- Joined
- Mar 29, 2007
- Messages
- 3,220
I have been eyeballing Ranger knives way before Justin contracted with OKC to sell production versions. Price, timing, whatever always kept me from ordering one. I was on the fence about Ontario after my TAK arrived with an asymmetric, butter knife edge. But that was years ago, I traded that knife away and the research pointed to the OKC Rangers being a good value. I wanted something that could cut well but still do the things a bigger knife could do if needed, so I settled on the RD-7. I got the tan micarta version in the 1/4 inch 5160, not the "Bush" example. I'm a pretty happy customer. The knife arrived with a very even, very sharp edge, not too thick either. It easily shaved out of the box. I ran it down my ceramic rods a few times and stropped it some and now it's extremely sharp. First test cuts were on some tangerines I have and I was able to slice thin slivers no problem. Yes, the handles are brick-like but I intend to sand them some. Yes, the sheath is so-so but I plan to mold the liner better to get some retention and get rid of the rattle. I had it out yesterday on a very cold 2 hour hike, carrying it inside my jacket with an old belt laced through the MOLLE webbing so it rides from mid chest to hip bone, pretty comfortable. I carry my big FB's (baldric style?) this way, don't like them hanging from my belt. The area closest to me is a sizeable bit of woods that has a real vine problem and I've taken many hikes there to use my khukri on these vines. They literally choke the trees and do immense damage to the tree population. Some of them are as big around as my thigh where they exit the ground. For a 7.5" blade the RD-7 chops very well. I feel this knife certainly is a solid value and look forward to camping with it next summer. Never been much of a batoner but I may give it a go, haha. Anybody on the fence about one of the OKC versions should give them a try. Thanks for reading. I might get a pic up later.
