Which is least bad:RR, Rite Edge, schrade?

MTHall720

MTHall720

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Sep 21, 2010
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I have three nephews I want to buy knives for. As much as I hate to say it this is a test for them. I believe the blades will get some use but not planning on them being well cared for. If they surprise me and enjoy them without losing or destroying them then I will get something nicer in the future
If the following cheap probably Chinese which of the following is the Best or the least objectionable in general?
Rough Rider
Rite Edge
Marbles
Winchester

Thanks guys.
 
My experience with RR is they are a good quality especially for the price. No experience with the others. Bucks made in China are good quality as well.
 
Rough Rider and Colt (made in the same plant) are at the top of the list, with Marbles OK as well.

My experience with Chinese Bucks and Schrades is not so good.
 
Don't forget the Opinel option. The no. 6 is very pocketable and a great knife with a very low price tag.

-- Mark
 
I would also vote option E) Opinel; it removes the spring from the equation if you were very worried about safety and is a better knife in most categories than the (generally very good) import slipjoints for the same price. But if you're set on those four then I would get an import Buck.
 
Along with Opinel's you might want to consider Svord Peasant knives or Mora's if fixed blades are okay. You can also find some pretty cheap Victorinox Tinkers if you look around a bit.
 
Opinel has become my standard low-cost starter knife for gifts, especially for kids. If the knife will sit for a bit, definitely go with INOX.

Wengner SAKs are generally available at many big box stores and make great starter knives too.
 
Well, about the brands you ask for, I can tell you nothing about Rite Edge or Marbles or chinese made Bucks. But I´ve had several RRs during the time and one Schrade (far-east-made). The RRs are a deal for the bucks you pay for. The Schrade was a cigar whittler that came razor sharp ootb but the steel was nearly impossible to resharpen. I don´t know what have done during HT, but it wasn´t an acceptable or even good steel, absolutelly nothing to compare with the american made ones that are still to find on the secondary market...
 
Another vote here for Opinel but out of your choices I've actually been pretty impressed with the Rough Riders I have. Not bad at all especially considering the price.
 
The Opinel is a good suggestion -- tough, cheap, comfortable in the hand. I don't have my #6 handy, but I suspect the blade is right around 3 inches, which is the magic number for getting in trouble in some places, FWIW.

I have import Bucks and Rough Riders. F&F is comparable on them, I'd say. The import Bucks' 420J2 feels very soft to me when sharpening. OTOH, I think Buck's Forever Warranty applies to the imports as well, and you'll not likely get that out of any other knife at that price.

I'll also point out that at a certain internet bookstore named after a river, the US made 300-series Bucks in black sawcut are not much more expensive than their Chinese equivalents and qualify for free shipping...

--Mark
 
At the price point, Rough Rider is a very good value. Decent knives for a low price. Many different, Traditional pattern knives. Get those boys a Rough Rider or two to carry and learn and probably break or lose, and get them a GEC, let them fondle it once in awhile, with supervision, and then put it up until they "grow into" it.
 
opinel makes a 'my first opinel' model with a rounded tip that might be somewhat safer than their very-pointy regular models.

i have a few rough riders and one newer 'imperial by schrade' made overseas. no experience with the other brands you mentioned. the rough riders seem just fine. they also make them in a wide variety of patterns and handles so you will have a lot to choose from.

might also suggest boker plus. they are also made in china, i believe. i have one of their hawkbills but they make some other patterns also.
 
Of the ones you've mentioned I'd say Rough Rider, has the best F&F, and quality control, though it's been my observations, that Colt puts out a slightly more expensive, and gaudy product, but sports heavier construction, and fit and finish that's slightly better IMHO. I'm still a firm believer that Rough Rider represents one of the best values in chinese cutlery. Absolutely fantastic knives.
 
Don't forget CRKT has some decent el'cheapos. The Taylor brand Schrade's are hit and miss on QC.
 
Monofletch said:
Don't forget CRKT has some decent el'cheapos.
Click to expand...

I was about to suggest CRKT. I've got a congress, and it's very decent for what it is. Worth the cost. I've only got a couple RRs, but they're well made for the cost too. I have a Steel Warrior, and it's worth the cost as well, but I don't think it's as good a value as the CRKT or the RR, for 2 reasons. First, the bone had a lot of excess dye. A sweaty hand will have a stain left over, and even after a lot of wetting and rubbing, a bit of dye will still come off, 2 years later. And of course now the color of the bone isn't exactly like it was. Secondly, after a couple years, the bone is separating from the liners a bit.

One thing that's common with all these cheap Chinese made slipjoints is the lower quality of the nickel silver bolsters. I have Cases and Camillus' that are decades old, yet the NS is shiny and silvery. I've got slipjoints that have seen daily pocket carry and use and fondling and are still shiny and silvery. But the NS on all of my Chinese made knives, regardless of brand, all yellow up quickly. My CRKT, which I haven't handled for months before just now, has fingerprints on the bolsters that I'm having a hard time polishing off (and a bit of bone shrinkage too).

In the end, I'd look at Rough Rider if only for the variety of patterns and handle options.
 
That reminds me, check out Chief brand. I meant to try one myself, but I'd forgotten about them. A few of their models look to be identical to some CRKT models (the medium congress, medium stockman, trapper, toothpick), yet cost less than half as much, and have stainless steel bolsters and liners rather than NS.
 
Over the last couple years, we've given away both Opinel and RR at our annual Scout Christmas grab bag. The boys beat the heck out of the RR (scout style) knives and they've held up as well as can be expected. They like 'em too. What surprised us more was how the Opinels (#6) went over this past year. The boys are more exposed to locking, single blade knives today than multibladed slipjoints, and the Opinel fits that bill. Can't beat the price either!

Cheers,
Griff
 
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