own (since everyone considers spydies the best for ergos). It just fits, if that's important to you you may want to take that into consideration, there's no choking up on the blade so keep that in mind.
 
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For me the RAT 1 handle is the perfect size and the RAT 2 is a little small. I wear size large gloves but would say I have average-to-large sized hands for a man. However, as CK said, the 3 knives you mentioned are probably closer in size to the RAT 2 than 1.
 
Having 3 knives of the same size is originally why I wanted the bigger blade. Just sold my biggest folder which was a PM2. For some reason I want a bigger blade in my arsenal, but not sure if its even needed. Maybe Ill just get the Rat-1 and let the smaller knives I already own do their work :) lol
 
The rat 2 fits perfectly in my hands and is a great edc. The rat 1 is just to big for my taste.
 
I think as of right now, I will buy a Rat-1. They are so cheap that I can always pick up the one I dont buy later on. This knife wouldnt be for EDC since I have a mini ritter, skyline, cryo and case swayback jack which fit the EDC role just fine for me. Now to scoop the orange, od green or venom green? lol!!!
 
Get both and make your own decision. You will find a use for the one you don't carry, so it's win-win. If limited to just one , I say get the RAT 2. It is more EDC friendly.
 
Both the venom and OD green look pretty nice. Personally, I like the venom green a bit more. It's just more... green. ;)

The RAT-1 is quite a bit larger than the RAT-2 (or the Skyline, Cryo, and Mini-Grip you also mentioned). It's a great larger knife, if that's what you're looking for. As for strength, the RAT-1 does have thicker slabs of steel for both the blade and liners, so it probably is "stronger". That said, the RAT-2 is no slouch. The liner on the RAT-1 looks to be the same as on the Skyline - about 3/64" thick. The RAT-2 liner looks like it's about 2/64" thick.

For my EDC preferences, I'd lean more towards the RAT-2 just due to size. If you've got the EDC rotation covered already and are looking for something different, the RAT-1 is a great knife.

RAT1_RAT2_Skyline_Cryo_MiniGrip_800x494.jpg


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RAT1_RAT2_blade_thickness_800x492.jpg
 
Thanks for all the pics!! Scooped the venom version. Have the Rat-2 sitting in my cart in case I feel like I need another EDC!
 
It's too late to affect your decision but my 2 cents :

For what you pay for it, the RAT 1 is a great piece of cutlery. I got a RAT 2 on Monday. Once again, great little knife for the price BUT .... the finger guard / choil (call it what you want) on the handle pushes your fingers too far back (compare the RAT to the Wilkins Grip in Flarp's photo). My pinky gets pushed off the back of the handle and this didn't need to happen if there was a minor redesign to the pivot area of the handle rather than just scaling it down. On the RAT 1 there is lots of space so it doesn't matter - on the 2, my opinion is that, the handle length could have been better utilized but for it's price, I can live with it.
 
JerryIsAlive said:
I have been out of the knife game for a few months. Currently I own a Ritter mini grip, skyline, and a case. I knew I wanted an Ontario Rat 1 because I have heard for a while how its a nice, cheap option that can hold up to many of my daily tasks. I then realize there is a Rat 2. Most of my current knives are the same size, but if the Rat 2 is just as strong and reliable as the Rat 1, why get the bigger, heavier folder? Thoughts and input is appreciated. Thanks
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While I'm sure the Rat 1 is a great knife, I feel the same way re:
"why get the bigger, heavier folder?"
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I have a Rat 2 and for me it's a perfect size for my every day common tasks.
I do think that a Rat 2 may not be a good fit for large to XL hands, I have med/small hands and the R.II feels perfect.
Like you, I also own a Ritter mini Grip, which I liked so much that I eventually purchased it's bigger brother the standard size
Ritter Grip, a great knife... but I have never really used it much, as I like the smaller sized knife.

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Thanks again for all the feedback guys. I guess at the end of the day, its just a preference thing. I went with the Rat-1 just because I dont own a folder over 3". I will more than likely grab a Rat-2 at some point if I am pleased with the 1. Ill report back here when I have it in hand!!
 
Awesome! Be sure to post plenty of pics when you get it. You went with the venom version, right?
 
Yes sir. I like bright handles. My skyline and mini grip are orange so the venom green will fit in perfectly :) To be honest, most of my knives just sit at my desk and I flip them open a few times a day. Why not get bright colors? lol
 
I own both the Rat1 and the rat2........Both are great bang for the buck.... You will end up getting the rat2 if you like the rat1............
 
JerryIsAlive said:
Yes sir. I like bright handles. My skyline and mini grip are orange so the venom green will fit in perfectly :) To be honest, most of my knives just sit at my desk and I flip them open a few times a day. Why not get bright colors? lol
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Hell yeah, man! Whatever you wanna do...
 
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