Fixed blade question

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Swoop03

Swoop03

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Dec 1, 2012
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I have my selection down to two knives. I don't really need a fixed blade but I just feel unprepared if I don't have a large outdoors type blade. I'll probably use it around the yard and in the winter for making kindling so it will see some use. If I ever go camping I'll bring it and it will accompany me when I go out four wheeling in my truck too. And big blades are just cool.

I'm looking at the:
Ontario RTAK II
ESEE Junglas

They're pretty much the same blade,
RTAK has a slightly longer handle with a choil which I like
Both have 10.5" blades 3/16th (.1875") thick
Both have texture powder coat finish
Both have canvas micarta handles
The ones I'm looking at both come with sheaths
The junglas has a high saber grind and rtak has a full flat it looks. so the junglas would split wood better right? It also weighs an ounce more than the RTAK. So it would chop a touch more easily.
Also they use different steels: Junglas=1095 RTAK=5160
Then you have the price, the Junglas is a 100 bucks more than the RTAK

So how much of a difference is there between 1095 and 5160? Is it worth it?
How much better is the Junglas sheath or worse?

I am leaning more towards the RTAK, how much a difference is there in performance if any between the two?
 
this is a no-contest. Junglas hands down. As a general rule in the knife world, you get what you pay for. Why?

- Junglas ergos, sheath and finish is top notch.
- No questions, forever warrant
- That little skull with the logo is badass :D

But seriously...do your homework. The RTAk has a bad rep due to a vid of one snapping during quite ordinary use. Also, the sheath on the Junglas is the best Kydex job I've seen on a factory-made knife. And yeah, it chops like a mofo. Did I mention the forever ESEE warranty?

If the price is holding you back, get a BK9. This one and the Junglas are soul sistas with different apparel, but equally good action.
 
I had big knife fever when I got into knives and now I realize that with some very simple skills, big knives are just not as useful because they are a pain to carry! So for example batoning wood can get you through larger chopping chores and certainly through kindling easily and often more safely. A 4" - 6" knife can do much of what a large chopper can do if you just do it a bit differently.

Of course, some people like big blades and that is perfectly fine too, so of the choices, I think the Junglas is the one to go with.
 
kbog said:
So for example batoning wood can get you through larger chopping chores and certainly through kindling easily and often more safely. A 4" - 6" knife can do much of what a large chopper can do if you just do it a bit differently.
Click to expand...

Throw a saw in there and forget about it. :D


I'd go for the Junglas too between those.
 
kbog said:
I had big knife fever when I got into knives and now I realize that with some very simple skills, big knives are just not as useful because they are a pain to carry! So for example batoning wood can get you through larger chopping chores and certainly through kindling easily and often more safely. A 4" - 6" knife can do much of what a large chopper can do if you just do it a bit differently.

Of course, some people like big blades and that is perfectly fine too, so of the choices, I think the Junglas is the one to go with.
Click to expand...

Yea I know, I have a 5.5" inch SOG "fighting" fixed blade. I say fighting because it has super aggressive grip and is very balanced and feels like a feather in the hand. It works good as a camp knife and for small batoning though. I just want a big blade to have really. What I'm going to use it for I have a hatchet for that works just as fine. It's just one of the things I don't have yet and I don't feel complete without one. I also want to get one that I can depend upon when I may have to. I wanted the junglas first but then I stumbled upon the RTAK and was like "hell i can get the same knife for 100 less pretty much, but now is the junglas worth the extra money over this one?" So i posted here and so far the ESEE is blowing the Ontario out of the water.
 
Junglas, no question. It needs no mods out of the box. I can't say that for ANY Ontario I've ever had.
 
RTAK II is a good knife but for the higher quality of the junglas and the better sheath I think it's a better value.
 
Junglas, hands down. You should try looking for the video of the junglas bending 90 degrees before it snapped.
 
I have a Junglas. I love it. The factory sheath is excellent. The handle ergos are awesome.

Lots of folks complain about the handle ergos on the RTAK II, from what I remember reading. Too blocky, I believe. It seemed as though users had to sand down its handle scales for a more comfortable grip.

Get the Junglas, man. You will love it :)
 
I'd take 5160 over 1095 all day every day in a whack and hack knife.
 
would you care to elaborate? I have plenty of knives in both 5160 and 1095 and have not been able to tell a difference in peformance. I don't know if newer RTAKs are better or if Ontario changed anything, but that video of the RTAK snapping makes you think twice before purchasing it.
 
I have literally wailed on an Ontario 5160 knife and I have only ever had to touch it up. That's to say I have split wood, broken down furniture for garbage pick up, accidentally banged it on rocks etc. Granted it's a 1/4" thick model but nonetheless. I think brand recognition comes into play when somebody is looking for a recommendation between Ontario and ESEE and I think the reports of Ontarios having improper heat treat are overblown. 5160 is going to be a tougher steel that 1095 and that is no myth, misconception or opinion. I have used 1095 extensively in a custom FB and I love it to death, but if I were purchasing a knife to whack and hack or as OP put it "use it around the yard and in the winter for making kindling so it will see some use" I'd save the extra cash and go with the tougher steel. The rest (sheath and handle blockiness) can be remedied pretty easily. Edit, the one complaint I have so far is the handle came loose the first time I really used it, I took it apart and put teflon tape on the bolt threads and I've had no problem since. I boiled the sheath for a few moments and inserted the knife and pressed it all with my body weight for a tighter fit. This comes from a yinzer as well haha.
 
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well, I really like Ontarios and their 5160. Between the ranger series and the spec plus, I find them to be an excellent value. That being said, there's been quite a few broken RTAKs to ignore.
 
So, to the OP, if the Junglas seems too much and if you prefer 5160 over 1095, check ontario's ranger and spec plus series, very good stuff at a very good price.
 
zuluninja said:
So, to the OP, if the Junglas seems too much and if you prefer 5160 over 1095, check ontario's ranger and spec plus series, very good stuff at a very good price.
Click to expand...

I've personally never used either steel and the knife wouldn't really see any real use so the what steel is it, is really just a minute detail. I just wanted to know if there was any significant difference in the two that would explain such a price difference. Thinking about it, when I get the money saved up and the itch for a fixed blade again I'll go for the junglas as of this moment. It is subject to change in the future of course though. I've decided so I'll close the thread, thanks all for your input.
 
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