Ontario Ranger Knives RD-7

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cutter17

Joined
May 16, 2006
Messages
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I just recently got another Ontario Ranger. Already have the RD-4 and the new one is also from the RD series, and is the RD-7. I haven't been able to take it to the woods yet, but plan too soon. What I will give here are some first impressions. Out of the bag I immediately noted that the micarta handles would require some work to get the blocky feel out of them. It didn't take very long as I sanded down and sorta rounded the corners and edges of the handles. Now they feel very comfortable! I also noted that Ontario has done an excellent job in the grinding department. Like my RD-4, both sides have evenly done grind lines, symmetrical, and come to a well defined point. Edge came razor sharp. The knife is a full flat grind, and covered in a type of black coating. The micarta handles are held on by three bolts with an insert in the middle that both bolts screw into. Something I have noticed about the blade; the full tang is .25" thick out to about 3/4" past the micarta handles, then it begin to taper down over the next seven inches, ending in a nice point and a thickness of something like .060". As a result it is light feeling, and for want of a better word, it feels very "quick" in the hand. It makes an excellent slicer, but I am not real sure how well it will chop. It is a clip point blade and very much shaped like a bowie knife. I really like it and plan on keeping it now that I have worked the handles. My RD-4 is not tapered down to the point like this one is. My next fixed blade will more than likely be the RD-9, does anyone have this knife, if so, is the blade tapered as described above? Anyone with the RD-7, if you have used it to chop with, how did it do?
 
The knives were not meant to be tapered like that. When justin found out about it, he contacted Ontario to correct future runs. There is nothing wrong with the knife, but future models should be more like your rd4 is.
 
That is interesting, thanks for the info BA. Was a reason given by Ontario for doing it this way? I actually like it like it is, and plan on keeping it. I just wonder how it might affect chopping ability.
 
It is a terrible idea as far as chopping is concerned. However, my RD9 is the same way. I've found that it chops just fine, it would just be better without the taper.
 
I wondered if the RD-9 was tapered, guess so. I wonder why the RD-4 was not? I plan to get a 9 but would like to have a full thickness one, as I am not sure just how well the thinner ones would be at prying, IF it was nessaccery.
 
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