View Full Version : Your Opinion
BimotaBoy
10-02-2008, 01:08 PM
I am looking for a big Knife (10 in.) under $100.00
the ones I am looking at are.
1. RATK II $90.00
2. Kershaw Outcast $65.00
3. Cold Steel Trail Master $75.00
What are your opinions?
:headbang:
The only one I have any experience with is the RTAKII out of the three you listed.
If your going to do a lot of heavy chopping then there are much better fixed blades then the RTAKII for this. It is on the thin side. It has some flex when chopping heavy stuff. It feels like you are going to break it if you pull it the side like when you are removing the the knife from a a log when the edge sticks in. It will chop heavy stuff don't get me wrong.
It is just to flexible for me. It is more of a knife slash/machete really.
I have heard plenty of good things about the Trail Master as well as the Outcast but I have read much more on the Trail Master being that it has been around a long time.
Some members here have both of these so maybe they will give you some more user info
than I can.
BimotaBoy
10-02-2008, 03:31 PM
The Outcast is thin also but I can't find out its thickness or the RATK thickness.
:headbang:
The RTAK II is 3/16th" thick
BimotaBoy
10-02-2008, 03:49 PM
Any idea if you are going to test a carbon trail master or the Outcast anytime in the future?
:rockon:
I don't know when at this moment. I have a stack of knives here to do. people have been after me to test it for a long time. If my money looks good this month I will see about ordering one.
BimotaBoy
10-02-2008, 04:03 PM
I can maybe afford to get you a new 3# maul if needed!
:headbang:
LOL No knife has broke the mallet yet. The Busse FFBM gave it hell though.
BimotaBoy
10-02-2008, 04:31 PM
What is the price of a FFBM and can you actually get one?
:rolleyes:
About 500 bucks or more.Yes you can get them on the secondary market this is were I bought mine.
Yes you can get them on the secondary market this is were I bought mine.
BimotaBoy
10-02-2008, 04:45 PM
OUCH!!!!
:eek::eek::eek::eek:
Yeah. hey are the most expensive knives I own.
BimotaBoy
10-02-2008, 04:48 PM
I hope the one you broke was donated!
Yes it was. It was donated by Busse Combat.
BimotaBoy
10-02-2008, 04:50 PM
Can you repost the link for the used stuff??
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=804
You have to check often to see if there are any posted and they go fast. :eek:
Also check Ebay under Busse Knives.
BimotaBoy
10-02-2008, 05:01 PM
Thanks!!!!!!!!
Also the thing about many Busse knives on the secondary market. Is many don't use them The just collect them. So they are usually in 100% prefect condition as all of mine were.
BimotaBoy
10-02-2008, 05:12 PM
Cool !
But I am really looking for something under $100.00.
The other ones you listed my do you fine. I just don't have any experience with them.
If you can find one. Look for a Scrapyard Dog Father. They go for about 100 bucks it's a Busse family blade but not a Busse. It's a heavy chopper.
Thecarotidpulse
10-02-2008, 05:32 PM
Erm....
lets see... 10 inches...
The Ka Bar Heavy Bowie is like 9 in and 40-50 bucks, enough left over to get a treat.
In that size/price range (aka cheap big knife) I think your best bet lies with Cold steel.
On the other hand, unless you are decided for a large knife, I can also point out that you could take a 20 $ CS bowie machete or Kukri machete and a more bushcraft knife with better edge retention..
Also I think the Himalayan import Kukris are about that expensive too...
Yeah the Himalayan import Kukri is a great choice if you want a chopper. I have an AK and it chops like mad. 150 if you by from HI. Cheaper If you get it second hand. And very easy to come
by.
Note this is not the same one tested on this site. It's much bigger and better.
If you can find one. Look for a Scrapyard Dog Father. They go for about 100 bucks it's a Busse family blade but not a Busse. It's a heavy chopper.
They've went up quite a bit on the secondary market. You're now looking at over $200 for a standard version. More for the LE. The last standard version I saw on BF went for around $250 or $275.
BimotaBoy
10-02-2008, 06:09 PM
Nice knife but trying to keep it under $100.00. Not to mention I dont want to have to sit and watch a knife forum 24/7 to have to buy a knife!
Check out the Ka-bar heavy bowie 50 bucks. It's available in two sizes.
Check out Ontario they have some budget minded knives in the 50 to 100 dollar range.
Also look at the Browning comp knife. It's a very nice knife. Depending on where you get it. It costs about 110 to 130. So if you can spare a little more. It's a great deal.
cheaper alternatives on a chopper is a good machete. I used one all the time before I bought my Busse FBM's
if you haven't done already check out sharpshooter's thread on the trail master
http://knifetest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=329
BimotaBoy
10-02-2008, 07:00 PM
I know that blade thickness is not everything, but after finding the thickness of these 3 I think the CS
Trail Master would be the winner.
Thecarotidpulse
10-02-2008, 08:23 PM
Thickness is FAR from everything...
Look up Nutnfancy's reviews on the Trail master and the Ka bar on youtube, and also remember: although it is nice to have "one knife to do all" this is not the lord of the rings and you CAN bring more than one knife with you!
Look up Nessmuk's book (it's online as an E book) and see what he has to say about it...
BimotaBoy
10-03-2008, 08:18 PM
I did a bunch of internet surfing on the knives I am looking at and only managed to add the Ontario SP8 to the list
BimotaBoy
10-03-2008, 08:19 PM
I did a bunch of internet surfing on the knives I am looking at and only managed to add the Ontario SP8 to the list
:headbang::headbang::headbang:
LoganSackett
10-03-2008, 08:31 PM
Do you mean 10'' overall or a 10'' blade?
Here's a nice Marine Raider Bowie with a 10'' blade.
http://www.armynavydeals.com/asp/products_details.asp?SKU=3313&ST=2
If you meant 10'' overall, I have this, and, in my spare time, worship it.
http://www.sniperessentials.com/pd-blackhawk-nightedge-serrated-edge.cfm
BimotaBoy
10-03-2008, 08:44 PM
Looking for a 10" blade.
LoganSackett
10-03-2008, 08:47 PM
Looking for a 10" blade.
That Marine Raider I posted is tough as hell. My friend has one and we went camping with it. It eats firewood for breakfast and asks for more.
BimotaBoy
10-03-2008, 09:18 PM
I think I like the Ontario SP8 better!
LoganSackett
10-03-2008, 09:24 PM
Whatever floats your boat.:)
The SP8 is a very good knife.
sharpshooter996
10-04-2008, 12:26 AM
This is quite the interesting discussion. This can be quite a complicated question. First I would like to ask exactly what you will be using this knife for. Is it going to be a dedicated woods/survival knife? Are you more concerned with looks or function? The SP8 is much diff that the original knives you mentioned. Lacking any belly or tip the SP8 is limited in use. If this is not an issue to you and you just dig the SP8, well then thats your knife. If not other options are prob a better choice.
I have used the RTAK-II and Trail Master both. I own the Trail Master and have put it thru a lot of hard use. Where I live there is a lot of hard wood. So the Trail Master with its 5/16 thick blade is prefered. It is a better splitter and will handle prying forces better. If you are going to be using your knife on softer wood, and need to cut a lot of smaller branches and vine, The RTAK would be a good choice. It swings a bit faster and depending on what edge you are using on it it may slice better than the Trail Master. At least on softer wood.
There are other offerings Like the Ontario SP-5 Bowie priced $50 and less. Ka-Bar Heavy Bowie, right around the same price, although this has a blade greater than 10" For just a little bit more there is the Ranger Rd9, and the Browning competition knife. Im sure their are more offerings available if you shop around.
For the price to bang factor, I think you will be hard pressed to do better than the Trail Master. I picked mine up for $75
If you really want a heavy chopper that will double as a woods/survival knife i would also like to recommend the Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri. It is an impressive knife. Capable of devastating chopping and limb stripping. And for batoning it shares the same 5/16 full flat grind as the Trail Master, but it can reach out and split an even larger piece of wood with its near 12" cutting edge compared with the already impressive 9.5" cutting edge on the Trail Master. The Kukri can also be had for an amazing $75, and this one comes with a Secure Ex sheath.
Here are a few comparison shots of the Trail Master and Gurkha Kukri.
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/sharpshooter996/IMG_7129-1.jpg
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/sharpshooter996/IMG_7130.jpg
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/sharpshooter996/IMG_7149.jpg
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/sharpshooter996/IMG_7100.jpg
Thecarotidpulse
10-04-2008, 12:23 PM
Thank you shooter, your post summs up this discussion IMO.
I hope this helps!
BimotaBoy
10-04-2008, 03:19 PM
Thanks Shooter, nice pics .I have a good 6" knife and was looking for a big knife to do the stuff that my 6" could not do. This means chopping firewood to digging fire pits, hammering tent stakes and who knows what else. This is why I have the SP8 in this group, I dont really think a point is that important on a knife this big. For fine work I would use my 6" blade.
taurn7
10-04-2008, 03:33 PM
have you thought about the cold steel machetes? The cheap ones for $15.. I've bought the kukri one and it's good for chopping and digging. Just a thought...
BimotaBoy
10-04-2008, 03:54 PM
No I hav'nt I might take a closer look1
Man of Iron
10-04-2008, 04:03 PM
Bought a kukri machete two weeks ago, didn't come sharp at all and the supposed edge is covered in coating. Dang I'm gonna be busy sharping that, but once it's done...:D:D:D
A bit unsatisfied about the balance on the kukri, IMHO that could have added a lil bit more weight in the handle, the crappy handle was expected and that's no point for a low cost knife like this.
BimotaBoy
10-04-2008, 04:05 PM
Maybe I will take a look at the regular CS Kukri.
vBulletin® v3.8.3, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.