For which uses does the BATAC excel?

straitshot

straitshot

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Mar 18, 2006
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I've had the BATAC for a few weeks now but have not used it. Normally I would have put a new knife to work by this time, but this one is somewhat larger than I expected. It's the largest 5" blade I've yet handled. It's over a pound with the sheath, the handle is about a half inch longer than my grip, and I can't imagine being able to bend it.

It seems small for chopping, a mite big for a hunting knife (I think my SS4 is going to be a favorite for a long time) so I haven't messed it up in case I decide to sell although I would prefer to find a good niche for it as a user.

Does anyone know what the design parameters were? What was the primary intended use? Is it a compromise among more specialized models to be a jack of all trades? I have a Ratchet that seems to have about the same swing so is it a small chopper in addition to a manageable slicer?

Or am I over-analyzing and it's just another Infi model to have around?:confused: Thanks in advance for any opinions.:) Regards, ss.
 
I think the Tac handle was designed for the SJTac, then Busse decided that they needed another Tac handle knife and the BATac was born.

That's my guess any way.
 
The BATAC is too small for decent chopping though its fatter variation the LE and SE are ok for this task.

It is on the large size for a EDC type knife for most people. I would say that the BATAC is a general purpose Jack of All Trades Master at None type of knife. It is probably more suitable as a robust Military type combat knife similar to a Kabar which is too big for fine tasks but too small for large chopping tasks.
 
Yes, maybe you are over-analyzing it. The Batac is a great knife that I have fell in love with 6 times over including an LE. The whole badger line even! It's OK to not have a specific use or designation for a blade, just one that makes you feel good and can get you out of a TON of situations as has been posted here in the past. If you liker er' keep er' if not, sell er'. No big thing either way. She's an asset to you either way! No Regrets, c4man
 
Maybe the BATAC is a 'taint. 'Taint a real chopper and 'taint a caping blade. It would make a very substantial day hiker or semi-primitive campsite knife.
 
It is probably more suitable as a robust Military type combat knife
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that's my vote. if you need an edge, coupled with the potential need to pry into or out of something -- it's a great knife. Not too heavy to carry, but definitely stout enough to tackle most anything.

I also think with the proper edge, it would be a fine skinner. Although it is definitely heavy for extended use -- hand cramps would result after a few large animals...
 
I will now commit heresy. I hate the tac handle. Whenever I pull out my Howling Rat LM, I wonder why Busse doesn't throw on a talon hole and take this grip shape and make it standard for this blade length type knives. If you have ever held a HRLM or Ratmandu then you know what I mean. I have two Satin Jack tacs and two BATAC's. The mag grip makes the tac handle better but it is way too big for a knife this size. Even with the SJ tac held at the back its not a great chopper. I would rather have a size appropriate grip. Steal back the HRLM grip and use it on your 5 inchers. A Ratmandu in INFI would make people forget the old badgers (ok, not really, but I was on a roll!).

pete
 
My take on the BATAC is that it's a great, capable knife to carry when you don't expect anything.

IE; if you're going hunting, then you'll take a smalle knife (GW, LMS, AD, SS-4, HRLM) for skinning, etc.

If you're going camping, then you'll take a larger knife (Hell Razor, Camp Tramp, Ratweiler, Satin Jack, Battle Mistress, Steel Heart, Mastiff) and maybe one of the smaller ones listed above, also.

Hiking, tho........where you don't expect to really "need" a knife for anything serious or specific, then the BATAC can fill the bill on both ends of the utility spectrum should a need arise.

.
 
pedropcola said:
I will now commit heresy. I hate the tac handle. Whenever I pull out my Howling Rat LM, I wonder why Busse doesn't throw on a talon hole and take this grip shape and make it standard for this blade length type knives. If you have ever held a HRLM or Ratmandu then you know what I mean. I have two Satin Jack tacs and two BATAC's. The mag grip makes the tac handle better but it is way too big for a knife this size. Even with the SJ tac held at the back its not a great chopper. I would rather have a size appropriate grip. Steal back the HRLM grip and use it on your 5 inchers. A Ratmandu in INFI would make people forget the old badgers (ok, not really, but I was on a roll!).

pete
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I agree, though I've never held either of those. Actually, I have small hands and mostly hate the rear palm swell. It just doesn't fit well in my hand. That said I like the blade a lot and would use the knife for EDC if it was legal here.
 
One word for all of you determined chopper types: batoning.
The badger is plenty thick enough for batoning, if needed. I love this knife, and think it's great for just about everything. I will admit that I am very tempted to raised the angle a bit to make it sharper, mine won't see any time batoning.
My recommendation: If you don't "get" a knife, force yourself to carry it around as your only knife for at least 2 weeks. You'll quickly learn what it's strengths and weakness are, and what modifications need to be done. (include angle changes.)
 
For me BATAC is a great all around knife. You can do almost everything with it. The flat grind makes it a pretty good slicer, it's big enough for light chopping, yet not to heavy to carry it while on a hike. The big handle makes the chopping possible as it allowes many different grips. Many times while in the forest I needed to chop wood to make small fire. Not very big branches that would need a FBM or Steel heart - just the ones that I couldn't brake. My howling rat was a bit too small to do this - BATAC is much better in this area and chopping is quicker than battoning. BATAC is also lighter and cuts much better than the Hell Razor, so now it goes with me to the woods the most frequently of all my knives. Great blade!
 
I like it for hiking. Actually my wife carries one when we hike, but I've bush whacked with it, and it works fine for that purpose. I generally carry something a little smaller, though I hope to get a couple ASH1s at Blade West so I can hike with one of those instead!
 
The TAC handle is a bit odd on a Badger - as the E handle was a bit odd on the Badger.

I like the HRLM handle as well. I dunno if they coulda mod'ed it for the Badger. Seems to height of the BATAC blade wouldn't have melded well with a LM handle. But what do I know. I like em both but find that the HRLM is a bit handier in the small-chore arena.
 
Dennis in MA said:
The TAC handle is a bit odd on a Badger - as the E handle was a bit odd on the Badger.
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:thumbup: I agree. They both looked kind of silly. Now, SHBA are absolutely beautiful. I wish they would have stayed closer to the original design through the years.
 
I really like the LE. I like the handle. I don't think that it is specialized to excel at any one thing. It seems to be a good all-arounder.
 
As much as I like the BATACSE I am thinking I'd like one with a litle longer blade. Like an NOTAC SE. Now that would be my knife. ;)

I am still debating whether I will finally settle on a Badger (my BATACSE), Outlaw, or Steel Heart as my mid sized user. Either which way I will be set because they all rock. :)
 
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