RTAK 2, Got one!!!

GibsonFan said:
I really would like to see another knife in this design/price class that has distal taper and all that good stuff.
Click to expand...

As noted, all the traditional working blades have this design. It is not hard to find them for well under $100. They actually typically sell for $5 or less where they are actually used. The biggest issue is buying them internationally which means either knowing someone there, or going through an exporter who typically increases the price by x10. It is still really cheap however even with that massive inflation. You can also look at lesser known makers in NA. You obviously don't compare the RTAK to work by Fikes and similar that command $1000+ prices, that is just trolling hyperbole, look at makers who are just starting. I have had CUSTOM knives made with full distal tapers, specific edge configurations and blade designs, even out of high alloy steels for $70.

-Cliff
 
Well, Jeff has some neat designs, but he himself will typically use a plain old locally made $5 machette overseas, and be happy with it. He has told me this in person, and has said it often in print. Shoot- get what you like!
 
diceman said:
I just ordered an RTAK 2 - what do you guys think of it overall? I know very little about steel, but is this pretty decent quality?
Click to expand...

1095 is a very good carbon steel.
 
Cliff Stamp said:
I have had CUSTOM knives made with full distal tapers, specific edge configurations and blade designs, even out of high alloy steels for $70.

-Cliff
Click to expand...

$70 for a custom 10" chopper?
Cool.
Mind sharing where to look?
I'm sure there are lots of us wanting one :D
Thanx cliff!!!!
 
I have had CUSTOM knives made with full distal tapers, specific edge configurations and blade designs, even out of high alloy steels for $70.
Click to expand...

Like Ebbtide said, quit hogging all that custom goodness for yourself and share the name of the maker, can we see the design? Did you write a review on it?
 
Crack you up?
Shoot I'm serious.
If cliff has a quality, distal taper, custom chopper @ $70 source...
I want in on it!
 
Ebbtide said:
$70 for a custom 10" chopper?
Click to expand...

The choppers are usually cheaper because they are low alloy and the hardening is very simple. The $70 was on a high alloy blade and includes heat treatment by Bos. As I said, it isn't difficult. What you have to do is ignore the hype and of course the name brands and just look for functional makers. It also helps if you have great interpersonal skills, I had no problem getting someone to do custom bainite heat treatment and experiment heat treatments with salt pots. I also get a lot of emails discussing various aspects of knives and steels so it isn't hard for me to find makers starting out. If you want to make the same contacts then just do what I do. Ignore the hype, get a reputation for facts/logic and the makers will come to you. The test group will be introduced to a lot of these makers and considering the quality of their work I'd expect their prices to skyrocket once they are more well known.

-Cliff
 
knifetester said:
Did you write a review on it?
Click to expand...

No, it is one of the blades for the evaluation group. The blades should be in in Feb, last I checked. The evaluation time is about 3-5 months for the first round. This is followed by a discussion and workup of the data then the blades will be offered for another round if there is contention. This is followed by materials testing and finally another round failure work. The review will thus be about 5-7 months at the earliest and most likely +2-4 months.

Simultaneous with this is a similar round on small paring knives (same maker, but different heat treater) on different steels. The will also be another round of testing by yet another maker on AEB-L + two other steels, a rehardening of some productio blades, plus a large blade design which is still in planning.

I think I am going to try looking at some examples of traditional large blades and then get them annealed and rehardened both Fowler/Cashen style and see how they improve. I also have to obtain samples of high toughness steels for some makers willing to grind some blades and I have people to harden them as well, bainite + martempering and then just regular stock.

These should all come out in this year hopefully plus half a dozen other semi-concrete plans. There will thus be a lag of about 6 months (overly optomistic) before anything is seen externally and then hopefully every two months or so (again overly optomistic) a new series of articles will come out.

-Cliff
 
here are my thoughts on the whole rat series, about two years ago i purchased two of ever model they had, the rtak 1 broke when i threw it (mike p replaced it ....great cust serv) the tak i used to cut a simple branch maybe an inch in diaameter had BENT serations..... the rat 3 is great......

the heat treat ontario uses sucks, is just plain horrid...... for some reason the smaller blades are ok...


the handles suck design wise..... but for the money you can mod them yourself....

the grinds are way screwy.....


overall..... if i needed a small cheap blade i would buy another rat3, if i wanted a chopper i would buy a crap machette before wasting money on a rtak, or i would find a becker..... or better save my luch money untill i could get a real quality knife like a busse etc
 
Wade,

To be honest, the original RTAK got some criticism for the ergonomics of the handle, and a little for the sheath, and how the knife tended to ride against the knee when hung from a belt. Besides that, it was pretty well received.
The RTAK II fixes the handle issue, and most are very happy with how it feels in the hand, these days.


1095 steel :thumbup:
Hefty blade :thumbup:

It should serve you well. Get out there and take your camera.
Chop something. Build a shelter frame, fell a tree (for a purpose of course) or otherwise use it.

Let us know how it does.

Sounds like a fine Christmas present to me. :thumbup:
Beats socks and underwear. ;)
 
The RTAKs are great knives that I think are really underated.

Handles on the first gen RTAKs were not all that great but it looks like they corrected that.
Nice knife :thumbup:


For those interested I used the RAT-7 handle profile as a guide in modifying the handle of my first gen RTAK. Worth while improvement. Bottom pic is modified RTAK,.


RTAK2.jpg





Bors.
 
GibsonFan said:
I really would like to see another knife in this design/price class that has distal taper and all that good stuff. Not being a

smart-alec, if someone is producing them, they deserve recognition.
Click to expand...

Cliff Stamp said:
As noted, all the traditional working blades have this design. It is not hard to find them for well under $100. They

actually typically sell for $5 or less where they are actually used.
Click to expand...

Mr. Stamp, if you find me a line on a knife that matches the RAT 2's most significant specs ...

* 16.5 inch overall length
* 10.25 inch blade w/ drop point (blade and overall length +/- 1"; point profile isn't terribly important)
* 3/16" thick (minimum, thicker is ok) 1095 Steel (or similar, high-carbon steel)
* 56-58 Rc. Hardness (+/- a couple points)
* Full flat grind (other grinds are OK, as long as the edge bevel is reasonable, distal taper a must)
Mil-spec phosphate finish (waived)
Lanyard hole (waived)
Canvas Micarta ergonomic handle slabs (waived, any reasonable handle material/design is ok)
Ambidextrous Cordura nylon sheath (waived)
* If full-tang, the tang must be tapered for balance. Hidden tang is OK.

... for $5, I will buy two. One for me and one for you as a finder's fee. I'll even spot the $45/ea markup you referred to. Shipping cost must not be
exorbitant, which means it must be available in North America, as an Ontario (or Camillus or Ka-Bar etc...) is. When I say "reasonable" in terms of the knife's features and construction, I defer to your judgement, because I know your standards are high.

I offer this as a friendly wager with no risk, liability or ante due to you whatsoever. I'm not trying to make a fool of myself or anyone else; I will gladly support any manufacturer or maker who provides such a knife.
 
I have never seen a job that an RTAK would handle that a 12" Ontario machette would not.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top