That would be a little ridiculous! If you’re just going by price, you should expect the Guardian to do better, but if you’re going by size and shape, it really seems like the Rat III should have put up a better fight. Holds an edge. It does take a fine razor like sharpening like the 18 inch one. Mine is worse than anything I ever imagined. I found it a bit too long and heavy for smaller 1/2" and less items. I had not heard of OKC until a few years ago when I came across their booth, but I was immediately impressed but what I saw. The beginning of the company is not clear, although it is known that William B. Ensworth, Charles Albert Brace, and William Maudsley started the company in Naples, New York, in 1889. Ontario RAT 5 is a fixed blade knife with a 5-inch long blade. He has lived in Korea and Saudi Arabia where he was an ESL instructor. To prevent rust and corrosion, the blade has been given a phosphate coating. The Ontario RAT 2 folding knife, produced by Ontario Knife Company, is a budget friendly knife, made by a reputable company as a smaller version of the highly popular RAT 1. The blade is easy to sharpen and retains its edge. If you only saw it in the sheath, you might assume it’s a combat knife. Old Hickory 705 Knife Set Review Old Hickory 705 Knife Set Review Andrew 2020-12-10T18:04:10-08:00. And if you have a really big belt, a Tek Lok is probably the only way you’re going to carry this thing horizontally. And to think the company proclaims these are made in America and made with the of the utmost fine qualty. The partial tang design also adds strength to the knife. Ontario Rat 2 D2 (SMALL) – https://amzn.to/32Ec2mZ —KNIFE STORAGE/DISPLAY— My display case – https://amzn.to/2CDLDvb —EDC GEAR— Kershaw PT-1 EDC prybar / bottle opener – https://amzn.to/34pu6Tl. To be a great resource of useful, in depth knowledge and practical tips for people who are willing to take action, be proactive and prepare for any kind of catastrophic event or disaster that may happen in their communities so they can protect their families and loved ones. He has worked everywhere from small businesses to large corporations, and also for public agencies. Location. 335 were here. If the Esee 3’s edge performs at all better than the Rat III I’d say the extra price is definitely worth it. That is why this is a must-have knife for all those who are looking for exceptional quality along with a budget price and brand name. The only thing the Rat III has solidly over the Selkirk is the sheath and Micarta handle. The RAT 2 is simple, but effective and versatile, with a 3-inch blade and 7-inch overall length, weighing under 3 ounces. Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2018. However, that level of quality often comes with a price tag … It just has a few performance issues that I suspect have been weeded by Rowen Manufacturing. For a simple knife, there’s clearly a lot of little manufacturing details in it that feel like they hit the Goldilocks zone. The military had issues in the past with other ka-bar brands leather handles dry rotting but the Ontario 498 has a black tar like coating on … The SP8 Survival Machete is a solid full tang blade of 1075 High Carbon Steel with grooved Kraton Handle. At just a little over a $100, this is a gem of a bayonet. I could probably draw some helpful conclusion about the difference between the Rat’s 1095 steel and the Guardian’s Bohler N690 steel. See All Buying Options . I do know that when I run the Buck Selkirk over the same rod, making sparks is effortless. Bruce Stevens recommends Ontario Knife Company. It has a flat grind flat-grind and a deep belly, making it more suited for a survival knife than a combat knife. The overall length of the knife is 12.125 inches, with the blade being 0.235 inches thick. © 2018 SURVIVOR'S FORTRESS. It goes without saying that branded knives are always better than no-name generic knives. His bachelor’s degree is from CSUS (1999) where he was on a baseball pitching scholarship. OKC does make a Kydex sheath sold with a Tek Lok for the Rat III. High carbon steel is also known for excellent edge retention. It has a blade length of only a 3 3/4 inch, but it can easily handle all the outdoor tasks from carving to starting a fire. The RAT 1 is best used as a tactical knife or a larger everyday carry. The history Ontario knife has with the town, and the history of this great nation are amazing. TOP 500 REVIEWER VINE VOICE. It doesn’t bite into harder wood very well, and the handle starts slipping after a few hard swings. B.M. In the usual case, most Air Force Survival Knives would be packed away for the longest time and not be used. 75% (6) 0% (0) 0% (0) 0% (0) 25% (2) B . This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This utilitarian knife has a classic gentle drop point blade, with a full flat grind that contributes to the slicing ability of the knife and makes sharpening easy. Ontario SP2 Air Force Survival Knife (Black) Made of 1095 … I guess a little background is in order here before we get into anything … Job Title. The SP8 Survival Machete features serrations on the spine and a plain edge on the blade. I’ve had fun with it, and it’s certainly convinced me that Micarta is absolutely the way to go with survival knives. Knives come in different shapes and sizes. Once again the … The Buck Selkirk is a much more price-even comparison, and honestly I have yet to test a fixed-blade knife in this size range that I could recommend over the Selkirk with a clean conscience. As far as knives I have handled personally, though, the Bradford Guardian 3 and the Buck Selkirk seem like good alternatives. Anyone who’s ever drooled over an Esee knife only to have their heart broken by the three-digit price tag might appreciate the Rat III for what it is: the cheaper, identical cousin of the Esee 3 design. Especially regarding the unsharpened and uneven blade grind and edge bevel. Emergency Ready! This is not a knife you need to cut your butter with at the dinner table. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. of Phoenix (2006) where he attributes his writing prowess. It’s really comfortable in vertical and scout carry. It is ideal for outdoor activities like camping or hiking, or any activity that takes you out into the wilderness. Since this is a bayonet, the blade isn’t razor sharp. How does Amazon calculate star ratings? Sport type: Hunting; 3.5 inch plain edge blade; Knife Closed Length: 4.5-Inch; Knife Open Length: 8.5-Inch, Made of 1095 Carbon Steel; 5.25 inch plain edge blade; Knife Closed Length: 4.06-Inch; Knife Open Length: 10.5-Inch, dependable: quick and easy access with dual thumb studs and a 4-way reversible pocket clip, Best Neck Knife: 10 Stellar Options at Your Disposal for 2020, Best Pocket Knives Under $100: Budget Friendly Options For 2020, Best Camping Knife: 10 Excellent Options For 2020, Best Pocket Knife Brands: From High-end to Affordable Quality Knives for EDC, Best Rescue Knife for 2020: Top Picks for First Responders, Best Survival Knives: 10 Dependable Options In 2020, The 10 Best Zero Tolerance Knives in 2020: Tough Blades for Demanding Users, The 10 Best SOG Knives in 2020 for EDC and Survival. My only issue is that I wish it was either a little bit grippier, or that the scales were a little wider, because it was trying pretty hard to slip out of my hand when I was chopping. Conclusion on the Ontario RAT 1: For an inexpensive heavy duty folding knife, the RAT 1 is hard to beat. 2.3. At the end of the day, the question is if this knife is worth your money. Old Hickory 705 Knife Set Review Andrew 2020-12-10T18:04:10-08:00. plus they are made in the good old USA!!! The knife fits the M16, M4 and AR-15. This award-winning knife, cutlery, and tool company is based in New York is known for producing a wide range of cutlery, kitchenware, hunting and fishing knives, machetes, survival and rescue equipment, science and medical tools, and tactical knives. Conclusion on the Ontario 8630 RAT-3: Every outdoor adventurer will require a bushcraft knife at some point. I didn’t notice the bounce of walking hills shaking the knife out much, but it did fall out with a little shake test at home, so I wouldn’t risk that for too long. This knife was made to get dirty, and the stains play into it’s rustic aesthetic. It could stand a bit of stropping before you take it out though. It’s not over-shaped, so there are a lot of different ways you can comfortably hold it (though I can’t imagine what you’d want to do with this thing in an ice pick grip). The pointed tip and the ergonomic handle provide a tight grip, so you could use it for hand to hand combat if need be. I have own a lot of knife in my life time, but these are the best reminds me of the knife we had as a kid. I … Write a review. The most useful review selected by … The button straps that go across the handle are mostly nice, but they aren’t both necessary for keeping the knife secure. 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