Are RTAKs really that bad?

mneedham

mneedham

Joined
Jul 8, 2006
Messages
2,776
I really like the RTAK, I have been using it for brush clearing a lot. I like the broad thin blade and size of it. A couple of the testing web sites really make it sound fragile (edge damage). I use mine more like machete than an axe, but I do sometimes chop wood with it. I haven't had any problems with it. What are other people's experience?
 
I heard the same things about the RTAK, and I hear that's why they came out with the RTAK II. I don't know which you have. I've yet to hear that they aren't good from people who actually own and use them. Maybe I just don't get out much.
 
I don't think there is anything at all wrong with it. Obviously you have put it through it's paces with no problem, and I wouldn't put too much into some of those "testing" sites ;)
 
Cpl.,

Mine is the original with the big square grip.

Wabajack,

Not sure, the grip is much different.

Tknife,

Yep, you're right. I guess that is what I'm asking in a way.. Curious as to field performance among actual users.
 
I have owned 2. The first one was returned after I took 2 half inch chunks out of the blade cutting down dead pine branches. The second has ben used well with no other problems.
 
I heard they made some great changes to the RTAK II, the first one hade some handle comfort issues and I think some heat treat issues. Their customer service was amazing, however. People were dealing with the creators themselves for replacements, and getting them very promptly.
 
The RTAK seems to fit in the discouraging medium of large knife - machete, it can do the duties of both but not as efficient as both. I have a cold steel LTC kukuri carbon5 that falls in the same perameters.
 
I like both RTAK styles. The first one had a couple sent back in for heat treat issues. I asked Jeff Randall about it and he said it was only a few that actually came back. On the net so many folks were stirring the pot , you'd have thought the entire run of em was flawed. I literally beat the Hell outa my RTAK,thin edge and all. Even threw it a few times. No damage whatsoever. I did stabs into wood and pried out the tip, chopped knots,and even let a few chops impact the gravel after chopping through a log. No damage other than the usual dulling from the gravel. When the RTAKII came out I got one of those too and did similar tests.Flying colors would describe the results. I wasn't trying to break em intentionall but I did pace em through some very tough cuts. Really great blades. The design differences of the RTAKII and RTAK are really to seperate the different enviornments each would be suited for. The original RTAK is supposed to be machete like for jungle use. The RTAKII is designed for use in a more boreal setting being a bit more like a chopper. Plus the RTAKII answered the market call for a differnet handle shape. Many folks just didn't like the original RTAK handle. Gots to listen to the buyers :) I would never hesitate to use any of the RAT knives. The RAT team has stood behind their products and the knives have performed great :D
 
Thanks guys. It sounds like RTAK II is actually designed more or my environment (Upstate NY). That's the problem with BF, every time you ask a question, you realize that you need another blade....I agree with Neki about the RTAK being a "tweener" but it does a couple of things well enough that I continue to use it.
 
I'm not sure I was around with the RTAK-I internet frenzy. I did research it quite a bit because there was this place that still has some RTAK I in stock and as far as I was able to find out the main differences are ergonomics of the handle, of which some people prefer the first and others the 2nd design and difference in coating material which is supposed to be improved.

The one review site that criticizes it out of hand is that of cutlery science and we know that the individual of the aforementioned site only seems to like INFI and perhaps fallkniven brands- most other things are accused of critical failures, bad heat treat or handles tearing apart. Check out the the youtube destruction video for the RTAK II and it shows it chopping the heck out of wood and surviving very well a brutal torture test.

The knife does seem to have a rather nice intermediate thickness at 0.187" - thin enough to get really sharp and bite wood well, thick enough to withstand some good chopping while shaving some weight. Please don't take the above as a dig against 0.25" choppers.
 
Bill Siegle said:
I like both RTAK styles. The first one had a couple sent back in for heat treat issues. I asked Jeff Randall about it and he said it was only a few that actually came back. On the net so many folks were stirring the pot , you'd have thought the entire run of em was flawed. I literally beat the Hell outa my RTAK,thin edge and all. Even threw it a few times. No damage whatsoever. I did stabs into wood and pried out the tip, chopped knots,and even let a few chops impact the gravel after chopping through a log. No damage other than the usual dulling from the gravel. When the RTAKII came out I got one of those too and did similar tests.Flying colors would describe the results. I wasn't trying to break em intentionall but I did pace em through some very tough cuts. Really great blades. The design differences of the RTAKII and RTAK are really to seperate the different enviornments each would be suited for. The original RTAK is supposed to be machete like for jungle use. The RTAKII is designed for use in a more boreal setting being a bit more like a chopper. Plus the RTAKII answered the market call for a differnet handle shape. Many folks just didn't like the original RTAK handle. Gots to listen to the buyers :) I would never hesitate to use any of the RAT knives. The RAT team has stood behind their products and the knives have performed great :D
Click to expand...

If you all like the RTAKs, you need to get a Hoodlum II from Bill Siegle!
 
i use my RTAKII as a machete and light axe work and no issues at all,I really think it is a excellent blade for what I use it for...
 
KWilliams,

Yeah, I looked at Bill's gallery. I think I need about half of those. I like the bottom blade on photo #59.
 
Ontario did have some heat treat problems with the RTAKs but that's been solved. With that said, the blade is long and THIN. Designed mainly as a cross between a machete and a fixed blade for heavy vegetation use in the tropical environments. Since it was introduced users have used the RTAKs for everything, including cutting heads off or large game :) - that's good with us. As always, if you ever have a problem contact Mike or myself and it will be solved.
 
TTD,

Same way I use mine...

RAT,

It sound like you are stand up guys based on the comments made here. Thanks!
 
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