RTAK II or New BK 9 - Decisions Decisions

Triquetra

Triquetra

Joined
Mar 7, 2002
Messages
759
Now that the new BK 9 is finally out I'm faced with a dilemma. I was about to break down and buy the RTAK II to pair up with my Mora but now that the BK 9 is out again, I'm torn as to which one to get. I would appreciate any advice or opinions comparing the two or even side by side pics if available. The Becker does have a more attractive price. I am assuming that the new Kabar Becker's are equal or better than the old Camillus ones.
 
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I am with ya on this as I have been looking at the BK9 and the Ranger RD9. You also have the option of a Scrap Yard Son of Dog Father knife as a 7" chunk of indestructable steel, but you have to order in the next few days.

From my reading it seems that more folks prefered the BK9 if for nothing more then the handles comfort. $64 for the BK9 is pretty awesome, and almost impossible to pass up. Again from my reading I would opt for the Becker because it is likely a better slicer as well as being a formidable chopper.

Ultimately, you probably will not regret either knife. I like these no lose situations.

Good luck
AI
 
I'm not seeing this dilemma your speaking of? get both ;)

BOTH are very nice blades, you willnot go wrong with either one. And if by chance yoo dont like one (HA yea right!) you can sell it and buy the other.......

just saying.
 
Bushman5 said:
I'm not seeing this dilemma your speaking of? get both ;)

BOTH are very nice blades, you willnot go wrong with either one. And if by chance yoo dont like one (HA yea right!) you can sell it and buy the other.......

just saying.
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That would pose a new dilemma........money $$$$$$$:D If it wasn't for money, they would both be in the mail on the way right now.
 
all right fair enough......i benn there, broke as heck, can only choose one item that i need (yes , NEED). Here is what you do.......make PJ sandwiches and add a few pieces of fruit (appls oranges) everyday for a month, that will ave you big bucks in money spent. Consider biking to work or walking, so you dont have to spend money on fuel to get to work. Ask for extra hours. Consider paying $`10 bucks for a rake and a tarp and go rake leaves , ti the season. I made $5000 last year raking leaves.....

just saying......

:)
 
Im a fan of becker knives, there for they get my vote, the RTAK is temping..... hmm, give one a try, and if you dont like it mail me:D
 
Fonly said:
Im a fan of becker knives, there for they get my vote, the RTAK is temping..... hmm, give one a try, and if you dont like it mail me:D
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I really like the Beckers too. Seems like I'm one of the few that likes the handles. But I have a Tak-1 that I really like too. I kind of wondered which one handled or cut the best. Seems like the RTAK is a little bigger. Also who makes the RTAK II. Ontario only shows the RTAK on their site and the past controversy still kind of sticks in the back of my mind.
 
Ontario also makes the RTAK-II. There are several things on their website that are out of whack. They need to have someone update it like yesterday. I like all three, the RTAK-II, the Becker BK-9, and the Ranger RD-9. Bob Cramer from Ontario sent me an email saying that the new Ranger RD-9's produced by them would be available the first of the year, hopefully. The RTAK-II I have yet to handle outside the store, but from what that I know I like it. The Becker BK-9 is pretty gnarley. The handle is a bit much for some people. I would definitely re-handle it. All three are beasts. My personal favorite is the Ranger RD-9. Seems to have the best weight, balance, handle, everything. That's just me though.
 
My money would go with kabar - but I'm admittedly clouded by the Ontario controversy. I don't really want to go there though.

Also check out the heavy bowie made by Kabar - another 9" carbon blade that is .25". It will have more mass than the 10" RTAK II and may outchop it as well as the Becker. It is also cheaper than the Becker by about $15.00. I think the Becker handles are pretty cool though. I recall people in the past talking about pulling off the scales. They are hollow, and adding a small PSK into the hollow spaces of the handle slabs. I always thought that was cool.

Finally the Browning - Crowell competition bowie is a really great chopper blade for more $$ (about $100 + change). Comes with a convex edge and has excellent review also. It has the nice mircata handles similar to the RTAK.
 
I hear good things about the Kabar bowie, but I really don't like the kraton handles. I have played around with a PSK in the handle of my Becker Crewman but haven't really finalized anything yet. You also have to make sure and carry something to be able to remove the handles.
Edit: I looked up the Browning knife and I really liked the looks of it...at least until I saw that it was made in Taiwan. The prices that I've seen so far were a little higher though.
 
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I actually "broke down" and got a RTAKII about 3 months ago, and what did I do last night? Ordered a BK9. Theres no such thing as having too many knives, especially at the great prices both the BK9 and RTAKII are at right now. I plan on using one for each pack I use, with two neckers to back them up.
 
I have two original BK7s - a black and a tan. I really like the feel and have wanted a BK9. I will pick up one of the new ones soon.

That being said, I'm also a little Ontario-biased due to the dealings, but before the issues were ever something that I was aware of I had ordered an RTAK-II. I like the RTAK-II but honestly haven't had it outdoors playing yet. I found Busses and those have been my main choppers.

I can't find an original Ranger RD so I'm interested to hear what the new ones are going to be like but I am Ontario shy.

If the BK9 is much like feel of the BK7s for weight, get the BK9. It will be a bit before I get the new BK9.

I have a Scrapyard SOD and a Busse NMSFNO on the way now.
 
I have an RTAK, RTAK II, RD9, and the Becker BK-9. The RTAKs are bigger and have larger handles and are better for machete work. The RD and BK are more compact and easier carrying. All will chop well. The Becker has a skeletonized tang and like the RTAKs is 3/16" thick. It is a good chopper and handles well. I have replaced the handle with micarta. The RD9 is 1/4" thick 5160 steel. It's a tough call, but I think I like the RD as it comes from the factory better. I prefer my SY Dogfather LE to all of them.
 
I've had an RTAK and I have a BK-9. For me, the BK-9 is far and away, the better of the two.
 
Triquetra said:
Do you have the RTAK or RTAK II? I thought that they did some handle mod's on the newer model. If it has an overly large handle, that would rule it out for me.
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I had an RTAK II. The handle is huge for my medium/small hands. By huge I mean wide. I have an old BK9 and the handle is much more comfortable.
 
Are the Beckers already available? I think I know now what I want from Santa this year. I've been a very good boy, so the MF owes me. :D

Has anyone seen the sheaths yet?
 
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