Another "vs" type post: Ontario Kukri vs Ontario SP8 machete vs RTAK II...

J

JTmisterknifeguy

Joined
May 22, 2013
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Hey guys,
In my opinion, these vs posts are done quite a bit on here as well as the rest of Knifedom, but for me, it's the best part of getting a good feel for what looks good on a screen and what actually works in real life.

I'm torn between the Ontario Kukri, the SP8 and the more expensive RTAKII (now in tough 5160).
I can get the first two for $50ish, but the RTAK II is closer to $90 (I so wish it was closer to $65-$70 like it used to be!!)

I'd welcome all opinions, but obviously first hand experience will win out.
I'm specifically looking at, which is a better value, more useful in the bush/woods (northern US variety) and secondary defensive/tactical uses (all would be good at this given their size)
I've already owned the kukri and RTAK II before, but I had to sell them. I didn't much care for the micarta of the RTAK II, but the grips on the SP series doesn't fit my mits perfectly either (I got my mama's hands!) I just want to get as much feedback as possible. Photos of your well loved users are especially welcome!!
Ready, set, go!!
 
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@LeathermanGX said:
Show us comparison pictures, or I'm just going default with the Kukri.
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I've lost the info for my photobucket account, so posting pics on here is out of the question. I love the kukri as well, but these other two are no slouches either...
What would make you default to the kukri without seeing the other two? ;)
 
A Windless Kukri was my first purchase at 15. Kicking off my knife life. I love them and am not ashamed to say I'm initially biased.
 
@LeathermanGX said:
Show us comparison pictures, or I'm just going default with the Kukri.
Click to expand...

I remember about point blank game :D amok kukri :D

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You didn't state for what you want to use the knife, so I'm assuming camping and general outdoor use.

Out of those I've only handled the RTAKII, and it would be my choice out of those three because I think its a lot more versatile than the other two.
The Kukri is shorter, so less useful against brush and not as good for "knife" tasks. Better chopper though, but not as versatile.
The SP8 doesn't have a belly and the low grind won't help with cutting tasks whereas the RTAK with its full flat grind will perform better. So again less versatile than the RTAKII.
The RTAK II handle is quite blocky, but you can reshape the micarta. Micarta > any plastic grip IMHO
1095 and 5160 are both good steels, the 5160 is somewhat tougher but lesser edge retention and Ontario runs it quite soft on the RTAKII I think.

I'd say it really depends on what you are looking for. Think about what you are going to use the knife for and than choose the right one for the task.

The Kukri is pretty much a dedicated chopper and will be the best out of the three for that task, but not that good for anything else. So for a pure chopper go with the Kukri or pair it with a 4-4,5" blade for more versatility.

The SP8 seems more like a break-and-entry tool to me than a woods knife. Guess you could chop and dig with it quite well, but I don't see it as a great option for camping etc. Not saying it can't be done, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

The RTAK seems to be the Jack-of-all-trades, master of none. Pair it with a smaller knife and you're set, RAT 3 or DPX HEST for example
 
I'm going to assume that whichever you choose isn't your primary outdoor knife. I prefer a hatchet or saw for wood processing, but if I want something more knifey I will go with my kukri (I have a cold steel). It's shape makes it a decent chopper and it's fairly usable for some smaller tasks where the blade narrows near the handle. Whichever blade you go with, consider pairing with a smaller knife too.
 
C_Becker said:
The SP8 seems more like a break-and-entry tool to me than a woods knife. Guess you could chop and dig with it quite well, but I don't see it as a great option for camping etc. Not saying it can't be done, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
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Of the three, I only own the SP8, but it's not something I would actually carry for machete-oriented tasks. To be honest, I bought it to be part of an "urban bug out" kit, nothing else. For the outdoor uses I could foresee myself needing a large knife for, I would get the RTAK to go along with the little Camillus Barbarian that rides on one of my pack straps.
 
Yes, it would primarily be for camping/woods use, with a secondary "crocodile Dundee" factor to it.
:)
I should say that I currently own a bk9, and I have a few budget hawks, but I'm looking for something perhaps less knife like, and more a chopper that can flex into knife roles.
Thank you for your input!
The 9 is GREAT, but there are better choppers out there, I've got less the $100 to work with so HI Khukris are out of the question, as are any Esee or Busse affiliates (due to cost)
Ontario seems ,for the $, to deliver the most.
 
"The Kukri is shorter, so less useful against brush and not as good for "knife" tasks. Better chopper though, but not as versatile."



Shorter than what? Isn't the OCK kuk 12"?
The RtakII is 10.5" and the sp8 10" I think...
Please correct me if I'm wrong...
 
This is a timely thread for me. I live in a similar climate, but in NE Oregon. Lots of Pine around here. I've been playing with a new SP8 this week and learning its strengths and weaknesses. I knew going in that the SP8 would be great to baton with, and it is. Not just the spine, but the whole blade above the grind is .25-.26" thick. The full length of the spine is flat, without any sexy swedges that sometimes come on pointy knives, so it's ultra strong at the point, and the baton doesn't get chewed up and . The saw teeth are there for looks as far as I can tell, and honestly I haven't even felt the urge to try the saw feature.

I still feel the best way to cut dry firewood is with a saw, so the SP8's ability to chop is secondary to its strength as a splitting and prying tool. We've all used the "sharpened crowbar" phrase, but that's actually what I wanted with the SP8. It's over-built, and I like that. It chops smaller green wood quite effectively, but starts to become work if chopping thick dry pine. The saber grind is a mixed blessing that makes an effective splitter and ox strong, but limits chopping efficiency on thick wood. The bevel interferes and redirects the cuts when coming in at an angle. I just have to know and accept that I guess. If forced to use the SP8 as my only wood cutting tool in a survival situation I could make it work. But I mostly wanted a bomber splitter, and I got one.

BUT...........I'm a knife guy. I've already got most of the BK line (both large and small) and love them. With those bases covered, I'm considering another big chopper that actually looks like a knife rather than a sharpened crowbar, and doesn't have a swedge like the BK9 (which is an awesome knife). I've had my eye on the RTAK 2 for a long time, but have never held or swung one. I'm guessing the full flat grind will allow more efficient and directed chopping, while probably still being OK as a splitter. But both models have a 10" blade and weigh roughly the same, so I don't know if I'm really gaining enough over the SP8 to justify the cost, and also not sure if I can beat on it like I can the SP8. Normally I treat knives like knives with respect, but the SP8 has brought out my dark side and I'm kinda liking it. :D

OKC's warranty doesn't sound as solid as BK&T (Ka-Bar) or ESEE either, should the unthinkable happen.

Also, can anyone definitively answer if the RTAK 2 has been discontinued or is still in production?

And just to add fuel to the discussion while also muddying the water a little, I've also considered the SP50 and SP51. The Kraton handle on the Spec Plus line is very grippy (it's actually eaten a hole in my index finger this week) but also helps absorb shock a little I think. The RTAK looks like a little more knife for about the same money, but those other two SP models have some appeal.

There JT, hopefully that gets things rolling. ;)
 
You have a BK9 and you're still pondering this? I'd say your bases are covered. Out of the 3 knives you listed, the RTAK would be the best choice. And yes, I've had (and loved) plenty of ontarios.
 
JTmisterknifeguy said:
"The Kukri is shorter, so less useful against brush and not as good for "knife" tasks. Better chopper though, but not as versatile."



Shorter than what? Isn't the OCK kuk 12"?
The RtakII is 10.5" and the sp8 10" I think...
Please correct me if I'm wrong...
Click to expand...

My mistake. Still against brush the forward-weighted Kukri won't work as well.

Is there anything you don't like about the BK9 or do you just want to buy another knife (nothing wrong with that :D)
 
I love my BK9 (and other BKs) and for a large chopper class blade I think it's still fairly light and handy so it's a no-brainer for a do-all chopper. But I'm considering the RTAK2 from a purely "ultimate chopper" perspective. I've also got the OKC and Ka-Bar kukris that I've been playing with for a few years. After reading more about them on discussions like this one, I'm going to take them back out for a second chance. I love their versatility and chopping ability "in theory" but find the blade angle distracting because I'm not use to it, AND I'm mostly chopping dry stuff that takes multiple strikes, rather than thin green targets that yield to the first blow. Anyway, if the RTAK2 isn't being discontinued I think I'll wait for now and keep chopping and comparing with the ones I've got.
 
C_Becker said:
My mistake. Still against brush the forward-weighted Kukri won't work as well.

Is there anything you don't like about the BK9 or do you just want to buy another knife (nothing wrong with that :D)
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ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with my 9! It is the reigning king of my production knives!
:D
But as has been stated elsewhere many times, the 9 is a GREAT large "1 knife" ei, if I had one knife ect...
I've just been pondering something a bit more "choppy" for ~$70-$80.
 
JTmisterknifeguy said:
ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with my 9! It is the reigning king of my production knives!
:D
But as has been stated elsewhere many times, the 9 is a GREAT large "1 knife" ei, if I had one knife ect...
I've just been pondering something a bit more "choppy" for ~$70-$80.
Click to expand...
A bit more "choppy" than a BK9? Lulz.
IMO, BK9 = RTAK. In fact, I would tend to give a slight edge to the BK9.
 
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