RTAK 2, Got one!!!

Cliff Stamp · Jan 19, 2007

Horse said:
I have never seen a job that an RTAK would handle that a 12" Ontario machette would not.

Machetes are not as cool.

GibsonFan said:
I will gladly support any manufacturer or maker who provides such a knife.

I was offered to review two such traditional blades a month or so back, I'll be looking at them the summer. I will also be looking at traditional blades of India and they are fairly cheap as well. If you are interested in the knives then I can put you in contact with people who can sell them to you, I'll even tell them you are a friend of mine so you get them at cost. In the mean time, Valiant sells goloks starting at $50 or so, forged steel, longer blade, tapers, full convex grinds, etc. . Jim Aston has reviewed a bunch. What you are seeing in those prices is a MASSIVE inflation over the actual cost locals pay for the same knives. Actually visit those places, the guys making the knives don't even make that much money ($50) in a month. Prices of $100 per knife to them is like asking someone in North America to pay $1000 for a bag of chips.

-Cliff

Ebbtide · Jan 19, 2007

If you are interested in the knives then I can put you in contact with people who can sell them to you, I'll even tell them you are a friend of mine so you get them at cost

There's a sig line if I ever saw one

knifetester · Jan 19, 2007

The valiant goloks are some nice knives. I do believe that they are inflated as to price compared to what you would pay in the various villages where they are made. But then again, that is the free market system.

I would greatly prefer a well made valaint golok over any of the RTAK type knives, and I have never handled the RTAK2.

If you are interested in the knives then I can put you in contact with people who can sell them to you, I'll even tell them you are a friend of mine so you get them at cost.

Hey Cliff, if that is an open offer I will take you up on it. Could you please get me in touch with those people, and let them know I am your friend?
What kind of knives do they offer?

kgriggs8 · Jan 19, 2007

"I have never seen a job that an RTAK would handle that a 12" Ontario machette would not."

Dang you Horse, you just let the cat out of the bag. Now everyone is going to snap up the 12" machetes and the price is going to go through the roof! But seriously, I think you are right. I also have never seen a job that a 12" machete would handle that a 18" would handle better. That is not taking anything away from the 12" but the 18" machete (Ontario U.S. Issue) is probably the finest cutting/chopping/slashing tool I have ever owned. I have
owned RTAKs, Rangers, Bowies, Kukuris ect. The RTAK was a nice tool but the handle sucked big time. I just may spend the cash on the RTAK II even though I know it won't do anything my machete won't do.

I have about 40 Spyderco folders that all do the same thing. Why do I need so many? No real reason. I can so I do.

Cliff Stamp · Jan 20, 2007

knifetester said:
The valiant goloks are some nice knives. I do believe that they are inflated as to price compared to what you would pay in the various villages where they are made.

Inflated isn't the word, the price increase is 10-100X. Kramer had pictures on rec.knives awhile back on what you can expect, bowies, parangs, etc. .You always have to be careful to buy working versions which means you tend to have to know a native and get him to buy it as otherwise you will get hit with the tourist tax.

-Cliff

knifetester · Jan 20, 2007

Well, I hope Wandi makes millions selling them, but I bet he doesn't. By the time you buy them, ship them, make returns on defective ones, run a website and business, insurance, etc, I bet the profit margin is not as large as you think, , ,

DirkDiggler · Jan 22, 2007

Cliff Stamp said:
I'll even tell them you are a friend of mine

Poor guy.

knifetester said:
Well, I hope Wandi makes millions selling them, but I bet he doesn't. By the time you buy them, ship them, make returns on defective ones, run a website and business, insurance, etc, I bet the profit margin is not as large as you think, , ,

It is obvious Wandi is not making alot of money. Other wise he would have bought a new PC by now. He has been having 'computer problems' for years.

diceman · Jan 22, 2007

I see that the discussion has moved quite a bit away from the original topic, but, RTAK 2 - I got one too! Just arrived in the mail today along w/ my Ranger RD7. I really like the feel of the grip on the RTAK2 - its just right, and it was shaving my arm as any new knife should. The sheath is pretty decent, and I don't really mind the big logo on the side of the blade as much as I thought I would - its a lot more visible in the pix than it is in person. The blade is considerably thinner than on my Ranger, but overall I'm pretty impressed with the knife. I never held one with the old style handle, but I can't imagine a more comfortable grip than this one has. Overall, I really like it!

Ebbtide · Jan 22, 2007

Way to go diceman.
Can you sharpen a pencil and thin slice a tomato with it?
Let us know when you get to use it and what your impressions are.

diceman · Jan 22, 2007

I think I could cut off someone's hand at the wrist with it in one strike! But seriously, I'll post more once I get a chance to use it! The finish is very nice - I wasn't expecting it to be so... pretty? Thats the wrong word...

I have noticed that it does rattle around in the sheath a little (that was posted somewhere earlier in this thread) - not a big deal though. More to come after I get out in the woods with it.

Cliff Stamp · Jan 22, 2007

knifetester said:
By the time you buy them, ship them, make returns on defective ones, run a website and business, insurance, etc...

This isn't the biggest problem. The knives are basically free, the shipping isn't that expensive typically. Your biggest issues are :

-getting the logistics in place (constant and uniform supply)
-export taxes
-bribes (not really talked about openly but a major factor)

I have been asked on several occasions to actually run such a business, as recently as of last week when I informed someone of the prices such knives could easily command in the NA market and the extreme demand for "native" cutlery.

They were quite suprised as were the natives because they are of the viewpoint that you would (duh) use better tools if you had more money. They use $3 knives because they make <$1 a day, just like they wear sandals which cost <$1, eat very cheap food, have no medical supplies, no education (can't read/write) etc. .

I am hoping to get some video's of the knives, how they are used, etc. . Maybe this week, but more realistically in 3-4 months time because right now I am focused on the research group.

-Cliff

Horn Dog · Jan 24, 2007

I have enjoyed all this banter about the new RTAK 2. I have one, and an original RTAK, a BK-9, a Brute, a golock, a Ranger RD-9, a CS Gurka kukri, and about a dozen machetes. I have fun "testing" them all in my 3 acre jungle on Blythe Island, GA. When I really want to get some work done, I grab my 22" Tramontina machete. As far as chopping serious wood goes, I think the Golock is best. It is like an axe with a very wide head! Only my Gerber axe works better (as one would expect). I like the new RTAK 2 a lot. Its a good bush knife. It has great balance and feel.

If I could not afford one, I'd just get an Ontario 12" camp machete. The RTAK is way cooler. Almost as cool as my Condor Combat Machete that looks like a Roman Gladius.