Ontario Ranger Knives!

B

bcknives

Joined
Jun 22, 2012
Messages
337
Hello Blade Forums,

I just wanted to know if the Ontario Ranger knives are any good? I'm sure they are since they are made by Ontario. I really like the Ranger Afghan, by the way it looks. Is it worth the money (which isn't a lot).

Also, what are some other good knives made by Ontario?
 
They are tanks. Fit and finish aren't immaculate, but they really aren't supposed to be.
 
I've got the RD-7 Bush, and it's a damn good knock-around knife. I keep telling myself I'll get the full-sized version some payday. The handle scales are blocky and will need to attention, but it didn't take me long to get them to comfy.
 
Yes, they are good. Yes, they are tanks. I only have one---but it is a doozy !!!

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Ranger RD-6 Signature Series. 3/8" thick S-7 tool steel. Here it is compared next to a 1/4" thick BK-2.

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Yes, thick knives CAN take an edge.

Ranger Knives---worth every penny !
 
I have two Ontario knives: RAT-7 and RAT-5 both in D2 steel. I can tell you that the RAT-7 has taken quite a beating and remains sharp. Blades and coatings are very tough. I like their products in general.
 
The RD series is 1/4" 5160
the Bush Series blades have 3/16" spines.
my experience with the shorter blades is that i found the 1/4" stock poorly balanced and bad ergos - but that has a healthy dose of personal preference involved, there was nothing structurally wrong with the blade. (I had an RD4)
I've heard a lot of good things about the RD9 as a chopper/field knife.

as to other Ontario products, the TAK1 is nearly perfect for its size and purpose.
 
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Thank you for all of the great pictures! The spine being 3/8" makes it look like a steak knife for an orc! Hahaha, thanks again!
 
I have a RD-7, it's a monster but actually CUTS as well. I have a feeling at $80 or whatever I paid for it, I got my money's worth. People knock the handles, an hour with some sandpaper and a mask can remedy that. Mine had even grinds with a very sharp edge.
 
the rangers are solid, and so are the spec plus. In total I have 7 fixed blades and the rat-1 folder from them, all excellent knives.
 
I have a few of them. One thing about the rd9 and ns9 is that they have a distall taper to them. The spine starts at .250 then slims as it reaches the swedge. I have used the ns9 and the ns6 a bit and like them well enough for the money. As was stated before the slabs need the edges rounded over.
 
I have held a few of the ranger blades and they seem like very good quality. I own an Ontario Tak-1, and I can say that it is definately a good quality knife, has held up to a lot of camping chores, and keeps an edge well. I also have three Rat 1 folders that I like a lot. I am just saying that my experience with Ontario blades has been good, and I don't think you would be dissatisfied.
 
Why wouldnt a knife made by Ontario be good? All the shit talk is from ESEE fan boys that hate Ontario more than Jeff Randall himself, I have a Rat5 in 1095 and its a beast.
 
HardTripper said:
Why wouldnt a knife made by Ontario be good? All the shit talk is from ESEE fan boys that hate Ontario more than Jeff Randall himself, I have a Rat5 in 1095 and its a beast.
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Thank you for your valuable, unbiased opinion, that adds a good bit to the OP's request, even though noone has even mentioned ESEE in this thread yet, let alone it is about Ranger and not RAT knives.

Are Ontario Ranger knives any good? I own a RD9 (made by Justin Ginrich himself) with a modified sheath and a RD7 Bush. The blocky scales have already been mentioned, but sheath is also worth being mentioned. The RD7 Bush rattles like hell in this sheath and the strap doesn't do a very good job in holding the knife securely in the sheath. It is a few years old by now, so maybe Ontario has hopefully changed the insert, but I wouldn't count on it. I would also take a look a the Spec Plus Line, a lot of good designs in there.
 
1066vik said:
The RD series is 1/4" 5150
the Bush Series blades have 3/16" spines.
my experience with the shorter blades is that i found the 1/4" stock poorly balanced and bad ergos - but that has a healthy dose of personal preference involved, there was nothing structurally wrong with the blade. (I had an RD4)
I've heard a lot of good things about the RD9 as a chopper/field knife.

as to other Ontario products, the TAK1 is nearly perfect for its size and purpose.
Click to expand...


Though I'm guessing '5150' was a typo,
as a fan of the Ranger RD Series (since buying an RD9 from Justin way back)
I just want to note the steel is 5160
- a low alloy carbon steel known especially for toughness.
 
Didn't Dan Maragni work out the heat treat for the 5160 knives? I know Justin had to approve them but Dan, a well known and acknowledged expert metallurgist supposedly had a hand in it. I don't know if this true or not.

I have a signature RD 6 in S7 too. It's the knife that finally showed me that yes, there can be too thick knives.

Joe
 
All you have to do with the ontario sheaths is boil it for a few moments, remove from water, insert knife, lay on a folded towel, and press down with some more towels for protection. I did this, tight fit, no more rattle.
 
u can also take out the insert and heat with a heat gun, press with the blade inside, then back to the sheath with a bit of glue, works nice.
 
Morales said:
Thank you for your valuable, unbiased opinion, that adds a good bit to the OP's request, even though noone has even mentioned ESEE in this thread yet, let alone it is about Ranger and not RAT knives.

Are Ontario Ranger knives any good? I own a RD9 (made by Justin Ginrich himself) with a modified sheath and a RD7 Bush. The blocky scales have already been mentioned, but sheath is also worth being mentioned. The RD7 Bush rattles like hell in this sheath and the strap doesn't do a very good job in holding the knife securely in the sheath. It is a few years old by now, so maybe Ontario has hopefully changed the insert, but I wouldn't count on it. I would also take a look a the Spec Plus Line, a lot of good designs in there.
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Well the op found my comment to be spot on and it was him I was addressing, not you. I would consider my opinionon the matter relatively unbiased considering I own ESEE knives , Ontario knives , and others. I the mean time mind your business and your manners, thank you.
 
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