Just got a RTAK-II

B

basb

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Apr 27, 2010
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I was in Rotterdam this evening and stopped by at 2sharp, ESEE's only dutch dealer, to get a idea of how the several knives size up in my hand. Unfortunately they did not have the -5 but hest looked nice. However on display was also a RTAK-II, i asked to hold it and i liked immediately. Being under the impression it isnt made anymore i thought i'd grab it while i was there. It may not be as good as a Junglas but getting one wasn't planned before the summer anyway. This will be a good substitute :)

A bit more research and it seems it is still being made....
Anyway, i love it already. It needs a bit of sharpening though but it fits pretty good. My hands are medium-large so the scales aren't too big.

Does anyone know what the factorry edge of the blade is? Thinking of doing 20 degr/side on the sharpmaker.

Will get some pics up later today or tomorrow.
 
The factory edge is 20 degrees per side. Congrats on your new RTAK II and welcome to the family!
 
I've had an RTAK II for quite a while now and it's by far my favorite chopper knife. Soon it will be replaced by a Junglas though... as long as the Junglas is better. If not, then I'll stick with ole' faithful.
 
It was an impulse buy actualy. It just looks such a manly knife :)
Pulled it through the sharpmaker just yet. It doesnt shave very well yet but im sure it will chop :)
With a Izula in my pocket and a Lite Machete on the way i think most of my grounds are covered :cool:
 
I like mine, the grind and balance make it better for the small stuff than some of my other choppers. You can get a snappy whip with it without a lot of effort.
And can still chop well.
Only real complaint is the handle is a little tall, thinking of grinding it out a little where your fingers grip. (like the junglas)
 
I like both the rtak ii and the junglas, but the lite machete sees more work than either these days
 
After this evening i am completely sold on the RTAK-II.
In the past i never had problems with full power strikes with an axe. With a knife however i was always more cautious.
That kinda changed this evening....
I found a small half hour of free time to put the RTAK2 at work. After whacking small sized vegetation with total ease i turned my attention to a 15-20cm thick elm log.
I began to carefully hit the log and checking the edge each 5th stroke.
Than i went full force and the log went down pretty easy. taking it back inside and slicing paper it made paper curls the same way as it did after sharpening, it didnt even bllink at the log.......
During the evening i made some wedges and batoning sticks for the wedges and the edge still holds.

Also the sheath is great. The pouch is already stuffed with a firesteel+striker and some sisal rope.

Awesome man-sized knife!
 
I love my RTAK II. I convexed the edge and that made a big difference. It is the first knife I have in 1095 and the edge seems to hold up well. I have chopped seasoned knots with no damage to the edge.
 
I thinned out and convexed the edge on my RTAK II shortly after I got it and it has worked like a champ ever since. At the time, I also had a Ranger RD9 and a Becker BK9. The RTAK II outperformed both so that's the only one I have now. I never even keep it shaving sharp. A good working edge is all it needs and it still outperforms the shaving sharp BK and RD. I love my RTAK II. Hopefully, the Junglas will work just as good.
 
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