Ranger RD7, Ontario Rat 7 D2 & 1095, Becker BK7 Help Please

Hey Tolly,
I have to agree with those who reccommend Ranger knives. They are the toughest knives i have ever seen. I have an RD6, RD7, RAK, Airborne Ranger Combat, and some customs including a large and small tanto, a clip-tip bowie, and a Little Bird. I have never found a knife maker who gives you so much knife for so little dough! Most of my customs are made of S7, which is one tough-ass steel -- tougher even than 5160, which is the toughest of the steels you listed. I also have a Becker BK7 and BK9 -- both are good knives, but i have seen them break. I have never seen a broken Ranger. Not to say it can't be done, just that the only way to break one is to do so deliberately. On the other hand i have heard of knives made of 0170-6C breaking during "normal" (hard) use - something that will never happen to a Ranger. I have flexed my RD6 (in 5160 steel) at least 30 degrees while prying and it returns to true every time. They are just fabulously rugged blades.
I have not had an opportunity to play with the Ontario RATs but D2 is a good edge holder with good corrosion resistence, and 1095 is a very simple steel with decent edge holding and ease of sharpening. But for toughness, neither comes close to 5160 (given proper heat treatment, obviously). I hope this is of some help...
 
I am calling Ranger today. I think I am also going to buy an Ontario Rat 5 and give it a try in a little smaller blade to see how I like it.
 
I called Justin at Ranger knives a few minutes ago and I am sold. Super nice guy, answered all of my questions honestly, didn't put down other competitors products in order to sell or promote his own. He very simply will do pretty much whatever you want and at a very reasonable price. I can't imagine anyone being easier to do business with or being more willing to help a customer, definitely old-fashioned customer service that is rarely seen in todays world. I will not only be ordering a new style RD7 from Justin, I will also be ordering an RD9 and a modified/custom made RD 41/4 along with another complete custom knife in a month or so. I want to thank all of you for your help here on the Blade Forums.
 
I have a Ranger RD6, anyone else notice that you can turn the sheath upside down, give it a shake and the knife falls right out. The velcro fastener should have been positioned around the smaller diameter of the handle, not at the widest point.
 
I am happy that you got yourself a couple of Ranger knives!! You made an excellent choice.
I have kydex done for my RD 6 & 4.
 
I will be having a custom made leather saddle sheath made for the RD9 and RD7, but I will probably have some kind of hybrid made for the smaller custom blade.
 
You will not regret getting a Ranger. Justin is a great guy and stands behind his knives.
 
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