Got a package in from Blue Earth, MN today. It's a brand new Ranger RD-4. Satin with tan micarta, just the way I like my RDs.

Not quite as thick as the Dumpster Mutt, but thicker than my RMD, BATAC, and Buck Strider.

I think Ardee is worthy of hanging out with the other Beastie Boys.

Very nice HD! You are a knife collecting machine!!

Man!!!! Every time I see one of those I like it a little bit more... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Pretty soon I just won't be able to live without one... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Its about as heavy as a Scapper 6. Not a light carry like the Dumpster Mutt or Seal Pup. It is tough, though. I would not hesitate to baton with it or throw it. I got into Rangers before I ever had a Busse or Scrap Yard. They are good solid knives at a decent price. Cosmetically, they are a little rough unless you order the satin versions.

I agree Rainwalker, it gets kinda brutal sometimes.

also HD that blade looks great I'd even say it is... Time to Get Ill

I like the clip blade. Short and stout.
What kind of steel is it?

well unless Vic had a custom job from our dear justin the Ready detachment series is all in 5160.

"The Ready Detachment series is made from quarter inch thick 5160 that has been heat treated and triple tempered to 58 RC."

http://www.rangerknives.com/Knives/index.html

Cool blades. Anyone of them would be dependable in a survival situation.

Nice HD. Thick wide blade. How do like the handles? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The Ready Detachment series all have the same handles, blade widths, and blade thickness. They are .25" 5160 spring steel with canvas micarta scales. The handle is comfortable. I now have the complete RD series. Custom orders are no hassle with Justin. You could probably get one in 440C with black g-10 if you wanted. One guy recently got a 3/8" thick flat ground Airborne Ranger in H-13 tool steel. What a beast!

I LOVE Ranger knives

Justin is TOPS (lol!) when it comes to customs

Justin has "earned" a lot of credibility from not only die-hard knife advocates from multiple forums, but also from similarly respected knife makers.

I just saw Mike Stewart recommend Justin to somebody the other day. They guy wanted a 7" + fighter style knife and wanted to keep the price under $150.00 and closer to $125.00 if possible. Justin is probably about as good a choice as you can find to fit a large, tough, and dependable knife at a good price. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I have only had one Ranger knife. It was a satin RD-6 with cocobola scales. The general shape of the knife and comfort of the handle was good, but I felt even the satin version (in my case) was pretty rough in the finish area. My scales were out of alignment, the blade had many variations in flat grind, the spine wasn't smooth or uniform, etc.
From the pictures above, HD's RD looks cleaner than mine did. With nice cocobola scales, I felt my blade just looked a little too shabby.
I can't remember if mine was 5160 or not. It seems like Justin used to use 1095 pretty regularly (??????), but I don't remember. I do remember that whatever steel mine was started showing rust spots within a few days. I had to get on it, clean it up and put some heavy protection on it. I don't like rusty knives and for what it was, I just didn't want to hassle with the maintenance, so I sold it.
1095 and 5160 will both rust faster than SR-101 or SR-77. I have been able to maintain SR-101 and SR-77 both pretty easily. 1095, 5160 and O-1 give me trouble (* It is HUMID here in Houston!) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

I have some Gorgeous customs by Steve Voorhis that have a mirror finish. I had put them in my safe and didn't check on them for a few months and they developed horrible rust spots all over them. I am still trying to figure out how to fix the damage. I just have the damage on hold for now. Heart-break~! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" />

However, back to Ranger knives, if a person just wanted a very tough knife to use and/or didn't mind spending just a little bit of time "cleaning up" the knife, Justin's knives are a great value and performance is up there with Bark River and right behind Busse (family) and such in toughness.
I will personally give multiple advantages to Busse (family) and Bark River in multiple catagories, but Justin still makes a tough knife at a good price.

For me, I like the Scrap Yard knives much more for the money.

In all fairness, Busse, Swamp Rat and Scrap Yard can be pretty rough under the coatings. I have seen some blades that were so rough under the coatings that you could see marks through the coatings!

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