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Top 25 Pocket Knives that are Indispensable: #15 Ontario RAT Model 1

July 24, 2016

TOP 25 POCKET KNIVES THAT ARE INDISPENSABLE: #15 Ontario RAT Model 1
Brought to you by KnifeCenter.com

In June, we took a survey to learn which pocket knives our readers believe should never be discontinued. Respondents were asked to name as many or as few pocket knife models as they wanted, and no brands or blades were off-limits. 404 respondents named a total of 268 models and the average respondent named 4.1 pocket knives. 43 out of 404 respondents said the Ontario RAT Model 1 should never be discontinued.

If hundreds of glowing reviews of the Ontario RAT Model 1 (RAT 1) are to be believed, it may end up kicking some pricier knives out of your pocket. More than seven years after its initial release, the RAT 1 still frequently tops ‘Best Budget Knives’ lists and discussions. People have already forgotten some of the budget folders that came out last year, let alone in 2008. It is one of those budget knives that every knife enthusiast should check out sooner rather than later.

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The RAT 1 is the quintessential beater knife, the blade you use for demanding tasks you don’t feel comfortable putting your more expensive knives through. Jeff Randall’s rock-solid design is complemented by no-nonsense materials and consistently good fit and finish. With full stainless steel liners, durable AUS-8 steel, and Nylon 6 handle scales, the RAT-1 is a 5 oz. tank that you’ll feel confident using for hard cutting.

The RAT 1 comes in a wide variety of scale colors. It is also available in partial serrations and/or with a black-painted blade. If you think the Rat 1’s 3.6” blade is a little too big for your needs, the RAT 2 is a scaled-down version with a 3” blade and a sub-3 oz. weight. Ontario Knife Company also just announced the RAT 1 with D2 tool steel. Keep an eye out if you’re seeking better edge retention and aren’t afraid of sharpening harder steels.

Visit KnifeNews tomorrow to find out which model is #14 on our list of the Top 25 Pocket Knives that are Indispensable.

Knife featured in image: Ontario RAT Model 1

#25 Microtech Ultratech 14/404
#24 Emerson CQC-7 15/404
#23 Victorinox Cadet 18/404
#22 Benchmade Adamas 20/404
#21 Zero Tolerance 0562 21/404
#20 Cold Steel Ti-Lite 24/404
#19 Opinel No. 8 25/404 
#18 Zero Tolerance 0350 28/404
#17 Cold Steel Voyager 30/404
#16 Case Trapper 41/404
#15 Ontario RAT Model 1 43/404
#14 Benchmade Mini Griptilian 53/404
#13 Spyderco Manix 2 54/404
#12 CRKT M16 57/404
#11 Kershaw Skyline 58/404
#10 Kershaw Blur 62/404
#09 Cold Steel Recon 1 63/404
#08 Spyderco Endura 4 70/404
#07 Chris Reeve Knives Large Sebenza 21 75/404
#06 Kershaw Leek 76/404
#05 Benchmade 940 78/404
#04 Spyderco Delica 4 79/404
#03 Benchmade Griptilian 81/404
#02 Buck 110 Folding Hunter 90/404
#01 Spyderco Paramilitary 2 94/404

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