Hello Fellas

Z

ZachOhiz

Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
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Hello guys my name is Zach, Im new to the forums and am looking for a little help before I make a purchase. Ive been browsing the forums looking for advice on a solid fixed blade knife to take with my on hiking and camping trips. I am currently looking at the Ontario RTAK II, If I choose this knife should i guy with serrated edge or plain edge. Also, is this a strong knife? Im not too fond of the large logo on the blade, but that is minor flaw. Are there other knives out there similiar in design and quality that are in the $100 price range, or slightly above 100. I am also looking for advice on a good machete to purchase. Any help would be apperciated.

Oh, and can you guys tell me some good sites to order the knives off of, I have came across cumberland knife works, and the blade shop. Thanks!:thumbup:
 
Can't go wrong with a BK7 or BK9, I personally like thouse more than the ontario knives, but thats me.

As for a machete, I had a Tramontina machete, that was very good, and cheap. If you want soething with a nam though, your could get a ontario machete, or a golok from Bark river for a larger price tag.
 
ZachOhiz said:
I am currently looking at the Ontario RTAK II, If I choose this knife should i guy with serrated edge or plain edge.
Click to expand...

I can't speak to the Ontario version, but I have the original Livesay RTAK. I would most definately stick with a plain edged version of whatever you decide on. Serrated edges are okay, but you'll get more versatility out of a plain edge (I carry one folder that is fully serrated, it doesn't get used much, but I have it if I need it).

ROCK6
 
zach,
some guys like the big blades, some like axes and some like machetes, you need to find what suites your type of camp work. i would start off with a machete, it is inexpensive, and will let you know if you like the large blade. also you need to try an axe to see how this fits your needs. you may find that you are very happy with the machete or axe. and you wont have spent a large ammount of money on something you may not find usefull. also a swiss army knife/ leatherman type tool can be a great tool around camp. most folks like the swedish army knife as a start out fixed blade. with these four blades you can develop what is best suited to your needs and you will not have spent as much as you would on an RTAK. give your self some flexibility in your tools and then see which way is best or you.

alex
 
Welcome. Check out the Bark River line-up. Great knives in the price range you mentioned.
 
ZachOhiz said:
If I choose this knife should i guy with serrated edge or plain edge.
Oh, and can you guys tell me some good sites to order the knives off of, I have came across cumberland knife works, and the blade shop. Thanks!:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Welcome to W&S forum. You're in the right spot. I can't give you any real info on the Becker knife because I have never used that particular knife. However I would say this about the serrated edge. I would go with plain edge. I have never found much use for the serrations and find them a pain in the A$$ to sharpen.

Cumberland is a top notch internet retailer. Also google these sites:

One stop knife shop
New Graham knives
Knifeworks
Ragweedforge

All the above are great retailers.

Good luck in your search:thumbup:
 
If you haven't read about it, check out Doug Ritter's RSK Mk3:

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A VERY nice camp/survival knife. Much more information about it at http://www.equipped.org/rsk_mk3.htm
 
Welcome Zach,

My few cents worth. You are also looking for a machete too? To also take with? If that is the case, you may want to scale back into approx. a 7" knife.
Why?
Well, the RTAK II, or any other 9"+ knife would be your big chopper.
Clearing brush, cutting trails, hacking at wood, etc.
Well, that's what a machete would be doing for you. So, if the machete handles that end of the workload, why not look for a "medium" fixed blade that could do some smaller work, that the machete (naturally) could not.
Among the medium knives are the Bark Rivers, Fallknivens, Becker BK7, RAT-7, etc. etc. The list goes on an on.

if the machete is just another tool , but not being taken with you, then yes, RTAK II, Becker BK9, BK1, and the other large choppers mentioned would be good to have.

You will hear a lot of machete brands tossed around.

I'm kind of boring. I like my good old Ontario Machete.
1095 steel, and a workhorse. Also depends on what you may be chopping with it.
If it's sugar cane, then thin and fast is better. If it's chopping thick wood, then you might need some blade thickness and strength.

Juts like knives, the intended purpose is paramount in picking the right tool for the job.

Good Luck!
 
Welcome Zach! You will fall under spell of steel faster than you think. Even if you really love your latest purchase your eyes will wonder to some other piece of sharp metal before long. I'm sure you will end up owning more than one knife. Remember it isn't the destination, it is the journey so have fun along the way.
 
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