New Love for the Wenger/Vic Ranger Series

[nate j]

So, I’ve recently taken a new job, and had to give up my beloved cargo pants (for work, anyway), as they are apparently too much casual and not enough business for the “business casual” dress code.

I’ve managed to find some fairly sharp-looking khakis that still have a couple additional small pockets beyond the standard four, but don’t have the large, distinctive cargo pockets.  However, I’m having to reassess my work carry a bit due to the dramatic reduction in available pocket real estate.

Now, I often prefer to carry both a SAK and OHO blade of about 4”.  But some compromises, or least efficiencies, were going to have to be found.

As I considered this, I remembered the Wenger/Vic Delemont Ranger series.  I dug out my Wenger Ranger 61, which I’d had for years and carried before, but just wasn’t part of my regular carry rotation.
- Nearly 4” locking OHO/OHC blade - check
- Other useful tools in addition to knife blade - check
- Overall pocketable size and weight - check

So I stuck it my pocket.  After the first week, I ordered a newer version (Vic Ranger 61 M Grip), and one with a saw (Vic Ranger 79 M Grip).

Overall, I’ve been pretty pleased with the older 61 after carrying it for two weeks.  My one complaint is that, in spite of some checkering, the handle is kind of slick.  While seated in a chair, the knife has even slid out of my pocket and onto the floor a couple times.  I’m planning to try the 61 M Grip this week, and hopefully it will live up to its name and grip the inside of my pocket a bit more securely.

[LoopCutter]

I know. of suspect you already know the solution.

If this series is slipping from your pocket, even with different scales, it will jump away and it will be lost.

I would not hesitate, I would put it on my belt in a tasteful leather sheath.   Or a pocket slip and tote it around in a back pack, crossbody bag or shoulder brief.

If cargo pants do not fit the environment I would think a knife of your selection will be out of place more than likely.

[BPRoberts]

Dockers makes a few styles of khakis with a "security" pocket inside the front right that zips closed. They can (depending on how much else you're carrying) accommodate a large folder or mid-sized multi comfortably while still passing for business casual. They're my day to day work pants, and they've held up well. Not too spendy either.

I think the only Ranger I have in the Boatsman. It's definitely a sheath carry, and my feelings for it are probably more sentimental than practical, but I love having "real" pliers in a SAK frame.

[nate j]

I know. of suspect you already know the solution.

If this series is slipping from your pocket, even with different scales, it will jump away and it will be lost.

I would not hesitate, I would put it on my belt in a tasteful leather sheath.   Or a pocket slip and tote it around in a back pack, crossbody bag or shoulder brief.

If cargo pants do not fit the environment I would think a knife of your selection will be out of place more than likely.

  LC!

From a security standpoint, I’m sure you’re right about the belt sheath.  But I have tried them before, and just can’t get on with them.  Whether I’m carrying too much extra around the middle already, or need something that is comfortable whether sitting, standing, or driving, or what, I’m not sure.  What I do know is that regardless of the style of sheath or mounting location around the belt, it seems like it is constantly poking me, in the way, or getting caught on things.

I’m not opposed to tools in backpacks, and I do have a Cybertool M in my work backpack.  But I want my primary knife/tool in my pocket.

I think the knife selection is OK.  This is PA, and not Philly.  The first day I walked in, my new boss had a knife clipped to his pocket.  He has also seen me use my Ranger 61 on several occasions to open packages etc., and hasn’t said anything.  Company policy prohibits carrying firearms without specific authorization, but is silent on knives as far as I’m aware.

I’m carrying the 61 M Grip this week, so we’ll see how it does and go from there.

[nate j]

Dockers makes a few styles of khakis with a "security" pocket inside the front right that zips closed. They can (depending on how much else you're carrying) accommodate a large folder or mid-sized multi comfortably while still passing for business casual. They're my day to day work pants, and they've held up well. Not too spendy either.

I think the only Ranger I have in the Boatsman.

Good to know about the Dockers.  I’ll have to check those out.

These khakis from Duluth Trading that I’ve been wearing have (in addition to the standard four pockets) a slit pocket  on the right leg designed for a cell phone, a dedicated pen pocket (working out well for my Fisher Bullet) hidden inside the LF pocket, and another small “hidden” slit pocket  very close to the bottom of the belt line on the RH front (still working out what to do with this one; it’s quite small).

I don’t own a Boatsman.  While I love the look of the tool loadout, I’m floored by the price.  Even more significant is the weight; it’s just too heavy to be something I would carry everyday.

[BPRoberts]

I forget exactly how much off mine was,  but I agree I'd never have paid sticker for it. It's definitely not EDC friendly, but I'll take it camping sometimes, or as a fun/gadgety one to show off some places.

[nate j]

So, I have had just one instance of the 61 M Grip slipping out of the pocket early this week.

However, I’ve since made a small change to the carry orientation in pocket, and happily, this seems to have alleviated the sliding out of the pocket problem.

I’ve been carrying it vertically in RF pocket next to my wallet, tip up, and these things have not changed.

If we consider 12:00 as the back of the blade (when closed) facing straight ahead, I was originally carrying in about a 4:00 or 5:00 orientation, i.e. the back of the blade towards the back seam of the pocket.  It seemed like this would allow the knife to lay flattest, and also put it in a convenient orientation to draw out of pocket.

The small change was simply to switch to more like a 10:00 orientation.  For whatever reasons, the knife seems to ride much more securely there, and I have had zero slippage issues since I switched to this a couple days ago.


As an interesting aside, the 61 M Grip is thinner than the older 61 (scales on the older 61 are thicker), but 0.4 ounces heavier.  Also, in my judgment the grip panels are worthwhile and a substantial improvement.