Where's Cloak?

He did most of the chopping yesterday (post of that will come soon) with both knives and can give a more thorough answer.

Thanks for checking out our pictures, I would say that Sharp and I each took about half of those, sharing the camera back and forth. I must say that the slanting forest one i took came out really well.

As for the RTAK-II/FBM comparison, i would say that Sharp did a very succinct run down of their pros and cons. We were in the woods with those blades yesterday chopping 4-6 trees that had come down during a recent storm. As for how they compare, something important to consider first. The FBM (in that configuration) goes for around 400-500 dollars these days, and the RTAK-II is around 100, shipped. With that in mind, I think they are excellent knives, with the RTAK being a very good value. The handles on the FBM are superb, and you really don't need gloves even during the heavy chopping. RTAK handles are okay, maybe even good for people with large paws (mine are small), but I find them to be overly blocky and angular (I've been sculpting them to fix this). The FBM is much better on chopping thick limbs or logs, and splits faster due to the higher grind angle. As sharp said however, the RTAK is the clear winner for getting small, 0.5-1 branches, and can also hold its own in chopping. The edge holding is better on the Busse, but you get what you pay for, right? For prying and utter indestructibility, the 3/16 stock on the RTAK is a bit weak, but it is a bush clearing knive so you want the thinness. The FBM doesn't have that problem, as this model is well over 1/4 inch thick! Conclusion: If you're poor like me, get the RTAK-II, Dogfather, or a Ranger RD9, they are all really good knives in good steels. If the have the money however, you and all of your posterity will worship the FBM until the end of time, as it is a truly awesome knife.

hope that mini-review helps!

P.S. Sharp: thanks for posting the pics. Good times, eh?

There you are, CloaknDagger, and yes, good times <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />



<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Fantastic scenery, great photos and equally great set of knives. Thanks for sharing. Cheers

great photos, thanks for sharing

Great pix guys! I'm a huge RAT collector, and think that the RTAK and RTAKII are both excellent machetes that can chop when called on to do so. That said, the Dogfather or Battle Mistress are better suited for the woods, but don't do as well with the light stuff as the RTAKs.

Again, excellent shots!

Not to hijack at all - but here's another great Busse Kin and RAT large combo:



And like you guys said, the RTAK WILL chop if you ask it to, but it is on the thin side for heavy use, and it sure doesn't have the handle comfort of the ResC!

very nice pics. looks beautiful up there.

Thanks again you guys.

Diceman,

No problem on adding some pics of knives. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

While were at it with the RTAK. Here are some more. These were taken a while back by Cloak and I.





Here is one with some Busse Family Knives



Here is the complete picture of the tree and the RTAK



Cloak and I also read you review of the RTAK. Chopping through the frozen pine and still being able to shave was very impressive. It was one of the reasons we bought our RTAKs. Thanks!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

You need to do one of the DF or other SY knives.

Great pics! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Sharp - glad you and Cloak liked that old review! Again, great pix.

The RTAK is on the thin side for chopping, but it still does a good job. I posted some pretty extensive chopping and batoning pix w/ the Dogfather a while back - I'll see if I can get you a link later tonight.