I was in a Red Wing store a few years ago and I asked about a pair of Blacksmiths, which I had seen online. They didn't have any, but they did have Iron Rangers, with cork nitrile soles. I tried on a pair, that fit me great, and I mentioned the price difference. The guy sold me on the Iron Rangers when he said he would let me have them for $300. I wore them out of the store and they're become very comfortable over the past few years.
Always thought I wanted an Iron Ranger but after seeing how passionate CJ is about the Blacksmith in his videos, pulled the plug and got a 3340 this past Black Friday IMO, they just look more classy than the IR and can be easily dressed up or down accordingly. If you're going for a more rugged, casual look, the IR may fit better. They're also relatively comfy and have already started breaking in after 3 - 4 walks around town P.S. reminder to grab some leather cream at the store when you're picking up your boots. You pay double the price online
As another owner of the 3340's I have to agree whole heartedly about them being the more versatile of the two. I can dress them up, or down, and always get compliments on them. That being said though, those 8084's look awesome worn in. Maybe I have another pair of red wings in my future.
Hey Cj I have two questions about some of the Ranger colors I hope you can answer. 1) What do you think the main difference is between the charcoal color and the ebony harness color? and 2) I'm wanting a dark Ranger color other than black and I like the ebony but unfortunately its sold out. I was thinking about getting the charcoal since it looks dark. Do you think over time the charcoal will get pretty dark like the ebony? Thanks man hope to hear from you soon
The Charcoal and Ebony are different. The Charcoal over time will take on a grey coloring. What you could do is apply Red Wing's All Leather Conditioner to the Charcoal to get a nice dark color with hints of grey. The Charcoal is one of the coolest leathers when it ages.
And now, not only am I stumped on finding the Munsons, you have now coerced me into a set of these Blacksmiths (at least that is what I am telling my wife). Thanks.
I have a very old pair of 8" Red Wing boots marked 'Irish Setter Sport boot' that are a combination of these two boots. The back half is constructed like the Iron Ranger with the one piece heal leather, while the front looks like the Blacksmith with no toe cap. They have black Vibram style lugged soles that are marked with a red oval Red Wing logo. I don't see these listed for sale any longer do you or anyone here know anything about them? They're due for a resole job, and I'd appreciate advise on who to send them to.
You are the first person to mention how the IR looks like a clown shoe after long wear. If I needed them for factory work, I would do the IR for the extra toe protection. Otherwise. Blacksmiths all day, every day! :D
Personally, I'll take the Rangers over the Blacksmith. I own two pairs of IR's; one in black harness and the other in copper rough. I wish RW would offer some safety toe options in the heritage line though. There's a few of us out there that want the form, but need the function. My preferred boot (the Chippewa Ellison) is no longer in production. Pretty much the Blacksmith with the option for a steel toe. I'd buy a pair of 3343s (or another set of IRs) in a heartbeat if I could take them to work.
Can you believe so many people consider work boots a fashion accessory. I don’t care about the aesthetics. I just wanna know which ones better for walking around on concrete floors for 12 hours.
I just bought a pair used of pecos 4471 based on the size you recommended, if they dont fit I'm shootin them to the east coast for a trade. What's funny I own 5 pairs of heritage. I own 2 pairs of clarks dessert, and 2 pairs of docs. And I have only been wearing those cause they are easily on an off. Besides the red wings I wear at work.
Well, I have a pair of each and my iron rangers win hands down. They are so comfortable and fit like a glove, really. My blacksmiths are very nice boots and I’m glad to have a pair. However, my go to are my iron rangers.
On my left ankle the bone protrudes slightly more than normal. So my heels are more sensitive than the average Joe. My preference is the Iron ranger because it has the external heel counter, I tried wearing some Red wings that have the internal heel stay but I find that that patch of leather really irritates my heel.
I’ve heard the Beckmans are indeed coming back - with “modern” sizing. I’m assuming that means they’ll be built on a different last. Question is will they be available in wide widths...?
Great video as always. You mentioned another video of yours about the fit of those Iron Rangers. Do you remember the title ? Thanks & Happy New Year ! 🥾👍😁
This vid came at perfect timing as Ive been watching reviews on both shoes all day today. Heading out to RW tomorrow to pick up some blacksmith's in the Briar. Damn you, CJ🤦🏾♂️
Personally I like the iron rangers more. I think they both look really good but rangers seem more comfortable to me. I sold my blacksmiths because it felt like I had no ankle support and they fit really weird. I had the copper rough n tough. Look great but not for me.
I'm in a similar predicament. I own two pairs of Iron Rangers (Amber & Copper) and a pair of Moc Toe (Briar Oil Slick). I've been racking my brains on what to get next. Currently undecided between Moc Toe (Oro), Blacksmith.... or throw caution to the wind and add to my IR collection - looking at IR Hawthorne Muleskinner - only drawback to getting IR Hawthorne Muleskinner is, I think they'll be hard to style. What's been your experience? Any recommendations?
Yes, some boots I like to keep in pristine condition and others I like to beat up and put them through the elements. It all depends on the type of leather.
I have both, and the blacksmith is my favorite! Both took about a half day to break in and both are very comfortable! Iron rangers get most of the dirty work and blacksmiths get the light duty work!
I love the iron rangers man I wear them everyday and I work in a shoe repair shoe fixing other iron rangers and dress shoes ☺️ But I also own a pair of moc toe pro leathers, my next pair to buy soon with stimulus money is the black rovers 😎
Good breakdown. After watching I immediately went down to check out my 5 yr old IR’s, and lo and behold, I do have a crease developing in the toe cap. So this would be a perfect fit?
Really good content! Bought the Blacksmiths three days ago. The Guy from the RW Store said my feet are to small for the Iron Rangers (got '8' in EU 42). Wtf? Well now I got the Blacksmith and besides that I think you have a point on Blachsmiths vs Rangers. The Rangers arents as versitely and (can) the look a bit clownish Like you said. Besides that: Both awesome Boots! Love Red Wings. Really happy the Hertiage Linie get sold here. Prince/Quality/Style are so awsome! Greetings from Germany 😀
The Blacksmiths remind me of the old Red Wing 'Gentleman Traveller' boot. Look like they could maybe take a shine and be made to look dressier than the Iron Rangers, but Im' very skeptical of any claims to superiority beyond personal preference. They're both in the same price bracket (give or take the extra thirty quid for the IRs), on the same last, with slightly different features. A nice option ofr somebody who already has IRs and wants a nother pair of similar boots, but for whom a difference in colour alone isn't enough. I was disappointed they're moving away form the old, flat-profile sole, but now I see them the minilugs are low enough thatthey don't ruin the look of the boot.
Yeh. I have the IRs 8111s and 8084, and a Blacksmith in the Hawthorne. I would really struggle on my next pair after just buying the Black Cherry Featherstone Beckman. I know I need another Blacksmith in my life, but, if the IR landed in the UK in that Leather, it would be hard to refuse. I wear them usually with Selvedge denim stacked to the neck of the boot. The Blacksmith needs some red leather in the UK. The Oxblood with that brass hardware would be insane.
So do I find the unedited version of this under the IR category or the BigBlacksmithCategory? Either way, those superior genes produced quite a specimen. Always a boot!
You're the man! Have been considering getting blacksmiths for a while. this video came at a perfect time. however, if by chance you know where to find any 8268's, or 2972's in a size 9, enlighten me. Love the content as usual man
Iron Rangers has that more iconic RW look to them. Also give it more character. Don’t get me wrong I love my Blacksmiths but Iron Rangers has much more of my love.
I just got my first pair of nice boots and went with the 3340. No regrets, these boots rule! Glad someone else agrees since 90% of the videos are about the Iron Rangers.
Blacksmith is more versatile for dressing up or down. Iron ranger has that toe cap that makes it a bit more valuable for outdoor activities and riding a bike and looks beter (imo) with time. Pick one ( or both if you have 800 euro laying around )
Love them both, but I generally prefer a cap toe to the plain toe. Oh man. Those blue suede IRs are gorgeous… I wish you were a size 11.5D. PS. You definitely should schedule a trip to Red Wing, MN. They usually have an amazing warehouse sale in early October, but it was off last year because of Covid. I got a pair of cherry red Beckmans for $49. Yes, you read that correctly.
Theres alot of better boots than the iron ranger, both hand made and factory, but there's one thing those other boots lack that the iron ranger does not, and that's the "it" factor. And I have a wide foot and it took me stages to break in mine. First month no insole, squats, and jumping jacks, second month insole tryoutS, see what I could fit and break in. Took time, took pain, but I'm now just waiting to wear them out so I can have them resoled with the leather.
Until they make an indigo Hawthorne blacksmith, there is no showdown haha (think 8117) 😎 One thing we both agree on is nitrile v. Mini lug 😖 I’ll have to challenge your definition of the blacksmith being more “stylish”. Conservative yes, sleepier yes. As you said, the Iron Ranger is more eye catching, and dare I say more “rugged” 🤔 The thought of boots doing the dirty deed never crossed my mind until watching this video 🤭
If you want the BEST BUILT between these two, then Red Wing is the only choice - The other one might be great for other reasons, but not in particular for longevity and build quality.
I’ve sold all my Iron Rangers, just not my type of silhouette.. Beckmans and blacksmiths are far superior. But then there are the 4545’s.. 😩 sexy beasts
I'm in a similar predicament. I own two pairs of Iron Rangers (Amber & Copper) and a pair of Moc Toe (Briar Oil Slick). I've been racking my brains on what to get next. Currently undecided between Moc Toe (Oro), Blacksmith.... or throw caution to the wind and add to my IR collection - looking at IR Hawthorne Muleskinner.
I still think the Beckmans are the best. too bad they don't make them any more. I don't like the vibram mini lug soles. they're the least comfortable to me
I have the Beckmans and Iron Rangers and the Beckmans fit way better. I think it's the stiffer leather and Rocia sole give it better shape. the Rocia sole gives better grip too I like the Iron Rangers but the Beckmans are they best. don't know why they discontinued them........haven't tried the Blacksmiths but I'm pretty sure I'd like them better than the Iron Rangers
