'like' an RTAK?

hardheart

hardheart

Joined
Sep 19, 2001
Messages
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The QC on the Ontario RTAK has me concerned, anything out there of similar dimensions and more consistent build quality? Not looking for a heavy chopper, but something stiffer than a machete. I was wondering about the Kershaw Outcast, is D2 a reasonable choice for a knife that size?
 
Not to hi-jack, but I too am interested in any info on the Outcast. D2 seems like it would be brittle for a knife of this size use for chopping. But for 50-60 bucks I am almost willing to find out on my own.
 
I'll let you know. I bought one but have not used it yet. Take a look at the Martindale Jungle #4 or Golok #2. I would prefer either of those to the RTAK.

I goods Ontario USGI machete is a good tool, don't underestimate them.
 
hardheart said:
The QC on the Ontario RTAK has me concerned, anything out there of similar dimensions and more consistent build quality? Not looking for a heavy chopper, but something stiffer than a machete. I was wondering about the Kershaw Outcast, is D2 a reasonable choice for a knife that size?
Click to expand...

I've got an RTAK, no QC problems here *shrug* maybe I'm lucky, it's taken some heavy abuse.

But... the Outcast would be an excelled choice. I don't have one, and have only handled one briefly, but it's a well balanced hunk of steel. Maybe a little better suited for chopping than the RTAK, but probably not as good at the finer work.

Having handled both, if I had to make a decision, I'd get the RTAK, it's a little better balanced and feels better in my hand... but both are great knives.
 
I dont know what QC issues your talking about they've maybe had about a dozen returned blades out of a few thousand. Any production company is going to have defective blades and Ontario and Jeff Randall will make it right if you have any problems. My advice is to buy one use the hell out of it and if it messes up which it probably wont then send it back. Theres hundreds of people out there that use the rtak more in one day than the rest of us will use in a year and they report that its working fine.
 
hardheart said:
Not looking for a heavy chopper, but something stiffer than a machete.
Click to expand...
There are many different machetes, some are quite stiff like the Bolo designs Martindale offers, which is very rigid compared to the traditional machete pattern most people think of. Tramontina makes a really nice Bolo as well, but I have seen poor Tramontina's and heard similar problems from others. I have used a dozen Martindales and the perforamance was consistent, the edge profiles can be ragged initially though and need a decent filing to set the edge. Of course if you want to go really upscale there is the Rat Daddy.

-Cliff
 
I have an RTAK and really like it.

The handle can be easily modified to fit your hand,

Ive done a fair amount of work around the house/in the woods with mine

and have not had any issues with durability.
 
The link is fine, it may be just a temp. problem. It says there are no significant QC problems at Ontario, and there are a bunch of personal comments about me.

-Cliff
 
I also have a RAT7 D2,

finally had a chance today to take a flapper wheel to the handle.

I took the fairly square (approx 1/8- 3/16 rad) edges and rounded them to

approx 3/8" rad. Makes all the difference in the world, by the way the RAT

D2 is a great util/slicer, one of my favorites in the kitchen.(off topic) :rolleyes:
 
just ordered a golok, sheath and file, less than $35 shipped. I'll see how it is, but the 44-50 Rc window for hardness seems a tad... huge.
 
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