The way I look at serious reviews are simple; review the blade for its designed purpose. I also second what someone else mentioned in this thread about having several people use the same blade. This way you get feedback that you might miss due to ergonomics and experience of the user.
The Basic 9 is probably tougher than the Trailmaster, but I would bet that the TrailMaster will out-perform it in a jungle environment, while the Basic 9 may out-perform the TrailMaster in chopping through a 4 x 4. On another note if the Basic 9 or Trailmaster's handle won't stand DEET it's a useless piece for me and my area of operations.
With all that said, I would like to see a 15 dollar Ontario machete in the hands of an experienced woodsman up against all the knives previously mentioned (Basic 9, RTAK, Trailmaster)in the hands of their respective experienced users- if the test is to be done in a wilderness environment.
Simply put, most knives are designed to fit our own inexperience, while those who rely on knives for survival everyday usually have the bare-bones basics of sharpened steel and WILL out-do the higher dollar pieces - and no it's not from the lack of funding that these people use cheap blades. I've given away 100 dollar blades only to have these people trade them off for cheaper pieces.
Every maker has their 'gimmick' or cosmetics to make the piece sell.
On the other hand, if we're doing a crowbar, edge retention, corrosion resistance, beauty, bullet-proof, or 'my blade can bend further than yours, not break, and then cut 1" steel plate' test, I would go with the higher dollar superman blades.
If this is the case, then the RTAK won't fit the bill since it's design is for wilderness and making the inexperienced machete user a little more comfortable with doing all the chores of wilderness work.
I will place the RTAK up against any others in a serious wilderness environment - and would lose against and Indian with a 5 dollar machete. Skill will beat quality everytime.
Abuse tests usually don't mean a damn thing once you're in the woods and actually using your blade for survival (since improvising will take over for the lack of other qualities).
Ease of re-sharpening and being able to comfortably use a blade with less required work will increase your woodsman skills and survival rate quicker than Kryptonite blades.
Personally I don't see any fairness, or use, in testing blades outside of their designed intent - except for the fun of it. - Jeff
------------------
Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
The Basic 9 is probably tougher than the Trailmaster, but I would bet that the TrailMaster will out-perform it in a jungle environment, while the Basic 9 may out-perform the TrailMaster in chopping through a 4 x 4. On another note if the Basic 9 or Trailmaster's handle won't stand DEET it's a useless piece for me and my area of operations.
With all that said, I would like to see a 15 dollar Ontario machete in the hands of an experienced woodsman up against all the knives previously mentioned (Basic 9, RTAK, Trailmaster)in the hands of their respective experienced users- if the test is to be done in a wilderness environment.
Simply put, most knives are designed to fit our own inexperience, while those who rely on knives for survival everyday usually have the bare-bones basics of sharpened steel and WILL out-do the higher dollar pieces - and no it's not from the lack of funding that these people use cheap blades. I've given away 100 dollar blades only to have these people trade them off for cheaper pieces.
Every maker has their 'gimmick' or cosmetics to make the piece sell.
On the other hand, if we're doing a crowbar, edge retention, corrosion resistance, beauty, bullet-proof, or 'my blade can bend further than yours, not break, and then cut 1" steel plate' test, I would go with the higher dollar superman blades.
If this is the case, then the RTAK won't fit the bill since it's design is for wilderness and making the inexperienced machete user a little more comfortable with doing all the chores of wilderness work.
I will place the RTAK up against any others in a serious wilderness environment - and would lose against and Indian with a 5 dollar machete. Skill will beat quality everytime.
Abuse tests usually don't mean a damn thing once you're in the woods and actually using your blade for survival (since improvising will take over for the lack of other qualities).
Ease of re-sharpening and being able to comfortably use a blade with less required work will increase your woodsman skills and survival rate quicker than Kryptonite blades.
Personally I don't see any fairness, or use, in testing blades outside of their designed intent - except for the fun of it. - Jeff
------------------
Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com