I've spent a LOT of money on knives. I currently have about $10K in my knife collection. I don't own anything insanely highly priced but I own several knives in the $400-500 range and many below that. I've owned a RAT I and a RAT II going on 5 years now and I've used the hell out of them for every task imaginable. I've taken them camping, used in warehouse work, office work, kitchen duty, for yard work, kicking around a tackle box, in my pocket on river trips etc. etc. These things are WELL worth their price and then some. As a kid I used to buy cheap $15 knives all the time and they all inevitably fell apart of became super loose within a month. These $30ish RAT knives have been kicking ass for almost 5 years now and still lock up perfectly, fly open smooth as hell like a switchblade, and are even smooth enough to fall shut when pressing the lock bar. If someone told me tomorrow that I had to sell all my knives and could only keep the RAT I really wouldn't be too disappointed. It is a trusty little bastard, holds an edge long enough and sharpens to shaving sharp easily.
I agree with your response whole heartedly and am in exact same boat with a collection of well over 300 blades, but it ended at the last paragraph, I would be very disappointed if all I could keep in my collection was a rat 1or 2 in D2 though much better then the Aus8 no doubt.
I don't know. I think it is a great knife. AUS 8 is not that bad. It has its shortfalls but, it is tough. Pound ed though a steel canister and shred the hell out of it at work. Yeah,... Edge retention is not great but, you can use the hell out of it and it can be sharpened quickly and easily. I believe it is a great value. I paid $22 for mine and it's holding up. If I lose it I would definitely get another.
Thanks Nick. This is a great knife for the price. I would never have bought it without seeing your review. I have several Benchmades and Spydercos and I cannot believe how much knife you get for $30.
I got a rat 2 today for my daughter,I'm not sure when you did this review but my fit and finish is on point I was impressed..I don't own 200+knives(more than 200.00 my interest goes to guns) but I do have a drawer full of Benchmade, Spyderco,zt,kizer,lion steel,cold steel, ect,the only bad other than blade steel witch is up front with price point is digging in to disengage the linerlock other than that everything is good and the action is crisp and fast great buy and I would buy again witch is more than I can say for a lot of higher end knives ive bought..
Great Review. This was my starter knife actually and still carry this time to time. I can flick this blade open just as fast as my BM940. Have to agree this is the best $30 knife you can buy.
+RR3 It's kind of grown on me. I was going to flip it on Bladeforums or something, but it's somehow too nice for that, so it's my desk knife at work, for days where I carry something which isn't great for cutting apples.
One of things I love about this knife is that it's not "tall" like the Delica. Moving that thumbstud, as you suggested, would add a buldge or additional area that would make this taller and take away one of the great features (for me).
I love my RATs. I have a small collection of other good knives, but they are so comfortable to carry, I don't care if they get dirty or wet, and easier to care for than most of my collection.
I've had this knife for 2 years now and it's served me pretty well (I have also watched this video maybe 5 times already 🤣). I actually got this AFTER buying a 940 and a Massdrop Perpetua and I still have the Rat2 in my rotation. Watching this again during the COVID-19 lockdowns and the many lay-offs also reminded me of the important place of high-value knives and tools...honestly, if push came to shove, I could unload my 940-2 and keep my Rat2 and still have a functional knife.
Good review. Honest. I somewhat disagree on some of the steel comments but, it's just my opinion. AUS8 is serviceable and can be sharpened quickly and easily. It is tough and doesn't chip like other brittle blades. There is something to be said about that. All in all I like mine a lot and for the $22-23 range it is a great tool. Thanks for sharing. Look forward to seeing your other reviews.
I ordered one of these with the polished D2 steel and light tan scales online for $45. It just arrived and I am SO happy that I bought it! I Am a huge dude and I was worried that the Rat 2 would be too small however it is perfect. This is a EDC pocket knife, and for the size, weight, and materials it is right on the money! I am super happy with my purchase. If you want a small, tough, light, reliable, sharp knife this is easily carried and a great option. This is a great pocket knife . The Rat 2 in D2 is an effective blend of function, size, weight, durability and price. This knife isn't too small like may people have said - I have owned many knives and this Rat 2 is right up there with my favorite pocket knife which was a Kershaw Volt SS. An excellent knife that will most likely be stolen or lost LONG before it ever breaks or fails.
I've gotta say this rat 2 is one of the best purchases i've ever made. Very sturdy, I'd say it'll last me just about forever. I love the steel, just strop it for a few minutes every once in a while and keeps it's razor edge. Don't feel the need to dish out any more money on another knife.
I had one of these for a bit, it was a fantastic knife. Loved the size, although I usually prefer larger blades. Went through a big purge of my knives and sold it. I miss it, thinking about buying another
I just discovered the Rat 2 and have been putting it through its paces at work. Going to take my Benchmade Mini Barrage tomorrow and see how it compares.
The problem with shopping channels like Nick’s and Nutnfancy, is that these guys handle all these really high end knives, and lose sight of what really matters about the knife. Aus 8 is a perfectly good steel. When it dulls just sharpen it. And fit and finish are fine on the RATs. If you’re someone who actually uses a knife, rather than a collector, the RATs are a good choice. You don’t need anything more.
This is a great review and I wish I had watched it prior to my purchase of the R2 D2. It is my first modern knife purchase and I plan to pass it along, just as you suggest. I found two additional criticisms with my Rat 2 in D2 steel: 1) the knife tip is barely 1 mm below the handle edge, and I could easily cut my fingertips if I am not careful. 2) The grind on the knife edge is very uneven from one side to the other. I expect knives at this price point to have issues. Knowing them in advance helps me comparison shop before I buy. :) I am really enjoying your reviews. The are both entertaining and appropriately nit picky on the details. Thank you!
@@radishfox308 it's got a very snug pocket clip man you'd definitely like this one. It's one of my EDC I just bought a kizer Gemini too another great kinfe for $80 bucks off Amazon
Part of the fun of knife ownership is sharpening the knife. Having steel that never needs sharpen or difficult to sharpen is no fun. I’m fine with “not great” steels. Fit and finish is a different story however - cheap or not.
I just ordered a Rat 2 yesterday after having and using a Rat 1 for a few years. I have a Spyderco Manix 2 that is sitting in a drawer because of its size, even though the weight is great. I wanted a Dragonfly, actually but don't want to spend the money. The Rat actually has a feature that I like that you said a few times was a negative, and that's the spine being sharp. It's great for striking a ferro rod which actually bumps it up quite a bit in my eyes when it comes to how useful it can be. I've made feathersticks with the edge, fluff with the spine and then hit the ferro rod with the spine and made a decent fire. I could pay about double for the Dragonfly and I wouldn't be able to do the same thing. Maybe the spine was left sharp to save money, but it actually gave it another feature.
David Clemons I actually see that sharp spine as not ever having been something that was brought up by the people at Ontario. Based on brand history as soon as a sharp spine was mentioned I automatically think ferro rod. I personally still think you should have gone with the dragonfly I have mine and literally sleep with it clipped to my waist. It's that practical.
Hey Nick! Thanks for the review! I got the olive edition of the knife after your ""best budget pocket knife under $35". I paid almost twice that much, because german prices. Two thing my knife doesn't have: Gritty action. Sharp edges. Action is smooth, almost not hearable, and the top edges are A okay to press on hard for some time. Another interesting quirk on my knife: The action is a bit smoother when used right handed, when used left handed it has a bit more stickiness to it. P.S.: I like it way better than the Kershaw Cryo! (which I also got based on your $35 shootout :D )
I wish I’d seen this vid before you crowned this knife the champ about a week ago. That got me to buy this knife, and I agree with your assessment here. I mean it’s not terrible but it’s not great either. But as you say , it’s only a $30 knife
Nice review Nick. Really like this knife. Me thinks you are a little too hard on aus8. Yea it doesn't hold an edge for a long time. But hey I love to sit every night and sharpen while watching the tube. I can maintain a great edge with regular stropping. Keep up the great videos.
I just got this knife in the mail and im not a fan. Its my first knife and i took many hours to research but failed to realize how tiny thing is. I actually laughed when i took it out. So cute maybe ill take splinters from work out with it.
Aww, come on Nick - it's not all that bad. 30 years ago I was issued with an Opinel for warehouse work to cut plastic straps and shrink-wrapping here in the UK. This little Rat 2 would have been much more useful if it was available at the time. Cheap and cheerful little workhorse I reckon. End of shift 2 minute strop and good to go for the next day.....
Like and subbed, great video! Your style of speech is fascinating. I imagine you with a 1920’s trilby hat with a press card . Transatlantic/Midatlantic accent perhaps. Great content and great knowledge on these knives. I love the Rat 1&2
Hi Nick, just find out your channel and loving you videos. My rat 2 opens very smoothly, close to my zt flipper 0450 not quite as fast tho, but my rat1 is not that good and i can hear the same noise when you open it, i think its just a quality control issue. Keep up the good work!
great video. I have a rat 1 and it is solid. my only dislike is personal. I don't care for the up sweep at the tip. I love the blade shape on the delica and endura's placing the point in the middle
I've had my r2d2 for 6 months now, and I have loved it. But I just noticed that the lock arm has wear to the point it now has vertical lockbar rock. I contacted OKC to see if they sell replacement liner locks but hasn't heard from them yet. I know it is a cheap knife, but I found it a waste to just get a new one.
Love my Zancudo, I picked up a coyote brown/black blade in D2 steel. Heavier marginally than the Rat 2, with incredibly smooth action and it sharpens to a scarily good edge, though the Rat was pretty impressive out of the box. I have even smaller hands than Nick lol and both are just beautiful to grip. Agreed that the thumbstud position is a bit better for rapid deployment in the Zancudo (just flies out) but both are so very smooth. Scale-feel is admittedly better in the Zancudo, the deeper texture helps grip better. But I ike both a lot, and they often tag-team for my EDC.
The main reason I subscribed is the certainty that you'll post immediately after Ontario makes this available in D2 steel as they have the RAT 1. Don't understand why they've dragged their butt in releasing it except that it'll devalue AUS-8 models.
Really trying to put this knife down, I have huge hands, the only reason I can't keep this knife out of my pocket is because how well it one hand operates.
i'd love to see you compare the esee zancudo to the rat 2. i've had the zancudo for a while now and just got the rat 2 for comparison because they aren't too expensive, i know they're both good, and sometimes you just have to feel it in hand to make a judgement. honestly, i still can't decide. the zancudo does come in d2 now though... any chance you will compare these two at some point?
I bought a Rat 2, returned it. The knife just doesn't hold in my hand. Good for what it is, simple tasks and such but not nearly a what I'd call a work knife requiring a firm grip.
Just got the rat one. I live in nyc so I think I won't get arrested for this one. No spring assist. But who knows NYPD does what it wants. But man is that liner lock a pain to depress chews up your thumb.
I wonder if Amazon sent me a counterfeit because mine is junk right out of the box. The paint on the blade already had a flake off of it and the scale is cracked from over tightening. In fact everywhere there's a screw looks flared out from over tightening. I paid 40 bucks and couldn't be more disappointed. Except for the time I bought a taylor eye witness Barlow for 60 bucks. That thing was the worst purchase I've ever made. I keep it as a reminder to never believe RU-vid reviewers lol.
Anyone know if you can sharpen D2 steel on let's say some random flat stone you find on the floor? How about Aus-8? How bout all them other higher end steels? thanks for any info!
Do any Canadians and people from the UK watch these videos and feel like they're missing out? I've heard people in both of these countries can't own pocket knives like these.
I'm very into lockbar ease-of-use. On this point I disagree with you on the Rat 2. I find it a breeze disengage the bar because it moves over with such ease. Also, unlike you, I don't find the lockbar hard to access. It's much easier to "find" than the Kershaw Skyliner bar, and easier to move. This is a great fondle knife and the easy lockbar is partly why. At about 5:05 you say "It's one of those locks you really have to JAM your thumb into to get purchase on the lockbar." My God this is so wrong. This is such an injustice to this knife's friendly lockbar that I want to weep. You don't even need to dig or jam your finger. It's such an easy mover that you just move your thumb sideways and the jimping purchases YOU and everything is done for you. Just move your thumb to the left. That's all that's required. No downward direction, or "finding" necessary. Side note: The Rat 2 is a friendly knife and so it looks best in the brown. I'd almost call it a cozy knife. I love it. Keep up the cool reviews Nick.
Worst $30 knife I’ve ever purchased and I’ve purchased some early eafengrow knives. I’m going to purchase the Ganzo D727M-GR, which is basically its clone and see if the clone is a better knife. Sorry brother this is not a knife I would recommend as a beginner, budget or whatever elder category.
+vegim ch Heh, if you're referencing the Daboia review, that went live too soon. I've got plenty more thrifty Thursdays ahead, and the Squid's in there!
$30.00 USD knife?! Wow! This knife is $100.00 AUD here in Australia, not including freight costs and 10% goods and services tax (GST) We're getting so ripped off down here.
An EXCELLENT knife BUT made of D2 Steel, the knife will show signs of RUST after only one day on a salt water fishing trip. Great value, the most EDC you'd ever need, but not for salty environs.
Gave a rat 1 pink to my daughter .but only after i fix it .first opening lock stick had to use tools to close it .then didnt lock poped shut on my thumb almost needed a doctor .lock didn't go all the way on .fixed all that with a bandaged thumb .then it worked .very not liking rats .
