I've really got my eye on this one but wanted to check with some experts who may have tossed it into a piece of wood or two. Is it really worth the price? More importantly, is this a great millitary utility knife that can sub as a thrower or a great thrower that can sub as a utility? Or neither? Im just getting as much feedback as possible before sinking that kind of money into a knife. I'd hate to get it and find out the balance is off, the grip is a waste and the blade chips like slate.
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Ranger Airborne thrower
- Thread starter DDuncan
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2004
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- 4,812
I know *I* need more info. Who's the manufacturer? I turned up nothing on Google.
I can however assure you that despite a maker's claims to the contrary, there is no "military" thrower. And many of us, myself included, are doubtful about "utility" throwers. They're generally one or the other.
It is true that you can get a great utility knife that throws sort of well, but you probably wouldn't want to throw it because the risk of damage would outweight the benefit of throwing it.
Anything that tries to be both is a knife trying to be something it's not.
I can however assure you that despite a maker's claims to the contrary, there is no "military" thrower. And many of us, myself included, are doubtful about "utility" throwers. They're generally one or the other.
It is true that you can get a great utility knife that throws sort of well, but you probably wouldn't want to throw it because the risk of damage would outweight the benefit of throwing it.
Anything that tries to be both is a knife trying to be something it's not.
I appreciate the feedback. Here's a link to a spot to buy the knife: http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=RAART
The manufacturer is Ranger. The description is a little fantasitcal but the specs look great and the knife seems to be made of good quality components. I haven't found any support backing up the claim that it was field tested at the Best Ranger competition 2002 at Fort Benning but here's the website for that contest: http://www.orioninternational.com/bestranger.html#
Who knows, maybe someone just wore it on their hip for the obstacle course. I was just chekcing to see if any of you guys had actually thrown this one. I'm suspect as well over the 'utility thrower' claim. Which is why Im seeing if anyone can verify it as a good thrower.
The manufacturer is Ranger. The description is a little fantasitcal but the specs look great and the knife seems to be made of good quality components. I haven't found any support backing up the claim that it was field tested at the Best Ranger competition 2002 at Fort Benning but here's the website for that contest: http://www.orioninternational.com/bestranger.html#
Who knows, maybe someone just wore it on their hip for the obstacle course. I was just chekcing to see if any of you guys had actually thrown this one. I'm suspect as well over the 'utility thrower' claim. Which is why Im seeing if anyone can verify it as a good thrower.
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2004
- Messages
- 4,812
Haven't thrown it, but some general observations...
1. Seems pricey. I wouldn't drop that much on a piece of metal I'll be intentionally whapping into wood.
2. You're right about the description...quite unbelieveable. Believe me, that was pure fiction--throwing knives are not issued to any US military team anywhere.
3. The blade seems a little obtuse for tough penetration. It seems like it'd go through sheetrock, but would probably bounce off anything wood that's thicker than 3/8".
4. Personally, it's a little long for me. I'd look at a shorter overall length, but certainly that's purely subjective.
5. I'm not familiar with H-13 steel, so I defer to others on whether that's good for an impact thrower like this. The Rockwell seems okay, but could be soft enough for the little tip there is to bend.
1. Seems pricey. I wouldn't drop that much on a piece of metal I'll be intentionally whapping into wood.
2. You're right about the description...quite unbelieveable. Believe me, that was pure fiction--throwing knives are not issued to any US military team anywhere.
3. The blade seems a little obtuse for tough penetration. It seems like it'd go through sheetrock, but would probably bounce off anything wood that's thicker than 3/8".
4. Personally, it's a little long for me. I'd look at a shorter overall length, but certainly that's purely subjective.
5. I'm not familiar with H-13 steel, so I defer to others on whether that's good for an impact thrower like this. The Rockwell seems okay, but could be soft enough for the little tip there is to bend.
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2004
- Messages
- 1,467
The description never says they were issued to anyone. Justin, who goes by the name of RangerJD on these forums, is the real deal. He makes custom knives, and batches of knives for his company, Ranger Knives.Watchful said:
If you got questions about this knife in particular, you'd probably want to shoot him an email.
I think I read that he is currently in someplace with lots of sand and dates so I don't know how much access to email he may have. I think he has a forum on KF which might be worth chy4ecking both for him and for folks who have thrown the knife you are interested in.
Will P. & edgetrip
Thanks
DDuncan
I will see if I can answer your questions on the knife in question. If you have any additional questions feel free to post them here or email. I am currently in Iraq so my getting back to you may be a little slower than normal.
The Airborne Ranger Thrower will do all that is in the add copy and then some. The quote about field testing at BRC 2002 is correct. I designed the knife specifiacally for the competition and it was thrown there all day by all of the compettators as well as the spectators. The knife endured thousands of throws some sticks some misses but the blade never failed. Trust me it will do what it claims it can do. Oh and on a side note there is no worry about snapping the tip off. The balde is 3/8ths thick and carries that thickness to just an inch shy of the tip. Then it tappers down. Hope that helps some and if you have any addittional questions feel free to post or email. Thanks again and sorry for the delay in posting.
Thanks
DDuncan
I will see if I can answer your questions on the knife in question. If you have any additional questions feel free to post them here or email. I am currently in Iraq so my getting back to you may be a little slower than normal.
The Airborne Ranger Thrower will do all that is in the add copy and then some. The quote about field testing at BRC 2002 is correct. I designed the knife specifiacally for the competition and it was thrown there all day by all of the compettators as well as the spectators. The knife endured thousands of throws some sticks some misses but the blade never failed. Trust me it will do what it claims it can do. Oh and on a side note there is no worry about snapping the tip off. The balde is 3/8ths thick and carries that thickness to just an inch shy of the tip. Then it tappers down. Hope that helps some and if you have any addittional questions feel free to post or email. Thanks again and sorry for the delay in posting.
Thanks Justin. I did my research on the components and make of the Airborne, I just needed to know how it performed. You'll be getting an order form from me shortly. I was impressed on the craftmanship that went into this blade before opening up this thread. It's not every day you find a thrower with such great craftsmanship. Especially one that can sub as a utility. The general consensus, at least that I've found, is that a great thrower cant be used for anything else but throwing and that the blade should preferably be dull (ish). I'm glad to find a maker whos putting out exactly what I'm looking for. Stay cool over there and come back soon man.
Watchful
No need to apologise. With all of the hype that goes with blades it is a natural reaction to have questions or to be skeptical. I would expect nothing less. I didn't take them as challenges just questions of how a knife could pull double duty so to speak.
DDuncan
Thank you for your confidence and I should be back around mid to late April for a brief stent. So you still have plenty of time to hopefully get some more feedback on the blade performance from others out there that have it and use it. One thing to keep in mind with this blade is that it is a handle thrower only. Since it does come sharp on both edges. Just thought I would for warn you.
edgetrip & powells85
Thanks and will do. I have been itching to make some blades while I am here in what little down time I have. Just trying to figure out how to get or make the equipment.
No need to apologise. With all of the hype that goes with blades it is a natural reaction to have questions or to be skeptical. I would expect nothing less. I didn't take them as challenges just questions of how a knife could pull double duty so to speak.
DDuncan
Thank you for your confidence and I should be back around mid to late April for a brief stent. So you still have plenty of time to hopefully get some more feedback on the blade performance from others out there that have it and use it. One thing to keep in mind with this blade is that it is a handle thrower only. Since it does come sharp on both edges. Just thought I would for warn you.
edgetrip & powells85
Thanks and will do. I have been itching to make some blades while I am here in what little down time I have. Just trying to figure out how to get or make the equipment.
Thank you again for your interest and I am sorry for the delay in getting back to you but my internet access is sketchy at best.
H13 is a hot die tool steel. It is one of the toughest steels out there. It is made specifically to take abuse at high temperatures. If you would like the chemical make up as well as how it stacks up agains other steels check out the specs on Crucible Steels web site. I would post the link but for some reason I can't seem to make it happen from here.
If you would like to order one you can do it via email. Since the online ordering is down while I am in Iraq. I should be back the middle of next month and could get it to you shortly after my return. Thank you again for your interest and if ther is anything that I can do for you just let me know.
Justin
H13 is a hot die tool steel. It is one of the toughest steels out there. It is made specifically to take abuse at high temperatures. If you would like the chemical make up as well as how it stacks up agains other steels check out the specs on Crucible Steels web site. I would post the link but for some reason I can't seem to make it happen from here.
If you would like to order one you can do it via email. Since the online ordering is down while I am in Iraq. I should be back the middle of next month and could get it to you shortly after my return. Thank you again for your interest and if ther is anything that I can do for you just let me know.
Justin
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2004
- Messages
- 6,425
Thanks Justin,
I looked it up and found the following: http://www.crucibleservice.com/eselector/prodbyapp/hotform/nudiexld.html
It does have some very interesting properties and I am convinced of its durability... A couple more questions, please:
At the knifes current rockwell hardness how does the edge holding ability stand up to its primary throwing/sticking function? And, how is the ease of re-sharpening or re-profileing the edge when needed. Also, I found that this steel requires a very specific heat treatment and was wondering if you did this yourself or if you contract with others to preform this task?
I looked it up and found the following: http://www.crucibleservice.com/eselector/prodbyapp/hotform/nudiexld.html
It does have some very interesting properties and I am convinced of its durability... A couple more questions, please:
At the knifes current rockwell hardness how does the edge holding ability stand up to its primary throwing/sticking function? And, how is the ease of re-sharpening or re-profileing the edge when needed. Also, I found that this steel requires a very specific heat treatment and was wondering if you did this yourself or if you contract with others to preform this task?
sunnyd
Thanks for putting up the link. The edge retention is good on the blades. It will keep a good edge for some time even when throwing. It can be a little harder to sharpen but can be done fairly quickly with a diamond strope or just about anything. The heat treat I do in house to make sure that it ends up the way that I want it to and if there are any issues I can get it fixed. Thanks again for your interest and if there is anything that I can do just let me know.
Thanks for putting up the link. The edge retention is good on the blades. It will keep a good edge for some time even when throwing. It can be a little harder to sharpen but can be done fairly quickly with a diamond strope or just about anything. The heat treat I do in house to make sure that it ends up the way that I want it to and if there are any issues I can get it fixed. Thanks again for your interest and if there is anything that I can do just let me know.
