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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.
Ontario RTAK
- Thread starter xman
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
- 4,670
Yes, I've had a chance to test one out. Overall, it's a nicely made piece. Blade has good bite. What I didn't like about the RTAK was the rectangular-ish handle shape. I guess you can say I have average size hands but I found the handle to be uncomfortable and a bit hard to hold. I actually had the RTAK on my wish list but after trying one out, it's really not for me.
Moving to Reviews & Testing...
Moving to Reviews & Testing...
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2002
- Messages
- 175
Anyone looking for big value and utility in a Bowie/Survival size blade will appreciate the Ontario RTAK.
After seemingly months of waiting, my RTAK finally arrived. Being conditioned to the usual quality in production knives in the $50 - $100 price range, I had modest expectations. The RTAK blew away all expectations. The blade is perfectly symmetrical, the micarta handle well formed and comfortable to hold, the edge grind perfect (and hair popping sharp out of the box). This will replace the service from my Becker BK7, for family camping. Splitting logs was a bit much to ask of the BK7 - though it came through during our last camping trip. On return, I decided either a longer fixed blade (more mass), or a hatchet would travel with us next time. Looks like I get both features in the RTAK.
I like my BK7, but the quality and workmanship in the RTAK is way above that of the Becker. I have purchased two BK7's (mine and a gift), and the swedge and edge always looked like they were hurriedly done at the factory. In fact, I sent one back to BKT for a replacement (which they happily replaced), because the swedge was so badly formed. In contrast, somebody at the Ontario factory took their time with the RTAK - - looking down the spine, you see a perfectly symmetrical swedge and the edge angles and faces steady and consistent throughout.
Always nice to find a high utility/value product - - the RTAK is it!
TT2Toes
After seemingly months of waiting, my RTAK finally arrived. Being conditioned to the usual quality in production knives in the $50 - $100 price range, I had modest expectations. The RTAK blew away all expectations. The blade is perfectly symmetrical, the micarta handle well formed and comfortable to hold, the edge grind perfect (and hair popping sharp out of the box). This will replace the service from my Becker BK7, for family camping. Splitting logs was a bit much to ask of the BK7 - though it came through during our last camping trip. On return, I decided either a longer fixed blade (more mass), or a hatchet would travel with us next time. Looks like I get both features in the RTAK.
I like my BK7, but the quality and workmanship in the RTAK is way above that of the Becker. I have purchased two BK7's (mine and a gift), and the swedge and edge always looked like they were hurriedly done at the factory. In fact, I sent one back to BKT for a replacement (which they happily replaced), because the swedge was so badly formed. In contrast, somebody at the Ontario factory took their time with the RTAK - - looking down the spine, you see a perfectly symmetrical swedge and the edge angles and faces steady and consistent throughout.
Always nice to find a high utility/value product - - the RTAK is it!
TT2Toes
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2002
- Messages
- 175
Hey W.T.Beck:
Having raved about the quality workmanship in my RTAK, I hope it wasn't a fluke. Hopefully other owners will find the same degree of workmanship in their RTAKs. Wish we could hear more feedback from other new RTAK owners.
You know there's another sleeper-knife out there that looks like a real bargain too. The S&W HRT Combat/Survival knife. I've seen a couple of your posts referring to the SWHRT, so I know it has your curiosity up too. Same day my RTAK arrived I also received my new SWHRT - - again, unbelievable workmanship in a $50 blade. Perfect symmetry, tight fitting pieces, expertly ground edges, and an attractive versatile sheath to boot. Even looks like they polished the blade edge with a 1000grit belt at the factory. It is a beaut! Course, I needed another combat/survival size blade like a hole in the head. But, it was a weak moment and I had to fill out an order to save on shipping (Right!).
TT2Toes
Having raved about the quality workmanship in my RTAK, I hope it wasn't a fluke. Hopefully other owners will find the same degree of workmanship in their RTAKs. Wish we could hear more feedback from other new RTAK owners.
You know there's another sleeper-knife out there that looks like a real bargain too. The S&W HRT Combat/Survival knife. I've seen a couple of your posts referring to the SWHRT, so I know it has your curiosity up too. Same day my RTAK arrived I also received my new SWHRT - - again, unbelievable workmanship in a $50 blade. Perfect symmetry, tight fitting pieces, expertly ground edges, and an attractive versatile sheath to boot. Even looks like they polished the blade edge with a 1000grit belt at the factory. It is a beaut! Course, I needed another combat/survival size blade like a hole in the head. But, it was a weak moment and I had to fill out an order to save on shipping (Right!).
TT2Toes
TT2Toes,
Actually I got one of those S&W HRT Combat Knives recently myself. You are right, it is very well made.
I'm not too sure about the name, "Combat Knife", though. The design seems inappropriate for a fighter. The blade has a bit of a downward slope and seems to be intended for chopping.
Actually I got one of those S&W HRT Combat Knives recently myself. You are right, it is very well made.
I'm not too sure about the name, "Combat Knife", though. The design seems inappropriate for a fighter. The blade has a bit of a downward slope and seems to be intended for chopping.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 44,705
I just received an RTAK and my experience very nearly mimics that of TT2Toes.
To summarize: Very sharp out of the box, symmetrically ground, well balanced. The somewhat squarish feeling handle is comfortable, secure and well radiused.
The cordura sheath is adequate (not great) but the accessory pocket doesn't accept a standard Altoids tin sized kit. Also the flap on the pocket is a bit unruly so I'm using a heavy rubber band at the moment to try to develop some memory in the nylon.
All in all a well designed, well priced collaboration between Jeff Randall's team and Ontario. It'll do what it was intended to which is to serve as a short machete/large knife for field use calling for a tool of that type.
I'm looking forward to getting some good use out of it.
To summarize: Very sharp out of the box, symmetrically ground, well balanced. The somewhat squarish feeling handle is comfortable, secure and well radiused.
The cordura sheath is adequate (not great) but the accessory pocket doesn't accept a standard Altoids tin sized kit. Also the flap on the pocket is a bit unruly so I'm using a heavy rubber band at the moment to try to develop some memory in the nylon.
All in all a well designed, well priced collaboration between Jeff Randall's team and Ontario. It'll do what it was intended to which is to serve as a short machete/large knife for field use calling for a tool of that type.
I'm looking forward to getting some good use out of it.
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2002
- Messages
- 175
That's the sheath? Thought that was a cricket bat, or something to discipline my kids with.
Yeah the RTAK sheath is a tough looking curiosity. Haven't had problems with the pocket flap on mine though. Seems they put plenty of velco to hold mine firmly in place.
Blues: How about slipping a wood block or paper pad in the pocket then stack a few dictionaries on top for a couple days? That might put some quick memory in your Pocket Flap . Course that weight might make the whole sheath real flat, oh my! As if this sheath could be any flatter.
Anyone figure out what the material is that's sandwiched (layered) inside the sheath? Couldn't pry mine open enough to tell for certain, but when poking it with a probe it felt maybe like Kydex or some plastic material. Anyone know??
TT2Toes
Yeah the RTAK sheath is a tough looking curiosity. Haven't had problems with the pocket flap on mine though. Seems they put plenty of velco to hold mine firmly in place.
Blues: How about slipping a wood block or paper pad in the pocket then stack a few dictionaries on top for a couple days? That might put some quick memory in your Pocket Flap . Course that weight might make the whole sheath real flat, oh my! As if this sheath could be any flatter.
Anyone figure out what the material is that's sandwiched (layered) inside the sheath? Couldn't pry mine open enough to tell for certain, but when poking it with a probe it felt maybe like Kydex or some plastic material. Anyone know??
TT2Toes
- Joined
- Nov 7, 1999
- Messages
- 6,651
Hey TT2...
Thanks for the email today..
Not sure why its not working for you...
As far as camo goes..
No,, can't do it in that,, it has become unavailable...
Becker 7 sheaths though are No problem....
Becker 9 sheaths will be about the same time as the RTAK..
ttyle
Eric...
Thanks for the email today..
Not sure why its not working for you...
As far as camo goes..
No,, can't do it in that,, it has become unavailable...
Becker 7 sheaths though are No problem....
Becker 9 sheaths will be about the same time as the RTAK..
ttyle
Eric...