Ranger RD9 or RTAC II? And same ? for a smaller blade.

R

Roguer

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Jan 5, 2015
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Ok I admit I know I probably need one but...

I'm trying to decide between the Ontario Ranger Series RD9 Ready Detachment 9.5" Plain Blade and the RTAC II... I want a 5160 full sized tang handled knife with a hilt for womping with, not bust a rock womping but things like stakes and stuff.

And after thought a same around 6-7 inch blade for the same thing with a straight blade. I want some thing 5160 (I think 5160 makes better survival knife steel than 1095, people who want to try inform me better your impute is welcome), looking at Ranger Blades that seem to fit the build but I think I like a drop point bester...

I thought my KA-BAR D2 blade would of been great for the mid sized blade well...I find I'm using it for way to much as too fine and to much in demand and useful utility knife, and it might not be in the designated place/pack as its pretty useful and I figure I better get another blade, as the KA-BAR D2 does it thing as I had to cut few things like that had to be really removed for safer swimming for others. (Its just to much of a general purpose tool I guess so that makes it a bit hard to keep track of already the short time I had it, so I need a more dedicated field blade, poor me :D ) Only I think a 5160 blade would be more suited for a general purpose field knife. If I didn't care between 1095 and 5160 then it would be an easy choice of a RAK 7 or BK7.

One thing is Price is a big factor... hence looking at OKC once again! :cool:
 
I have several of the Ranger series knives. RD9, RD7, Afghan, Little Bird, and 2 Hawk Picks.
I am satisfied with all of them!

The RD9 is a bit cumbersome and heavy. After prolonged use is tends to fatigue the user.

The RD7 is my go-to blade more often than any other. Its big enough to get the job done and small enough to carry and use without fatigue.

The only complaint I have is the darn handles. The handles are practically square and very uncomfortable.
I had to file down every handle on every knife to suit them to my liking.

The RtacII has a much better handle and is thus more comfortable to use.
 
THANKS heefageLA! That was very helpful! Trouble was finding who still had them for sale!

Found the RD7 on the Ontario Knife Store, got an SP-51 from them. This looks like its going to be a good general carry and cutting slashing and thumping knife. My only complaint on the SP-51 is can't hilt thump it but its a heck of a great knife, so I use the back of the blade for that. I think its going to be a better use over the 6.5 inch RD6 for general use for me, as I need it for middlen to large jobs. Not a main whittle twiddler, I got enough small knives for that stuff I take along. My bigger knives ride on or in the pack, some tomes on the hip when going through thick stuff.
 
OK...got the RD9...after playing...er Tactical Training...yeah that's it...with the RD7 getting use to the blade and feel and well just plain use for it, and the SP-51 one I got to compare it to...well the SP-51 out did it with ease. But then I thought some thing bigger than the RD7 might be handy...thinking RTAC II...then I decided on the RD9 for a dedicated big blade as that thumping handle has proven useful as on the RD7 some thing the SP-51 doesn't have. I know the limitations but really for the price point and what you get in a RD knife its still a great buy! The RD9 just seems to be good to be left out of the

Yeah broke down and got an RD6 too...why? Why not! :D Its probably going to be the floater knife between a lot of tasks and the loaner, as OKC still makes it, it will be more easier and replaceable also if it gets lost. Really after playing...er tactical training to get the feel of the RD7s I got, with the RD knives seem to be the best hard working knives for the buck with a hard thumping hilt I need if I take just one knife with me. Don't get me wrong bigger blades I got will be doing their fair share of work where I'm going to have them and take them along as the main work horse blade. But I never take just one knife along I like a depth of tools that have over lap duties.

The RD9 just seems right to get, after handling the RD7 where it can step up to do big knife things, the RD9 is a big knife that should be able to step down and do small knife things with in reason.
 
Got the RD9, it seems its good, yes some "problems" like the handle a bit where the bigger blade makes the sharpish corners bite some but gloves or sand paper can fix that I guess. :D Its the length of the SP-51 so its a bit more compact than I guess and RTAC II is, I ordered and RTACII sheath and with work I got it to fit. But I didn't need it as the sheath it came in was the more latest one. Its nice choil area gives it some good control when feeling for doing whittle stuff, blade is a bit heavy for it but it can do it. So Its an OK great buy I'd say.
 
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