Ontario TAK: too heavy?

Nathan S

Nathan S

Joined
May 31, 2001
Messages
4,379
I stumbled onto the Ontario TAK while looking around for a 4 - 4.5" fixed blade for outdoor utility use. The TAK would seem to fit the bill perfectly, except for one problem: its weight. Ten ounces just seems like too much for a knife this size (I believe the blade is 3/16" thick). I like strong knives, but within reason; I'm not into the "prybar with an edge" mentality. And if my utility blade is too heavy, I'm probably going to wind up not carrying it.

Can any of you TAK owners comment on this?
 
I don't think ten ounces is too heavy for a good knife. But I've always felt the foundation of any fixed blade knife collection are a couple of Cold Steel knives, the Master Hunter and the Bush Ranger. The Bush Ranger sports a 7 1/2" blade and a secure and comfortable handle and weighs in at 8 ounces. The Master Hunter is smaller, a couple of ounces lighter, and maybe a little stouter. Both properly flat ground top to bottom like real knives should be. Good steel, thin edges but at 3/16" strong enough for all uses one would normally expect from a knife. After you have aquired these then feel free to experiment with other knives. Over time you will find several that are better and many more that are worse performers than these - at any pricepoint.
 
AG - It's not so much the weight in itself that troubles me, but the size of the knife coupled with its weight. I have a CRK Mountaineer II (5.5" long, 3/16" wide blade), for example, that weighs in at 11.5 oz. The TAK is significantly smaller, and yet weighs almost as much. I'm wondering why the TAK is so dense, and how that affects its usefulness.
 
How much of it you think is in the handles? If you like the way it fits the hand... i would see what kind of modifications you can do to it :D
 
Hotrod - I've only seen pictures of the TAK. Not being able to handle one is the reason I decided to start this thread.
 
I hear you Nathan and I don't have the answer your looking for. I've always felt like making the post above and picked your thread to put it in. Probably should have started a new thread.
 
Well, the response so far has not exactly been overwhelming. C'mon TAK owners, I'm eager to hear your impressions of the knife.
 
I've got one on the way from Brigade, I will post when I get it. I hope it's not too heavy, but the design looks perfect.
 
Nathan,

the TAK is pretty new, so maybe there aren't a lot of owners yet. Some internet sites have the knife up without even having them in stock yet.

I think the micarta handles can add some beef. My guess is that the knife is fairly stout - sort of an SRK kind of stout, but with a keener edge.

Please do a review if you get one.
 
Geode - You may be right, it may be the Micarta handles that add weight to the TAK. I had assumed that the blade would be 1/4" thick; apparently, however, the blade is 3/16". Which is plenty thick, but I wouldn't think it'd be thick enough in and of itself to account for so much weight in such a small package (10 oz., 4.5" long blade).
 
Go to the Outdoor Forums at Jeff Randall's site,The forum members are the one who put there knowledge into this knife.From what the guys are saying over there is the TAK is a great knife.
 
A 3/16", full tang knife without a tapered tang is going to be a handful regardless of who makes it. There is just too much steel left on the knife for it to be a lightweight. Just the switch to 1/8" stock would reduce weight by a 1/3.

I don't consider 10 oz. too heavy for a stout fixed blade though. Heck, I have seen folders that weigh in at that level which is another story altogether. I would expect the balance on the TAK to be definitely on the handle heavy side. Some people really like the feel of a solid knife.
 
Featherstone - Thanks for the suggestion. I went over to Outdoor Forums and found several threads on the TAK. Judging from what I read there, I'd say that the TAK's added weight is probably due less to the Micarta scales than to the length of its handle (roughly 5.5", judging from the specs I've seen) combined with the width of the tang.
 
I think it's meant to be thick and sturdy enough to baton through a cut, if nessessary. 1/8" and hollow ground would make it significantly lighter and a better slicer/skinner, but at the cost of it's chopping ability. It seems to be more of a general purpose, beater kind of knife.

Don't have one yet, but it's definately on my list!
 
Nathan,

I just got my TAK a few days ago, and haven't had a chance to test it out yet. It is a little heavy for it's size, but I think that is mostly due to the blade thickness and the length of the tang, which is essentially the same as the blade. It is bigger than I expected, but it definately seems sturdy. I really like the shape of the blade though, so I will have to see how it performs. I hope to test it out this weekend if the weather allows. I wasn't planning on using such a small blade for chopping, but I guess I will try it out .

I wonder if the handle length is based on the fact that it is from the RTAK family of knives? The RTAK had a much longer blade (9"), and I hear there is a 7" version coming in the future.

Take care!

Greg
 
If you want light weight, then get a Spyderco/Fred Perrin Bowie. It's under 4 oz. Several of the reviews here recommend it as a lightweight alternative to heavier outdoor knives and say it should stand up to light chopping. Someone said Sal told them Spyderco had never had one returned with a handle separation. The high flat grind and thin edge would make it great for food preparation, as well as the intended purpose. I like the Cold Steel Master Hunter, too.
 
Since the TAK is designed as an all around utility knife that may be pressed into larger duties, it was probably intentionaly overbuilt. I wouldn't mind the added weight for a knife that you can beat on a little.
 
No problem Nathan,Glad I could help.

The guys over at Outdoor forums are guys who really go out and use there knives in the outdoors,and from being a member over there for a while,They always stress that sliceing/cutting comes first and the rest is second.
When those guys talk about knives I listen,they have a world of knowledge.
Join the forums over there,they are some great guys who can be as funny as hell,And you could learn a bunch,I know I have.
 
Mr FEATHERSTONE is right you otta check out the RAT site fer sure.I have been carrying and usin my TAK exclusively since I got it about a month ago(i think).I gotta say it is now my edc when I am out and about.The weight which concerns you is in the handle and not in the blade.Micarta can be heavy and the TAK has some very comfortable handles with a little extra length in the handle.As for thickness it is absolutely perfect.I peeled a 25 pound bag of potatoes,sliced three tomatoes,fileted a dozen or so fish last weekend and the TAK would still shave hairs(not bad for 1095 huh).Anyone who knows the RAT's team philosophy of knife edges can rest assured it wont be a thick edge.Its the best knife out as far as quality and price goes.
 
Originally posted by blademan 13
Some people really like the feel of a solid knife.
Click to expand...

We sure do!!

Solid and stout knife that still cuts very well and can take the abuse of even prying. That's my fav.
 
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