Ranger Knives RD series?

[Cameron23]

Has anyone had experience with their stuff?

I just ordered a RD9 (Ready Detachment 9.5" blade). It's the flat ground version with Orange micarta handles.

I also ordered a Swamp Rat Howling Rat. I figure by the time the SRHR gets here I should have time to put the RD9 through it's paces. :D

Cameron :spyder:

[BlackNinja]

I have an RD9! I got it in a trade about a month ago. I must say that it is one of the most functional fixed blades that I've ever owned. When I got it, I chopped about 6 - 8, 1" - 1-1/2" branches down with it. I figured it would be semi-dull when I was through, but to my surprise, it was as sharp as when it came (almost shaving sharp.) I couldn't believe it! I mean I whacked off branches like it was a hatchet, and it was still extremely sharp! Not to mention that the guy I got it from, did the same thing I did with it when he got it! I'm not sure what steel it uses, (I think Busse blanks, INFI) but it's nice stuff. For the price, it has to be one of the best, most functional fixed blades out there! Hats off to Ranger knives! You have a very nice knife coming to you, my friend!

[Cameron23]

Thanks BlackNinja,

The steel is 5160 according to his website. Tough stuff and "triple tempered." I'm not sure if that means differentially tempered or not. I've read that the blanks used as patterns were from Jerry Busse's shop.

I really wanted a Camp Tramp or Battle Rat, but Swamp Rat Knives no longer makes those models. Swamp Rat uses "'enhanced' 52100" according to Cliff Stamp's website. The Ratweiler looks good, but I actually wanted the old handle style. :(

For the price, I doubt if the Ranger knives can be beat. If this one pans out I'll be looking to pick up the other 2 sizes in the RD series. I'll let ya'all know how it holds up to some abuse...ah hem... I mean use, once it gets here. :D

Cameron :spyder:

[Cameron23]

RD9 is here. Sweet! :cool:

I scanned a couple pics before I start messin' with it. The knife next to it is an older Cold Steel Red River Knives Hunter model in Carbon V (I think it was the Hunter). Currently the sharpest knife I own. It's not sharper than the straight razors, but still cuts free hanging single hairs with a wrist-flick no problem.

Observations on the RD9 so far.

Very even grind lines on the 9.5" flat ground blade. Black finish on blade has some smoothed out spots already (probably from factory sharpening/handling). Since this knife is not going to be a safe queen, no problem.

Edge profile is very even and has good sharpness for a field knife. The tip area of the blade from ~0.5" from the tip to ~half way down the blade will shave arm hair (though with difficulty).

Handle is very comfortable, though slightly smooth in finish. The allen bolt used in attaching the handles to the full tang may prove abrasive during extended use, we'll see. The handle is long enough to allow extended-type grips to facilitate chopping, but the bottom edge of the handle material was left very acute, about 90 degrees. This would definitely cause blisters and abrasion during this type of use. An easy fix with a small file.

The sheath is a standard nylon/Cordura-type belt sheath. There is a pocket for sharpener/multi-tool/survival tin on the front that has an elastic band at the top and a fastex-type buckle. The buckle is adjustable and has hook and loop retention on the male piece to keep the loose end secure. Nice touch the double securing devices. The pic of the side of the sheath shows a 4AA Steamlight LED flashlight in the front pocket (with the buckle securing it) to show how big the pocket is.

The sheath has a rigid plastic liner. The width of the main belt loop is big enough for a standard military pistol belt.
The back of the sheath pic lets you see:
The additional lashing points down the length of the sheath.
The gromments for lying off with paracord, and the snap attached loop (again large enough for anything it may be attached to).

The blade shape, including the finger choil and the slight hump on the spine of the spine of the blade, is excellent. The hump does not appear to be so acute to cause hot spots in use, and is actually in a good position to support a choked up grip.

Some possible modifications include smoothing out the edge profiles on the blade and butt ends of the micarta handle. Adding a LITTLE more texture to the micatra (though I'm going to be wrapping it in tennis racquet-type self abhering tape. With this handle color I may actually find a match!! :D ) Removing the small point near the lanyard hole, as I don't need a skull-crusher more than a spot to put a supporting hand.

I'll post these later (barring the unforeseen), as well as edge-holding and resharpening feedback.

:)

Cameron :spyder:

[Cameron23]

The rest of the photos.

[HoB]

Very nice indeed. I am going to order one next week aswell.

Triple temper means only that the heat treat (incuding tempering) is more thorough. It helps in some steels with the conversion austenite and will more thoroughly elimiate any stresses induced during the heat treat. It is not differentially tempered or it would say so.

I asked around, 5160 is extremely tough stuff to begin with and only gets tougher when done right. It was developed for car springs, and hence very cheap and easy to come by, but probably one of the steels that is best suited for a large chopper blade. It is also used for functional swords. I really admire Mr. Gingerich that he didn't go with a fancy steel but with something that is functionally matched. Due to the low carbon content and few alloying elements (only a little bit of Chromium available for carbide forming and even that will likely be mostly free) hardenability is limited and it won't be the best edgeholder, but that shouldn't be a problem for a blade mostly used for wood/camping chores. As Mr. Schempp pointed out, edgeholding is much more important for blades that encounter mostly man-made materials.

The RD9 should be as tough as any blade out there. I am really looking forward to a review by Cliff. He should have a difficult time destroying it :).

[TheKnifeCollector]

From everything I have read here and on BF, that Ranger knives are EXCELLENT, and so is the customer service!!