RAT 2 AUS8 vs Buck 112 Slim Select

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bryan123

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Feb 7, 2017
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I live near Boston and the blade length laws are restrictive. The only knives I own with blade lengths over 3 inches are the ZT0450 at 3.25 inches and the AUS8 RAT 1 at 3.5 inches.

I have a gift certificate at nearby Cabela's and I want to buy an EDC pocketknife with a blade length not to exceed 3 inches. After seeing what they sell I've narrowed it down to the RAT 2 AUS8 and the Buck 112 Slim Select with their famous heat treated 420hc steel.

Given my positive experience with the RAT 1 I think I'd be happy with the RAT 2 but the Buck intrigues me. Made in USA and classic design. The steels seem to be pretty similar based on what I've read here and elsewhere.

So RAT 2 AUS 8 vs Buck 112 Slim Select. All recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
Those are both sweet knives and if you get a tan SS then you can RITdye it anything, or the less common but super nice white (also off tan, more common) RAT.

Since you already have a RAT1, unless you highly value the speed of the modernity, I'd try the 110SS. It is pretty sweet and a little stronger tip than the normal 110, still very pointy. I think I could cut myself out of a port-o-potty easily with one.
 
Another vote for the Buck here.

I pretty-regularly carry the larger version of both, the Buck 110 Slim Select and the AUS-8 RAT 1. For me, both are excellent pieces and I actually happen to like Buck's 420HC and the AUS-8 of the RAT.

I fell in love with the 110SS, when it first came-out, because it allowed me to carry a pretty large folder without feeling like I was carrying a large folder. Hell, most of the time I'd wind-up leaving it in my pants or shorts because I'd forget it was there. That has never been the case with the RAT.

As was already stated, I'd agree that you can't go wrong with either.
 
1911bphil said:
I will suggest the Buck 112 Slim Select. I have the 110 SS and have carried it in my rotation for 3 years. Have you tried them in your hand? One might feel better. Let us know what you decide.
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At Cabela's they are sold in plastic clamshells so I can't try them in hand there....
 
While the Bos heat treatment takes Buck's 420HC to the next level, it's stepping up from a pretty low rung on the ladder. At the same time, Ontario gets a relatively good heat treatment on their AUS-8. If it matters to you, 420HC has better corrosion resistance. Both are relatively easy to sharpen. If you want more edge retention, you're not too far off from some of the Sencut options in 9Cr18Mov. Of course, that would mean shopping online and you mentioned a gift certificate.

One major difference is that the Buck here is a lockback. I prefer a liner lock and the action on the Rat 2 is decent for what it is.

BTW, isn't the Boston limit 2.5"? I think other cities in Mass have a 2.5" limit. Has there been any change on these limits or have they been affected by recent court rulings?
 
Chronovore said:
While the Bos heat treatment takes Buck's 420HC to the next level, it's stepping up from a pretty low rung on the ladder. At the same time, Ontario gets a relatively good heat treatment on their AUS-8. If it matters to you, 420HC has better corrosion resistance. Both are relatively easy to sharpen. If you want more edge retention, you're not too far off from some of the Sencut options in 9Cr18Mov. Of course, that would mean shopping online and you mentioned a gift certificate.

One major difference is that the Buck here is a lockback. I prefer a liner lock and the action on the Rat 2 is decent for what it is.

BTW, isn't the Boston limit 2.5"? I think other cities in Mass have a 2.5" limit. Has there been any change on these limits or have they been affected by recent court rulings?
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As far as I know Boston proper is still 2.5 but the rest of the state is 3 if the cop likes you. Most of my quality knives are therefore 2.5 or under; Buck 55, Spyderco Dragonfly and Roadie, Three Rivers LTC Nomad, etc.

Right now I have nothing in the greater than 2.5 but less than 3 and I'd like one.
 
bryan123 said:
As far as I know Boston proper is still 2.5 but the rest of the state is 3 if the cop likes you. Most of my quality knives are therefore 2.5 or under; Buck 55, Spyderco Dragonfly and Roadie, Three Rivers LTC Nomad, etc.

Right now I have nothing in the greater than 2.5 but less than 3 and I'd like one.
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There are other places besides Boston. New Bedford, Revere, Salem, and Somerville are some of the other jurisdictions with 2.5" limits according to Knife Den. (I'm not seeing a complete list but I only did a quick search.)

Whether the cop likes you could still be a factor with the knives in question. Both have listed blade lengths of 3".
 
Hashishiin said:
...I think I could cut myself out of a port-o-potty easily with one.
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This is my new criteria for my edc lol. I do have a (mild) fear of being trapped in one if it falls forward onto the door :eek:

To the OP, I would vote for the Buck. You get to try something new from one of the storied US manufacturers. Classic look too, the RAT looks homely to me. I have a Bucklite the size of a 112 from when they first came out. It was one of the first linerless FRN knives if I remember right. It's probably close to 40 years old and has a lot of hard miles on it but still going strong.
 
I have a Rat 1 and a Buck 112 slim select. I like both. They are nice knives. You can't really go wrong either way. I have handled the Rat 2 and it seems like a fine little knife. Not a huge difference besides being a bit smaller.
I think I'd choose the Rat 2 just because I like the liner lock design better in this case. Whatever you get, I hope you like it and enjoy. Let us know.
 
The Slim Selects by Buck are a lot nicer than the price. I've got the 110 and it's a lot of value for the money, just like the RAT 2 in Aus8.

It comes down to a choice between robustness of the handle (Rat 2) or how light you need it to be (Slim Select)
 
I have both. I like both. If I could only have one I would choose the Buck. There is one issue that I can see you having if you buy the 112, because I had the same one. You will end liking it so much that you’ll be wanting to get the 112 slim pro with the s30v steel too. And after you buy that you will want to do the same with the 110 slims. It’s a cycle.
 
JWright214 said:
I have both. I like both. If I could only have one I would choose the Buck. There is one issue that I can see you having if you buy the 112, because I had the same one. You will end liking it so much that you’ll be wanting to get the 112 slim pro with the s30v steel too. And after you buy that you will want to do the same with the 110 slims. It’s a cycle.
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I've heard mixed reviews about the slim pro such as issues with fit and finish ,blade centering and blade play that Buck said was within spec. Review was on BladeHQ and on Gideonstactical on You Tube. Slim select reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. What do you think and thanks!
 
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bryan123 said:
I've heard mixed reviews about the slim pro such as issues with fit and finish ,blade centering and blade play that Buck said was within spec. Review was on BladeHQ. Slim select reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. What do you think and thanks!
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I heard the same thing before I bought the slim pro. I had the slim select for about 6 months before buying the pro and loved the thing. I am not a steel snob so I really like Buck’s 420 and think the slim select is an awesome everyday carry knife, especially on a budget, and especially for those who want an American made product. It’s the knife I always recommend to people that don’t want to shell out for the expensive stuff.

The biggest reason I ended up with the pro was finding it on sale for $60 bucks. This was right when Buck had just released the newer 110/112 slim trx version. I don’t regret it at all, and as a matter of fact, I’ve been carrying it every day since buying it. The s30v is excellent in their knives, the G-10 is finished well, it’s centered well, and the only complaint was the pocket clip, which I replaced. So, mine had none of the issues that I had read about. I’ll post some pictures of mine for you to look at and compare the two.
 
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