Ontario RD Tanto - A low price alternative to the Essee 5

[the count]

Just got an Ontario RD Tanto knife. I like heavy duty medium length knives (5-7 inches). Already have an Essee 5 and a Busse Tank Buster. The RD Tanto is pretty similar to these in several ways. Full tang with pommel, 1/4 inch blade, heavy powder coating, micarta scales But while the Essee and Busse are well known, the RD tanto is underreported and a true bargain at under $80 at Amazon (and a couple other vendors). You want an overbuilt, no nonsense survival knife and have a sub $100 budget? Get this one.

Correction: Blade is 0.26" (7mm) thick!

 

[JShirley]

"...except get a different blade profile."

Agree on the high value, you've just picked the second least useful blade shape Ontario offers (after the Kerambit).

John

 

[the count]

"...except get a different blade profile."

Agree on the high value, you've just picked the second least useful blade shape Ontario offers (after the Kerambit).

John

Me like Tonto...I mean Tanto

 

[hso]

I agree with John, but then there are plenty of folks that like a "broken tip/American tanto" design for some inexplicable reason.

 

[the count]

Ranger TFI

Just found an alternative if you really don't like tanto's. Do not have this one in hand so just going by the manufacturer's site. 5.25" blade and a whopping .26" thick. Price about the same as the RD Tanto.

 

[hso]

Much more usable piece.