Ruger Accurate Drop Point Fixed Blade Knife – Review & Field Test

by Dr. Jim and Mary Clary
Jim has his hunting buddy put the Ruger Accurate Drop Point Fixed Blade Knife to a real life hunting task with good results.

Jim Clary
Jim Clary

U.S.A.-(Ammoland.com)- When Ruger decided to add to their brand by marketing knives for outdoorsmen, they did not make the same mistake as other major firearms companies.

Most of them ventured into the knife field by degrading their brand name with poor quality blades. Everyone knows who they are, so we don’t have to mention them here.

Ruger demanded a quality line of knives designed by well known bladesmiths. As such, they partnered with CRKT who recommended: Ken Steigerwalt, Bill Harsey, Robert Carter, Matthew Lerch and Ryan Johnson.

These five experts designed a series of everyday carry, hunting, tactical and self-preparedness knives that are worthy of the Ruger name. And, as would be expected, CRKT made sure that each knife was well made with excellent steel.

Ruger Accurate Drop Point Fixed Blade Knife

We selected the Ruger Accurate by Bill Harsey for field testing. We handed the knife over to Abran Torres, an avid deer hunter here in New Mexico and owner of A&R Firearms in Los Lunas. That was in the fall of 2016, and Abran hit the woods with a vengeance, not only hoping to get a trophy deer but to have a chance to use the Ruger Accurate. However, sometimes the best laid plans don’t work out. After several days of hunting, he never came across a buck worth harvesting. But, he did manage to bag a large coyote with full winter pelage.

Skinning a coyote to preserve the pelt requires a very sharp knife or you will “butcher” the pelt and eliminate its value. Skinning around the feet and head are the toughest part and the Ruger Accurate Drop Point Fixed Blade Knife performed superbly. Not once did Abran even think of stopping to sharpen the blade… it didn’t need it. And, he got a prime pelt that brought top dollar.

In his opinion, this Ruger blade would have no problem with a deer, elk or even a wild hog. It was that good. In fact, we didn’t get it back. The Ruger Accurate is now a permanent part of Abran’s hunting “kit”.

Ruger Accurate Drop Point Fixed Blade Knife made by CRKT
Ruger Accurate Drop Point Fixed Blade Knife made by CRKT

Ruger Accurate Knife Features and Specifications

  • Model number: R2201
  • Designer: Bill Harsey
  • Type: Fixed blade: Hunter/Skinner
  • Blade type: Drop point
  • Blade length: 4.40 inches
  • Blade width: 1.0 inches
  • Blade thickness: 0.125 inches
  • Blade grind: Hollow ground
  • Blade finish: Polished satin-finish
  • Blade material: 8Cr13MoV
  • Full-tang handle
  • Handle Grip: Rubber over mold
  • Reinforced nylon-fabric sheath
  • Hardness: 58-59 HRC
  • Overall length: 8.94 inches
  • Weight: 6.0 ounces
  • Country of origin: China
  • 2017 MSRP: $99.95 (way cheaper online)
Ruger Accurate by CRKT - Knife Review
Ruger Accurate by CRKT – Knife Review

Because of the unique nature of the new Ruger line of knives, we would encourage our readers to check them all out at ShopRuger.com. There is a knife to meet every need and we will be testing and reviewing several of them in the coming months.

About Jim and Mary Clary:

Jim and Mary Clary have co-authored over three hundred and fifty articles, (and counting) on shooting and hunting. You can read many of them on AmmoLand News.

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fishunter

I prefer a carbon steel blade. I believe Cold Steel uses the same steel as this Ruger. Actually, I have had good luck with Cold Steel and my favorite fish cleaning knife is the Roach Belly. It is sharp and big enough to go through the back bone and take the head off.
It is too bad Ruger did not select carbon steel and a US maker. I try to buy USA whenever possible! Probably with my likes, I would pay around $150 for a good knife.

Don Bailey

Having never touched this knife, I like the looks of the blade for skinning. The length of a 4.4″ blade is just about right, and the angle to the point looks to be just about perfect. However, the handle looks as though it could become uncomfortable if you had to use this knife for over an hour, but I have used some that were much worse. There are better $100.00 knives out there, nothing fancy, but easy to use and easy on the hands.

Rock

Ruger should do with the knife as they do with the firearms, keep it 100% AMERICAN made. I look at almost everything I buy anymore, if I see MADE IN CHINA, it goes back on the shelf. The ONLY way I “may” buy Chinese is if the product I need isn’t made or produced here in the U.S.
CRKT = Chinese Ruger Knife Technology

HMLA-167 Warrior

It would have been very nice if Ruger would have had these made in the USA instead of in China even for the increased cost. There is almost always an appreciable difference between the US and China made knives (such as with the Kershaw or Buck knives) that more than justifies the cost difference for anything more than a letter opener.

Appears that CRKT now stands for “Chinese Ruger Knife Try.”

Ranger 1

Kershaw uses a lot of the same steel on several of their knives…. 8Cr13MoV, which is equivalent to AUS 8 Japanese steel. Even Gerber has gone to China for several of their knives. Unless their knife has Portland etched on the blade, it is made in Asia.