Am I missing something here, what is a RTEK-2? Did you mean RTAKII? Anyway, I also came across another option that is right at the $100 mark. Its the RD9. It is thicker and has a micarta handle but shorter 9 1/2" vs 10 1/2" on the RTAKII. Metal is different and I know very little about metal. The RD9 is 5160 and the RTAKII is 1095. The blade on the RD9 isnt as wide and the handle has been said to be smaller. Both are interesting. Wonder which one is best?
This is what I found on the steels:
5160 A steel popular with forgers, it is extremely popular now and a very high-end steel. It is essentially a simple spring steel with chromium added for hardenability. It has good edge holding, but is known especially for its outstanding toughness (like L-6). Often used for swords (hardened in the low 50s Rc) because of its toughness, and is also used for hard use knives (hardened up near the 60s Rc
The 10-series -- 1095 (and 1084, 1070, 1060, 1050, etc.) Many of the 10-series steels for cutlery, though 1095 is the most popular for knives. When you go in order from 1095-1050, you generally go from more carbon to less, from better edge holding to less edge holding, and tough to tougher to toughest. As such, you'll see 1060 and 1050, used often for swords. For knives, 1095 is sort of the "standard" carbon steel, not too expensive and performs well. It is reasonably tough and holds an edge very well. It rusts easily. This is a simple steel, which contains only two alloying elements: .95% carbon and .4% manganese. The various kabars are usually 1095 with a black coating.
Source is: Knifeart.com
