Fixed Blades...HELP!!!!

M

M1A1TankerTom

Joined
Jun 30, 2007
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Hey all, I just picked up some folders so now I am looking for a good fixed blade. From searching around this forum (which is awsome) I am currently focusing on Ranger (RD series), Scrapyard knives, and Ontario (rat series). Can you guys tell me out of these three which you would go with and why? Also if you think you know of a better brand let me know.

I will be using this knife for general use and also a possible SHTF/survival role as well. Probobly going with 6-7 inches. And Dont want to spend much more than $150 or so bucks. Thanks.
 
I have Ranger RD6.
While it is really sturdy knife, it's also damn heavy :( (459g without a sheath, 615g with sheath). It just puts me off any potential carrying opportunity...

I guess this applies for all the knives you mentioned. If I was to choose again I'd definitely get something that is not 6.4mm thick :)
 
All the knives you're mentioning are heavy duty knives. Meaning they can handle some serious abuse. This comes with a tradeoff: heavy and not very well suited for delicate work.
The Ontario RAT-5-7- RATKII are all good slicers but have thinner blades. The Scrapyard and Ranger RD series are thicker and I assume stronger.

Ontario uses 1095 steel
Ranger Knives RD 5160 steel
Scrapyard SR77 steel

All good steels that can handle some abuse.

Ontario has very good handle ergonomics (my opinion) just like the Scrapyard with Res-C. The RD has also good ergonomics. I'm not saying the RD handle is bad, just different.

My personal choice/advise: get over the weight problem (or start working out) and get a RD6/7/9. They are just bombproof! Justin from Ranger Knives is a pleasure to deal with, and he'll help you fast (did I say fast?)

The ergonomics on all Ontario's is great, and the blades are tough as nails. They are good usable knives at a good price.

I don't like incapsulated handles (no matter what material is used). So the scrapyard will end last. Not saying the knife isn't good!

CZ
 
Swamp Rat Ratmandu all the way. The handle is sculpted G-10 which is very comfy and very durable. The steel is SR-101, carbon steel that has been expertly heat treated. The coating is nice, but easy to remove if you want. I love mine and use it a lot when outdoors. It is around $180 on the after market usually without a sheath, so it may be a bit out of your budget.

Also, take a look at Bark River Knives, the Bravo-1 fits right into the group of knives you are looking at, and may be exactly what you want.
 
Another VERY important factor is the quality of the sheath!
Here are some pics of the standard RD sheath (FYI, it's folded because all RD series knives come with same sheath, regardless of length of the knife).
IMG_3104.jpg


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IMG_3102.jpg


IMG_3101.jpg


IMG_3108.jpg


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IMG_3100.jpg


IMG_3098.jpg
 
Huugh,

Very good pics (did you use a lightbox?)!! Thank you! But you might be a little off here.
My RD4/6/7 all have their own length of sheaths. So the RD4 is shorter then the RD6.

And yes, the sheaths could be better from Ranger knives. They are not cr@p but could be better (I wish they where as good as the Ontario sheaths!)

Anway these are great knives, right?! :D

CZ
 
cz75b said:
Huugh,

Very good pics (did you use a lightbox?)!! Thank you! But you might be a little off here.
My RD4/6/7 all have their own length of sheaths. So the RD4 is shorter then the RD6.

And yes, the sheaths could be better from Ranger knives. They are not cr@p but could be better (I wish they where as good as the Ontario sheaths!)

Anway these are great knives, right?! :D

CZ
Click to expand...

Thanks, no lightbox, just a sheet of white paper as a bakcground.

My info might be outdated - when I bought my RD6 the RD4 didn't even exist :) so it probably have changed since.

Yes, good knives, if only they were thinner (=lighter :)) :thumbup:
 
MY RD 4 was a custom order from Justin!! I also have an RD 6. I LOVE Ranger Knives!!
Scrap Yard knives are the cat's meow, but hard to find!!
 
As far as SHTF/survival goes I think the RD6 would be perfect. (I'm getting that or an RD4 for the same reasons.)

That said, I wouldn't whittle with it, or use it to fillet a trout.

I think the RD6 (or RD4) along with a Leatherman/SAK....maybe a Mora for fishing or hunting...one would be pretty much ready for anything.
 
Another vote for the BRKT Bravo-1. An amazingly good knife for a very reasonable price.
 
Definatley seems like the ranger knives are the most popular. After a little more research I have pretty much excluded the Ontario from my list. I am just trying to round out my bug out gear and have just realised that I have negleted a good knife for a long time. I have a Gerber and a Kershaw folder but no large fixed blade knife, so im trying to fix that.

From the help you guys have given me it is between the Scrapyard (yard hook) or the Ranger knives (RD7), and it looks like the RD7 is in the lead.

Any more comments or help is greatly appreciated. Thanks everybody.
 
cz75b:
Can you please clarify why the Ontario sheathes are better?
I too am trying to decide betwwen Ranger and RAT...:confused:
 
Another vote for a Ranger. Justin is a great guy to deal with and will customize any blade to spec for a very reasonable fee.
 
Joe C said:
cz75b:
Can you please clarify why the Ontario sheathes are better?
I too am trying to decide betwwen Ranger and RAT...:confused:
Click to expand...
Joe,

The closure strap has a button instead of Velcro that wears out fast and it adjustable. And the overall quality is better.

CZ
 
Fallkniven, fallkniven all the way with there superstrong sharp vg-10 lamanite blades can't beat it for the price check out knifetest.com or you tube for a example.
 
Out of those three, I'd take a Ranger RD6 or RD7 anyday, for many reasons.

First of all, Justin of Ranger Knives is a pleasure to deal with. Second, the prices are very, very reasonable. The knives can take hellish abuse and survive to tell the tale - they won't let you down. They are way stronger than the Ontarios. Scrapyard makes some really bombproof stuff, but availability frankly sucks at the moment. For that 150 $, you could have the RD6 or RD7 and buy an excellent custom sheath for it from one of the many good sheathmakers, if the sheath thing concerns you. Because, yes, the standard sheaths for the Rangers aren't too great, although they can do the job of a sheath.
 
cz:
Can we run through that again please?
Which one:
-has a "button"? What is a button? Is it a snap?
-has velcro?
-wears out fast?
-is adjustable?
-is better?
Thank you.
It would sure be helpful if the knife manufacturers/sellers would include more sheath info. Sheaths are important.
 
Joe C said:
cz:
Can we run through that again please?
Which one:
-has a "button"? What is a button? Is it a snap?
-has velcro?
-wears out fast?
-is adjustable?
-is better?
Thank you.
It would sure be helpful if the knife manufacturers/sellers would include more sheath info. Sheaths are important.
Click to expand...

I believe he was reffering to Ontario sheaths.
As you can notice from my pics above, Ranger knives' sheaths have security strap holding the blade's handle at it's widest part (not very secure, IIRC Justin is addressing this issue already). The security strap itself is Velcro strap which naturally wears out faster compared to snap buttons - pic, pic (? - sorry, English is not my native tongue, so the wording may be wrong)).


FYI following is a picture of Ontario sheath:
RAT-7-(sheath)LG.jpg
 
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