Ardee Four Joins the Beastie Boys!

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!

.

Since I was already sweat soaked from knife and tomahawk throwing, I sharpened the RD-4 to shaving sharp. I stayed with the original grind angle, which seemed good to me. Took a razor edge in no time.


I like this knife a lot.

oooooh pointy and sharp

hd, you're making me jealous with all the great blades you've been getting <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

here is mine!!

ERRR well it isnt a RD4 but it works!!


[img][image]http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/10/27513222025.jpg[/img][/image]

Every dog has his day, snook. My binge will slow down very soon. How can you know that your favorite is the best if you haven't tried the others? So far, my favorites in the 4" to 5" size are the HRLM and RatManDu. The SS4 is right behind them. I eagerly await my Busse Meaner Street. Once it cools off some, I plan some comparison testing. Not hammering the point into a stump and trying to snap the blade, but normal use testing. Major brands will be tested. It should be fun.

Nice man. I will probably pic up a new version RD4 since I have the drop point version. The RD series is awesome and Justin rules.

always love seeing test results, see who really stands out <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

There's a lot to like about the RD4. The phat attitude, the aggressive clip point, satin, and the more useful pommel. One of these days I'll need to pick one of those up. Very, very nice knife H-D.

And thank goodness it's not those hideous blue G-10 handles <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Ranger Knives Rock! Thanks for the pics, that RD4 is sweet!

I was just on the ranger knives site. No RD4 was listed.
Apparently, only 6 inch blades or larger are available, now.
I had actually been thinking of ordering the exact same knife as Horn Dog.

Actually, they are available now as a standard offering in black, complete with Cordura sheath. You can contact Justin by email. Satin finish is extra, as are any scales other than black or tan micarta. The website has not been updated.

Thanks!
I just got an e-mail from Justin, saying just that. I love tan anything, I like satinmblades better than coated; your knife might be an ideal daily carry for my place in PA. I was toting around the yardguard and the hook this wekend, and found myself wondering what I could get in-between.
The badger atack is a candidate, but your RD4 looks pretty tough for being so short.

Dave,
I like that little guy! What model os that?
Nice sheath, by the way.

I like mine even better than I thought I would, Roo. It is super rugged. The blade is actually 5" long with a 4" edge. I think it is good that it comes with a sheath, too. I ordered it just to complete my RD series. I didn't know I'd like it this much. The reason I put it in with the Busses in the picture is I think it is a true hard-use knife like they are.

How long did it takew for you to get it once ordered?
I have never dealt with ranger before.
Something about that knife really appeals to me.

Zero Nine is constantly trying to get me to upgrade my collection with a Ranger. He can't say enough good things about them.

They had to make mine first. It shipped out within 2 days of ordering. The standard models are ready to go. I ordered it on a Friday or Saturday and got it the next week.

That's pretty good.
How many rangers do you have? The whole series would be 4 total, if I am correct.
I may be wrong, but I thought I remember them being all spear points. Yours looks very clippish or bowie-ish to me, which is part of the appeal.

Post deleted by Horn Dog

OK, here are the older RDs, an RD-6 that I stripped, and an RD-9:


Here are my newer RDs, 9,7, and the new 4.

Here they all are together. Your get more bars with Ranger Knives.

Beautiful collection Vic! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> I bought a Ranger knife while at the Blade show, and I think it's great!!! Sounds like KnifeGuy described it pretty well, but I do not have the finish issues he had. The 6" satin blade with cocabola handles is really sharp! Justin was great to deal with and he has some great products for the price!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Tom

I'd love to see a picture of the Cocabola one, Tom. Knifeguy is right. You saw how rough the spine was on my RD-6 before I sanded it. I have had no issues with the finish on the satin ones, though. Sort of like Busses. They can be rough under the paint. I bet your RD is pretty. Let's see it!

I will get a picture or two posted before too long. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Tom

That would be the Rd 3.75 OR the "Wererabbit"..IIRC mine was the first that Justin did

thanks on the sheath bro..it is one of my favs next to the quick draw highride

i like the older spear point models

wererabbit? are you kidding?
That is the most awesomest name for anything, ever.

Thank you for the pictures!
Looks like I'm gonna be wanting a 9" satin tan, and a 4" satin tan.
Though, the cocobolo option intrigues me. I do love me the cocobolo.
My new Ahrends grips for my TR .45 are cocobolo.

very nice collection vic.