I want a big Wenger

[Syncop8r]

Sorry, I 'm sure that must have been done before...

I'm completely new to SAKs but the Wenger Ranger has caught my eye.
I like the Rangergrip handles - how much better are they?
I like the Rangergrip 78, but I would like a second blade. Or the ability to put one in.
The Ranger 58 has a second blade, but not the rubberised grip.
Also, I have seen a Ranger 56 cheap here (well, cheap for here).
The Victorinox Rangergrips also have a toothpick and tweezers.

So basically I can't quite find exactly what I want. Unless it can be modded?
Arrrgh what to do.....

[Etherealicer]

You want the Mike Horn. Not only does it has 2 blades, it has the best looking / feeling handles of them all.
But be warned the Rangers are gigantic in size!

[toolguy]

All of life is a quandary. LOL

It' s good to have choices.

The Ranger series is big and that's why I like them,something different from the usual SAK's.

Ranger Hunter 58 at the top of pic.

[basilio]

Be advised that the "gutting blade" or however it is called, found on some Ranger models (like the Ranger 57-58 or the Sabla in the above picture) is not really a "second blade" and its point is rounded.
Instead, as pointed by Etherealicer, the Mike Horn has a "real" second blade

[toolguy]

The second blade,on the Horn model,also has a rounded point.

[basilio]

The second blade,on the Horn model,also has a rounded point.

Yes, you are very correct!
I forgot about the rounded blade tip on the Mike Horn 

[Syncop8r]

Thanks guys! I don't really want a gutting blade as my second blade, but if I got one with it I believe that gives me another layer with which to mod in a different blade?
My initial thoughts were to have a smaller second PE blade for finer stuff (the main blade will be more for whittling wood etc); now I'm wondering if it should instead be a serrated blade.
This will be my hiking/camping knife.

Ranger Hunter 58 at the top of pic.

How do you find it?

[Corwyn]

Am I the only one who was underwhelmed by the Rangers?
With all the praise they got around here I figured they’d blow my Vics out of the water (especially as they are far more expensive) but…
The handles feel cheap (mine is regular plastic, not Evogrip) and far thicker, ergonomics is actually worse than Vic’s – doesn’t feel as natural in hand, the OHO is not as good as Vic’s, the snap is almost non-existant, the locking on the caplifter is not as nice and I think they are just a tad too long. Also Rangers don’t have T&T.

What I did like is that they generally don’t have the silly serrations and the button-release is great (though it’s not all fine-tuned as it could be (button slips a bit and you have to push it just right to move the liner.

[Syncop8r]

Yeah I wish I could have T&T. But the blade release for the Vic is one of the main things putting me off them.

[DMA1965]

That's what she said

[Corwyn]

Yeah I wish I could have T&T. But the blade release for the Vic is one of the main things putting me off them.

It scared me a bit at first too, but it's not that bad once you get accustomed to it. I cut myself a few times closing it, but than again, I cut myself with the Wenger too.
Now I can close the Vic one-handed with either the left or right hand faster than fumbling with the Wenger button.

[Luna Knife]

I have the Rangergrip 78 and the Hunter 59 with a phillips instead of the corkscrew.  I also own the Vic OHT serrated and non serrated knives.

I like all of them but the Vics carry easier in the pocket.

[D. Somerset]

Am I the only one who was underwhelmed by the Rangers?
With all the praise they got around here I figured they’d blow my Vics out of the water (especially as they are far more expensive) but…
The handles feel cheap (mine is regular plastic, not Evogrip) and far thicker, ergonomics is actually worse than Vic’s – doesn’t feel as natural in hand, the OHO is not as good as Vic’s, the snap is almost non-existant, the locking on the caplifter is not as nice and I think they are just a tad too long. Also Rangers don’t have T&T.

What I did like is that they generally don’t have the silly serrations and the button-release is great (though it’s not all fine-tuned as it could be (button slips a bit and you have to push it just right to move the liner.

I have to disagree in more than one point here. While the grips on the ranger are quite thick, they are IMO WAY better ergonomics-wise than the Vicxs., unless you get into the really big models, in which case the thick handle might be a problem for those with smaller hands (but that's a very fixable problem). As far as construction (of the scales) goes, both are in the same league. The rubber on the RangerGrip does peel a bit in the release button (logo) area, so that is something to keep in mind. The screwdriver/cap lifter locking mechanism works very well, and it's just different (to vicx); however to say that it 'a tad too long' is a bit puzzling to me. How can having more reach (in an already limited length tool) not be a good thing? (the [even] longer one on the swiss tool is a major advantage). The OHO is about the same IME, though I must admit that in one of  my Rangers  (88 rescue), the blade was very stiff when it arrived (now it's totally fine). The unlocking button mechanism on the Wenger is a much better design and one of its biggest advantages. The T&T I  do miss (I know the new Vic Delemont models have them), though the bit slot on the handle makes up for it (and although limited, works much better than I thought). Size-wise, they both have their +'s and -'s.  The one tool that automatically makes a ranger bulky is the pliers, since they are much bigger (and much more capable than standard vic plier), so that is something one should know. In the end, I'd give the ranger the overall edge in the the "big SAK" category (this coming from a lifetime vicx user).

[D. Somerset]

But be warned the Rangers are gigantic in size!

I give you Godzilla . . .

[gene stoner]

But be warned the Rangers are gigantic in size!

I give you Godzilla . . .

I want one. How well dose the bit driver work?

[kkokkolis]

I liked them too from internet pics but now I think that a Surge/Wave/Charge has two OHO blades, saw and file, drivers and might have scissors or awl too with better ergonomics for the pliers at least. So such a multi seems a better option. Even a Spirit with a Delica or similar blade is a great alternative.

[felinevet]

I have several Rangers in stock. Just put "ranger" in the search box.  http://www.edcsource.com/auction_search.php

[microbe]

I saw 4 Rangers in a shop window the other day. Giants seems the correct word to describe them.

[Syncop8r]

I like all of them but the Vics carry easier in the pocket.

It will be worn on the belt or in my pack so not I'm worried about being big - I want the big blade and saw

I decided to go for a SAK as opposed to a Leatherman as I don't think I want pliers (yes, I know they may have their uses when camping). I'm finding it hard to love the pliers on some of hose Rangers...

[toolguy]

I like these SAK's for hunting.

[toolguy]

This is the latest model that I'm looking to purchase.

[toolguy]

This Wenger Ranger on felinevet's website looks like it will fill the bill for camping.
http://www.edcsource.com/auction_details.php?auction_search=1&auction_id=117595&option=basic_search&src_auction_id=&keywords_search=&buyout_price=&reserve_price=&quantity=&enable_swap=&list_in=&results_view=&country=&zip_code=&username=&basic_search=ranger

[Syncop8r]

Is there a Rangergrip with PE OHO blade, awl instead of corkscrew, and the extra blade (so similar loadout to the Ranger 58 or like a Rangergrip 78 with an extra blade [layer] )?

[toolguy]

Is there a Rangergrip with PE OHO blade, awl instead of corkscrew, and the extra blade (so similar loadout to the Ranger 58 or like a Rangergrip 78 with an extra blade [layer] )?

The only one I could find that closely approximates your requirements is this model.Ranger Grip 86-East Ranger.

[toolguy]

Is there a Rangergrip with PE OHO blade, awl instead of corkscrew, and the extra blade (so similar loadout to the Ranger 58 or like a Rangergrip 78 with an extra blade [layer] )?

Here is a link to the Wenger site with all the rangers listed.

http://www.wengerna.com/ranger

[D. Somerset]

But be warned the Rangers are gigantic in size!

I give you Godzilla . . .

I want one. How well dose the bit driver work?



 

Actually, they work better than expected. Granted, it's limited in terms of reach, but the torque you get is great.

[D. Somerset]

Is there a Rangergrip with PE OHO blade, awl instead of corkscrew, and the extra blade (so similar loadout to the Ranger 58 or like a Rangergrip 78 with an extra blade [layer] )?

The only one I could find that closely approximates your requirements is this model.Ranger Grip 86-East Ranger.

This model is IMO the best in terms of tool set and comfort (and one of only three ranger models with the huge length metal saw). It's basically a ranger 95 without the pliers (and hence, much slimmer).The tricky is getting one. It was designed for the eastern European market only.

Being the owner of an 88 rescue and a 58, I compare both quite a bit and though the pliers are quite handy (the ergonomics are better than they seem) they bulk up the knife a lot, that is why if I don't end up using the pliers much, I might slim down my 88 by taking them out, and essentially turning it into a better version of the 86 (Mike Horn reamer instead of the corkscrew).

[Syncop8r]

I don't need a metal saw/file for camping (I hope) - I'd rather have a second PE or SE blade.

1) How how hard would it be to make slots for adding toothpick and tweezers?
2) How hard would it be to add another layer?(I'm guessing quite hard) Could that layer hold two small blades, one at each end?

Jeez I'm a difficult bugger...

[D. Somerset]

I don't need a metal saw/file for camping (I hope) - I'd rather have a second PE or SE blade.

1) How how hard would it be to make slots for adding toothpick and tweezers?
2) How hard would it be to add another layer?(I'm guessing quite hard) Could that layer hold two small blades, one at each end?

Jeez I'm a difficult bugger...

No worries, I am one as well (for some things).

Here's one of the few people that has actually heavily modded a Wenger Ranger and has a record of it (albeit not in detail). I tried to contact the guy, as I had a couple of ideas in my head, but he hasn't replied so far (probably due to the fact that you can't sent private messages if you are not a paying member [of this other site])

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1054483-Mike-Horn-Ranger-my-way?p=13371723#post13371723

PS: According to your screen name, I take it you are a musician (most likely a percussionist). Cool (if so)

[Syncop8r]

Here's one of the few people that has actually heavily modded a Wenger Ranger and has a record of it (albeit not in detail)...
PS: According to your screen name, I take it you are a musician (most likely a percussionist). Cool (if so)

Haha, yep, used to be a drummer, now I play bass in a Funk band so syncopation is my thing ;-)
Thanks for the link!
I think what I'll do is just get a Ranger 58, then one day when I'm feeling brave I'll do the mods: change the gutting blade to something else and make some wooden scales with a slot for T&T!