Ontario RAT-7 1095 (New)

[sharpshooter996]

Well I did it, I sold my D2 RAT and picked up this offering in 1095. There are a couple of differences with this knife that really stand out once i had it in hand. First off the micarta slabs on the 1095 are much more textured, where on the D2 they were basically smooth. They sucked for grip especially when wet or muddy. These seem to be much better. Second the blade coating is completley different. I dont know if this is something new Ontario is doing or this is the way they always have been on the 1095. The coating is Zinc Phosphate like you would find on some military guns, where on my D2 it was quite different. A Textured Powder Coated finish. The coating on that was smooth almost like my Chopweiler. Time will tell how durable, or not this Phosphate coating is. One thing I have read is that it will absorb some oil you put on the blade. This should help keep rust at bay. Here are a couple of pictures I took recently of the new RAT.



http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/sharpshooter996/IMG_7113.jpg

Check out how close the grind is to the edge. Not good Ontario :thumbdwn:



http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/sharpshooter996/IMG_7112.jpg


http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/sharpshooter996/IMG_7106.jpg


http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/sharpshooter996/IMG_7107.jpg

And yes thats a new Trail Master I picked up. Well it was new :D Ill do a post on it later this week.


There are two things I would really like to do to this knife. The first is the grind. It starts way to close to the edge and seriously impairs its cutting ability. In time I hope to send it out to be re-profiled. And the sheath that comes with it gets a thumbs down. Its ok, not the worst but this blade would really shining in Kydex.

With these mods, I think the RAT would make an awesome light weight 13.2 oz survival knife.

[sharpshooter996]

Here is a shot of the blade grind between the RAT and Trail Master. The grind on the Trail Master starts twice as high up the blade. This makes it cut so much better. Making fuzzies between the two the difference really stands out. Even my little Tank the Chopweiler has a superior grind. Its cutting ability is a standout compared to the RAT. This will change with a re-profile.



http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/sharpshooter996/IMG_7127.jpg

[Man of Iron]

RC-6 bro, RC-6.

[sharpshooter996]

I know the RC 6 is a nice knife. Plastic sheath, dont know how much better the grind is, but you pay for the sheath difference. And I have used 6" blades before. For me they are just too small for a woods, survival knife. Too small for splitting wood. I know the RAT 7 is only 1" longer but that 1" is a big deal with this size. I consider 7" to be the minimum I will carry as a survival style knife. With a custom Kydex sheath I will be at the same $ point as the RC 6.

[kurodrago]

Re-profile the edge and you go, 1095 is much better than D2 in my opinion:)
Congratulationfor the new purchase:rockon:

[Thecarotidpulse]

Ok question for you guys:

What do you think is the difference between RAT blades offered by RAT cutlery and Ontario Knife co?

RAT has a couple of nice designs, but D2 as a atool steel seems interesting (and has been tested to positive results)

Has anyone tried sharpening D2 with a Diamond stone? Shouldn't be too hard with that...

Cheers,

[Macgregor]

Sigh....

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540826

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=575563

[Thecarotidpulse]

Mac, thanks for the effort: i dont really go on BF, prefer KF to avoid a lot of the Bitchyness...

I didn't know that the people from RAT did designs for Ontario.. that explains a lot.

So can one say that the RAT knives from Ontario have the same characteristics as the ones from RAT cutlery? But that the latter ones are just newer?

TBH i'd feel almost more comfy buying a RAT from Ontario after all that...

[sharpshooter996]

[SIZE="2"]Thanks kurodrago. Im going to try the best I can to improve the edge with the equipment I have for the time being. Im not going to go so extreme that I might mess it up. I will let you know how it comes out. Eventually I want to have it send out to be professionally done.

Mac, thanks for the link. I did not know that Ontario was going that far. Ouch, I sure hope things settle down and Rat Cutlery fairs well.

[noviomagus]

I know the RC 6 is a nice knife. Plastic sheath, dont know how much better the grind is, but you pay for the sheath difference. And I have used 6" blades before. For me they are just too small for a woods, survival knife. Too small for splitting wood. I know the RAT 7 is only 1" longer but that 1" is a big deal with this size. I consider 7" to be the minimum I will carry as a survival style knife. With a custom Kydex sheath I will be at the same $ point as the RC 6.

kydex sheaths are way overrated in my opinion.
especially that overly tight one on the RAT RC-6.
it is like working to geth the knife out of it.

I like the cordura type of sheath way better.like on the Beckers.or Ontario Rangers.
they are much easier to get out of their sheath without 'damaging'the micarta .

I used to have a Entrek Merc.
the aluminium guard was ugly due to the kydex sheath scratching it.

(a bit late response,but i couldnt resist to vent my opinion on the kydex sheath.)