Suggestions please

R

R.H.Clark

Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
771
I am looking for a large user knife.I want something with a 9-12 inch blade.The Cold Steel Trail Master Bowie would be a top pick if it was still Carbon V.I'm not too sure about the new SK-5 made in China. I am looking hard at a Ranger RD-9 or possibly Ontario RTAK II.The RTAK seems to get mixed reviews.I would go for a Busse,Swamp Rat or Scrapyard but I want a knife I can order new without waiting a long time. Under $200 would be great.I know I won't get a Busse for that and I would go more for the right knife.

I don't think it would ever happen but I want a blade that could finish a wounded bow shot hog with a quick stab.I don't think I'll chop fire wood with it but I do want something tough.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.I have been searching old posts about two weeks.
 
If your willing to go more on the "Special Knife" why not go for custom and something exact to what you want, But def go for what you want the most because in the end it'll cost you more because you'll buy an "ok" knife then buy the one you really want and have two purchases :D. Cheesy as it sounds follow your heart and wants :D
 
Buy the Ranger RD series knife. I hunt hogs with catch dogs from horseback almost every weekend, and about half of the time we dispatch the hogs with knives instead of firearms. I use a Ranger RD7 and love it. Before switching to the Ranger I used the Becker BK9HH "Hog Hunter" that has the sharpened top swedge, which does help with penetration, but it also makes the knife much more dangerous for the user when wrestling with a wild hog. This is something that I have done a lot of and I have yet to find a better blade than the RD7 for the task. I like it even better than the RD9 when used strictly for hog hunting. The only thing I had Justin do to my hog hunting knives besides putting on G10 scales and making them in satin finish, was to thin out the blade just a little behind the edge.

One more thing. If you are going to use a Ranger RD series knife for hog hunting where you will be crawling through the brush and God knows what, be sure and throw the factory sheath in the trash and get a custom kydex or leather one made up that holds the knife more securely.

Here's the hog slayer...
100_0186.jpg
 
Tolly
Can you suggest a maker of a sheath for a RD9?

I understand why you like the RD7 on a fast moving live hog.Are there reasons a RD9 would be a worse choice for a wounded hog.I just thought I might like the extra length to get in and out quick without getting hooked but I don't have a lot of experience.
 
For Kydex sheaths the suggested one are Eric Noeldechen from On Scene Tactical or Robert Humelbaugh from Survival Sheath systems
 
belfagor gave you the name of the guy you need to call for a kydex sheath, and there are also others here on the boards who make very nice leather sheaths that I'm sure you could find out by posting and asking the specific question. I have all of my sheaths made by a local leather man.
Another route you could go would be to buy a Spc-Ops nylon sheath. I don't own one but they are very highly recommended by others here on the Forums that do.

As far as preferring the RD7 to the RD9, I just like the RD7 as it is a little more nimble. Ranger knives are big heavy blades, and two inches makes a difference. By the way, believe me when I tell you that a wounded hog is every bit as lively as an uninjured one.

The RD9 will work fine for what you are wanting to do with it since it won't be your primary weapon, but if you are going to be wielding it all day long doing hog battle I would reccomend the RD7.
 
I can strongly second the Ranger Knives RD7 or RD9. I ordered an RD7 from Justin a while ago, and although I haven't used it to finish any hogs, I can tell you these are great knives. The best part is that not only will you get great service from Justin, including any custom work on the blade you might want, but you'll get more than reasonable prices as well, and a great warranty. Just don't expect the standard non-custom models to win any beauty contests - these aren't lookers, they're users. :D
 
Thanks everyone
Searching old posts,the Ranger seems the way to go.I want a satin finish and the edge thinned a little.I think I want G10 scales.Will G10 or Micarta darken from oil or blood?Any other modifications you think I need? I'm asking because I won't get to handle one first.
 
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