Questions about Livesay Knives

lagarto

lagarto

Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
1,438
Hi all,
I've been looking at Livesay knives, and once I get finacially solvent again I think I might try to pick up one or two. I'm thinking of a WASP machete, and maybe his version of the RTAK or his newer LAK 4. My question is twofold, first off does anyone have any of these and can you comment on the quality of them, sharpness, edge retention, performance specs etc... the reason I ask is that for a custom maker he seems to have moderately low prices, which made me wonder a bit about quality. Also, how about customizing, if I had enough money to blow could he say add serrations or a sawback to any of his standard models?
Thanks in advance.
Lagarto
 
The RTAK is no longer available and the LAK isn't out yet.Several of us have been waiting over a year for one which according to Newt should start hitting the streets in the next couple of weeks.
 
Mrd74,
Thanks for the info, although you might be interested to know that if you check the Livesay website he says that he will be resuming manufacture of the RTAK in august, I hope that's true as I'm a little skeptical of the Ontario version. Can you or anyone else verify this. Thanks a lot.
Lagarto
 
I just checked the site and it does look like he will be making them again. I was at a knife store recently and saw the Ontario RTAK for $130.00 and I paid $150.00 for my Livesay RTAK. IIRC, the LAK is supposed to be an improvement over the RTAK, so you might want to look into that. I'm saving up for the HKR. :D
 
mrd74,
I didn't mean to come off as being in your face, just thought that since you were apparently a Livesay fan that you'd want to know, as I said above I'm interested because I don't know about the quality of the Ontario model. If my post seemed inflationary I apologize. Thanks a lot for your information.
Lagarto
 
I have lots of Livesay's knives. They are a great quality knife at a great user price. Newt makes a fine product. I find the Wasp easier to use than the RTAK. Your preference may be different. Newt has had production problems for a while and is nearly caught up on back orders, so you might want to call him for availability.
 
Great user knives. Newt has mastered the 1095 heat-treating, and you'll be pleased with it's edge retention and durability.
 
Thanks for the info so far, Fudo, the pictures on the website aren't the best I've ever seen, and I was wondering about the WASP. In one picture it appears to have a sharpened false edge, but in another it doesn't. Since it appears you own one, can you tell me a little more about them. Thanks.
Lagarto
 
The Wasp does not have a sharpened back edge. It isn't needed on this type of knife. I find Newt's knives very good bang for the buck.The handles are the most comfortable I have used, and Newt is a master of heat treat,
 
Newt does good work. As an FYI though, I've been waiting for over a year and a half for my pre-paid order. It sounds like Newt is catching up on his backorders. Hope this is the case. He has some great designs coming out of his shop.
 
Thanks again for all the info and the heads up on the back order time, although it sounds like that may be a good thing for me. By the time I can afford more knives he may be caught up again. :D The question I have left is will he, for a price of course, add options to a knife. I've seen pictures on his site of an early RCM with a sawback, ostensibly made for the CIA. I'd basically like to have the same thing added, except to a WASP. Is that something he can/would do?
Thanks.
Lagarto
 
You will need to call Newt and ask him about any extra touches.
1-479-549-3356
 
Just my $.02, but you won't be disappointed with one of Newt's knives. My first "custom" knife was his "AA" or "Air Assault". It's still one of my favorites--being one of the 2 or 3 knives I'd grab in a hurry, for anything!

As someone mentioned above, that #2 handle design of his is incredibly comfortable.

His Kydex sheaths are great, too.

Good luck.

David
 
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