Help- How to reshape Ontario Ranger handle

B

BuckeyeGuy

Joined
Aug 10, 2013
Messages
104
I would like to get rid of the humps on the handle of my Ontario Ranger RBS 9. What would be the easiest way to cut the 1095 carbon steel? Can I get away with using a hacksaw or do I need a bench grinder?

The humps on the top and bottom of the handle are very uncomfortable.
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I used a belt sander on my RD 7 and RD 9. It takes very little effort.
Go nice and slow and check your grip often until you get it perfect for your hand.
Once you get the humps down you can round over the square edges and smooth it out.
I made finger grooves that are fit to my hand but I would stay away from that unless you know exactly where you want them.
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The easy way is to return/sell it and get a Becker BK9 :)
I also had a grip problem with my RD9 but I left the tang alone and reshaped the scales to make it better. I still don`t use it much because of the wide handle. Taking care of the tang reshaping can be done with any bench grinder or sander just take your time and keep it cool and it should turn out fine.
 
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If you have a Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener, you can use the green belt to grind it to your satisfaction if you take your time. Great little tool for such jobs. I use mine to shape wooden handles etc all the time.

Blessings,

Omar
 
OHALLUM said:
If you have a Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener, you can use the green belt to grind it to your satisfaction if you take your time. Great little tool for such jobs. I use mine to shape wooden handles etc all the time.

Blessings,

Omar
Click to expand...

I've gotta get one of these Work Sharps, I hear about them constantly!
 
BuckeyeGuy said:
I've gotta get one of these Work Sharps, I hear about them constantly!
Click to expand...

People do seem to like them. I know that I'd like to try one too. :)

As for the handle, I agree a belted abrasive is the way to go. If you take your time it should be quite easy. Intuitive even.

I'm not sure what other tools would work. Hardened steel does a really good job of making a pain of itself.

Let us know what you end up doing. :)
 
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I too wanted to cut down the "belly" in the handle. Mainly for better comfort. But tried this first to make my handle more comfortable on my Ontario Ranger RD 6. Its amazing how much better my grip feels with the slabs rounded over. Threw the idea of grinding down my handle out the window. I also went ahead and parkerized it. Basically you go to Lowes and buy the ingredients to make a bomb. Then you wait for your wife to go to a work meeting and cook it all in your kitchen. Still here!... but you probably want to do it outside if you have the means. I also cut off the “bottle opener”, only because I like the way that it would look. Just used a cut off saw. Finally I made a kydex sheath. Hope my pictures show up or I’m going to look stupid….
 
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Ended up completely reshaping the handle of my Ontario Ranger RD6 to feel more like my ESEE 4 and made new micarta scales. The original scales looked and felt like they stopped a little short of the hilt. I used paper micarta and would not recommend it. I like how there are not any layers in the micarta showing but they are slick as hell. On the upside, for whatever reason, when they are wet your hand sticks to it like you are wearing a rubber glove.
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