My curiosity of Rough Rider, needs to be resolved...

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

Well, Rough Rider has had a very good reputation for likely being the worlds best bang for the buck on traditional styled knives. That said, they being made in China has kept me from adding them to my collection. Not that Chinese made products, including pocket knives, can't be well made, because I know they have made quality leaps and bounds in recent years. We looked at Japanese made items much in the same way, and their products got better and better. But, for me it was not about all being junk (and they can certainly make some of that too)... it was more about my being surrounded by Chinese made items, not only at home, but everywhere I go. Also, I see that our buying their items may ultimately be helping a very real and potential military enemy. And, probably most important, I wanted to buy US made knives to keep Americans working, to show some American pride by displaying items in my home made by Americans.... And, maybe to somehow slow the process I see of everything being made elsewhere, and China is a major example of that. But, I started buying knives made in other countries. My collection has taken a turn of major diversity in not only brands, but also countries of origin. China only has one spot in my collection, a single fixed blade knife made in China for Browning. Now, with my selection of knives being from many countries, I figured I'd buy one Rough Rider to not only feed my curiosity, but to continue my diverse knife collecting. So, a mini Rough Rider lady leg knife is on order. It will finally let me see close up on inspection what RR is about. I made sure I stayed true to buying American as well, my also placing an order for a Queen 'Dawn of a New Era' knife. The Queen being about $150 total, and the Rough Rider being priced at about $7.50 total... my buying American has not gone DoDo.

 

[Peregrin]

Let's keep it about the knives, not where they are manufactured. Political commentary has no place in this forum. Any questions, please review the guidelines.

 

[jkulysses]

Well, Rough Rider has had a very good reputation for likely being the worlds best bang for the buck on traditional styled knives. That said, they being made in China has kept me from adding them to my collection. Not that Chinese made products, including pocket knives, can't be well made, because I know they have made quality leaps and bounds in recent years. We looked at Japanese made items much in the same way, and their products got better and better. But, for me it was not about all being junk (and they can certainly make some of that too)... it was more about my being surrounded by Chinese made items, not only at home, but everywhere I go. Also, I see that our buying their items may ultimately be helping a very real and potential military enemy. And, probably most important, I wanted to buy US made knives to keep Americans working, to show some American pride by displaying items in my home made by Americans.... And, maybe to somehow slow the process I see of everything being made elsewhere, and China is a major example of that. But, I started buying knives made in other countries. My collection has taken a turn of major diversity in not only brands, but also countries of origin. China only has one spot in my collection, a single fixed blade knife made in China for Browning. Now, with my selection of knives being from many countries, I figured I'd buy one Rough Rider to not only feed my curiosity, but to continue my diverse knife collecting. So, a mini Rough Rider lady leg knife is on order. It will finally let me see close up on inspection what RR is about. I made sure I stayed true to buying American as well, my also placing an order for a Queen 'Dawn of a New Era' knife. The Queen being about $150 total, and the Rough Rider being priced at about $7.50 total... my buying American has not gone DoDo.

I have 1 Rough Rider that I had to try out as well. It is a bone handled barlow and is actually a steal for $10. Pretty good fit and finish, walk and talk isn't to bad, I would say the pull is around 6 and came pretty dang sharp. With that being said I hate the stainless steel they use. Is harder than my carbon steels to put an edge on but doesn't hold the edge for very long compared to my modern folders that have quality stainless. I carried it for about a week or so but I just never could get over the country of origin and feel like a hypocrite for even owning it so it will be gifted away very soon. I had been waiting for the right person and I found out one of my employees nephew is only 12 and has a little knife collection going that he is very proud of. I just have to wait until the next time I see his parents so I can ask their permission first then it will be his.

 

[herisson]

Question being : "Rough Rider curiosity ?". Yes, I am curious, too. These knives get astonishing feedback... Astonishing for me because my experience is : the lower the price, the lower the hit/miss rate. And I understand the obvious reason is a stringent quality control ups the price in a significant way. So these RR knives look like a blatant contradiction to my understanding of the knife market. So much for the curiosity... I could have tried one already but the real deal killer was how closely RR copies traditional american patterns. It just kills my appetite.

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

Good thing about my latest RR order is, that it's so inexpensive, if I don't like it, I can gift it away or chuck it in the trash. But, my almost $150 incoming Queen knife.... well, I just hope and gots fingers crossed that it is awesome. I mean 150 dollars gives a knife a lot less room for excuses! LOL! ;-)

 

[Blues]

I could have tried one already but the real deal killer was how closely RR copies traditional american patterns. It just kills my appetite.

FWIW, most traditional "American" patterns were (copied) from England, Germany or other European origins.

As Gary has politely requested above, discuss the knives and their attributes. Leave discussion of the country of origin and politics for a more appropriate venue.

 

[herisson]

I won't tell you about my last S&M buy... But I sincerely wish you will be happy with your incoming knife. Queen / S&M is such an iconic brand, chock loaded with history and tradition, that it really MUST go on... And I've got two that I can sincerely like and use with confidence.

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

Oh, as for the Rough Riders being very close in appearance to American traditional patterns.... Is it not a fact that the owner of RR is an American? (I am not quite sure). But if it is owned by an American, it would explain the patterns being of American origin.

 

[jc57]

I've been curious about that brand as well. The "where its made" discussion is not a primary consideration for me. However, when I look at their product line, I realize that I already have one or more knives in the same general niche (size, pattern) made by Case, which I am quite happy using.

So other than being able to have personal experience with one so I can chat about them on a web forum, I have no particular interest in owning one. And that's not enough motivation for me at the present time.

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

I won't tell you about my last S&M buy... But I sincerely wish you will be happy with your incoming knife. Queen / S&M is such an iconic brand, chock loaded with history and tradition, that it really MUST go on... And I've got two that I can sincerely like and use with confidence.

Yeah, I do realize that quality control can be a problem with Queen and others that sell their knives WELL above Rough Rider prices. I wanted this Queen knife, so I contacted my vendor prior to placing my order. I let him know what I was looking to get... and made sure he understood before I placed the order. He guaranteed he would look over the knife personally before shipment. Him being a knife collector himself, I feel pretty confident that it will meet my expectations.... but, such is this online ordering stuff... can be full of surprises! ;-)

 

[knarfeng]

Peregrin said it. Blues said it. Now I am saying it.
Discuss the knives only or this thread will be shut down and I will go back and infract each violation of the posted rules.

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

I've been curious about that brand as well. The "where its made" discussion is not a primary consideration for me. However, when I look at their product line, I realize that I already have one or more knives in the same general niche (size, pattern) made by Case, which I am quite happy using.

So other than being able to have personal experience with one so I can chat about them on a web forum, I have no particular interest in owning one. And that's not enough motivation for me at the present time.

For me, it was an inexpensive way to not only feed my curiosity, but it will likely add at least one RR specimen to the collection mix. The Diversity thing I have going on with my collection, allows me to buy one of this or one of that, and just leave it at just that. So, even if I feel that the incoming RR is decently made, it will likely be my only RR. Just like my Opinel is likely my only Opinel. In other words, I will likely have some onesies and twosies that represent certain makers or patterns. The makers and patterns that I like more, there will be more of (hence my having more case and now queen growing in my collection)

 

[herisson]

Maybe my explanation wasn't spot on : I have no gripe with any country, i'm just talking taste... The RRs look to me like scanned Case patterns. They have no flavour of their own. Just my taste.

 

[paulhilborn]

I was fortunate enough to have been gifted a RR yellow canoe from Glocktenman (aka Randy). I like, so many had heard of the outstanding quality these knives offer. I received the knife sharp from the package, but me being me had to put my own edge on the knife---a quirk I suffer from.

Regardless, the f&f is amazing, the blades are utterly scary sharp. Yesterday I used it the scrape hardened wood glue from a dining room chair spindle I was repairing. In addition to that I whittled some of the dowel so the spindle would fit better before I glued and clamped it. Now it wasn't just a little scraping and whittling, more than what one would expect. After all was said and done it was still sharp enough to remove hair from my forearm.

All in all a terrific knife that will end up with my son once home from college :thumbup:

Thanks again Randy!!!

Paul

 

[Blues]

A few years back I was sent a handful of the RR and related brands by Chris, (Orca), to see and try out for myself. Chris requested that I give them away rather than send them back to him once I was done with them.

I must say that the quality was pretty impressive for an item at such a diminutive price. I ended up giving them as gifts to a variety of neighbors and workmen in the area. Each of the recipients appeared to be thrilled with their new pocketknife.

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

I was fortunate enough to have been gifted a RR yellow canoe from Glocktenman (aka Randy). I like, so many had heard of the outstanding quality these knives offer. I received the knife sharp from the package, but me being me had to put my own edge on the knife---a quirk I suffer from.

Regardless, the f&f is amazing, the blades are utterly scary sharp. Yesterday I used it the scrape hardened wood glue from a dining room chair spindle I was repairing. In addition to that I whittled some of the dowel so the spindle would fit better before I glued and clamped it. Now it wasn't just a little scraping and whittling, more than what one would expect. After all was said and done it was still sharp enough to remove hair from my forearm.

All in all a terrific knife that will end up with my son once home from college :thumbup:

Thanks again Randy!!!

Paul

Posts like that are one of the reasons I want to check one out up close... Something maybe someday I'll also do with Bear & Son... but those posts tend to not be so good. I really would like to add at least one Bear.... but will hold out for someday running into one or two in person

 

[herisson]

The ones that got me on the fence are their "Moonshine" series. You even get a steel flask with the knife and the package is delivered in a small wooden barrel...(I suppose the booze is not included, disappointing !)
The corn cob scales look really nice. Not trying to feed the addiction but so much for the curiosity... I will probably have to fall for the Canoe (my possible choice)to be able to talk strictly knives and get out of the "taste/opinion/assumption" ground.

 

[SaintlyBrees]

Add me to those curious about RR. I haven't given them a try yet but I ought to get one just to see. I'll follow this thread with some interest.

I was a bit skeptical of the CRKT Pocket Classics for some of the same reasons that the OP was skeptical of RR. But, having had positive experiences with some of the modern versions of CRKT knives, I gave the Pocket Classics a try and was very pleasantly pleased. IMHO, CRKT Pocket Classics are a very good value for the money. Would be nice if RRs are equally as good.

Thanks, Jimmy, for starting this thread and being willing to share your opinion of the quality and value of RR knives as you try 'em out.

 

[jon_slider]

iirc Rough Rider is owned by Smoky Mountain Knife Works, so the patterns they make are intentionally American Traditional Patterns. I like that I was able to buy a Case Peanut and a Rough Rider Peanut and then compare the two. I did the same with a Case Tiny Toothpic and a Rough Rider Tiny Toothpic. I also bought GEC Barlows and Rough Rider Barlows.

Here are my observations.
peanut comparison
The Case peanut has nicer smoother narrower scales. The jigged bone rough rider is more square and blocky. I disliked the Rough Rider Bone Peanut for being thick and blocky in the handle. I also had a tortoise Peanut from Rider. I liked the covers. btw the Rider peanut primary blade opens to a flatter angle than the Case peanut whose blade has an obvious drop below the line of the handle. Its just different, neither is necessarily better. My peanut is available in carbon, I personally am not a big fan of stainless. Rough Rider in Carbon would get my attention.

tiny toothpic
I had both a Rider and a Case
The two knives are very similar, both stainless. The cover materials are similar, but Case gets the edge for slightly higher quality material, albeit at a higher price. I bought the Rider in MOP. It looks slighly MOP ish, but more shell like. That is more like white shell with not so much clarity. This is one aspect of Rider that makes sense, I dont expect 100 dollar MOP on a 10 dollar knife. The Peanut TPick has Southwestern covers with stone inlays including turquoise. Its nice, but the stone is dyed, not super high price stuff. On the toothpic, Id say the Rider and Case are close, except you cant get Rider in CV.

barlow
The small barlow in Rider is slightly smaller than the GEC. I bought the smooth white bone Rider. I like smooth rounded things. The bone though has black stains. I dont recommend the white. The rider small barlow is a very nice shape and worth considering just to try different covers. Recommended if youre curious, and can live with stainless. I also have the GrandDaddy Barlow from Rider. Its a pretty thick blade, but again makes a good inexpensive gift, or camp kitchen knife.. My Gec Barlows have carbon blades, not available in Rider.

Regarding carbon steel, I like it for myself, but for gifting to non knife people, stainless has stone strong points. It saves me from explaining patina and rust management. And keeps the recipient from having to get over the idea that a "dirty" looking blade is not really bad.

Fit and finish with my Riders had been excellent, just a bit blocky in that the handle covers tend to be a bit thick and square, though that is not true of their small barlow. I like the way Rough Rider finishes their blades and spines, soft edges on the spine is to my liking. GEC leaves their blade spines really sharp, I always have to sand them down.

anyway, what rider is good at, is making a shiny blade with a very toothy edge that works well. There is even a youtube of a guy who dresses a whole deer with a Rider. He comments the knife stayed sharp and worked great. Rider is also good for an inexpensive test of a pattern you might be curious about. I bought Case peanuts and toothpick after a Rider of each, and Ive bought GEC barrows after Riders, then gave the Riders away. But that just means more fun for me. Every time I give away a knife, I make room to get one more for myself

Buying Riders has not stopped me from buying other brands, in fact, I just ended up getting some of each

 

[SaintlyBrees]

Nice write-up Jon. Thank you for taking the time to do that. Very interesting read.