"Rancher" knife pass around

[Branm008]

First let me say, Thank you Robert, awesome of you to allow me to get to know this beautiful blade, I have a feeling I will want one in the future.
Thank you again brother, anyone else left in this pass around will love this blade.

Alright, I got the Rancher today but by the time I could get to do anything with it, it was already dark.
So I have some in hand shots and comparison shots next to my Sugar Creek Bushcrafter.

I instantly fell in love with the look and feel of it, just an all around grand blade. It fits my hand in any grip like a glove, amazing fit and finish as well.
The curly maple is absolutely top notch, I tried to get a good picture of it as well but you just can not do that wood any justice online. I have not sharpened it, wanting to see how the edge does on some wood work first.

Enough rambling, here are some pictures, I will get out and use it for some fire craft soon. Large and crappy-ish pictures, I do apologize.




Beautiful curly maple handle, stunning grain.


Comparison next to the Bushcrafter, its larger by a bit, blade and handle wise.


Wonderful control even gripping closer to the blade.


It fills in the hand something perfect even with my small/average sized hands.

Things I like:
Rustic looking with the scale and curly maple scales, perfect.
Tough steel/heat treat and it throws great sparks with the fire steel.
Wonderful leather work as well, does not fall out at all.
Best of all, it feels like a tank, I feel as if I could use this blade all day with no hot spots or cramps in the hand.

Action shots tomorrow, will put it to use getting a fire going with some wood I recently scavenged for my outdoor firepit.

-Brandon

[Branm008]

Here you gents go, last bit of playing around with the Rancher before I have to regretfully send this baby off. I can tell you though, I am 100% satisfied in every way with this blade, I will be getting myself one.

I sat and did some shavings, about half a hat full but I could get some tiny curls.
Batoned through enough wood for 3 different fires with enough prep.
It had no edge damage or anything even after all that work, would not shave hair but it would cut some paper and do shavings with ease.


Jungle full of curls.


Smallest ones I could get, very easy to control.


Bit of flex in the wood, Rancher handled it.


Just enough prep for one but I did way more off to the side.


And it does bite back, so keep the respectful use in mind!!


No damage done at all, may even be a blood stain on there somewhere!!


initial flames, lit with Mag bar as the opening to the burn pit was too small, I did not want to damage the rancher trying to strike the fire steel.


In the end I do not want to give this thing up but I can say it blew away any expectations I had about it. Robert you have made one hell of a beast, I can not wait to get my hands on my own model.

Thank you again for letting me get a chance to review this wonderful blade, I had a blast getting to know it and getting to know what you guys thought on it as well.

J pm inbound to ya, will be shipping it out tomorrow or saturday.

-Brandon

[solocanoe]

very cool stuff, Brandon!

thanks for a good write up - I enjoyed it too but you really made it your own!

[Branm008]

very cool stuff, Brandon!

thanks for a good write up - I enjoyed it too but you really made it your own!

Thank you sir, I truly enjoyed this knife and was glad I had the chance to do a meager write up on it.

It was an instant love affair though, perfect fit in the hand and everything, not to mention it shaves hair easier than anything else I own. Again the curly maple rules all, just can not go wrong with that at all.

Thanks again Robert, sad to see this one go but I will have one very soon.

-Brandon

[Homeslice]

Good lookin knife. Are there more reviews still pending?

[Branm008]

Good lookin knife. Are there more reviews still pending?

Sorry folks for the delay. Life caught up to me but I sent it out to the next recipient today.

J, it should get to ya by this Wednesday 16th, check your PM's as well brother.

Thanks again for letting me have some time with the Rancher, I can not praise this blade and the maker Robert enough.

-Brandon

[J]

Awesome man. Thanks. Lookin forward to givin the blade a whirl..

[J]

Got the blade friday, but just opened it up this morning when I came off duty. Ill get out soon with it and post some pics and write up. Thanks for lettin me in on this one Robert...

[Branm008]

Glad it got to ya safe and sound brother, lookin forward to your thoughts on this beauty.

-Brandon

[J]

I havent had any time to get out lately. Been busy with several things, but I will make some time tommorow to work with this sucker so I can get it out to slicer. I did sharpen it all up though...