review – The Olight Ratel blue folding knife is currently only available in one color, but if you like the blue, there is nothing to complain about. This low-tech tool, possibly made from a high-tech process, is ready to work with you and quickly deployed for use.
What is it
The Olight Ratel Folding Knife is a lightweight folding knife Knife Features a durable plastic composite handle and high-strength steel blade.
what’s in the box
- Olight Ratel Blue Folding Knife
- Nylon cloth knife cover
- light coin
- cleaning cloth
- manual
Hardware Specifications
- Weight: 4 oz
- Blade Length: 3.2 inches
- Blade Width: 0.94″ at widest point
- Blade Thickness: 0.12″ at back and jimping (thumb notch)
- Handle width: 1.06″ at widest point
- Closed Length: 4.28 inches
- Open Length: 7.48 inches
- Blade material: 154CM steel
Design and Features
- Tanto style blade
- G10 Compression Composite Plastic Handle
- Pocket clip for blade deployment, no need to rotate the knife after drawing
- A secure liner lock ensures the blade stays open but easily unlocks for closing.
set up
Olight Ratel knives do not require cleaning, so they are open and ready to use. Some purists will immediately get their hands on their brand new blades. I don’t think it’s necessary. The blade is as sharp as cutting paper, so no maintenance is required.
observe
As a first cutting assignment, I did cut the edge of a piece of paper and the Ratel cut smoothly without any resistance.
The Olight Ratel Blue Folding Knife product name nicely describes the only handle color available. The shade of blue used for the handle can be called “hard to lose blue”. I tend to like that all my EDC stuff is black, but I admit that makes some things harder to find in some environments. Ratel Blue can be called “Google Docs Logo Blue”, “Microsoft Word Logo Blue” or royal blue. What is a fair balance?
There is a little dust on the blade. There is no marginal deformity.
Thanks to its 4-ounce weight, the Ratel doesn’t push down the pocket unnecessarily, nor does it pull excessively if clipped to the pocket.
A friend who is a veteran and currently works in federal law enforcement evaluated the Olight Ratel blue folding knife for me. Of all things, he first praised how the knife was closed. Of course, he likes the weight, feel, quick and easy opening and edge sharpness. But he praised how the knife closes smoothly and doesn’t “jump shut” like some knives, which adds a nice safety measure during closing.
There is something magnetic or mechanical that holds the blade in the handle until it is intentionally opened. This good engineering prevents the blade from partially opening in the pocket, which could cut through the pocket and poke a leg.
I cut through the 3/8″ nylon cord with a single stroke of the blade. No sawing required. Rattle is sharp.
see it in action
what do I like
- Proper factory sharpened blade
- Excellent “grip” of the handle
- Comfortable handle when knife is opened or closed
- inconspicuous weight
- Open and close smoothly
- ‘Blade down’ clip position is my preference
- Limited lifetime warranty
what would i change
- I wish the handle was available in other colors. I would buy red, but green, grey and black are cool too.
- I would skip heavy coins.
final thoughts
The Olight Ratel Blue Folding Knife is a well-designed and well-made pocket folder. The quality seems to outweigh the price in my opinion, so you might agree that Ratel is great value for money.
price: $74.95 (currently on sale for $63.71 until April 25, 2022)
Where to buy: Outlet Store
source: Samples for this review are provided by Olette.
