5160 Ranger's vs SR101 Rat's?

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sketchbag

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I noticed (from posted pictures) a number of you hogs are also rockin' Justin's Ranger RD knives. How does the 5160 stack up against sr101. Ive read about both individually, but a direct comparison really adds context to it. Also, how are the ergonomics or the RD's in comparison to your favorite Busse choppers?
 
sketch:

You may want to post this question in the Swamp Rat sub-forum since SR-101 is its proprietary steel. Busse's INFI differs from it quite a bit. I'm sure some of the guys over there have Rangers and could give you some good feedback.
 
Justin's RD series are great. They hold up real well. I haven't done an actual comparison against any of my Rats, but I've used both extesively camping and both did an excellent job. I did notice that the RD's tend to rust pretty quicky when left out in the rain, but that's to be expected. I got rained out for an entire weekend last summer, and the edge of the RD looked worse than the rat. Only surface rust though, and both cleaned right up.

Handle wise, the RD's are a little thick but still comfortable. At least to me.

I'm reworking a RD6 right now, with a satin finish and modded handles. I'll post pics when it's done.

-Dan
 
Mike,
It occurred to me, but the busse forum is bustling, and the swamp rat forum looks dead by comparison. Besides, it seems a large number of regular hogs have their share of rat's too.

MD13,
Thanks, thats exactly the kind of little details I'm curious about. How about with regards to the edge? Any difference in which one takes a sharper edge? Holds it better through slicing, and withstands chopping better?

Based on the intended purposes of each steal I'd assume that the sr101 has better wear resistance, and the 5160 more flexibility and lateral strength (though the rat demos have been very impressive, and I havent seen the RD tested in the same ways)
 
Hmmm, well, I can say that my rats tend to roll more than they chip. Actually, never had one chip. Same kinda goes for my RD's. I've never done a side-by-side comparison, so I can't give any really good details. They're pretty similar IMO, for the stuff I was doing with them.

I did do alot of batoning and splitting of small logs and kindling with an RD6 recently, with no perceptable wear to the edge, only the coating. The coating on the Rangers seem to wear quickly.

-Dan
 
I unfortunately don't have many Rangers or Swamp Rats (that's how it is when you're over here in the Middle of Nowhere, Finland), but the ones that I do already own and have used sufficiently enough are great heavy duty knives. It seems that the Rangers develop surface rust faster, being 5160, but clean up just as easy as SR101. I should think that SR101 would have better edge holding, but I have not noticed this in practice, since I haven't done any small knife tasks requiring high sharpness with these. Both are tougher than any normal person will ever need their knife to be, and I wouldn't presume to know which, if either, is actually the toughest. They're tough enough for me, certainly. I rather like the ergonomics on the Ranger RDs, and the best part is, you can always get some details about the blades changed if you'd like. I've an order on an RD4 without a choil, which makes it infinitely better than it would be with that choil. ;)
 
This belongs on the Swamp Rat forum. Check out Rat Chat on the Swamp Rat website.

Jerry
 
I have both a Camp Tramp as well as a BattleRAT--and several Rangers

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7190545
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http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=4163797
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The Swamp Rat HANLDES are much more comfortable if one does a lot of chopping.

Justin can (and does quite well) attach anytype of handle material you can think of-but the Standard handles on a Ranger are not as comfortable "chopping" compared to Resiprene .

As far as which is better 5160 ir SR101---you opened up a can of worms there.

You will be hard pressed to find anyone telling you that one is better than the other--and then proving it.I feel SR101 is easier to sharpen and stays sharper longer--but I'm sure others might have the exact opposite response.

I know that Justin is OUTSTANDING on customer service and Ranger Knives are about 50% the cost of Swamp Rat--so you could get a Ranger knife and sheath for less than 50% of the cost of a Swamp Rat knife without the sheath.

If possible--hold the model in your hand before you purchase one.

Hope that helps...

Dr.Bill
 
I have used and own both.... Its safe to say you really can't claim one is better the the other. Both offer a great amount of bang for the buck. It has been mentioned here a few times but I do have to agree that the handles of the RDs do not feel as good in my hand (compared to the swamp rats). Because they are both very affordable I would say buy both and test them out (hell thats what makes this hobby fun IMO). If you can only afford or only want to buy one it will have to come down to your preferences, what is right for one can't be right for all. Try and find a local knife nut, these are very popular brands of knives. If you can track them down test them out and see which fits your hand better (I say go for feel because both of the knives/steels wont let you down)
 
I have owned both. When it comes to prying the SR101 is the winner hands down, the RD9 could not take the prying forces like SR101 did.

I did not notice much of a difference in edge holding, maybe a slight edge to SR101.

Corrosion resistance is about the same.
 
Cobalt said:
I have owned both. When it comes to prying the SR101 is the winner hands down, the RD9 could not take the prying forces like SR101 did.

I did not notice much of a difference in edge holding, maybe a slight edge to SR101.

Corrosion resistance is about the same.
Click to expand...

Better at prying in what way? Was the RD not rigid enough, or did it some way get damaged?
 
Justin is a "stand-up" guy whom I have a lot of respect for regarding both his skills and integrity. He has made some customs that I love and I am currently in the market for one of his hawks. (Wood handles. Not the RD or the rescue hawk.)

Just like there are deep divisions of opinion regarding those who like mags and those who like standards in the Busse line, there are grips out there to fit any malformed, mutated paw. Many Busse grips, I like; many I don't. I got along great with virtually all of the Swamp Rat with only a notable exception or two.

I was completely unable to use the RD grip. It was thin and didn't fit my paw at all. The first RD9 was back when they were a low, obtuse (?) saber grind. Darn near a hollow grind. Every time I tried to chop, it shifted badly in my grip. Most likely a combination of the grind and grip. I later had more of a flat grind but still couldn't adapt to the grip. That was my experience only, many find them very comfortable. (Many sing the praises of the EU grip - I couldn't use it.)

The 5160 steel? I think Justin does a great job with heat treat. I never abused the rd9 to the point that I saw any deficiencies.

SR101? Abused it a lot!! I might actually like it better than INFI. (They might take away my HOG card?!) It is less corrosion resistant but I find it easier to sharpen.

The RD series is somewhat cheaper to purchase - I would definitely call it a bargain. The fit and finish isn't to the same level as SRKW. As a user, you may not care... or you may.

Either way, both are solid folks producing a great product. Like I said, Justin will get more of my money soon in a hawk. The standard RD series didn't work for me at all.


The first RD9 was ground like the big RD pictured here.
1149814994-IMG_0009.JPG


My RD before I traded it...
PolishedSpineProne.jpg


Now, there was a Custom 3V with formed g10 grips at Blade '06 that I greatly regret not buying!! It felt fantastic! The fit/finish/feel were amazing! It was $350.

bladeshow06ranger3vrd6350dollars.jpg



When it comes to grips, few things have ever felt better than the ol' Ratweiler and Dog Skinner, though!!

RWDS.jpg
 
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