Review of the World Survival Institute Ranger. A knife from Chris Janowsky and TOPS.

Marion David Poff

Marion David Poff

Joined
Oct 8, 1998
Messages
5,403
Good Day,

If you like you can read my review of the World Survival Institute Ranger, designed by Chris Janowsky, manufactured by TOPS.

http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff/wsiranger.html

Very cool little 'survival' knife, definitely breaks the mold.

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

Talonite Knife For Sale

Talonite Resource Page, nearly exhaustive!!
Fire Page, metal match sources and index of information.

"Many are blinded by name and reputation, few see the truth" Lao Tzu
 
Nice review Marion, the interview at the end was an excellent feature I would hope to see it more often. A question about the grooves on the handle, you comment that :

compared to similar features on other knives, even custom knives, these are pretty comfortable.
Click to expand...

Could you go into a bit more detail here. With just the 3/16" stock for a grip and those traction grooves, I don't imagine I would find the handle that comfortable. What handles would you rate as similar ergonomics wise? Worse ? Better?

-Cliff

[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 07-26-2000).]
 
Cliff,

Thanks.

I don't believe I am in a position to answer your question as posed. But let me see if I can go at it from a another angle. For the purpose of the review I decided to put aside my own dislike of the handle style in general. I dislike finger grooves, but if I had to have them, they would look much like the ones on the Ranger. In terms of the traction shapes, they are about TOPS standard for comfort, which is OK, but not good, in my opinion. The custom I am comparing it to specifically is a Shipley custom I own, it's traction shapes are painful on sight. The Ranger traction shapes are about standard for production knives, similar to the various textured thumb ramps and such. All of which I think fall short of real comfort.

In terms of ergos, I prefer topography. Swells, curves, indents, and such are more to my liking. For instance, Mad Dog handles and Allen Blade handles, they usually feature a finger indent, and alot of topography that spreads the force out all over the hand, as opposed to focusing it on high spots. Hossom handles look like they would be very comfortable. The Becker handles are comfortable. The new Busse E handles look really good.

I hope I have answered your question, please let me know if I need to clarify.

------------------
Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

Talonite Resource Page, nearly exhaustive!!

Fire Page, metal match sources and index of information.

"Many are blinded by name and reputation, few see the truth" Lao Tzu
 
Marion :

I dislike finger grooves, but if I had to have them, they would look much like the ones on the Ranger.
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing. I have on loan a few knives with finger grooves and they are much deeper. The handle is fairly slick so my fingers slide in the grooves and get mashed into the sides on hard work.


The new Busse E handles look really good.
Click to expand...

Yes, the only reservation I have is about the checkering pattern.

By the way, if you are still interested in looking at the Battle Mistress, drop me an email. I need your current address. I have finished up the review and can part with it now for a few months.

-Cliff
 
Not a clue, I have seen pictures but have not held one. The production run is on for july last I heard so hopefully some information should start flowing soon. Busse is also releasing a new serration pattern which is supposed to be fairly impressive, that should be interesting.

-Cliff
 
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