Ranger Knives RD series

[powells85]

djolney

I am always happy when I am grinding.....well that is till I screw something up.

madfast

Well I haven't started yet. Still waiting on the steel to get here. Can't wait though. Still trying to figure out if 3V will be a possibility for a production run or not. I have a folder that I have been working on since Blade show. Trying to get all the bugs worked out and ready for production. So right now that is the hot thing for me. The 3V RD series is still up there but I am really excited about the folder since I am almost ready for production on it.

Thanks again and I hope that you got all the sharp pointy things you wanted for Christmas.

Folder details...

 

[RangerJD]

Well I can say this much for the folder. The design is worked out now it is just settling on the materials. It will be a liner lock folder not sure yet what the blade steel will be other than stainless, liners may be titanium the handles slabs I haven't settled on just yet. I have been playing with a couple of different things so we will just have to wait and see what happens. Sorry I can't say more just yet but hopefully soon I will be able to get some more info up and some pictures later on.

 

[madfast]

What? a ranger knives folder...in 3V? now that would be something, whadda say justin? a production 3V folder sounds mighty good to me!

 

[powells85]

Well I can say this much for the folder. The design is worked out now it is just settling on the materials. It will be a liner lock folder not sure yet what the blade steel will be other than stainless, liners may be titanium the handles slabs I haven't settled on just yet. I have been playing with a couple of different things so we will just have to wait and see what happens. Sorry I can't say more just yet but hopefully soon I will be able to get some more info up and some pictures later on.

I hope it's gonna be tough as hell like your fixed blades. I would love to see that . Keep us updated

I took the RD7 out today for a little run thru... I chopped it into a 2x4 so that the whole blade was imbedded in the wood(with the grain) and then pried the 2x4 apart. Blade didn't bend or feel like it was giving at all and no rolls or chips in the edge One thing I did notice while doing some chopping is that the handle needed just a little rounding with a nail file(the things women use for their nails) where my thumb wrapped around the other side because of a "hot spot," but afterwards it was very comfortable. Thanks for a great knife

 

[RangerJD]

3V is a possibilty for the blade steel. I have also been thinking about ATS-34 and 154 CM So we will just have to see what happens.

powells85

I hope it's gonna be tough as hell like your fixed blades. I would love to see that

Would you expect anything less?? I know I wouldn't.

Glad to hear that you got to play with your RD7 today. Sounds like it was a bad day to be a 2X4 at your house. I look forward to seeing what else you can put the blade through. I am planning my own little 2nd round of testing as well and will see if I can't get some pictures of the destruction.

 

[Tenbeers]

Got the RD9 for Christmas, as far as 1st impressions go it is definately one for the best buy list.
Combined with the sheath this is as solid a package as I've seen in a long time. I have paid much more for much less.
This knife should be a great bridge between the Beckers and the above $200 stuff. I'll be able to tell for sure after some use.
I've always liked the performance of 5160, so it should do well.

I compared the sheath to 3 others I own of similar type and it seems of better construction overall and has more attachment points.

I'll try to write more after I've worked with it.

Tenbeers

 

[madfast]

another good first impression for the RD series.

i'm telling ya, the RD series is gonna take off! especially with the article in tactical knives, justin's great work will be noticed

there isn't a better value in knifedom than the RD series, hands down!

 

[powells85]

Justin, just wondering if business has stepped up a little with the start of this thread and with the issue in TK? I wish you all the best with your company; you make a damn good knife

 

[RangerJD]

Tenbeers

Glad you got the knife and that you are happy with it so far. I can't wait to see what you think of it after you have had a chance to chop some stuff up with it.

madfast & powells85

Thanks for the kind words. Yes business has picked up a bit since the article and this thread. It slowed down abit for Christmas but things are picking back up.

Thank you all again for the kind words.

 

[roderic41]

Well, I received my RD 6 and 7 and very nice and utilitarian they are too. Utilitarian in that they should be used and not just looked at. To cut a long story short I've been hacking, hammering and prying everything in sight and they've done very well in the short time I've had them.
The "smaller" RD 6 is just as useful as the larger one. They are robust designs, a full quarter inch thick along the spine until 1 inch from the tip. The tip itself is thick, which suits me just fine. The handles are comfortable.
The sheaths are good but designed with the military in mind so I may get some smaller leather ones made up but that's just personal preference.
A great thing is that they are cheap. In fact, on reflection I think they are a benchmark in that one gets a LOT of knife at that price point.
They were delivered overseas very quickly and Justin is very helpful with enquiries.
I must get the RD 9 as well as I think they'll make a great set to have and not cost an arm and a leg.
Thanks, Rod.

 

[RangerJD]

roderic41

Glad to hear the blades made it to you. Thank you also for the short review. I look forward to seeing what else you put them through. The RD9 is here when ever you are ready in the mean time have fun with RD6 and RD7.

 

[Will P.]

...liners may be titanium...

The only folder I have experience with that had titanium liners was the BM 800 AFCK. Titanium has less strength for volume than stainless steel - strength in this case meaning the work necessary to extend the material to the point at which the metal becomes ductile. The knife had an overly flexible handle, which led to problems with the liner getting stuck open. The new stainless steel Axis lock version feels more substantial and solves the handle flex problem.

Of course, you're the knife designer here, and you very obviously know what you are doing.

 

[powells85]

The only folder I have experience with that had titanium liners was the BM 800 AFCK. Titanium has less strength for volume than stainless steel - strength in this case meaning the work necessary to extend the material to the point at which the metal becomes ductile. The knife had an overly flexible handle, which led to problems with the liner getting stuck open. The new stainless steel Axis lock version feels more substantial and solves the handle flex problem.

Of course, you're the knife designer here, and you very obviously know what you are doing.

I think the thing with Ti liners on a liner lock is not because it is stronger but because it has better "memory," something important for that lock design That or Ti is just damn cool

Justin, keep us updated with the folder, can't wait to see some pics of that.

 

[RangerJD]

I will try and keep you all up to date with the folder and how it is coming. Ti does have great memory as well as wear resistance and corosion resistance. All of the above is what is making me lean that way as opposed to stainless. Thanks again all for the feedback.