Rough Rider

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RR makes some good stuff. Factor in the price, and they are a phenomenal value. While they obviously aren't up to the quality of a good $100+ GEC, their fit and finish is surprisingly better than pretty much any randomly selected Case I have handled in the last 5 years. The cheaper labor and only OK steel is how they come in at such a low price with such nice walk and talk.

Now, I've had a couple lemons out of the dozen, but almost all have been incredible value.
 
Two lemons out of a dozen isn't very good quality control.

Lemons is a strong word. I suppose it would be more fair to say, "within line of what I would expect to find in a knife I paid less than $12". Really, my less than stellar ones were perfectly serviceable. They just were sub par compared to the gems I received. I've got a 19 dollar 6 blade trapper with incredible walk and talk. Centered blades, uniform grind, no side to side wobble. The steel is only service grade stainless and the "alligator" scales are obviously fake. There are also a couple of rough tool marks on the inside of the springs that could have been polished out. However...19 dollars.

Currently, entry level Cases are regulated to father's day and christmas gifts from my wife and daughter. Something carbon steel that patinas nicely and won't break the $60 mark. They can go online and pick out whatever color and pattern they want, and I will gladly carry and cherish it. However, I honestly do find the RR knives to have better fit than my Case's, and they have become the knives I keep scattered around the office and warehouse for odd cutting jobs. I'm not a Case hater. I have well over 20 of them. Some are pushing 60+ years old that were found for pennies at yard sales. They have incredible walk and talk. The past 7 Cases I have bought/been given over the last 5-ish years have had at least one of the following: blade play, over polished shoulder (so the edge smacks into the spine when it closed), scales not flush with the bolsters, etc. I just don't find them to be as tight of tolerance as the older ones.

The RR have become what I use for day to day abusive chores, the Cases are affordable gifts that take a laser edge. When I want a knife that really scratches the quality slip joint itch, I'll pony up the $100 for a GEC. I got a blem Beer Scout for $80 last father's day, and it pretty much took over pocket carry. The RRs are what I hand my workers to open up boxes or cut drain tile. I don't mind if they get buggered. I'm still impressed with the build quality for what you pay.
 
The RR have become what I use for day to day abusive chores, the Cases are affordable gifts that take a laser edge. When I want a knife that really scratches the quality slip joint itch, I'll pony up the $100 for a GEC. I got a blem Beer Scout for $80 last father's day, and it pretty much took over pocket carry. The RRs are what I hand my workers to open up boxes or cut drain tile. I don't mind if they get buggered. I'm still impressed with the build quality for what you pay.
I know RR makes a handful of back locks, but they're mostly known for slip joints, and traditional wood or bone handles. I'm curious as to the reasoning for using them for things like cutting drain tile. Wouldn't one of the decent $20+/- modern folders with a locking blade and textured synthetic handle be safer and easier to use for those types of tasks? Wouldn't even a sturdy utility knife with disposable blades be safer and easier than a slip joint?
 
I know RR makes a handful of back locks, but they're mostly known for slip joints, and traditional wood or bone handles. I'm curious as to the reasoning for using them for things like cutting drain tile. Wouldn't one of the decent $20+/- modern folders with a locking blade and textured synthetic handle be safer and easier to use for those types of tasks? Wouldn't even a sturdy utility knife with disposable blades be safer and easier than a slip joint?

Oh totally. I'm not saying that I buy them for the guys to use. What I'm saying is that I PERSONALLY have so many of them laying around my desk/office/truck/warehouse, that when one of the workers says, "Hey, I forgot my knife...can I borrow yours?" they are handed one of the 15 dollar RR and not the $250 Zero Tolerance:D

My kindhearted little brother made that mistake one time, and now he has a loose blade and blunted tip...on a ZT fercripesakes! I tell ya, hired hands could bust a ball baring in about 4 minutes left to their own devices.

So, no, I don't provide them with knives, but if I choose to loan one out it's a beater. I'm just shocked they aren't loose with the blade snapped off when they hand it back. They still walk and talk just fine.
 
I host a blackpowder shooting match every spring at my farm. I have been buying Rough Rider knives to give as prizes. I have bought over a dozen in the last three years, even a few for myself.

I cant see why they arent more popular. Fit and finish is good, the blades are razor sharp. They never get a mention among knife lovers.
Why is that?
Its easy to break or lose a good knife doing my job.
These Rough Riders have been good, and the guys that have won them say they like theirs too.

View attachment 785938

Gun carrying types are infatuated with items made in USA. Them inexpensive RRs are probably good value for money spent. Chinese tools can't be hand bent like they used to be. To me quality mass produced blade means Seki Japan. It's nice to buy factory direct without lining some corporate pockets here. I prefer to keep money in my own pocket.
 
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There are some remarkable deals out of China these days since several companies decided to produce at a full range of quality and design levels. The traditional pocket folder market seems to be just filled by RR today, but some of Hallmark Cutlery's folders were pretty nice just a few years ago.
 
I host a blackpowder shooting match every spring at my farm. I have been buying Rough Rider knives to give as prizes. I have bought over a dozen in the last three years, even a few for myself.

I cant see why they arent more popular. Fit and finish is good, the blades are razor sharp. They never get a mention among knife lovers.
Why is that?
Its easy to break or lose a good knife doing my job.
These Rough Riders have been good, and the guys that have won them say they like theirs too.

View attachment 785938
never tried one ill pick one when i get the extra cash. i love the old style knifes just there are a pain to open sometimes its me not the knives i chew my finger nails to stumps. what kind of bp shot do u do wish we had them around here.
 
If the scales keep splitting why do you like them?
I like the designs. The classic styling is my preference to the new tactical folder mess. Their warranty is good, but it’s frustrating to have to use their warranty so much.

It’s also frustrating to find a pattern that I like and then it be discontinued by the time that I get back to SMKW to swap it for a new one.
 
what kind of bp shot do u do wish we had them around here.
I have a heated mancave with a open shed on one side. I set up 50yd rifle targets. I invite the guys from my local bp club to come over for a little competition that i call the Cabin Fever shoot.
We mostly sit around the woodstove and drink coffee.
Sometimes we venture out and try to get our rifles to go off five times at a target.
Then we throw another piece of stovewood in, and have a meal that mrs farmer has prepared.
 
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I have a heated mancave with a open shed on one side. I set up 50yd rifle targets. I invite the guys from my local bp club to come over for a little competition that i call the Cabin Fever shoot.
We mostly sit around the woodstove and drink coffee.
Sometimes we venture out and try to get our rifles to go off five times at a target.
Then we through another piece of stovewood in, and have a meal that mrs farmer has prepared.
sounds very cool and fun great idea :thumbup:
 
Wow I never had an issue with the Scales.
I refuse to carry a plastic handled knife. The scales I have had split are all bone and they seem to be splitting due to a poor drying out process. As they dry out more as time goes on they crack, cracks become splits, splits become breaks and finger pinchers. If I were to go with one of the better plastics as a scale material I probably wouldn’t have the issues I’m having, but plastic feels cheap and I don’t like it. Looks like crap too.

The glow in the dark scales almost got me last time I was at SMKW, I plan to bite rather than nibble on my next trip.
 
I have several Rough Rider knives along with a collection of classics from Case, Keen Kutter, Buck, Western, KaBar, Marble, etc. I give away a lot of the RRs in lieu of tips for people who do work around the house, or to helpful folks at hotels. I think think they are an excellent value at the price point. The only problem I've experienced is one stockman lost its inset trademark on the scale.
 
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