What are the differences, if any, between the two? The RD is bigger than the RTAK and the RTAK has one more bolster than the RD but what makes them different? They are also the same price! Opinions, recommendations? Also, are these knives available only through Wicked Knife Company or can I find them elsewhere?
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Newt Livesay RTAK or Rapid Deployment?
- Thread starter PRKsux
- Start date
RTAK or RD (RCM)? Well it depends on what you want them for. I believe the RTAK is a bit better than the RD, because it can fill the needs of a big knife and a small machete. As a survival knife, the RTAK is the way to go. As a machete, the RD is the way to go. I like the looks of the RTAK a bit more, and I also like it's handle more. The RTAK is a bit lighter and shorter, and that is a plus. I also like the extended pommel. If I had to choose one, I'd go for the RTAK. You can't go wrong with either of these blades, because they are both awesome tools you can depend on. I guess that's why I ended up with one of each!
There are dealers that sell them, but I've noticed they sell them at the same price as WKC, or they mark 'em up. Best place to get Newts knives is right here on the 'For Sale' section of this forum. They show up every now and then. Or of course, from Newt.
[This message has been edited by volvi (edited 03-03-2000).]
There are dealers that sell them, but I've noticed they sell them at the same price as WKC, or they mark 'em up. Best place to get Newts knives is right here on the 'For Sale' section of this forum. They show up every now and then. Or of course, from Newt.
[This message has been edited by volvi (edited 03-03-2000).]
Cliff Stamp
BANNED
- Joined
- Oct 5, 1998
- Messages
- 17,562
Volvi :
[RTAK vs RCM]
I thought the handles were similar, could you describe the difference?
-Cliff
[RTAK vs RCM]
I thought the handles were similar, could you describe the difference?
-Cliff
It looks like the handle on the RTAK has a larger palm swell and one more bolster than the RD but the handle material on both knives is the same(canvas Micarta?)I am just wondering why he would make a knife(RTAK) that looks exactly like the RD and is made from the same materials but is shorter and has a different handle. I guess I'll have to search around and feel them both to see which one I like but I haven't seen them in any local knife shops! Thanks for the replies.
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
- 4,842
If I remember my history, the RTAK is essentially an RD that has been specially tuned to be Jeff Randall's favorite Jungle knife. I know the handle is different, and the edges on the RTAKs are usually ground thinner than the RD. In addition, I think the RTAK has a slight forward rake (just a few degrees). Also, I can't recall exactly, but does the RTAK has a more useable choil?
I suggest heading over to Jeff Randall's forum and ask him directly. I am sure Jeff's changes, even if subtle, serve a purpose.
Joe
Hey guys,
We just got in from teaching a class in Central America and ran across this thread. We ran a part of the class in high and dry jungle so the RTAK got a work out on harder, drier vegetation.
First of all, the RD (or properly known as the RCM - Recon Combat Machete) was designed by Newt Livesay. I designed the RTAK from the RCM after using the RCM during a jungle trip. Both of the blades are manufactured by Livesay.
I purposely put the handle to spine angle in the blade to increase chopping ability. Also the palm swell on the handle is a little more prominent and makes for increased comfort and security when using the piece as a machete.
RCMs were originally 1/4" thick, which is too thick for good machete work. The RTAK is 3/16 with full flat grind. Newt has since gone to 3/16 on the RCM also.
I also found 12 inches of blade a little too long for a 'compromise' knife. The RTAK was designed to excel in the jungle as well as cross over to Stateside wilderness.
Of course the handle material remained the same as the RCM - electrical grade linen Micarta. This stuff holds it's grip well when wet...actually I think it grips better when wet.
The exposed pommel was designed to knock the **** out of something, crack open coconuts, and generally beat the hell out of anything that needs it - animate or inanimate. I've broken rocks with it to get sharp piece of flint, cracked open cooked monkey skulls to eat the brains, and flattened lead sinkers into long strips to armor a fishing line to catch Piranha. I even beat the hell out of a 6 foot gator that I tangled with.
In all truth, I will take a cheap standard Ontario machete over the any blade for deep jungle work. The RTAK works perfect for a compromise blade but machetes rule the jungle. Period. But the RTAK will be back in the pack when we head out in a couple of weeks for Peru.
If you're interested in purchasing one, you can do it through a dealer or through Newt directly. Price is 150 bucks. Currently I have one left in stock with several more on the way.
Jeff
------------------
Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
We just got in from teaching a class in Central America and ran across this thread. We ran a part of the class in high and dry jungle so the RTAK got a work out on harder, drier vegetation.
First of all, the RD (or properly known as the RCM - Recon Combat Machete) was designed by Newt Livesay. I designed the RTAK from the RCM after using the RCM during a jungle trip. Both of the blades are manufactured by Livesay.
I purposely put the handle to spine angle in the blade to increase chopping ability. Also the palm swell on the handle is a little more prominent and makes for increased comfort and security when using the piece as a machete.
RCMs were originally 1/4" thick, which is too thick for good machete work. The RTAK is 3/16 with full flat grind. Newt has since gone to 3/16 on the RCM also.
I also found 12 inches of blade a little too long for a 'compromise' knife. The RTAK was designed to excel in the jungle as well as cross over to Stateside wilderness.
Of course the handle material remained the same as the RCM - electrical grade linen Micarta. This stuff holds it's grip well when wet...actually I think it grips better when wet.
The exposed pommel was designed to knock the **** out of something, crack open coconuts, and generally beat the hell out of anything that needs it - animate or inanimate. I've broken rocks with it to get sharp piece of flint, cracked open cooked monkey skulls to eat the brains, and flattened lead sinkers into long strips to armor a fishing line to catch Piranha. I even beat the hell out of a 6 foot gator that I tangled with.
In all truth, I will take a cheap standard Ontario machete over the any blade for deep jungle work. The RTAK works perfect for a compromise blade but machetes rule the jungle. Period. But the RTAK will be back in the pack when we head out in a couple of weeks for Peru.
If you're interested in purchasing one, you can do it through a dealer or through Newt directly. Price is 150 bucks. Currently I have one left in stock with several more on the way.
Jeff
------------------
Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
Cliff Stamp
BANNED
- Joined
- Oct 5, 1998
- Messages
- 17,562
Jeff :
Not exactly. What is really nice about the RCM's is that even though the stock is .204", the actual blade is ground down to about .170-.175 at the spine. You get the full strength of the thicker stock in the high stress areas and a thin blade to cut well. It is rare to see this. Most just keep the stock thickness the same all the way through unless they are doing a taper.
-Cliff
Not exactly. What is really nice about the RCM's is that even though the stock is .204", the actual blade is ground down to about .170-.175 at the spine. You get the full strength of the thicker stock in the high stress areas and a thin blade to cut well. It is rare to see this. Most just keep the stock thickness the same all the way through unless they are doing a taper.
-Cliff