Recommendation? Ontario Rat II Scales

S

SD747

Joined
Jul 22, 2020
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I bought the Rat II in D2 with nylon scales: good EDC knife for a lot of reasons EXCEPT the nylon scales are too smooth with not much grip. I researched and don't see a lot of options to swap them out (Flytanium cost more than the knife almost - no thank you). And checking EBay, Amazon, etc.. shows nothing.
So I'm thinking about making my own grooves in these nylon scales. I've considered filing, which seems reasonable, and burning (melting).
Any ideas? Suggestions? Thanks.
 
I have a Rat 1 that I had the same issue with. I took a soldering iron and stippled a diamond shape where my thumb rests when pulling it out of my pocket. Problem solved.
 
Google "Way of Knife"...
They offer lots of goodies for our little Rats!
 
Thanks Mr Denman. I checked them out and can get G10 pretty cheap but they are not offered in a color/design that appeals to me for the price: for the good stuff they want about the same price as the knife originally cost. So looks like burning our filing is going to be the route I'll go.
 
They used to offer M390 replacement blades for the Rats. I'm looking for those to be offered again...
 
Yeah. I saw where they offer a D2 blade for $15. That may be worth buying an AUS8, switching it out, and saving a bit.
 
It never hurts to have some "spare bullets" laying around...
 
Way of knife has a white G10 set for $15. You could always get a bottle of Rit Dye and change the white to any color you want.

Go to youtube and search "dye knife scales". Plenty of videos to look at.

Did you see the micarta scales too? I've been eyeing the blue denim micarta for a Rat 1.
 
The Blue denim was one of my picks. But I started thinking about it and I am considering making my own. I have lots of hard oak wood for my fires on the place and so I bought a Dremel clone on Amazon today. And I'm going to see what I can do. Lots of YouTube videos on this, and I am also thinking of making my own micarta - it is messy, but doesn't look too hard.
 
Thanks. It may be a bust, but if the wood turns out, then I may be bold enough to try the micarta. And I'm thinking about a number of knives I have.
 
See if your up to DIY stabilizing that oak before proceeding, it would be even stronger after the process. And remember to wear appropriate breathing gear.
 
scottc3 said:
See if your up to DIY stabilizing that oak before proceeding, it would be even stronger after the process. And remember to wear appropriate breathing gear.
Click to expand...
Found stabilizing may be necessary. I did consider drying and sealing with a polyester. (Update below)
 
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Bob Denman said:
They used to offer M390 replacement blades for the Rats. I'm looking for those to be offered again...
Click to expand...
I emailed them about a month ago regarding the M390 blades, I was told they had too many rejected blades and they will no longer be offering them. I should have jumped when I has the chance😟
 
M390 is certainly a premium steel. My thought was, not sure I'd go there without upgrading the knife itself. But then the $35 price is gone and fun of carrying a different color every day ... My choice in steel might be CPM154 or V30/V35.
The RAT 1 and 2 are good knives all around; I have both now and may get some different variations in colors/steel. I do like them.
I've also researched the stabilizing and found minwax wood hardener to be the easiest non-vacuum application. And micarta sheets on a site - 5"x11"x3/16" about $13.
 
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LOL, dove in for too long, getting answers for specs with high performance Minwax at atmospheric pressure on penetration, and carrier- material that gases off leaving solid in wood.
Deepest penetration would be to cut scale slabs, immerse and increase pressure from 14.x PSI at sea level to around 3 atmospheres, then vacuum chamber still immersed, finally dry, and use. Lots of inexpensive DIY pressure / vacuum chamber projects around. Other material I saw referenced several times was "Cactus Juice."🍿

Bummed to here Way of Knife is having enough problems with m390 rejects that we cannot buy for Rats...🍿
 
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