Ontario RTAK II or ESEE Junglas?

thedmasterr

thedmasterr

Joined
Oct 13, 2010
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347
Birthday is coming up, graduation is coming up, and employment is coming up so I decided I wanted a new big knife (is there any other way to celebrate?)

I've narrowed it to Ontario RTAK II and ESEE Junglas. Both are roughly the same size and style, the RTAK II being a bit cheaper. What is your take? Anyone have both? I know I'd love the Junglas I just don't know a ton about the RTAK II.

Thoughts?
 
I've had both, traded the RTAK II. The Junglas has better handle ergonomics, better warranty and better sheath. For the extra money it's no brainer to me but just my opinion. Trevor~
 
Screw both. Get the Himalayan Imports CAK.

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But say I would make or have made a molded kydex sheath for the RTAK II. I should still have a couple bills to spare on whatever too. Does that change anything?

What specifically didn't you like about the ergos of the RTAK II?
 
The handle on the Junglas feels better, more rounded and contoured to fit the hand better. You may have a couple bucks left over after a custom sheath but you wont have the no questions warranty or the better handle. I bought the RATK II because felt like the extra $50 was too much, having owned both now if I had the chance I would save my self the trouble and go with the junglas first and save the trouble. This is my opinion of course, some may agree and others may disagree....
 
A horn handled or even wood handled Khukuri knives are far more fun to use as it feels more organic on your hands, not to mention the steer chopping power as well as cutting power. They're also sometimes cheaper than a Junglas if you wait for Deal of the Day.
 
It will be a pack knife and I'm sure it will have uses from batoning to clearing underbrush to zombie killing. I feel like a khukuri wouldn't be as good all around as a junglas or rtak ii, but then again I have never handled one. Thanks for the info guys!
 
The junglas handle ergos are better. The palm swell on Ontario's gets a little uncomfortable after awhile. Its too big. The junglas is just the rtak version 3.0. Redesigned to be better. I'd say junglas if your set on those two but there are other options out there
 
Any other options of big knives like the junglas or ontario? Minus Ka-bar BK series.

Also, my hands are pretty big. I wear XL gloves (but only weigh a buck thirty-five? I know, I'm awkward.) Are the handles just too big in general or to big for normal hands? As reference, my BK7 handles are a bit small.
 
I meant in general like a kukri or machete. They are wider top to bottom and blocky. Those two together kinda make it feel like your holding a 2x4
 
I have the BK7 and the handles were too small for my hands as well, I actually added liners to fatten the grip up to be more equivalent to the BK2 and now it feels great. There are other options out there in the big chopper range, various Busse and Swamprat knives fit the bill but will be considerably more pricey than two aforementioned blades.
 
trevytrev said:
I have the BK7 and the handles were too small for my hands as well, I actually added liners to fatten the grip up to be more equivalent to the BK2 and now it feels great. There are other options out there in the big chopper range, various Busse and Swamprat knives fit the bill but will be considerably more pricey than two aforementioned blades.
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This. The BK9 felt weird to me until it got liners, now it feels more like my BK2, and it is much more comfortable to me now.

Also, as for the RTAK II or the Junglas... I would go with the Junglas. I have heard nothing but good things about it. The same cannot be said about the RTAK II (mostly issues with the HT from what I've heard, other than funky handles).
 
The verdict seems to be Junglas across the board. To be honest I think I am leaning that way too. The RTAK II, while I'm sure it is a great knife, seems to be a bit too much work and a gamble for a knife that I want to give to myself. Thanks guys, as always, you're the best.
 
I have a Junglas, like it, recommend it. Have not tried the Rtak, after reading reviews and those who have tried both, it seemed like most preferred the Junglas.

Another option is a good quality, short machete. Try to PM FortyTwoBlades, he's on the forum here and can tell you everything you ever wanted to know about machetes. A good thicker machete in the 12" to 14" range, say a Condor, might be a good "chopper" that could fill the same role as the Junglas, and do it pretty darn well if you just put a good edge on it and learn to use it effectively.
 
Between the two, I'd probably go Junglass. However, If I were you I might consider going for the Swamp Rat R9 while it's available. If you wanted to treat yourself, it's a good option for @$200. If you try it and don't like it you could probably sell it used for @$150 to $175 and then buy the Junglass. Once the R9 is off the site prices will only go up. Just food for thought.

GregB
BaconBeavers
 
thedmasterr said:
It will be a pack knife and I'm sure it will have uses from batoning to clearing underbrush to zombie killing. I feel like a khukuri wouldn't be as good all around as a junglas or rtak ii, but then again I have never handled one. Thanks for the info guys!
Click to expand...

I disagree that the khukuri would not be able to be an all around jungle knife/field knife. There's a reason why those knives design has been around for centuries with little changes except blade design. I personally have 3 khukuri knives and the handles are amazing, either horn handle or wood handle and it goes directly heads to head with the swamp rat knives I have at home.

In fact, take a look at the very diverse khukuri field:

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The thicker blades are dedicated choppers that has already been documented to outchop any of the junglas/Ontario/Becker knives. Then there are dedicated slicers with thinner, slim blades. There's even hybrid designs that can perform both functions just as well. Feel free to look around some more: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/739-Himalayan-Imports
 
Have a Junglas and it is great....don't own the RTAK II but that's because I chose the Junglas over it!! It swings great, feels great and is less expensive than a lot of other choppers on the market. Also, the warranty is great so no worries.....it really is a snot beater!!
 
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