Ranger RD7 & Buck 119

H

hwyhobo

Joined
Jan 23, 2006
Messages
366
I've just received an Orange Micarta RD7. I bought it based on the reviews here and from my own looking at the pictures. Opening the package gave me a shock. I guess I did not begin to comprehend the real scale of that knife.

My original intention was to carry it with me on day hikes in the mountains. I am 6'3" & 180 lbs, so not exactly tiny, but there is no way I would strap this thing to my side.

The knife is quite impressive, save for a couple of minor imperfections (last two photos in the series), but I would use it only as an axe replacement in a base camp if I was doing a multi-day hike. Due to the angle of the edge, I also do not see it as a serious slicing tool.

Because of its weight, its handling is not exactly nimble, so I would not consider it a viable cutting or stubbing weapon (maybe clubbing a stationary adversary).

Here are the pictures with RD7 and a 6" Buck 119 side by side. I hope they will help others realize how massive this thing is. If that's what you're looking for, it might be perfect for you.
 
Yeah, I think you've touched on a topic that is getting more attention; i.e. blade profile/edge thickness.

It does limit cutting use/veratility when it is relatively thick.

Great picts.
 
You can reprofile the edge yourself or you can send it back to Justin and he will reprofile it for you.
 
huugh said:
You can reprofile the edge yourself or you can send it back to Justin and he will reprofile it for you.
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I realize that. It's the overall weight and size that is too much for a day hike knife, and that significantly impacts its handling. I did not estimate those aspects of it properly while looking at pictures and reading the specs. Lack of experience, I suppose. Comparative pictures would have helped.

Speaking of which - does anyone have or know of pictures showing RD7 or Buck 119 (both my references now) alongside Becker BK7?
 
So are you saying you want to get rid of it, cuz if you do I will humbly take it off your hands.
 
So, no one has any pictures of RD7 side by side with BK7? You would think based on the scores of people who recommend both that someone would have them.

I sometimes wonder reading posts here how many people recommend knives without even holding them before. At least a couple admitted it, but I wonder how widespread that practice is.
 
The BK7 is a much lighter style of knife. It is 370 grams compared to 540 grams for the Ratweiler for example.

-Cliff
 
Cliff Stamp said:
The BK7 is a much lighter style of knife. It is 370 grams compared
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Right. I know the numbers, yet (at least for me) it is something quite different to know the numbers and to see. That's why I was hoping someone would have side-by-sides of the two including overall side view, spine and edge. I am not a collector, so I do not have enough knives to post such comparison pictures (except for the one at the beginning of this thread), but I would think such visual comparos would be useful to others as well when deciding on a new purchase (except for the collectors, of course, who use criteria other than just usability).
 
Put it in percentages to allow for ease of comparison. The Ratweiler is 50% heavier. That should make is readily obvious it is a much different knife. However it is still only the weight of a small bottle of water.

-Cliff
 
I have an RD7, and it is around the minimum size that I would consider for a day hike, if it were the only knife that I were taking (which it never is). I generally hang something like a CS Trailmaster or SR Camp Tramp on my belt. If you think it is large, don't go into the Himalayan Imports forum, khukuris are a whole 'nuther world... A very good world, though... :D
 
sodak said:
I have an RD7, and it is around the minimum size that I would consider for a day hike, if it were the only knife that I were taking (which it never is).
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Neither would it be for me. I fully intend on carrying a folder with me for light duties (I know, that's not what you meant).

If you think it is large, don't go into the Himalayan Imports forum
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Warning taken.

BTW, I do think a hatchet or a camp axe is a very useful tool, I just don't carry it on my belt with me when hiking, and RD7 for me falls into that category.
 
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