Essential cookies keep our site working (cart, checkout, sign-in) and are always on. With your agreement, we also use cookies for analytics and advertising to improve your experience. See our Cookie Policy and Privacy Statement.
I've owned a variety of knives and multitools. From Buck, Gerber, Leatherman and Ka-Bar. The Ontario RAT 1A is a really nice knife. I read reviews that said it was hard to deploy at first but even though this is my first assisted opening knife I got the hang if it real fast. The overall quality is very good and the handle material makes for a real solid grip. For my purposes I doubt this will become my EDC knife but the Model 1A is definitely a keeper.
Ontario RAT Model 1-A Assisted Folding Knife 3.625" Satin Plain Blade, Orange G10 Handles
Jay R
FL
Dec 17, 2020
Pros: Weight
Cons: Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type
Rising Star
I have the RAT-1 with D2. It a great knife. When I got this one, it was terrible.. It was nearly impossible to open, but the lock stick made it impossible to close. After several days, I called KC and spoke with Gary. He told me that it would break in. Eventually, it did. It is now a legitimate one handed knife. Unless you want the misery of spending a lLOT of time breaking this in, I would advise against it. This will take a back seat to my D2 RAT-1 because of the blade steels.I am not sorry to have purchased this, but in retrospect, I should have stayed with my original. This is a good knife.
Ontario RAT Model 1-A Assisted Folding Knife 3.625" Satin Plain Blade, Orange G10 Handles
I've owned several of Ontarios blades and always liked their no nonsense approach and the quality of their blades for the money spent. But I did almost left this knife a negative review because of the stiffness of the assisted opening feature. When I first got it there was no way a normal user could open it one handed. I could but with great difficulty and only once cause after just one time my thumb was feeling it. None of my friends could at all. So I went online and saw that I wasn't alone but theirs had loosened up over time. So I started using my bic lighter to pop it open repeatedly many times a day over about a weeks time. Eventually I got it where I could deploy it multiple times without my thumb hurting. Its still pretty stiff and way harder to open than any assisted knife I've owned, and I've had more than a few. But its usable now and opens fast with authority so I'm going to keep it. The scales are very rough but they'll soften up over time and they do give you a really secure grip. It wasn't shaving sharp but acceptable for a factory edge. And the blade isn't exactly centered but its not bad either, just slightly off. It's not going to be an EDC knife for me but its worthy of going into one of my bug out bags and should be a very capable knife for that. I can't in good faith recommend it to people looking for an EDC since the standard model is available and imo a much better deal. But if your a collector like I am its definitely worth a place in your collection. I imagine over time it will become easier to deploy and will probably remain a very fast assisted opening knife. Unlike other assisted knives I've owned that were easy to open at first but slowly became weak to the point of not functioning correctly. I wouldn't have given it four stars if I thought it was a loser. I just wanted to let others know what to expect and that it can be a good knife if you don't mind breaking it in.
Ontario RAT Model 1-A Assisted Folding Knife 3.625" Satin Plain Blade, Orange G10 Handles
I work in the field and constantly reaching for my knife, I have a few options but when I know I will be needing to use one all day I pick the Rat. I know it will take care of anything I need it to. It functions well, holds a decent edge, easy to sharpen. I will even let someone use it, and not fear them damaging it.
Ontario RAT Model 1-A Assisted Folding Knife 3.625" Satin Plain Blade, Orange G10 Handles
Robert
Kingsland, Ga
May 07, 2025
Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Handle Feel, Handle Material
Cons: Ease of Opening
Why...?
I need to take this thing apart and make it a regular Rat. And I confess to buying it just for a curiosity since any and ever Rat 1 or 2 has always been super easy to flip open. But the assisted open on this thing is TOUGH to get open. I've been absent mindedly flipping it open and closed while watching TV to "break it in" and I can't tell if it's getting any better or not. I love the G10 instead of the usual nylon but I think this will be a better knife if it can be "de-assisted".
Ontario RAT Model 1-A Assisted Folding Knife 3.625" Satin Plain Blade, Orange G10 Handles
Cons: Ease of Opening, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Pocket Clip, Sheath
Not ambidextrous opener and not recommended
I have a RAT 2 and bought the assisted opening RAT 1 because the 2 was just a bit small and, being a southpaw, the left thumb stud cutout on the RAT 2 was a bit too shallow for me. Thinking a bigger, assisted opening, knife would allow my left thumb to flick it open more easily….boy was I wrong! The left stud cutout on the RAT 1 is still too shallow ( probably due to locking spring tab) and the detent is so strong that there is no way a normal person can release the blade with their left thumb. Further, the sharp conical steps on the thumb studs don’t help. I have figured out how to “pinch and push” both thumb studs with my thumb and pointer finger, but it’s not ideal. It’s a shame that I really don’t recommend this knife because everything else about it is great. I’d recommend comparatively priced SOG brand assisted openers over the Ontario brand option.
Portions of the following content are served by a 3rd party. If you have accessibility or usability difficulties related to this 3rd party content, please call 800.338.6799.
Close-up of hand holding knife, opening or unsheathing knife, and then closing or sheathing knife.
XSubscribe Today: Exclusive Specials, Free Stuff with Every Order, Early Access to New Items!No ThanksYou have been subscribed successfully!
(
