2 bush knives

T

taillader

Joined
May 26, 2006
Messages
18
I was thinking of getting the Ontario TAK D2 plain edge and the RAT-7 D2 partially serrated as general bush/utility/survival knives.

What do you all think of my choices? Anything else you'd suggest in place of?

Also, I live in Australia.
 
Can they be found in Australia?

It doesn't appear to have been designed specifically with bush bashing tasks in mind. It is made of D2 steel, but so are the knives I was seriously considering getting. What about this knife makes you recommend it for a bush utility knife, because for me it is just like any other standard knife out there. What are your personal experiences?
 
Welcome to the forum mate. The ontario RAT knives are great. They are well made, use good materials and have great designs. If I were to pic 2 knives from the range. I would definatly go for the RAT 7 in 1095 (stronger than the D2) and the RAT 3 in D2. These two knives wouyld cover most of your needs.
 
Yeah they seem like pretty solid tools from what I've seen. I had a crack with the whole range a while back, no work just getting a feel of them and fell in love.

Then I found this website www.elitesteel.net . It's Aussie and the prices are amazing, so now I really want to get these blades.

I thought D2 was stronger than the 1095 and that's why it costs more? Or is it only harder?

I was looking at the RAT-3 but the TAK is close in size and shape but much thicker and therefore sturdier from where I sit.

Whaddya reckon?
 
How about Bark River knives? looks like an excellent choice, and I saw many good review on them in this forum. I'm considering to buy one myself, but can not find online store that would accept order from and ship to Indonesia, grrh...
 
Go with the RAT-5 over the TAK it's a little longer in the blade and it's 1095. 1095 is better for bush work as it flexes more than D-2 which because of it's hardness is prone to chipping. Also D-2 is hard to sharpen 1095 is a cinch to sharpen.
 
Yes but for a long blade I'd have the RAT-7 and for a shorter blade I'd have the TAK.

If exclusively having one I could see where you are coming from, but in addition to having the RAT-7 would you still recommend as a companion knife the RAT-5 over the TAK?

If D2 is harder to sharpen won't it also be harder to dull?

If it is too brittle for bush work, why do they bother making the knife out of D2 AND charge more for it?

You can get both the TAK and RAT-7 in 1095 if you so with instead of D2.
 
The benefit of D2 is that it holds an edge longer and you don't need to oil it like a 1095. So if one is lazy about bladecare then D2 is the way to go. Now D2 holds it's edge longer but you cannot get the fine edge that you can with 1095HC. So your blade in D2 does not dull as fast but will never be as sharp as the 1095HC. It's really a matter of preference as to which one you get but even Mike and Jeff have stated that 1095 is there preferred bush steel also. I think most outdoor users will also agree.
I like the RAT-5 because of the skullcrusher ( TAK does not have one ) which I find all sorts of uses for when I'm out as mentioned it's 1095 so it;s really easy to sharpen and it just feels really good in the hand. TAK looks to big in comparison to it's blade size. Now if you are going to get the RAT-7 I personally think you should get the RAT-3 that way you have a good blade for finer work and the 1095 version should be out next month. I suggested the RAT-5 over the TAK because you specifically spoke of it. The original RTAK has been discontinued and the RTAK 2 is soon to be out. IMHO the RAT-5 is a successor to the TAK.
 
Alright I'll keep that in mind. I've never owned a knife made from D2, only HC 1095, AUS8 and the like.

I've never had problems with 1095, but after a few years of use and sharpening you notice (when compared to a new one) the steel you have taken off, and was thinking if I'm going to spend that sort of money why not get something that will last a long time?

So you think it will be harder for me to get the same degree of finesse in regards to sharpening angles with D2?

I'll have to find someone with a D2 blade and have a proper play with it methinks.

Cheers for the advice.
 
I have a Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri that they made very few of. It is the Cold Steel HTC ( not to be confused with the LTC), 15 inch bladed Gurkha Kukri. This Gurkha is made with the Cold Steel Proprietary Carbon V blade steel. I am not particularly a CS fan but this particular knife has been the best bush/clearing/machete type knife I've ever owned.

If there is a better bush/clearing/machete knife than this I would like to know the make and model. If you get one of these you won't be sorry. JD
 
The Fallkniven F1 is considered to be one of the better Bushcraft blades out there. It's not a big lopper of a blade, but a good all round outdoors knife.
 
It's a pretty knife but looks like appears to be a standard drop point without bush-bashing in mind when designed.

Also, for just a drop point its pretty damn expensive.

What I'm looking for is a knife specifically designed for bush bashing/survival.

Something you can chop with, pry with, cut with that will take a beating.
 
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