The new improved version
that will replace the original Livesay RTAK is
the Livesay Adventure Knife Number 5 aka:
LAK5 The Livesay Adventure Knife #5 is from
the "ESSEL SURVIVAL TOOL SERIES" and is a superior knife design to that of the
original RTAK...............PERIOD! Field tested by real user and real
experts not a self proclaimed S.I. This Livesay knife has superior heat
treating, cryo-quenched blade, and design by the maker Newt Livesay. This is a
LAK5 COMING SOON Improved
replacement knife for the Livesay RTAK is the LAK5,
A more user friendly
machete with a much safer handle design was incorporated in June of 2003 after a
trip to the Amazon Jungle. The newer knife was christened the LAK5 Livesay
Adventure Knife number 5, aka the “Safety Model”. The new handle design on the
LAK4, and LAK5 series of Livesay Survival Tools is far superior in handling for
both the professional and novice user than that of the RTAK design.
We will repair, replace, and or modify the handle designs on any original LIVESAY RTAK MACHETE'S - ONLY FREE OF CHARGE. If you
would like your machete's handles reworked, re-heat treat, and or your knife
recondition and restored to like new condition please contact us. An
informational link will be attached here soon.
If you own any knife manufactured by anyone else that is called or
looks like a Livesay RTAK you are as the saying goes Shit Out of Luck when it come
to us doing any type work, properly re-heat treat or
sheathing any of these rip off knives.
Here is the nearest and
most honest answer to the RTAK FUBAR on a sign about Ontario Knife
CompanyTM
(http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Ontario_Knife_Company)
There has been some addendum by me. As a side note,"don't believe
all the Bovine Squeeze you read on the internet either."
"Complementing their lineup of military issue knives,
................... Their Randall's Adventure & Training survival knives
were designed in conjunction with Randall's Adventure & Training, a
popular outdoor survival training and expedition company. The lineup
includes the original RTAK (formerly produced by Newt Livesay Blades
http://www.newtlivesayknives.com/index2.htm), and the TAK-1 and
RAT-7, both of which have been adopted by the U.S. military. Newt
Livesay no longer makes the original RTAK knives. A copy of the Livesay
RTAK in name only is made by Ontario Knife Company. The original
Livesay RTAK is a variation inspired by the Livesay Model 121, Recon
Combat Machete, aka; Rapid Deployment designed and manufacture by Newt
Livesay a premier designer and manufacture of weapon system in Siloam
Springs, Arkansas. The original Livesay RTAK was a collaboration between
Jeff Randall, and Newt Livesay with modification made on the knife in
the Livesay shop. The original RTAK machete were of limited production
with only about 375 knives being made. Production was stopped on the
original Livesay RTAK when Mr. Livesay found out that Ontario Knife
Company under the conveyance of Jeff Randall had begun making the knife.
The information was received when defective bend RTAK knives NOT made by
Newt Livesay began coming to our company for replacement and repair.
Upon finding the conveyance of the Livesay RTAK by Jeff Randall to
Ontario this knife was discontinued. I did not feel the quality of the
commercial knife met that of my original knife and did not want my name
and reputation of making quality products compromised by this commercial
knife and or the makers. The Livesay RTAK machetes had a more
ergonomically designed user friendly custom handle, and the blades being
cryogenic treated, and differentially heat treated with edges being in
the 59-60 Rockwell range.
The newer LAK5 was introduced into the Livesay line of quality
cutlery in 2004 after a trip to the Amazon Jungle. As of mid-2011 a
total of 1167 units have been made and sold.
NOTE: THE IMPROVED BASIC HANDLE DESIGN ON THE
LIVESAY DESIGNED LAK4 LOOKS TO HAVE BEEN APPLIED OR COPIED BY A SO CALLED JUNGLE SURVIVAL
COMPANY ON THEIR "NEW" IMPROVED KNIFE. AS GOMER PYLE SAID, SURPRISE,
SURPRISE, SURPRISE! LMFHO TYPICAL NO IMAGINATION SELF PROCLAIMED
DESIGN EXPERTS
"You will forget many days of your life, but this will
not be one of them."
Experience the Amazon Rainforest with Newt Livesay"