Ranger RD7, RAT 7 or something else?

Essayons · Jan 3, 2006

I'm looking for a good value in a 7" knife. I know the BK7 probably offers the best value for the money, but I am looking at the Ontario RAT-7 in 1095 or D2 and the Ranger Knives Ready Detachment with a full flat grind in 5160 from Sage Creek Outfitters. The RAT-7 D2 and Sage Creek RD7 are both close to the $100 price point.

What do people who own these knives think of them? Any similar knives (drop or spear point, decent steel and a full flat gring) I should look at around the $100 price point?

RedEdge77 · Jan 3, 2006

Ranger knives have a great reputation if i'm not mistaking. :thumbup:

Another knife you should look at that is a quite a bit cheaper is the kabar short heavy bowie or the heavy bowie. Both are great camp knives and i highly reccomend them:thumbup:

djolney · Jan 3, 2006

I’d choose the RD7. Justin knows how to get the most out of 5160 (sharp, tough, and easy to sharpen), and the entire design of the knife is very functional and comfortable to use. The included sheath is also good.

rowdy27 · Jan 4, 2006

https://www.kabar.com/product_detail.jsp?productNumber=1221&mode=category&categoryId=1,2,3,7,9&categoryName=Military/Tactical

rowdy27 · Jan 4, 2006

The D2 is even nicer!!

thebladeguy · Jan 4, 2006

RD7 all the way, awesome knife and a awesome warrenty, no questions asked and lifetime.

TBG

buzzemiah · Jan 4, 2006

I don`t own a rd7 but I do have a rat7 and I like it just fine! I`ve used it enough to say I would depend my life on it.

powells85 · Jan 4, 2006

thebladeguy said:
RD7 all the way, awesome knife and a awesome warrenty, no questions asked and lifetime.

TBG

Yea, what he said :thumbup:

Justin (Ranger Knives) will make it right for you.

Essayons · Jan 4, 2006

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll get the RD7 and convex the edge on a mouse pad. Among other reasons, I like the satin finished Ready Detachment's Sage Creek sells:

Nothing against the Ka-Bar products - I just prefer a full flat grind with no clip or swedge.

rowdy27 · Jan 4, 2006

They're all great, bro.

hatchetjack · Jan 4, 2006

You can also contact Justin directly if you want to have any tweaks done. He is a pleasure to deal with and won't let you down.

Here's one he did for me recently:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b185/t_reyes/rd9016.jpg

thombrogan · Jan 4, 2006

Another vote for the RD-7. I have two RD-9's (an orange-handled, black-finished special from Sage Creek and a custom version in S7 tool steel with an extended guard) and they handle even the dumbest things I do with knives.

Remember, knives are tools, but they're also entertainment. Your knife should do what you need to do and amaze you at the same time, so that's why my suggestion is the RD-7.

djolney · Jan 4, 2006

Essayons said:
Thanks for the replies guys. I'll get the RD7 and convex the edge on a mouse pad. Among other reasons, I like the satin finished Ready Detachment's Sage Creek sells:

Nothing against the Ka-Bar products - I just prefer a full flat grind with no clip or swedge.

The RDs come with a convex edge, so you won’t need to do anything other than sharpen it after use.

Get in touch with Justin if you want a more acute edge angle. I have a thinner edge on my RD7, so it cuts a bit better, and still chops well.

Essayons · Jan 5, 2006

Cool. Sage Creek was out of satin finished ones and did not know when they would get more. All of the other RD7s I found online were saber ground, so I ordered a black and orange micarta one from Sage Creek.

What kind of a premium does Justin charge for one off work like that hatchetjack?

djolney · Jan 5, 2006

Justin’s prices for custom work are very reasonable, and his wealth of knowledge is invaluable.

hatchetjack · Jan 5, 2006

Essayons-

Justin's surprisingly reasonable as djolney said. Drop him an e-mail and let him know what you would like and he'll get back to you promptly.

I think it took him about a week to get mine done. I just sent my RD7 to him to have it thinned and a few other things done as I liked how well my RD9 turned out.

You can also visit the Ranger knife forum to see what everyone else is doing.
The RAK is also a nice general utility blade. Mine has micarta handles instead of paracord. It cuts well and handles light chopping with ease. That one is always in my go bag.

Since you already oredered yours, you may want to think about what you would like your next one to be and contact Justin.

kryptonite · Jan 5, 2006

I thought they were flat ground. I guess I was wrong.

Cobalt · Jan 5, 2006

kryptonite said:
I thought they were flat ground. I guess I was wrong.

All the new RD's are flat ground. The older ones are saber ground. He switched over 5-8 months ago to Flat grind.

Essayons · Jan 6, 2006

hatchetjack said:
Essayons-
Since you already oredered yours, you may want to think about what you would like your next one to be and contact Justin.

An RD6 would be nice, but I have a well worn Gerber Yari that fills the gap between my folders and the RD7 nicely and I've had my eye on the Bark River Gameskeeper for a while. A Roselli Leuku is also on the list...