Ontario Ranger RBS 9 vs BK9/RD9/Junglas etc

B

BuckeyeGuy

Joined
Aug 10, 2013
Messages
104
Hi everyone. I have convinced myself that I NEED a 9" (or above) survival knife for backpacking, camping, general fun. I honestly don't need one, with all the deadfall in SE Ohio I rarely (never) need to physically chop something down, and my BK2 is able to chop what I need to and baton it with ease. But if I'm going to be carrying around a 1lb chunk of steel, I want a longer blade. I am looking at all your typical choices for a large chopper and came across the Ranger Bush Series RBS 9, which runs around $70 on most sites, 1095 steel, flat grind, and Micarta handles. It seems like a great deal, but I haven't heard much about this series as compared to the RD9. If anyone has experience with this or multiple knives in its category, please let me know. I don't have the option to handle them locally, but I am very concerned about the overall size of the grips because my hands are not huge. I wouldn't want to handle something with a grip fatter than what is on my BK2, and would prefer something thinner.

So if you guys have any input I would appreciate it. I love the two Becker knives that I have, and everyone raves about the BK9, but I would like to try another brand...unless the BK9 is just vastly superior. I was set on the Ontario Sp10 Marine Raider, mostly because I served with a Marine Corps infantry unit 2/2 Golf Co and we were the "Raiders"...so the name marine raider caught my eye, but I think it's too much knife for my needs here and the added weight would be more of a PIA. But for the price I will probably get one eventually for the wow factor.
 
The Ranger RDs are bombproof smasher/chopper/bashers at an excellent price, the Ranger Bush Series are slightly thinner bombproof smasher/chopper/bashers at an excellent price.

Tough call between Ranger and Becker...I happen to prefer Ranger.
 
Go Ontario Ranger in 5160 super tough steel and they still cut well.
 
My money is on the bk9. Im not sure about Ontarios HT since I've never owned one but I know Beckers HT is on point. That aside. If you're looking for a chopper and all- around forest destroyer, the sabre grind of the bk9 lends itself more forward weight for such tasks, it is more robust imo.
 
Thanks for the input. I ended up ordering the Ontario Ranger RBS 9. I was able to get it for $67 shipped to my door which is about $25 cheaper than the BK9, and the Ranger comes standard with Micarta scales. I really just wanted to try something different though, I have a couple Beckers and wanted to branch out and try a different company and different grind. I might take the savings and pick up a Sven Saw.
 
BuckeyeGuy said:
Thanks for the input. I ended up ordering the Ontario Ranger RBS 9. I was able to get it for $67 shipped to my door which is about $25 cheaper than the BK9, and the Ranger comes standard with Micarta scales. I really just wanted to try something different though, I have a couple Beckers and wanted to branch out and try a different company and different grind. I might take the savings and pick up a Sven Saw.
Click to expand...


Good idea, between the Sven Saw, RBS 9 and a possibly a smaller fixed blade, there is nothing you can't do in the woods.
 
Moses2792796 said:
Good idea, between the Sven Saw, RBS 9 and a possibly a smaller fixed blade, there is nothing you can't do in the woods.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. I have a Becker BK17 and a Mora Companion that fill the "knife" role very well. I figure the RBS 9 will handle chopping duties for smaller logs for quick cooking fires or just "I'm bored and wanna build a fire" fires (and because it is just fun to chop things), and the Sven Saw will cut the larger logs needed for a sustainable evening camp fire. I much prefer sawing to chopping on those big logs. The thing that narrowed my search to the RBS 9 and BK9 was the weight (and price), they are both lightweight for their size and seem like they will be more maneuverable than the Ontario SP10 I was looking at; which is just too much knife for these woods. All the other knives in their size range weigh a good bit more (in terms of backpacking weight). I figured either the RBS 9 or the BK9 would perform just as well and save me some weight and some arm fatigue. I will say, if the BK9 came with Micarta scales, I would have bought it in a heartbeat.
 
I would go with the becker bk9. I held the Ontario Sp10 Marine Raider and it felt vary uncomfortable and impractical compared to the bk9. As to the others you mentioned I have no input.
 
I would have told you to get the BK9 for sure over the RD9 I have an original Gingrich RD9 and the handles are much too blocky and need to much work to be comfortable .On the other hand I thought the BK9 would need new scales and lots of work but the factory scales are nearly perfect and they are comfortable during hours of chopping. I hope the Bush Series RD9 suits you well. Happy chopping ,let us know what you think.
 
thebrain said:
I would have told you to get the BK9 for sure over the RD9 I have an original Gingrich RD9 and the handles are much too blocky and need to much work to be comfortable .On the other hand I thought the BK9 would need new scales and lots of work but the factory scales are nearly perfect and they are comfortable during hours of chopping. I hope the Bush Series RD9 suits you well. Happy chopping ,let us know what you think.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I wasn't able to find a lot of info on the Ranger Bush series, but I am hoping that with the thinner 3/16" blade, the handles will be slimmer as well.
 
Good luck with the rd9, and +1 for the sven saw. I own a sven 21 an it has been invaluable for primative camping.
 
You should definitely try out the handles, the Ontario scales are made for people with big hands and they're pretty blocky. I have glove size 9 and they barely fit.
So if you buy Ontario you might want to sand the scales down somewhat (dust mask !)

The Becker handles are contoured and not as thick, but micarta scales are 40 bucks extra. They're pretty nice though and have the same shape as the grivory handles
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top