I love the R2D2 joke!

“This R2D2 might be the droid you’ve been looking for” might be the best joke you’ve ever made

You are completely right about the carbon fiber scales. I should have listened.

Not increasing the price is a cool and interesting move. Seems like a bit of a challenge to all the knife makers who are marketing d2 as a super premium high dollar steel, and I'm really liking that. This is a knife that enough people know, that it could significantly impact what steels come at what price.

Love my RAT2 in AUS8. Sharpening is not an issue. It's what I do every night when watching the idiot box. Why pay more for a slightly better steel? Busy hands are happy hands. Love your reviews Nick.

Discovered something more to love about this knife last night. The spine is excellent at removing old compound from a strop by scraping. Cleaned a strop, re-spread it with compound, stropped again and cleaned dirty compound off again, all inside 5 mins. Happy.

Ironically the first Ontario knife I ever purchased was the Rat 1 in G10/Carbon Fiber D2. I love that damn thing. Seriously. Fun fact. Let my brother borrow it and he lost it... I was angry beyond measure and ordered another one (black coated). Edge Pro'ed it to a mirror polish and held on to it... Weeks later I am at his apartment and find my original knife. So I technically bought two.

Got my R2D2 in coyote brown. Thanks for review Nick

I want my R2D2 in blue.

Ok man after a ton of reviews you won me over on this knife. Looking for an edc that wont freak out my coworkers. I also didnt want junk. You have great reviews well done.

I decided on the green Rat II D2 and blought it on Amazon about an hour ago. Then i decided to buy the CF model instead. AND THEN, I watched this review and cancelled the CF and reordered the green model. Thank you for the infor that saved me not only $10.00, but the regret for a poor choice. Nick, you rock!

I've been waiting (and waiting etc.) for my beloved RAT 2 to come out in D2, and I'm not disappointed. Both RATs, 1 and 2, especially in D2, are among my favorite value folders. The AUS8 versions I own have nice polished edges that only take minimal ceramic honing and stropping to maintain.

I just bought one thanks to your info. I was sitting here all day long going through the internet trying to find the best price on this knife and then I saw your video about D2 Steel. I found it at Warriors and wonders here in Canada bought it right away and it's on the way thanks for the info

i know this is a old video, if you have a d2 knife you can use gun blue to coat the blade to be rust proof. you can cold blue pretty much any metal and it gives a beautiful black ice look

I have to get my hands on this. I recently got myself a RAT 1 in Aus 8 and am absolutely loving it and plan to get the D2 version. Now I want the RAT 2 in both versions as well

Currently today February 7th, 2020 the R2 D2 is $37.68 satin with OD green scales and the R2 AUS 8 is $25.07 satin with black scales both at Amazon.

I just opened the box on my r2d2. I’ve always had spyderco knives but this may be my new favorite except my thumb slips off the stud most of the time but I’ll get used to it. Spyderco is always sooo easy to open . But this is very light and easier to carry. Maybe my new favorite...thanks for the recommendation nick.

Your original guess was correct, that's essentially a sticker of carbon fiber on g-10. Ganzo has the same two sided c.f. and g-10 scales made by sandwiching a layer of g-10 between two thin layers of c.f. I don't want to argue with people who say it's %100 carbon fiber, it's not, it says it right in the product description.

My EDC is the Kershaw Leek. I work in an office setting. It's not big, not to small and always comes through in a clinch.

The good thing about these CF handle scales is that the knife can be pulled out from denim pants easily. I have the RAT-1 in D2 & CF.

I absolutely love when you show other knives in the videos to compare them so you can see other knives someone thinks is very cool without having to search in another video, very good reviewer. Awesome

This wonderful little knife is so much a part of my life that I get a little anxious if I realize I'm not carrying it.

Thanks Nick, been watching your channel for a while, now I'll be pulling the trigger on my first EDC knife with the RD2D2.

This is one us budget guys have been waiting on.Thanks Harry

I've had the CF Rat 1 in D2 for a year or so now, and I personally love the carbon fiber on it! Maybe my standards are too low...

I'll look forward to having this knife in my pocket. great news, it's big brother in D2 is one of my faves.

Thank you Mr Shabazz! I’m new to the knife game and I was sold on the Syderco Tenacious as my first EDC . That was until I subbed to your channel. With this great review you have sold me on this Ontario Rat 2 (D2). Keep em coming Sir! ~Tim~🙂

“There may well be some carbon in here... and it may be fiberous...” lol

Just watched the proper review. And now I'm here. I like it when I'm having trouble keeping up with new uploads. I'm picking up two of these soon once I find the budget.

I bought two of the Ontario rat 1 n I love the knife! Excellent Review n I think spot on , concise objective review on your part. Thank you for not playing stupid music or wasting time. I will become new subscriber. Dr Dave

Hi Nick, I'm watching old Rat reviews since I'm considering ordering one in D2. Already have the Aus8. (Talking about the Rat1) I just had a thought....don't you think if they added a flipper at the bottom end of the 'choil-ish' area it would be great. To me the Rat has one of the best detents (for my preference.) I just think if they added a flipper it would turn this from one of the best budget knives to THE BEST. I know to some it may already be. That would give you so many opening options. And what I like about flippers, especially with a longer type flipper is that it takes away any fear I have about the liner lock. If you were to exert alot of forward pressure on a flipper knife and it failed, the flipper would close on your finger instead of the edge. This is hypothetical, but I believe a flipper might just prevent your finger from being cut badly.

I got mine today, plain black handle. I was flicking it open all afternoon. Great effortless action.

I got an R2D2 in November and upgraded to Flytanium scales in December. I love this thing.

BladeHQ and Knife Center both charge $10 more ($37.95) for D2 over the AUS8 ($27.95) for same models. This is basically same cost difference on Rat1 versions of D2 and Aux8 at both sites.

my CF R2D2 showed up damaged on one side of the scales. apparently most of these coming from Ontario have this issue. returned mine and awaiting a new one with plastic scales. love this knife tho!

I know where my next 40 bucks is going. Awesome. Nice review Tricky Nicky.

I'm a recent budget knife afficionado. The RAT2 was hyped on several youtube channels as the best thing since sliced bread. At the best, was a let down.i cushion that by saying I probably woulda loved the knife if I didn't have some others I really love. It has good steel and overall construction, but thats where it ends for me. It'll end up in my car as a beater. I like the look, the thinness and construction but it is far from a one hand intuitive knife like my other flippers that I thoroughly enjoy. This one takes some finess and smaller hand apparently. The clip is short and SUPER stiff. I got frustrated taking it out and putting in my pocket it was so tight. I was doing a project and basically just kept in fully in my pocket til my next use. It feels like itll wear out the jean material as well if i used this one a lot. For a budget friendly knife I'll buy other models of the Honeybadger or anything by Ganzo. The Ganzo Firebird FH91AND 41 in D2 with amazing flip action is $25 to $30 currently!!! Both Cheaper and more fun than this.

I have the R2D2 in Green and D2 steel ofc, its my EDC #1, i simply love the size, handling and feel of this cheap knife. And I do have a few other knifes, even much moore expencive ones like Benchmade 940. The Griptillian and The Freek This little knife is awesome, I carry him every day.

Took mine apart and did a little sanding on the scales. It made a HUGE difference. I recommend to try it. I just hit it with a 600 grit, took the gloss off. Try it.

Dammit, Nick, you just had to point out that the name is now a Star Wars reference. Now I want one more than I already did.

You confused the hell out of me. I've wanted a R2-D2 for as long as there was a R1D2, never able to find it as it didn't exist, I started this thinking it was an R1D2 but then saw this was posted 24hr ago and realized my prayers were answered.

I have many more expensive Spyderco knives but I still think that my old aus 8 rat 2 may be my favorite little knife ever. I've had the d2 in my next shopping cart for a week now. Great video

I love that he called it the r2-D2

I heard R2D2 and i subscribed, i really enjoy your enthusiastic voice. Looks like i gotta go buy me a droid now lol

Onatario is a great company for not being greedy and making a great affordable knife for the middleclass outdoorsman. I would think they'll make up for loss with huge sales numbers. A rat 1 with a serrated d2 blade with g10 scales and ball bearings would be perfect.

I got one in carbon and one in coyote brown plastic. I do prefer "using" the plastic, but the carbon looks better, IMHO so I carry it when I don't expect to use it too hard. Maybe I'm just a sucker for any carbon fiber whatsoever.

Talon Grips work great for adding grip to the slippery plastic scales

The carbon fiber could still be a laminate. Ganzo also has carbon fiber laminates on both side of the scale. They apparently do this so that they can save costs by only having to cut out one orientation/design for both sides.

In Blade HQ it specifies it’s CF/G-10. I ordered one with the black blade and CF/G10 scales. Hasn’t arrived yet. We’ll see how it turns out. Wanted something different. Good review as always Nick.

You saved me a few bucks for sticking with the nylon. Thanks!

It's g10 with a carbon fiber sticker on each side so they can do the initial cut on the handles in the same direction.

Give the scales a light sanding with a high grit paper and you'll get closer to the feel of that zt.

Thanks for this video. I’ve been holding off on the RAT2, but now that the D2 model is out....I think now is the time to jump.

I just picked up the R2D2 due to the company closing down. I got the last one in the store. It's a very good knife that deserves to be in the collection. Sad about OKC

You can buy D2 version with FRN from factory. It's a pity you haven't mentioned if the black blade coating is any good.

Thanks for your reviews. Are there any high and clones of this knife made? (Under $200) I have this knife and its great, just wish it was more premium. The mini bugout is too small.

Great news, and great review. One thing that I was hoping you would do was a weight comparison between the carbon D2 and plastic Aus8. Weight would be the only mildly compelling reason to get the carbon. If it's not too much trouble for you, do you think you could bust out the scales for me? Love your work, especially your focus on the value end of the spectrum.

I switched the handle scale on my rat 2 d2 to the plastic scales because the carbon fiber scales are too smooth for my liking

It’s a peel ply CF like spyderco or ganzo most of it is g-10. Great vid love that you call yourself out

R2D2!!! Now I have to buy one!!!

Now I need an R2D2 to go with the Sheaffer R2D2-themed fountain pen I just picked up...

While they tend to look quite vanilla, these knives are just freakishly wonderful. I'm collecting all of the colors to satisfy my nerdism and unwavering love for them, but the regular Joe Shmoe black one is the one I beat up. I look at it like you look at the delica. Love other stuff. Get other stuff. Well aware that there is better stuff, but yet something in us needs to make sure that we never forget what truly works, and what deserves to be respected for it. Is that how you spell "Shmoe"? I feel like a C should be in there.

hey nick you could sand down the carbon a bit to give it a mat finish

Long time coming, and Ontario has kind of thrown the gauntlet down by not raising the price. I'd like to add that disassembling a Rat 2 - reveals an impressive build quality, especially in a $32 knife.

Finally... Thanks Nick...!!! Love your reviews...

I bought the D2 Carbon Fiber Rat 2 and it came out of the box kind of stiff.and the liner lock is tight as well..blade is perfectly centered, and it came with the pocket clip in the tip down position.changing to the tip up now...what can I do to loosen up the action?

Aus8 is also much more responsive to a strop then D2. So u might actually need to go to stones a little more then aus8. Unless your really hard on the edge and chip it or roll it.

In the pic of the two Rat 2s, it looks like the Aus 8 one has a sharpening choil, but the D2 one has none or a smaller one.

Hey Nick, is the handle thickness the same between the two handle scale options? The hole around the pivot on the plastic handle looks deeper in some shots.

I shall use your word, Mr. Shabazz " Friggin Hallelujah!!!!"

I agree with Nick, I bought the carbon fiber for my brother since he likes carbon fiber. He liked it because he's not super into knives. But Nick is correct, it straight up looks like a sticker, honestly, I've seen actual carbon fiber stickers that look more like carbon fiber than these handle scales. Ironically though, it actually is real carbon fiber xD.

Yes not the best cf, but for the price you shouldn't expect zt quality cf. I also think it makes the knife feel more substantial. Where as the frn on the cutjack feels cheap.

"Whoa, freeze frame!" LOL. Nick for President.

sure wish theyed make the Joe Pardue series in a D2. Id buy em in a heartbeat

Camera might be cheating, but did the D2 get a slight recurve?

Hoping this puts some pressure on companies like CRKT and Kershaw to start upgrading their steel.

If there is no deal with Disney so there is an R2-D2 themed Rat 2 in D2 steel, Ontario is missing a huge opportunity.

The carbon fiber scales are slippery too. I wish I had the original handles.

Maybe its just me but i do a lot of physical labor in the sun at work and i find more often than not im sweating through my pocket. So i think i'll stick with AUS-8 for now. I carried a D2 blade once and it had light rust after the 1st week.

"The droid you've been looking for"......well played Sir!!!!

You are crazy as hell, sir... many thanks for that. I love my R2D2 in green. I carry them shits everyday

Thanks Nick I love your reviews and wish I had seen this one sooner. Last night I ordered mine with the carbon fiber. My bad

Nick, I'm really can't decide between Rat 2 or Civivi Elementum 2, any advice ? thanks

R2d2. I like that well done good sir 👏.

Just one question about the D2 steel: Is it possible to sharpen it using regular whetstones? Ive heard some people say that there are some troubles with the vanadium particles in the steel, which make the edge chip once it gets really fine. Basically you cant get it hair popping without some special (most likely diamond) whetstones, which are hard enough to cut through those particles instead of chipping them out of the steel matrix (thats at least how i understood). Since Im considering getting one of those knives, Im deciding between the AUS 8 and D2. For most of my sharpening I use some silicon carbide whetstone (120 and 400 grit), Naniwa combination waterstone 1000/3000 (aluminium oxide and white aluminium oxide) and green polishing compound (probably also aluminium oxide, not sure) on a leather strop. Is it possible with this setup to get the D2 blade hair shaving? Thx for any answers in advance.

At what angle do I sharpen this knife?

Personally I would take some sand paper and try and rough up the surface of that carbon fiber. Might improve it, definitely make it less shiny.

Rat2 with custom micarta scales with D2 me like a lot

Great review thanks Nick... 👊👍✌

And.... ordered. Olive drab. Nick, you need to make another warning video.

I think you should totally do a vs on the d2 cutback vs d2 rat2

are we getting a disassembly video on the D2 version??

hello, what and the sharpening angle of the ontario rat 2 with the d2 steel?

I got the carbon fiber, but I don’t mind it for the price. It definitely is is a little cheesy. Maybe I can upgrade to some timascus.

I absolutely LOVE my RAT-1 D2! Out of all my knives, many of them very high end, my R1-D2 is one of the hardest knives to leave at home. It finds its way into my pocket more often than not even when i have new, very nice knives to carry. Along with my go-to Spyderco manix-2 CPM S30V, the RAT-1 D2 goes much more than it stays. Its a fantastic knife and D2 elevates it to the entry level super steel class. Cant go wrong with that!

AUS8 Rat II should be called the "Swamp RAT" since it's does better around water.

In my pocket right now!

Does this stay in your permanent collection and get carried regularly?

I prefer easy to sharpen, so AUS 8 for me.

got this as my first knife, how does he flick it open so fast?