Ranger Brand

[mashduck]

Did Schrade, or Imperial ever make the Ranger Brand?? I have a Ranger Barlow, that looks very much like a Imperial. Just asking.
And thanks

 

[El Lobo]

Ranger is still a brand owned/made by Colonial. With the black saw cut handles, they do resemble the Schrade/Imperial style.
Maybe some cross pollination over the life of the brand??

Bill

 

[Codger_64]

I believe that Colonial has almost always been the "great immitator", copying successful knives of a lot of makers including Imperial, Schrade and others. I have an Old Cutler stockman very much like a Schrade, and also a Ranger lockback they sold to Sears as a shock absorber and muffler promo, very much like an LB-7. In fact, until I actually held the knife, I was fooled by the eBay photos, the familiar profile of the knife and my lack of familiarity with Colonial patterns. A former forum member who had bought and sold Colonial knives over the years identified it for what it was. Cheaper plastic on both (not sure what it is, but not Delrin), less fancy grinds on the blades and a less finished look to the construction. Even the hot stamp art on the Ranger was less well done than one might expect on an inexpensive Schrade ad special knife.

Here is the thread where the former member identified the knife and posted a page from one of his Colonial catalogs.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=462145&highlight=Ranger

Michael

 

[mashduck]

Thanks Michael, I bougt a Ranger Barlow, along with some nice schrade knives. I feel the same the ranger has a Cheap plastic, as well as a very un schrade oike grind...like a cheap off shore knife, I think it will go to the tool box!!
Mike