BATAC vs SAR5

dbltap45acp

dbltap45acp

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Dec 19, 2008
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Which do you think makes a better smaller knife for camp chores and why? Also, can anyone post a few side by side pictures of both, including the SAR5 in your hand. Thanks

Either will be used as a kind of bush craft blade.
 
I don't have side-by-side shots of the two, but I do have them next to the same knife for comparison.

ABALESAR5.jpg


Badgers.jpg




SAR5 in hand. Took these for someone else a while back.

SARHand1.jpg


SARHand2.jpg



Both work well for light batoning chores.

Duo2.jpg


BATACused.jpg



I'm a little torn both ways. I like the feel of the BATAC a little better, but I also appreciate the choil-less design of the SAR5 in a knife this small. I'm going to go with Ken Lunde's dad and say, "Get 'em both." :D
 
+1 on Guyon's reply.
I think the BATAC feels better in hand, but the SAR5's choilless design is a great + for me.
what I do not like in the SAR5, that the cutting edge is right on my fingers, and the "hammer"- handle could be improved.
for a "bushcraft-like" blade, and close, precise cutting the SAR is better, IMHO
 
The 5 inch Infi choices are a problem for me as well. I tried a BATAC LE and this is too thick in the handle/metal for me in terms of "balance" if I am honest...but it does give an "indestructable" impression to me which generates a "grin". Used with a lanyard to anchor your grip and held towards the rear of the grip which is quite long...it chops VERY well for a 5 inch blade....it is the weight I guess. Control work....it does'nt need the choil...the weight makes you feel it is slipping out the back of your hand in this grip...the balance point is well back into the handle already. If it came without a choil it would be better IMO.

The SAR5 I have'nt used...it does'nt catch my eye on looks...but each to their own.

In this size my personal favourite is a Ratmandu by Swamp Rat...the sister company....SR101 which is 52100 steel in this size knife is so close to Infi on performance it makes no odds to me....and the knife is perfect on balance and handling. Great for Bushcraft work and as a "second" knife to a large Infi chopper.
 
They will both work fine. Just pick the one that feels better in your hand.
 
A SAR5 is almost IDENTICAL in size, balance and feel to a Randall 25. Shocking! The only diff is the 25 has a lower guard. (Which you could almost argue the choil-less design is a guard in itself.)

The 25 is my favorite Randall. The SAR5 is an odd duck, but I can't stop holding it and fiddling with it. Versus the BATAC? Hmmmm. BATACLE = dust collector. BATAC = good mid-sized knife. I like my BATAC. Almost sold it once then took it back. I've beat it fairly well since then.

Agree with the "get both" suggestion.
 
I like the SAR5 but for the life of me I can't quite figure out why. The handle just feels right and the shape of the blade looks right however the performance was pretty poor the first time I used it. After I sharpened it myself it did far better and now it's about tackling tasks that a knife of this size is designed for. Chopping I would say is out (for me only branches over 2'' can be chopped others are just cut) but batoning, fuzz sticks, carving wood etc are all good for the SAR5.

Sadly I have no experience of the BATAC but i'm hoping to get loan of one to try out for a comparison.
 
I personally cannot get past the looks of the SAR5, so my thoughts to a comparison would always favor the BATAC. As to the CG BATAC, it would be perfect in satin with thin slabs and without a choil. It is still one of my favorite Busses.
 
I would take the SAR5 over the BATAC because it is the same amount of edge but WAY smaller. It has a convex primary grind which I love and the lack of a choil puts it over the top. Since you are not going to get any real chopping done with a 5" blade there is no reason a knife that size should have a choil so that you can choke back or choke up. For small chores you should be able to put all your digits ON THE HANDLE, close to the edge.

You try doing small chores with a BATAC with your hand wrapped around the handle and the edge is about 1 1/2" away from your index finger. What's the point of that? I know choking up is comfy enough but if you are choking up on your "small" knife why not leave that knife at home and choke up on your large primary carry?

Just my 2 cents.
 
The TAC handle doesn't work for some. It almost needs to be sampled first. I love my SAR for what it's worth, and would like a BATAC but can't pull myself together to actually buy one.
 
+1 for the SAR5. The lack of choil really puts it over the top from the BATAC. Why you need a choil on that sized knife is beyond my but to each his own.

The lack of choil will let you do much more detail oriented stuff like notches and such for traps and the butt is squared off and can pound in pegs and other items without tearing them to shreds.

The drawbacks for the the SAR are a thick edge and large handle. After a little bit of stropping the edge is easily fixed and some time with sandpaper should make the handle a bit better.
 
Alright, SAR5 it is. The BATAC I had just didnt fit right for me. I traded it for a pumpkin/black SAR5 with a buy brown sheath. This knife will be carried as a smaller knife along with my FFBM. I appreciate all the input guys, thanks again.
 
never held a SAR5 but i think i'd be inclined to go for that. i'm in the same camp as those who don't like the choil on the BATAC. and the SAR5 has slightly more edge while being shorter overall. don't really like the looks of it though. i'm waiting for the SAR4
 
This is a no-brainer,,,,, I'll take the Custom Shop # 262

Better Yet,,,,,,,, I'll take 2 of them,,,,,,whats your paypal addy ????? :D
 
<whistles innocently > ,,,,,,,, knowing he's not getting the addy or the 262 :(

However,,, I'd pick the Sar5 over the Batac,,,, on looks alone,,,,now if it was just a BA ,,,,way different story
 
What is that 262 model? Looks great. Was it a custom design or a custom based on an older model?

And WHY it is not begin produced anymore! :mad:

;)
 
For what it's worth......

I've not handled a BATAC, but I have owned and sold BAIII's.

I prefer the SAR5 because the down-swept handle puts the blade at a more comfortable and aggressive cutting angle for me. You could call it ergonomics.
 
I believe the 262 is a BA 3 LE ,,,,,, and it's sweeeeeet

I'm sure Guyon would happy to chime in with the correct response if I'm wrong.
 
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