the Rat II Folder by Ontario

It arrived today and was waiting in our mailbox when we got back from the hospital. What a nice coming home present.

Blade Steel: AUS-8 Steel
Blade Grind: Full Flat Grind
Opening Mechanism: Reversible Thumb Stud
Carry System: 4-Way Pocket Clip
Handle: Ergonomic Nylon 6 Handles
Overall Length: 7"
Blade Length: 3"
Closed Length: 4"

OK, first thought. WOW they put the RAT I folder in a shrink ray. It seems to be that close a match for the full size (I have the original RAT I).

The handles seem to have the same texturing as the original. Not to aggressive or deep, but you can detect by feel there is some texturing there. The is some slight jimping on the liner lock up front where the finger groove part of the handle is, the part of the liner that you press to release it.

The open spine I think is a great idea on a knife that will see real day to day usage. It allows for a quick swishing under water and you are good to go at least until you can give it a really good cleaning.

The blade lock us very firm with no play on my sample. The liners are approx 1/16 inch thick, enough for a small blade like this. The LOCKING liner engages it's full thickness on the tang of the blade and actually stops with the flat side of the lock even with the flat side of the blade.

The Blade, again like the original has AUS 8 steel. Some like it some don't I don't have a problem with it. It Has dual thumb studs and jimping on the back of the blade on the "Thumb ramp". The back of the blade, the thumb ramp is not flat but is ground at a slight upward slope to further enhance the grip of the jimping, again like the original.

The blade itself is once more a carbon copy of the original Rat I. It is only thinner and shorter, I would guess somewhere Just a mite shy of 1/8 inch thick and is three inches long.

It's a nice drop point the does not drop down abruptly but gradually over almost half the blade length. It has enough belly to work as a skinner and I wouldn't be afraid to any North American game with it, although I personally feel it would be best reserved for deer size game and smaller.

It's light weight. Something less than three ounces I would guess but for the size and weight seems like a sturdy little blade.

I would say the actual gripping area of the handle (from the "Finger groove" to the butt is right at 3 inches). When I grip it in a normal using grip the butt end hits about middle of my little finger.

The Clip is the same as the original but once again smaller and is marked with the Randall Adventure Training triangle. The blade as well has the mark on it.

So far I am impressed with this little $28.00 blade. We'll see how it does as an edc for me. I'd rather loose this little thing than a $350.00 small Sebbie.

*** As an added note, there isn't a sharp edge anywhere on this knife that shouldn't be there. The only sharp places I've found are the edge and the flat spine. Also the washers are bronze! I was expecting plastic/nylon, but nope they're bronze.