Wasnt impressed with the RTAK ;(

blgoode

blgoode

Joined
Oct 3, 2003
Messages
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Man - I have had a RTAK (Ontario) on my wish list for so long. Before I became a knifemaker. Well, while I was in Pigeon Forge, TN I got to get my hands on the ontario's. Very nice knives but I was disapointed in the handles. Not comfortable at all. It may be because the handles I make feel so well that I am now biased. I know that there production cost limits the shaping but it could be better. If anyone is thinking of getting one of these I would plan to roundover everything just a little more.
Anyway, I thought you guys might like my experience with this knife.

I would prefer it to the becker variations but thats because I like Micarta ;)
 
That's interesting. The original Livesay version had a very comfortable handle, unfortunately they must have taken extra time there and forgot to finish the edge grind! The grind on mine was extremely sloppy, and worse yet wasn't even sharp. I wasn't real impressed. If I find myself needing a straight bladed knife that size I'll go for a Battle Rat!
 
I wish the battle rat had a micarta handle. I just lik them better. If I didnt make knives I'd have bought the RTAK or the Becker. I just love big blades!
I have a 7" to 8" camp knife design that I think is going to be a good beast. I'll post pics here when its done.

One of my favorite blades is the straight handled Busse Battle Mistress :D :D
If they had that I'd have gotten it...if the wife would have allowed ;)
 
I had a similar seriousness to my wanting an RTAK until I handled one. The grip was wrong for me mainly because I have small hands. Mac
 
I've owned and operated both Livesay and Ontarion versions of the RTAK and didn't care for the handle on either. It just didn't work for me. Hard to describe, but it seemed like there was no position in which the knife "clicked" into my hand.

The RAT-7, on the other hand, is my idea of a great handle. It's big and meaty without being uncomfortable, and seems to melt into my hand no matter how I grab it.

Strange.

Bear
 
You guys will like the one I am finishing up now!
I was wondering if I was the only one that was disapointed in the RTAK :p
 
Yeah I found/find the RTAK handle off in my hand a bit. So I played with it for a while with the old dremel and shaped it to my liking. It's still is a bit to fat but much better.
 
You make some excellent knives, I don't see how the RTAk could compete :cool: I'm really looking forward to seeing the new chopper you're making.
 
THanks TKnife. I may be able to get it finished up tomorrow but that will mean a good day has to happen in the shop ;)
I have to get 5 to 6 knives rough ground then work on the chopper handle.
I may just have to do 3 knives and the chopper!
 
I have recently purchased an RTAK,

I have a post in the blade discuusion forum.

First thing I did was go to work on the handle, got it down to size. I have a med/large hand, so I removed a fair amount of material.

Then I completely removed the existing edge and started over. Ended up with a .035 edge thickness,

Went out today and found a dead red oak, approx 3 1/2 " in dia.

The RTAK made short work of this dead oak. I went in and brought out my BME, It would not penetrate and basically just bounced off.

Now, The BME shines in a lot of other ways, extreme, unthinkable abuse. But for every day chores, chopping and clearing etc, the RTAK really shines with a little modification.

Today, on the dead red oak, the RTAK out performed the BUSSE hands down.

I now have 4 busse`s(and I love them), and am not an expert, but the RTAK, in my opinion, is unsurpassed in its price range.
 
Here is my chopper finished. I'll put the edge on it this week.
I got the sheath done and its my first pocket also
nexttosheath.jpg

wearing.jpg

What do you think?
 
I really like the handle on that knife, what are the spec`s, blade mat`l?

What will this one sell for?

Thanks
 
Great looking blade and I really love the sheath. Your really turning out some great looking blades.
 
I loved the look of it, ordered it and waited. I was very disappointed when I opened the box. It felt like I was handling a table leg and Ontario should be embarrassed about the sheath. I gave it away the next day.
On the other hand, Bgoode, will your latest knife be put into production? I'd love to get one
 
Sure its in production ;) From my very own shop. I have 2 of these on order now. My backlog is about 8 weeks at the moment but thats not too bad. I'll email you guys the specs.
 
Tallquietman said:
I loved the look of it, ordered it and waited. I was very disappointed when I opened the box. It felt like I was handling a table leg and Ontario should be embarrassed about the sheath. I gave it away the next day.
On the other hand, Bgoode, will your latest knife be put into production? I'd love to get one
Click to expand...


Mine did not come with a sheath, but have heard that they were`nt much to start with.

I bought mine in new condition at a used price, so I did not have the expectations that I would have had NIB.

With mod`s its a real chopper and keeper.
 
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