Ontario RTAK handle size?

gearGOON

gearGOON

Joined
Apr 25, 2002
Messages
70
forgive me if this isn't the best place to post this thread.

has enyone actually seen one of the new Ontario RTAK's yet? it's a very cool looking knife, but from the sketchy measurements i've found, it seems like you'd have to be the size of a mountain gorilla to grip it. is the handle really that huge, or am i just misinterpreting the limited info i've found. maybe someone who has medium size hands and has held one of the original Livesay RTAK's could comment? if the handle is really that big, is there a reason for it? maybe something to do with the chopping function? i must admit i've never had a knife that i would use to chop (i always use a hatchet or tomahawk for that), so i don't know much about what would be the best geometry for that type of usage.

as a reference, i find the becker knives to be a bit too large for my hands (although i think the becker camp magnum is super cool, so i've got one on order and i'm gonna try a little home work shop job to reshape and reduce the girth of the handles, if i can't work the material that comes on it, i might replace it with G10).

thanks for any info,
e.
 
As to the Becker handles, they're hollow inside, not solid all the way through. So, if you're thinking of grinding or filing them down, think again. I don't think it will work. You'll probably go right through the shell of the handle.
Correct me if I'm wrong, anybody.
 
oooo....good point, never even thought of that. i guess i'll have to go with the G10 or micarta. i suppose that will mean i'll end up knocking alot of the finish off around the grips as i shape the new scales...i'm hoping to use Brownell's black bake-on moly coat to restore the black coating.

thanks,
e.
 
gearGOON,

An easy way to save the tang finish on the blade is to use one grip for a template and drill holes in your two pieces of Micarta. Then sandwich the Micarta between the two stock grips and work it down flush using a belt grinder, files, whatever. Presto, exact fit slabs with no blade damage. Have fun!
 
The Ontario RTAK grip is big. I would relate it to the size grip on the Cold Steel machetes. The micarta is placed on the tang with three screws so it can be removed and worked if need be.

Handles are a personal preference thing. There is no way one handle is going to fit everyone. Personally I like big handles on any machete type blade that is going to be used a lot.
 
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