RTAK, or BK9 ???

R

rev_jch

Joined
Jul 29, 2002
Messages
3,228
Guys I am thinking of getting either the RTAK, or the BK9. Which of you, who own them, think either is a better buy and why? I want to spend as little as possible, so I am leaning towards the BK9, but I also want something that is very serviceable around the camp, but is also not too heavy, or bulky to carry, etc.
 
You are hard pressed to beat any of the BK line given their price. I have the BK 7 and 9 and think that they are great values. There are better knives out there but nothing that comes close for around $60.
 
I posted this same question about a year ago. I ended up going with the BK9 and I'm pretty happy with my purchase. The BK9 is certainly "serviceable around the camp", although I don't know I'd ever want to have to carry it for any kind of distance. Either way I think you'll be pleased.

-Dan
 
Price point = BK9..Can't beat it.

Isn't the Rtak the size of the BK7?
So for size the RTAK is the way.
BUT I'm probably remembering wrong :)
BK9's pretty big to put on your leg any distance.
Tom
 
I have used both, the BK9 is far superior for wood working, and has a much more ergonomic handle, both have problems with lack of full guards.

-Cliff
 
Hi Rev,

Nice to talk to you :)

I have a BK7 which I really like, so the BK9 is likely also a great knife. The RTAK apparently has a thinner blade, so that may be a plus or a minus, depending upon your needs. I love the looks of the RTAK myself, that micarta handle really appeals to me.

Good luck with your decision.

The Avalanche says "Hi"! Thanks again. :)

Best wishes, Jeff/1911.
 
I have a Becker BK-9 and the older version Newt Livesay RTAK. My recommendation is to get the BK-9, especially since price is a consideration. Be sure to test drive the Becker handle to insure you like it, if you haven't done so already. People tend to either really like or strongly dislike the BK handles. They are something of an acquired taste perhaps.

While its thin stock (vs 1/4" thick blades) reduces the BK-9's chopping mass considerably, its high flat primary bevel grinds & thin profile somewhat compensate by offering pretty decent penetration IME. The BK-9 has enough blade on it to chop pretty decently for me, especially limbing out brush. Compared to the thicker, more chopping-specific knives it has a relatively neutral balance. That makes it handier than weighty blade-heavy knives for the cutting chores that come up around camp. On some of those big whopper knives you have to pretty much grab the blade spine near the tip to get much dexterity. Not so with the BK-9.

If you need to open up big wood to get at dry material (a consideration when hiking & backpacking in soggy NW rainforests during fall/winter/spring), my recommendation is to carry a folding Japanese pruning saw to cut log rounds and use a baton on a 7"-9" knife blade to split the rounds. Or carry a chainsaw. ;)

TOB9595, The BK-7 is about the size of the TAK (7-7.5"). The BK-9 is about the size of the RTAK (9"-10").
 
I had the BK7 and liked it until I used the BK10. It's basically the same knife except a bit shorter and the tip is more like the BK9 (which I like but find way too heavy for anything but chopping, and I already have a GB SFA so there's no point in having such a beast).

The extra weight at the tip of the BK10 gives it chopping power equal to the BK7. I think it's even a little better but maybe I'm just my liking it a whole lot more!

It doesn't sound logical that the shorter knife is as good for all the same tasks but that's my experience with them and it carries a lot easier.

I payed approx $45 for the BK-10 and feel it's one of the best wilderness/camp/survival knives if ever used.

The handle one the RTAK didn't appeal to me so I never bothered to buy one and can't comment on their performance.

Collecter
 
I think once Camillus releases the Extreme Line handles for everyone to buy and put onto their normal BKs, the BKs will beat the RTAK series hands down.
 
I have the RTAK and think it's ok for light chopping but for heavy work it just don't seem to be all that good. I don't like the handle. Too thick and wide. It turns in your hand with heavy chopping. Beckers have much better handles for heavy work. Plus better carbon steel.
Scott
 
One warning about the Beckers - slippery scales. I bought two Beckers when they first came out, and accidentally cut myself with both of them when holding the knives loosely and, due to the slippery handles, they slid back in my hand and the blade cut my forefinger. I own a lot of knives and none come close to having handles as slippery as the Beckers.

Having said this, I will point out that some Bladeforum members have stated that they remedied the slipperiness problem by roughing up the scales with sandpaper.
 
I found the scales on the Beckers to be a bit slick as well, you can rough them up pretty easily, or just use some kind of high friction tape.

-Cliff
 
W.T. Beck said:
Having said this, I will point out that some Bladeforum members have stated that they remedied the slipperiness problem by roughing up the scales with sandpaper.
Click to expand...

I dimly remember that someone sandblasted his Becker's handle and was satisfied with the results.

Or simply apply some grip tape (a.k.a. wingwalk).
 
To my surprise, when I used a Becker Brute as my main chopping blade on a two-week wilderness survival video shoot, the handle became tackier when wet instead of slicker! I never had a problem with grip or sliding up onto the blade even once.

I also have, and really love, the RTAK. The handles on both are good for bigger hands. I like the RTAK handle better, combined with the balance of the blade. I have a BK7 as well, but not the BK9, so I can't compare overall performance between the two. But I've held the BK9 and swung it around to get a feel -- great knife. For lots of brushwork and clearing, the RTAK has it over the BK9 hands down, tho, because it was designed to be a combo of machete and survival knife, mostly for jumngle environs. The balance and lighter blade make it less fatiguing to hold if bushwhacking through dense jungle. The handle is somewhat machete-like as well.
 
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