Justifying a Wood Ranger 55.

[MMR]

I have had my eyes on a Wood Ranger 55 for a while now......OMG it is a handsome looking knife! ...but my god is it expensive too...especially considering the amount if tools you get...I guess that you are really paying for are the woodscales..

I am kind of holding myself back from ordering one.....(1) because of its price ...(2) I am worried that the 130mm is too large for me to carry it enough (again to justify spending that much on a SAK)....I am afraid it would be too big to fit in a pants pocket? (3) It has a very limited tool selection, and I already have a 111mm Hunter (which has pretty much har the same tools apart from a gutting blade and tweezers and a toothpick) and I have a 111mm Soilder that is already redundant and I never carry.


Anyway, enough yip yap about me (no one cares anyway).


I would like to hear from the Wood Ranger 55 owners and how they like their 130mm Wood Ranger 55

Let's hear some stories and see some pictures.

 

[glenfiddich1983]

I had one, but never used it because it was a little too big to carry it and barely had any advantages over the 111mm Soldier or Trailmaster.

So I traded it away for something else 

Wait… this is not what you wanted to hear?   

[Rich S]

IMHO too big for anything except a shelf queen,
Rich

[MMR]

I had one, but never used it because it was a little too big to carry it and barely had any advantages over the 111mm Soldier or Trailmaster.

So I traded it away for something else 

Wait… this is not what you wanted to hear?   

Yes sir, that is exactly what I wanted to hear.


Because that is exactly what I am afraid will happen if I buy one too....so you just confirmed my suspicion / fear of getting one


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[MMR]

IMHO too big for anything except a shelf queen,
Rich

That’s what I thought too


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[Brock O Lee]

I wanted the wood version, but bought the Rangergrip 79 (same toolset, just OHO) at a discount.

It’s a fun knife... It’s big, too big for pocket carry, but you carry a bag with you most of the time, right? 

If I’m stranded in the woods I’d want the Rangergrip with me. The big saw and big blade inspire confidence.

I’d say you owe it to yourself to experience at least one 130mm Delemont. So pick one you like and go for it! 

[Brock O Lee]

IMHO too big for anything except a shelf queen,
Rich

It doesn’t need to be a safe queen... Just force yourself to use it for what it was designed for and enjoy!   

[Barry Rowland]

That saw looks awesome to me!

[MMR]

See ....comments like these is why I love this forum 

Concise, straight forward and honest! ..the way it should be 

I feel like a lot of other forums out there could take note of the culture and friendliness / helpfulness of this forum. 

[MMR]

I wanted the wood version, but bought the Rangergrip 79 (same toolset, just OHO) at a discount.

It’s a fun knife... It’s big, too big for pocket carry, but you carry a bag with you most of the time, right? 

If I’m stranded in the woods I’d want the Rangergrip with me. The big saw and big blade inspire confidence.

I’d say you owe it to yourself to experience at least one 130mm Delemont. So pick one you like and go for it! 

Amen brother! 

[Etherealicer]

IMHO too big for anything except a shelf queen,
Rich

Carry a SwissGrip for a week or two and you will be afraid that this tiny tool gets lost in your pocket

Joking aside... not a big fan of such a long thin blade but if you are doing woodwork and the SAK saw is your goto saw, then you want a 130mm saw.

[Huntsman]

The Rangers are fantastic knives.

I have a Wenger Patagonia 179 - And it's my bush walking tool - Usually carried in a sheath

I also have a Delemont RangerGrip 55 - Which is in my mountain bike saddle bag - It gets used a lot - As I frequently have to clear wood from the trails

After you have used a 130mm saw - the others will seem a bit pathetic!! especially the 91mms
I prefer the non-oho - particularly if you are doing a lot of sawing - the loop sticks in your hand - But you are OK with the 55 on that one.
And of course the blade is monstrous - Not an urban SAK for sure!!

Not so sure about the Vic wood knives - But the Wenger ones were just beautiful. They really knew how to make those wooden scales
I assume the Vic ones are just as good if not the same!!

So my vote should be pretty clear.

[MMR]

The Rangers are fantastic knives.

I have a Wenger Patagonia 179 - And it's my bush walking tool - Usually carried in a sheath

I also have a Delemont RangerGrip 55 - Which is in my mountain bike saddle bag - It gets used a lot - As I frequently have to clear wood from the trails

After you have used a 130mm saw - the others will seem a bit pathetic!! especially the 91mms
I prefer the non-oho - particularly if you are doing a lot of sawing - the loop sticks in your hand - But you are OK with the 55 on that one.
And of course the blade is monstrous - Not an urban SAK for sure!!

Not so sure about the Vic wood knives - But the Wenger ones were just beautiful. They really knew how to make those wooden scales
I assume the Vic ones are just as good if not the same!!

So my vote should be pretty clear.

Oh definitely, it would be intended as a bushcraft tool or "bush walking tool" as you call it, I wouldn't want to get caught carrying a large knife knife in any city or urban areas over here....you can get a HUGE fine or even see jail time if you got caught carrying a knife in a public area.

So no, this would be something I would take with me when I am walking through the woods or doing something outdoorsy, let it be camping, hiking fishing etc. (the one day a year that we get sunshine here in the North).

I already have a 111mm Hunter that I have in a sheath and a large fixed blade that I also have in a sheath, which has proven itself perfectly for when I go hunting. But I wouldn't bring them hiking or use them for bushcraft or something else outdoorsy. 

I might look into a Ranger Grip 78 because it has both large blade and a large saw, plus Phillips and flathead screwdrivers..which would suit my needs best.

[nate j]

Not too big for pocket carry, IMO, but that's all personal preference and what you're used to.  For example, my grandfather carried a small stockman pretty much all his life.  He also had a FB for hunting and some electricians' knives in his toolboxes, but would have considered anything over 3" (76 mm) closed too big to carry in his pocket.  On the other hand, I've been carrying 91 mm SAKs and large folders for so many years that (1) anything smaller than 91 mm feels really small to me, and (2) I consider anything under about 6" (152 mm) closed to be fine for pocket carry.

While I don't have a Ranger Wood 55, I do have both a Ranger 61 and an Evo Wood 17.  I've been using the Evo Wood 17 as a desk knife.  The wood handle scales feel great in the hand; they are warm and have a nice texture.  Not sure they would be my first choice for camping/hiking/outdoor use due to concerns about impact and moisture resistance, and the fact that I prefer brightly colored outdoor gear.

Finally, the sooner you admit to yourself that you are a collector as well as a user, thus giving yourself permission to buy knives and MTs simply because you like them (without having to justify the purchase with a specific use), the happier you will be.
 

[MMR]

Finally, the sooner you admit to yourself that you are a collector as well as a user, thus giving yourself permission to buy knives and MTs simply because you like them (without having to justify the purchase with a specific use), the happier you will be.
 

That is what I am afraid to admit...

...because I already have a worrying addiction to buying:

*clears throat*

- tools
- car parts
- video games
- expensive wine, snaps, whiskey
- fancy cheeses
- truffles
- Caspian caviar
- hunting gear, guns and trips
- scuba diving gear and trips
- hiking gear and trips
- electronics and gadgets


...and a few other things that I don’t remember from the top of my head.....that I will soon find out about/ recall when I get my monthly credit card statement


...so I am afraid to admit I have yet another addiction


.....lack of female supervision is awesome though #singlelifehappylife


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[enki_ck]

I have the 55 with plastic scales and thickness wise it's the same width as a 4 layered Victorinox Outrider, so same tools as the 55 +full size Vic scissors and an inline phillips driver. And although the main blade is longer than the Vics on paper, the useful portion of the blade is just about the same length, and about the same thickness. Plus you get the toothpick and tweezers with the Vic. So guess which one gets carried to the woods.

Also, not too thrilled about carrying that size tools in the pocket. I prefer to carry it in something like a murse or a smaller backpack.

[Thunderpants]

MMR you really should control your fancy cheeses addiction so you have more cash for car parts. Cos you can never have too many spare wing mirrors in your life!

On the subject of the Ranger... I find they're a bit bulky for what you're getting. A separate blade and a small pocket knife is my preferred arrangement for dangerous missions like, uh, walking the dogs or going shopping.

[Huntsman]

 

[MMR]

SO...it's official.....I'm a moron! ...but you already knew that anyway...

[Huntsman]

The ultimate wooden handled SAKS   

Page has just be overhauled

PS. Congrats - Not a moron !!   

[Thunderpants]

Rangergrip 78!
Awesome knife!
The big saw on those things is fantastic. So if you go camping you are well equipped.
(Just pray nobody asks you to uncork a bottle of vino!)

[VICMAN]

SO...it's official.....I'm a moron! ...but you already knew that anyway...

Congratulations MMR!

[MMR]

Rangergrip 78!
Awesome knife!
The big saw on those things is fantastic. So if you go camping you are well equipped.
(Just pray nobody asks you to uncork a bottle of vino!)

I found a really good deal on it on eBay, which is perfect for just testing out the 130mm frame.

There seems to be a lot of debate about the corkscrew vs. the Philips driver.

I told myself that I would need a Phillips driver more than a corkscrew when I’m in the bush.

But we will see what happens when I get the rangergrip 78 and test it out

If I really like the 130mm frame I might pick up a rangerwood 55 at a later point


And not to worry, I always have a wine bottle opener with me



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[Brock O Lee]

  

Please post a few action pictures when you get it!

[MMR]

I just want to update this saying, I ended up canceling my order.

I placed my order on the 27th of March (Wednesday) and as of today (Tuesday April 2nd) the seller haven’t shipped it out.

And after trying to contact the seller both on Friday and Monday and getting no reply, I decided to cancel my order.

What a shame, but that’s how these things go sometimes, and sadly this is not my first time experiencing this either. I have had a similar experience on both amazon and AliExpress.

But to look on the bright side, buyers protection is pretty good on these websites.


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[VICMAN]

I just want to update this saying, I ended up canceling my order.

I placed my order on the 27th of March (Wednesday) and as of today (Tuesday April 2nd) the seller haven’t shipped it out.

And after trying to contact the seller both on Friday and Monday and getting no reply, I decided to cancel my order.



But to look on the bright side, buyers protection is pretty good on these websites.

I would have done the same thing....I am used to people shipping out my orders promptly.

Glad they have the buyer's protection.

[MMR]

I would have done the same thing....I am used to people shipping out my orders promptly.

Glad they have the buyer's protection.

Yeah same here.

But back on topic; I am still looking at a rangerwood!

A 130mm will make a nice addition to my LM Surge, as I like the larger sized tools when I am out doing work around the house or in the woods.

That’s what I love about my LM Surge; it’s a real tool and not a backup...I’m hoping a 130mm SAK will be the same.

But I will be keep an eye out for a rangerwood, not only do I love the way it looks but it has all the tools one would need in the woods, especially in combination with a LM Surge


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[MMR]

I know this is a repost from the “what do you have on the way” thread, but I wanted to update this as well, and it’s the same thing I have to add anyway.

I finally got myself pulled together and ordered myself a Rangerwood 55.

I managed to find one that was around 300 DKK / €40 cheaper than every where else I have looked.




I can’t wait to test it out, even if it doesn’t like dirt and dust, I can still find some sort of use for it.


In addition; what I might do, it to get a sheath for it as well, I think the main reason my 111mm Soldier completely locked up from dust / dirt was because I was carrying it in my pocket and not in a sheath.

But we’ll see


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[Huntsman]

We knew this was always going to happen   

Well done - Enjoy - And let us know how you go - It's a beaut

[Thunderpants]

40 euros! That's a great price for a Rangerwood. (Almost too good!)
Yes, I'd definitely get a pouch of some sort. Once grit gets in there, it's almost impossible to get it out again as you cannot disassemble the knife.
There may be pouches made just for the Rangerwood 55 but in case you already have a Victorinox olive pouch, it would be a good fit as well.