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Ontario RAT 2 in D2 Voted Best Knife Upgrade 2018

November 29, 2018

Presented by: Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpeners

We are pleased to announce that the Ontario RAT 2 in D2 is the KnifeNews Readers’ Choice for Best Knife Upgrade 2018. This heavyweight in the budget knife arena garnered more votes than other contenders, a group that included the Buck Slim 110 & 112, DPx Gear HEST/F flipper, and the Victorinox Hunter Pro M.

Is D2 going to become the new standard for budget steel? If so, it’s hard to imagine many knife users complaining. Ontario first made waves when they released a version of the larger RAT 1 folder with a D2 blade. Almost immediately a chorus of requests for a similar upgrade on the more EDC-friendly RAT 2 started up.

Work Sharp

Finally at the beginning of the year, OKC delivered. The RAT 2 in D2 quickly became one of the go-to recommendations in the sub-$50 category, and it’s easy to see why. D2 may be an older steel but it can hold its own even decades after its creation. Edge retention is a marked improvement over other budget steel regulars like AUS-8 and 8Cr13MoV, and although it isn’t stainless, it’s still easy to maintain. And OKC managed to jump up the steel without jumping up the price too much either. In terms of “bang for your buck,” this is about as good as it gets.

The D2 upgrade highlights just how solid of a design OKC had in the RAT 2. The attractive, flat ground drop point powers through just about any daily chore. A gently curved handle with a pronounced finger guard provides all the traction and safety you’d want, without going overboard with the flourishes. And the liner lock, detent, and thumb stud deployment are 100% dialed in. All these ingredients, with the inclusion of D2 steel, make the RAT 2 a budget knife that you’ll want to keep, and keep using, even after you own a collection of more expensive knives. It’s built for the long haul.

Visit KnifeNews.com tomorrow to find out the winner of the KnifeNews Dealers’ Choice Award for Best New Slipjoint/Non-Locking Knife 2018.

AWARDS SCHEDULE

Monday, November 26: Best New Tactical Fixed Blade 2018 (WINNER: ZU Bladeworx Shrapnel)

Tuesday, November 27: Best New Fixed Blade for EDC 2018 (WINNER: TOPS Little Bugger)

Wednesday, November 28: Best New Outdoors Fixed Blade 2018 (WINNER: Benchmade 200 Puukko)

Thursday, November 29: Best Knife Upgrade 2018 (WINNER: Ontario RAT 2 in D2)

Friday, November 30: Best New Slipjoint/Non-Locking Knife 2018 (WINNER: Isham Bladeworks Blackstar)

Monday, December 3: Best New High-End Knife 2018 (MSRP of $300 or more) (WINNER: Zero Tolerance 0470)

Tuesday, December 4: Best New Value Folder 2018 (MSRP of $100 or less) (WINNER: CIVIVI Baklash)

Wednesday, December 5: Best New Manual Folder 2018 (WINNER: Spyderco Chaparral FRN)

Thursday, December 6: Most Innovative New Knife 2018 (WINNER: WE Knife Co. Double Helix)

Friday, December 7: Best Overall New for 2018 Lineup (WINNER: Spyderco)

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