RTAK: User Review

[Sharp]

Alright so this is how the review will work: a friend, CloaknDagger (SY Forums), and myself both have experience with the Ontario RTAK-II, and we've decided to write this review together. He’ll write about the knife itself, and I’ll write the knife in use. The pictures are from me.

RTAK-II Review!

Measurements:

CloaknDagger:

Overall Length Blade Length Edge Length Handle Length Width

17.125 Inches 11 Inches 9.5 Inches 6 Inches 3/16th

Sharp:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/The_Aaij/DSC_0077.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/The_Aaij/DSC_0076.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/The_Aaij/DSC_0079.jpg

Here’s to put it in perspective.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/The_Aaij/DSC_0074-1.jpg

[Sharp]

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/The_Aaij/DSC_0071-1.jpg

And a comparison shot

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/The_Aaij/DSC_0078.jpg


CloaknDagger:

While shopping around for quality, hard-use knives on the internet, I stumbled across Ontario's RAT knives, a series of fully-flat-grind, micarta handled, 1095 or D2 knives in various sizes. The overall premise started with Randall's Adventure Training, a group that trains civilians and military in Jungle and Wilderness survival. In order to create and produce what they believed to be the ideal Brush Knife, RAT collaborated with Ontario Knives, with the final product being the RTAK-I, the longer, clip-pointed forerunner of my knife. From this beginning, the whole series of RAT knives (not to be confused with Swamp Rat knife works) were born. As these smaller models (like the RAT-5 and RAT-7) where made, various evolutions occurred in the over design of these knives, such as the conversion to a drop point design and the addition of a choil. When the time came to retrofit the RTAK, it was updated to resemble a huge version of the newer knives. And I must say, after using the RTAK II extensively, that these changes were all for the better.

First Impressions and basic design of the knife:

When I first saw the box, I thought “wait, this is TOO huge; there is no way that could be just one knife in there!

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/The_Aaij/DSC_0070-1.jpg

(Sharp: I left out the cardboard sleeve.)

Upon opening the box, I was presented with the almost laughably massive nylon sheath and below it, in a handsome cardboard sleeve, the knife itself. Whipping the cardboard off with a flourish, I began to inspect the knife. Unlike the black coating on most coated knives these days, the RTAK comes in a grey crinkle coating that closely resembles the feel and appearance of Rhino skin. Out of the box, the coating is VERY rough. This means that it creates more friction when cutting (something I’m sure many of you will hate) but it does increase the wear resistance of the coating. In principle, the crinkles in the coating will rub off first, before the coating itself starts to come off. In general, I’ve found this to be the case. After the first bit of work done with the knife, the coating along the parts of the forward edge had lost much of its roughness. But now, I’ll return to the knife itself. The handle is beefy; the section covered by micarta is 7/8 of an inch thick through its entire length. There is no contouring of the handle, meaning that it is simply a full tang knife with two, perfectly flat slabs on both sides. The edges of the handle are rounded for comfort, and the over all feel is pretty good, but not incredible, the back edge of the handle is not round quite enough and digs into my hand when I grip it firmly. But still, pretty good. On further inspection of the knife, I found proof that it had been designed by fairly smart people. The balance is about an inch forward of where your index finger rest, to help with chopping. However, if you use the choil the knife becomes perfectly balanced for finer work. Neat, eh? The blade itself is elegant in its simplicity, a drop point design with a completely full flat grind.

(Sharp: The fit and finish of this knife is like a Strider. There are no silicon based spacers for the Micarta. The micarta isn’t completely flush with the handle. However, this is a user and these small details really won’t hinder the performance. If you want a nicer RTAK, I suggest contacting Justin of Rangers Knives. He’ll whip up some sweet stuff for your RTAK)

The Sheath:

The sheath is fairly standard, and fairly mediocre. However, it is an improvement over the RTAK-I sheath, which I head didn’t have a belt loop. This new model is made out of black ballistic nylon, and comes with a nice belt loop, MOLLE loops and straps, and two lashing holes at the bottom (the knife will flop all over the place without a tie-down). It also contains a very nice gear pouch for a sharpening stone, folder, flashlight, etc. That’s the good stuff…now the bad stuff. The kydex liner for the sheath seems tough enough, but there is no friction fit! This means that if you forget to strap the knife in (via a snap, more on that later) the knife can fall out. Also, because there is no friction to the sheath the knife also rattles…no good. The next problem is the snap closure, which does a fairly good job of holding the knife into the sheath when it’s closed. However, the snap frequently jams and won’t come open (Sharp: I actually haven't had too many problems with mine). This is a REALLY huge pain in the ass. You can tug on the strap until your hands get blisters, and it still won’t come undone. The first time this happened, I had not strapped my knife on yet, so I grabbed the sheath both hand, took the strap in my teeth, and strained my entire arm strength on it until it finally popped open. The next time it happened I had already put the knife on, so I had to use the false edge one of my other knives to pry the two halves of the snap apart. Imagine if had I been in an emergency, or in the military, and absolutely HAD to use my knife right then. I’d be in deep sh*t. Sometimes though, the snap works just perfectly, so I don’t know what makes the difference. Point is, if it could go wrong, it WILL go wrong, and probably when I least want it too. If you have the money, but a better sheath. (Sharp: Yes buy an Eagle Sheath or the Soft Sheath from TOPs Knives. However, there are ways to form the kydex. I'm sure all of you are aware that heat softens objects. Boiling.)

The knife in Use:

CloaknDagger:

Out of the box, the knife was very sharp, about as sharp as most benchmades come out of the box. It could slice through paper about as easily as it could slice through air. Scary sharp, by my standards, and it also shaved very easily. Like most of you, I own a lot of knives, in a myriad of sharps and sizes. (Sharp: I wouldn’t consider it scary sharp, but it could shave with out touching skin. On the paper cutting test, the knife occasionally nicked. It ain’t like an R.J. Martin) Since I always carry a very sharp folder (Sharp: Now, Cloaks Griptilian is one sharp son of a bitch), I’ve never had occasion to do much fine work with the RTAK, though I have done some whittling.

[Sharp]

Sharp:

Ahhh. My Turn. :manganr:

One key necessity in survival is wood. It’s creates fire. The RTAK is that wood gatherer.

(Each test was completed with gloves.)

CloaknDagger and I found a series of cedar saplings out in the forest, each with a diameter of 2-3 inches. The RTAK made very quick word of each sapling. It would take only 3-6 swings to fall a sapling. Some took just two. A few 1 – 1.5 inch saplings took only one swing. Each stroke was done at a 45 – 65 degree angle. This displayed the awesome momentum generated by the blade and the keenness of the factory edge. A good 6 inches of the knife contacted some part of wood. My sweet spot is typically 1 inch from the choil and 2 inches before the tip. Cloak’s sweet spot is 5 inches from the choil and 1 inch before the tip.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/The_Aaij/DSC_0075.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/The_Aaij/DSC_0070.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/The_Aaij/DSC_0071.jpg

We did far more than just three these saplings. Our total amount of saplings would sum up to 9+ saplings. (Anyone got spray paint, we need to mark our knives with trees.)

The last test was a cedar tree that had grown lop-side. There would be no danger in chopping it down (damn, I wanted to say “TIMBER!!!”). The cedar tree was around 5 inches thick. We began at the curvature of the tree, as that position provided us with a plethora of good chopping angles.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/The_Aaij/DSC_0074.jpg

[Sharp]

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/The_Aaij/DSC_0073.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/The_Aaij/DSC_0072.jpg

It took us around 15-25 minutes to severe the tree. Cedar is a very tough wood, not to mention, it’s also very sticky. The knife would occasionally get stuck. However this was still done fairly quickly due to the fact that we would take turns chopping. All in all, Cloak and Sharp: 1, Cedar Tree: 0.

Upon our inspection at the house, there were no visible damages to the edge. No rolling that we could see. The coating, however was coming off. On my knife the highest amount of wear resulted in 1/8 inch coating removal from the edge 4 inches from the choil. However the knife was still very sharp. It would cut paper still the same, an occasional nick. Shaving was still effortless; shaves were made on the part that was used the most.

Cloak decided to touch up on the edge just a tid bit. A ceramic rod was used. It took 6 strokes on each side to get a very sharp edge (this was truly unnecessary, but was still completed to show the ease in which 1095 can be sharpened) . Touching up the RTAK was very quick.

The RTAK, I believe, is the epitome of a survival knife.

(I forgot to mention, before the felling of trees began, Cloak and I went trough 12 wooden stakes. Very quick and easy.)

[Sharp]

By the way, to all of you who don't know, I lost my RTAK quite some while ago. :(

[Tac45]

The RTAK ain't exactly a small knife. How did you loose it?

[Noss]

Great review Sharp. It is big. It has a huge handle on it that I like on big knives.
I wish they would make them thicker at least 1/4"

For the money it ain't bad.

[Sharp]

Tac45,

My guess is as good as yours. One day I was in woods practicing throwing. One bad throw caused it to ricochet of a tree and tumble into the forest. I looked for hours and still couldn't find it. I searched everywhere, Cloak even came one day to go search for it and we still couldn't find it. I have no idea how I lost it.

Noss,

Yea it would be nice for them to make a Northwest Survival knife that is 1/4 inch thick. However, the knife was designed for the Jungles and is intended as a machete and not a chopper. It's still fairly good at chopping even for how thin it is.

I'm also really made that I lost it because I spent quite some time sculpting the handles.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee292/The_Aaij_1/DSC_0018-3.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee292/The_Aaij_1/DSC_0047-1.jpg

[Gman1128]

Great review Sharp, thanks! I would also like it if they made a thicker one, but I guess as it is now, its probably a great short machete.

Too bad you lost it though, I'd be really mad. Look on the bright side, at least it wasn't your FBM, that would really suck!

[Tac45]

Sharp that is a sad story. Don't know anyone with a metal detector? Maybe rent one? Over here there are places that have that sort of stuff. Surely places with prospecting supplies may have rentals. Don't let the forest win!!!!! (Unless visitors to the sight found it)

[amen74]

Great reiview! Too bad you lost your blade though.

[Noss]

Look on the bright side, at least it wasn't your FBM, that would really suck!


No kidding. Man if I lost my FBM out there I would go crazy.

[Sharp]

Great review Sharp, thanks! I would also like it if they made a thicker one, but I guess as it is now, its probably a great short machete.

Too bad you lost it though, I'd be really mad. Look on the bright side, at least it wasn't your FBM, that would really suck!

Thanks Gman,

And yet, if it was my FBM, I would first nuke the forest. Bring down to ashes and go in a Radioactive suit and find it. :D

Sharp that is a sad story. Don't know anyone with a metal detector? Maybe rent one? Over here there are places that have that sort of stuff. Surely places with prospecting supplies may have rentals. Don't let the forest win!!!!! (Unless visitors to the sight found it)

I've thought of trying that. Though, for now I can live with my FBM. I don't think any hiker travel off the trail like Cloak and I do, so I'm sure it's still somewhere underneath the dirt.

[kurodrago]

Sharp thanks for the Great reiview . If I want a knife in the jungle thats is the one,crafty designed. Sorry for the lost.

[Sharp]

It's great knife and with a little modifications of the handles it makes a great knife even better.

For 100 bucks, 16 inches worth of 1095 and micarta ain't too shabby. :D

[Tac45]

Forgot to mention....Great Review! I like the mods to the handle. Gives it a nice personal touch. I hope you do locate it.

[Sharp]

Thanks Tac 45. I was thinking of sending it to Justin of Range knives but I couldn't stand waiting. Plus the handles only needed a slight modification. Nothing the Dremel couldn't handle. :D

I still highly recommend this knife for general use. It might have only got a 4 sword rating, but it's still a great knife. (

Did you hear. Ranger knives and Ontario are merging!!!!!! :D :D :D

[eatingmuchface]

I did here about that.
idk know what to think of it really, I'll just wait and see how much everything changes.

[Sharp]

I can't wait. I've been wanting one of the Swords from Ontario. It would be the cheap AK-47. :D

[sharpshooter996]

Hey Sharp I've read this review a bunch of times and it never gets old so I guess I will finally stop being lazy and write a reply. . Very nice job. Its always good seeing a knife getting some use, to bad you dont have it any more though. :( I have a Rat 7 that works great and i always say after using it on how well it handles. It is a great design. I have always been tempted to get the RTAK II. May be one of these days, sooner than later I will have to give in.

Here are a few pic's of my well used RAT-7 in D-2

[Noss]

Cool photos of your Rat 7 in action. That is a good size tree you chopped with it. NICE !!

[sharpshooter996]

Thanks, I did not measure it but I would say it was just under 5" It took a while 15-17 min but it did the job. :D I know it's no RTAK but it makes a good carry/camp knife. I dont like beating on the D2 steel that much, it has chipped on me in the past on some hard wood work. I did not know that much about D2 when I bought the blade, looks like it would be better in a smaller blade used primary for hunting work not chopping. it holds a good edge but it takes a while to sharpen, a good while longer than any carbon blade i own, or any other except for my Spyderco Endura in ZDP-189. That is a project to sharpen.

By the way i did not chop that tree down for no reason, (if you were wondering.) it was close to the property line and branches were growing into the power lines. i made a couple cool things out of it including a woodpecker bird feeder, and an old Native American war club. the rest will be used for cool nights by the fire, and other wood working skills. I hate cutting down perfectly good trees unless there is a good reason. There is way too much of that today and we are loosing more and more woodland at an alarmingly fast rate. More and more housing developments and commercial areas are being built. I am only 28 and so much of the land has changed already in my lifetime. You have to get in your car and drive further and further to enjoy a good day in the true wild country. I just dont get these big city dwellers, Imagin living in one of these big citys like New York or Chicago. That seems like prison to me. just concrete and asphalt. I just dont think humans were meant to live like that. we are treating ourselves more like caged animals if you ask me.

May be I should have saved this for another thread, Lol I know im a damn tree huggin red neck. but i bet im not the only one :D

Happy 4th by the way to all you patriots out their..

[Thecarotidpulse]

I agree about trees....

Do we get a picture of the "old Native american war club"?


=D

[sharpshooter996]

Its not finished yet but it will be most impressive when done. I made one when I was younger for a school project and it was awsome. guess i've always been a little out there, not the normal you might say. but then again we all cant follow the modern trend can we? lol.

[Thecarotidpulse]

*flings poop at modern trends*

Lightsabers > Swords > Guns

[Tac45]

Nice pics Shooter. I've been wondering about the D2 Rat. I've been wanting a Rat for a while. Not sure which to get though. I like the size of the seven inch made by Ontario. I probably will go with the 1095 carbon steel. I could live with the six inch. So one from Ontario or the newer RAT Cutlery (which now have the six inch in production) are decisions I need to make.

[sharpshooter996]

Thanks Tac, The Rat-7 is a good knife. Good blade shape for its use, well balanced, and comfortable. The D-2 does hold an edge for a long time. I like sharpening my knives on corse stones, that allows the blade to bit into abrasive materials, where a polished edge can have trouble. The D-2 steel on this knife does not smooth out easily with use, like some other knives i've used.

If i was going to get another i would go with the 1095. The D-2 when dull takes quite a bit of time and effort to get really sharp again. Its something i would not want to do, if out in the field.

The only other gripes i can muster about this knife are the handles are smooth, and get slippery when wet or soiled. And the blade does flex pretty easily. I would not want to be in a situation where I had to put too much leverage on it. Other that that, its a fine knife :cool:

[sharpshooter996]

And regarding the RAT Cutlery knives.. They look pretty nice. The blades are still thin however so they may not be the best choice for a hard use knife that is going to take a lot of stress. And the sheath options are more for military application. Dont know if they would work on a standard belt. Might be a pain in the ass :mad:

Im pretty sure I would lean to a scrap yard or Swamp Rat. Just my opinion..

[Tac45]

If I was going to cane the crap out of a knife I agree the Busse family knives can't be beat. No I'm wanting one for general purpose stuff. You know buy it with all good intentions. Then it sits in a box for years because I'll still end up using what I use. That being a Mk2 fighter (Kabar) but made by Case. Although that has now been rested a few times and replaced with one by Kabar. An Ontario SP8 Machete. The saw sucks but works. Chops like crazy. Thick and blade heavy. Those Spec Plus grips are very comfortable.

But. I feel the need for change!!!!!! (like I haven't said that before)

[sharpshooter996]

Your right TAC. And thats the joy of buying knives.

[Sharp]

Thanks for the replies you guys. I haven't been here for a awhile.

Anyways... I actually wanted one of the Rat-7 in D2 for quite some time. But, I think I had some other knives that fit the bill so I got the RTAK instead.

Rat Cutlery has their RC-6 which looks really sweet. It would be a larger RMD that really wouldn't be any better than an RMD though.

[lafayette]

I just received my RAT 7 today. I made few test (not much) and it seems hell of a cutter.
It is light and I will make a leather sheath more convenient and nicer than the stabdard sheath. I'll send photos later.

[Noss]

lafayette: Congratulations on your new Rat :rockon::rockon:

[Tac45]

Nice Lafayette. Which did you get the D2 or 1095?

I bet you make a better sheath than the Benchmade!!!!!!!!!!!

[lafayette]

thanks for your replies.
I got a 1095. Very easy to sharpen, I find the handle a bit uncomfortable. Or my hands are too soft...Anyway, it is a good knife, a bit light for heavy chopping (it is less than 5 mm thick), but still fairly efficient. The tip is thick, the flat grind makes it very effective for slashing and cutting grasses or bushes.
good fellow for hiking. For heavier stuff, I got my fallkniven or my busse.

[sharpshooter996]

Nice pickup on your RAT lafayette. Your right you cant argue with their cutting. A nice thin edge with full flat grind. Glade you went with the 1095, wish I had with mine.

Dont be afraid to send us some pictures. we love them :D

[lafayette]

thanks; I will, ASAP

[Shaolin]

Very nice review/test Sharp.

[sharpshooter996]

Thanks again, hopefully there will be more to follow