Reasonably Priced NATA replacement - nata kidding

T

theevolone271

Joined
Apr 22, 2006
Messages
19
Hi All,
I've lurked on this forum and quietly used the wisdom of you all to guide my purchases in the past, with new knife makers identified and purchased from, and sharpening kit up the gazoo. I moved across country last year and disposed of much of my collection, and it just may be time to start catching back up with blades - but don't tell the wife.

So my situation is that I moved to a bunch of acres with dead bark beetled trees (Ringo isn't among them). So I tote a chainsaw and use a recently aquired Japanese 9" nata to knock dead branches off and cut my way through some areas. The nata is a pretty good tool for that but I just destroyed the classic styled wooded sheath that accompanies this hacker. I'm thinking of getting a custom sheath done, but that idea also has me wondering if there is a reasonably priced hacker/chopper, type thing that comes with a good belt sheath. I'm thinking in the realm of Tops El Chete. I don't want a hatchet, just due to the carry challenges where I go.

Off the top I can think of some Busse models, that I once had, Esee models. But I really like how well this 9" nata works, but wonder about durability with a half-length tang.
I'd appreciate some suggestions and don't really have a price range - but I'd prefer to be $250 or under - less if possible. Considering I'll be spending 90$ or more for a replacement sheath, I thought I might expore a new aquistion that cuts as well as hacks.

Thanks a lot for any thoughts and/or pictures on this.

RW
 
theevolone271 said:
I'm thinking in the realm of Tops El Chete.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking this is an excellent choice.

TOPS has the best heat treatment of any current production 1095 offering, IMO. Edge retention is excellent on my example, yet takes a razor sharp edge in just a few swipes of a stone.

I have used mine pretty extensively and I have absolutely nothing negative to say about it. It carries like a large knife and balances well in the hand. The handle is comfy with no hot spots after extended use, comes with a decent kydex sheath, and out-chops just about anything - and I have many dedicated choppers to compare it to.

AW9bwTo.jpg
 
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Check out the Silky brand Natas.

They come in three lengths, chisel or double bevel, with plastic sheathes and full-tang, rubber covered handles.

A little bit of bicycle inner-tube on the front of the handle tightens up the fit in the sheath and should minimize handle separation (which has been reported but not observed personally).

F9B3704C-AEA2-4AA0-9D8B-78B8E7A4E7D5.jpeg
 
oh yes, there is a perfect fit for your request - the terava skrama (and yes they make a very good sheath)
there are many posts about it here, just search for skrama... but this video gets it done with some good laughs & tests imho
blade & sheath work out to only about half your budget : ) ... get the original 80crv2 (non-stainless model) it's excellent
 
The Terava Skrama was my first thought too. As D dirc said, one of the better sheaths too.

I like 5160. You know Buck did a good job on the heat treat. Great warranty. Sheath looks ... bleh but room in budget for custom.
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/BU...l-canvas-micarta-handles-black-leather-sheath

Speaking of Silky, there is Bahco Laplander, Silky, or Corona brand folding saws. I carry a Corona brand in my backpack when camping/hiking. Very handy and relatively light.
 
One more vote for Skrama. An. Extremely versatile, well-made tool with an excellent sheath, 9” blade, full tang. The long handle generates head speed on a par with a 13” golok.
 
theevolone271 said:
But I really like how well this 9" nata works, but wonder about durability with a half-length tang.
Click to expand...
Traditional partial tang Natas have been used for centuries without durability problems. And it appears you haven't encountered any either.
In principle any decent large Bowie or "Chopper" of any brand can do what a Nata does.
But if you like the Nata style, as mentioned above Silky offers some updated versions. Silky specializes in forestry tools and their portable (field) saws
have a high reputation.
The Silky Yoki Chopper, reasonably priced.
KKEgGm.jpg

De5ILF.jpg
 
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dirc said:
your dog is loaded for bear :-D
Click to expand...
LOL. Photo is from Silky's site. I never carry so much crap into the woods that I'd need my dog to carry something.
I also wonder what would happen if you really needed that bladed tool immediately and the pooch takes off cause he
saw a rabbit.
 
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KenHash said:
Thanks for your response. I did look at Silkys and there seems to be feedback that the handle rubber works loose and is a PIA to keep in place, duct tape, etc. Thus, though I was Silky tempted, I'd prefer something with better durability rep. Love the dog pic. I need to task my own heeler with a hacker carry job.
Click to expand...



KenHash said:
Traditional partial tang Natas have been used for centuries without durability problems. And it appears you haven't encountered any either.
In principle any decent large Bowie or "Chopper" of any brand can do what a Nata does.
But if you like the Nata style, as mentioned above Silky offers some updated versions. Silky specializes in forestry tools and their portable (field) saws
have a high reputation.
The Silky Yoki Chopper, reasonably priced.
KKEgGm.jpg

De5ILF.jpg
Click to expand...
 
Quote: “Thanks for your response. I did look at Silkys and there seems to be feedback that the handle rubber works loose and is a PIA to keep in place, duct tape, etc. Thus, though I was Silky tempted, I'd prefer something with better durability rep.”

Just FYI - I encountered the same information about the Silky Natas AND the Terava Skramas. I went with Silky because (as per my post above) the way the handle comes off (2 poeces, top and bottom) could easily be addressed with some ranger band (bike inner tube).

Alternatively, the single piece handle on the Skrama has some propensity to slide down off the tang, and that seemed to be a trickier fix…
 
dirc said:
oh yes, there is a perfect fit for your request - the terava skrama (and yes they make a very good sheath)
there are many posts about it here, just search for skrama... but this video gets it done with some good laughs & tests imho
blade & sheath work out to only about half your budget : ) ... get the original 80crv2 (non-stainless model) it's excellent
Click to expand...
Great suggestion. Thank you! For that price point, it's impossible to resist.
If I start feeling like blowing some cash, El Chete may be an aquistion.
tThanks, Rob
 
scdub said:
Quote: “Thanks for your response. I did look at Silkys and there seems to be feedback that the handle rubber works loose and is a PIA to keep in place, duct tape, etc. Thus, though I was Silky tempted, I'd prefer something with better durability rep.”

Just FYI - I encountered the same information about the Silky Natas AND the Terava Skramas. I went with Silky because (as per my post above) the way the handle comes off (2 poeces, top and bottom) could easily be addressed with some ranger band (bike inner tube).

Alternatively, the single piece handle on the Skrama has some propensity to slide down off the tang, and that seemed to be a trickier fix…
Click to expand...
Oh boy, another durability issue in the handle. Maybe slide it off andepoxy it back on?
I've not heard of ElChete having durability problems. But I do like the price ofthe Skrama. Thatis painless.
 
Thanks for the partial tang feedback. I didn't know it was so robust.
It certainly punches above its weight. Which is su stantial.
Perhaps I should cave in and get a custom sheath.
Cody rowe made me a couple of pancake cross-draw sheaths for some of my larger knives before, and I was so impressed with the retention without any sort of strap, and conversely the ease of extraction from sheath was unparalleled.
But with the nata style, maybe a dangler sheath is more appropriate, considering size and weight.
I do like cross draw sheaths. But with an overall length of 16" and 9"being the blade, I wonder if that is too large for cross dray.
 
I'm wondering about the hook style Silky, whatever it is called, and also wondering if everyone has problems with the rubber handle working loose?
I've loved my Silky pole saw, until some workers managed to bend it. So amazingly long but effective. My favorite for branches when I'm not up to climbing and cutting or where it's not possible without technical equipment.
 
KenHash said:
Traditional partial tang Natas have been used for centuries without durability problems. And it appears you haven't encountered any either.
In principle any decent large Bowie or "Chopper" of any brand can do what a Nata does.
But if you like the Nata style, as mentioned above Silky offers some updated versions. Silky specializes in forestry tools and their portable (field) saws
have a high reputation.
The Silky Yoki Chopper, reasonably priced.
KKEgGm.jpg

De5ILF.jpg
Click to expand...
What is that sheath/blade hole for in the Yoki? Is there apurpose?
And is that a cattle dog? I've got a heeler with a similar attitude.
 
Has anyone else confirmed the hardness differences between the Skarma 200 and 240 that showed up in the Brit's knife review video?
That was pretty comprehensive and I might tilt towards 240 if its hardness is consistently in the 58 range.
Or are there huge variations among samples.

On the Silky tact, maybe I should just get one of each and see what I like best.
But even that offers confounding options, single or dual bevel.
Any or thoughts about single or dual bevel Silky Natas?
 
theevolone271 said:
Has anyone else confirmed the hardness differences between the Skarma 200 and 240 that showed up in the Brit's knife review video?
That was pretty comprehensive and I might tilt towards 240 if its hardness is consistently in the 58 range.
Or are there huge variations among samples.

On the Silky angle, maybe I should just get one of each and see what I like best.
But even that offers confounding options, single or dual bevel.
Any or thoughts about single or dual bevel Silky Natas?
Click to expand...
 
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