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 knife is offered in several variations. If you are looking for a new everyday carry knife to add to your collection, the RAT 2 may be just what you are looking for.
The Ontario RAT 2 is a folding knife, featuring a 3 inch blade, with a 2.75 inch cutting edge. The blade is made from AUS-8 stainless steel, which is honestly not the best steel in the world. It does however, outperform lesser steels such as 440 variations, but it’s by no means a super steel.
Key Specs of the Ontario Rat 2
- Blade Length: 3 inches
- Overall Length: 7 inches
- Closed Length: 4 inches
- Steel: AUS 8 Stainless Steel
- Handle Material: Nylon
- Weight: 2.7 ounces
- Origin: Taiwan
Our Impressions of the Ontario RAT 2
The blade on the RAT 2 is a drop point style, with jimping on the spine to aid in controlling the blade. There is a thumb stud on the blade used as the opening mechanism, which works very well.
The thumb stud is large enough, and the the pivot point is smooth enough, that opening the knife is a very easy, fluid motion. The blades are available with black coated blades, or non-coated blades.
The thumb stud is located on both sides of the blade, so ambidextrous opening is a main feature.
The blade length on the RAT 2 is well suited for most tasks, making this knife a good choice for everyday carry.
The The RAT 2 uses a liner lock as the locking mechanism, while it may not be the strongest available, it is still very sturdy. The liner lock engages the blade quite snugly, and there is no wiggle room when locked open.
Handle Material
The handle on the RAT 2 is exceptionally comfortable, honestly. The handle, being made from a nylon plastic, is textured, allowing a firmer grip.
Various colors are available for the handle, such as olive drab and black.
Ontario lists the handle as being made of generic nylon plastic, however the RAT 2 doesn’t have a plastic feel in my opinion. With all of that said, as long as you are not abusing it, the RAT 2 will function as it should.
There is a finger choil cut into the handle scales, which protects your hand from sliding forward while using the knife.
The pocket clip can be attached in four different ways. This allows the RAT 2 to be carried tip up or down, and right handed or left.
The RAT 2 seems very durable. It is well built, and made of quality materials. The knife should stand up to standard use, although, like other folding knives, you should not use it for things such as batoning firewood.
The Ontario RAT 2 sells for between $25 and $35 on Amazon, making this a very budget friendly knife. Due to its smaller size and a weight of only 2.8 ounces, this knife can be carried with relative ease, especially with the numerous carry methods available with the pocket clip.
It would be easy to nit pick flaws of the RAT 2, but you could do that to most any pocket knife. Personally, and for the money, I find the Ontario RAT 2 is one of the best deals going today. Could it use a better steel, sure it could, but that would also raise the price.
I would compare the RAT 2 with AUS-8 to be similar to the Spyderco Tenacious with 8Cr13MoV. Neither steel are world beaters, but for the price tag of both of these pocket knives they are more than adequate cutting tools.
