6 mounth rough rider edc update/ short review

hogslayer

hogslayer

Joined
Oct 14, 2009
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402
I bought a rough rider barlow on ebay +/- six mounths ago for 8.50, an I loved it, great ff, an great sanp to the blades, an two perfectley centerd blades. So I thought I would give it a chance an edc it for a while but try as I might I couldn't cary it everyday :D. It's been in my edc rotation sence I got it. I'll start with the steel it's fine IMO better than tru sharp, the blades still have great snap to them an they are still centerd. The shield fell out, an the scales have bleed alot of ink to what they were an one of the bolsters make a clicking sound. I'm still happy with the knife, IMO it's a 10$ working knife, that I love.....Chris

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Knife Crazied said:
As long as your happy with its performance that's all that matters.
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I agree, we all have different expectations when we buy a knife of what it should do. But to be honest, most of my knife usage is done on food, letters,tape and boxes. With an ocassional Deer thrown in the mix. I have a few RR"s and they are a very good value. Thanks for the review.
 
Thanks for the review, I have several in my rotation, a good value for the money. I have a Big Whittler on the way.
 
Thanks, it's just a short review of how it has held up being in my edc rotation for six mounths.
 
hogslayer said:
The shield fell out, ]
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I just received a new Buck Lancer today that cost about three times what your Rough Rider did. When I unwrapped it and opened up the blades, the shield fell out in my hand. It's a very small knife and the shield is tiny. I'm glad I didn't lose it.

In my order (which also included a Case Tony Bose Swayback Gent --sweet!) I picked up a Frost Steel Warrior Congress for $9.99 to see what they're like. It has better walk and talk than an $85 Great Eastern I bought last month!

It's great to be able to get that kind of value, but on the other hand, I feel "dirty" for buying one of the Chinese knives. How can the buying public possibly resist the value of the Rough Rider and Steel Warrior knives?

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
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"How can the buying public possibly resist the value of the Rough Rider and Steel Warrior knives?"

Real easy. I've looked at more than a few and none have ever said "take me now." This has been for a variety of reasons, mostly because their designs and "feel" just don't speak to me. However, per this review, "shield fell out", "clicking bolsters" and "bleeding dye" all in 6 months. I have not had those problems with any slipjoint.

However, "As long as you're happy with its performance, that's all that matters."
 
They are excellent knives (for the money)No denying that and i own several.But for me,it's the pride in ownership that is lacking.I prefer to carry something that is not only very good,but also has some value and is worth something.I may want to trade it off,sell it,or whatever.Also,It just gives me a good feeling opposed to having a Chinese knife in my pocket.Yes,both cut well,but the Case,Buck,Queen,Custom or whatever is just better IMO.Not many pin the shields anymore.A tiny drop of CA will hold it if you didnt lose it.
 
I may not have worded it right heres in short is what I tried to say, I paid 8.50 shipped an when I first got it I said wow these do seem pertty good but after a few mounths of on an off carry it seems to be just a 10$ knife, But it seems to be the best 10$ knife I have. :)
 
brownshoe said:
"How can the buying public possibly resist the value of the Rough Rider and Steel Warrior knives?"

Real easy.
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I think you're missing my point. It's certainly easy for you and I to resist, but I don't consider the folks on this forum representative of the average buyer; knife enthusiasts probably won't be too interested.

But I'd guess the average guy on the street who sees a tremendous selection of patterns and models for $10 or $15 each is going to be a LOT less likely to decide on picking the Case, Buck, Great Eastern, Queen, etc. that costs three or four times as much.

Are the Rough Riders type knives going to be the final nail in the coffin for the American knife industry, or do the knife enthusiasts do enough buying to keep the domestic manufacturers in business?

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I would like to encourage support of the American manufacturers. Certainly if all one can afford is a Chinese (or other non U.S.) blade, so be it. You do what you have to do.

But if you can possibly spring for a U.S. blade at a low price point I think that is the way to go. We have lost so many historic marks, I hope we will not see further decline. I don't want to think of a world without Queen, Case, Schatt & Morgan, GE etc.

Garry
 
Not sure of the "Pride of ownership" argument.
You own a Rough Rider.
You are proud of it.
That is pride of ownership.
RRs are great knives.
By the way, I have a yellow Case CV Stockman, and the shield fell off the first day.
The springs don't align on the back when open OR closed.
There is wobble on all the blades.
inb4 "Yeah, but that is the exception" argument kicks in. LOL.
I'd say this is an extremely rare exception for RRs as well, since many people on this very forum have had many RRs, and fit and finish was great.
There can be a dud in ANY knife, no matter WHO makes it.
 
Good post, Garry.

I have a few Rough Riders and I have given several away in the past. Just bought a RR Scout a couple weeks ago.

Part of me is glad to have the option to buy a very inexpensive, decent quality pocket knife.

For reasons stated in your post, the other part of me wishes they never existed.
 
Yep, had a Queen BEM tear drop locking jack and the shield fell out the first day. The liner lock was barely catching and the edges was minimal sharp as well. I glued in the shield and eventually sold it. The Queen BEM folding hunter I got in the same order however, was excellent beyond needing the blades gone over. It's on my duty belt as I type this.

I too have mixed emotions on these knives. Earlier ones were less to write home about. There was always some small something off, a weak spring, off grind, etc. Even at their best the earlier ones were just a tad heavier and blockier than most of the American or German offerings. Lately though they've really paid attention. Not only has the F&F been much better, but they are doing things like swedges on the blades, rounded bolsters, better handle treatments, and other things that make them seem more "finished" and feel better in the hand and in the pocket. I've actually had and handled few late ones that got some compliments and would enjoy carrying, but ended up selling or trading them to a couple of guys at work.

The Cases, Queens, et al, still have a feel, hard to describe, inner vibration to them that seems deeper. Maybe it's the materials, scales, steel, finishing. Maybe it's just my nostalgic imagination.

There is a place for both. The guy who starts by buying a few RRs and starts to learn patterns and appreciate traditionals may well find that he(or she) is getting an itch to add some classic American or European names to their growing collection.

For the guy who just needs a decent working knife and not interested in anything more, $10 on an RR is going to serve him much better than a lot of the other junk out there. We can only hope those other guys get hooked and start gathering in traditional knives across the spectrum.

Glad the OP's is giving good service. As he stated, it's "just" a $10 knife, but he feels it was a good $10 spent. Nothing wrong with getting what you paid for out of something and a little more.
 
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I have a decent small collection of vintage American slippies that I enjoy. I have a few vintage German and Sheffield slippies that I enjoy. I have purchased two new American knives, one GEC and one Case. The GEC came with a dead coping blade no snap and a number of other issues. The Case peanut has an unbelievable twist, both blades rub on their liners. The GEC cost $150.00 landed in Canada, the Case cost about $50.00.
I have purchased almost 1000 Rough Riders in the past 4 years and dollar for dollar the RR knives beat the Case and the GEC by a long shot in F and F and very few have noticable flaws. I will continue to buy RR on the internet because I can trust them to arrive without major flaws. I will never buy another American knife without having it in my hand. I really can't understand why these companys can't get it right most of the time. I see a great deal of complaint going on regarding companies like Case, Queen, S and M etc, I don't see it with Rough rider. SAK gets it right, RR gets it right, why aren't the old American companies getting it right.
 
I think the best solution for those that want a Case or similar without the uncertainty is to get Case to have their knives made by RR.
 
Shing said:
I think the best solution for those that want a Case or similar without the uncertainty is to get Case to have their knives made by RR.
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Let's try not to be unnecessarily provocative. What we don't need is a sh#% storm here in our friendly little sub-forum.
 
dispatch 510 said:
Thanks for the review, I have several in my rotation, a good value for the money. I have a Big Whittler on the way.
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Make sure to write it up- I've been hunting for a Big Whittler in sawcut.

As for me, I see the Rough Rider line as a spiritual heir to the crown of the old shell-handle Imperials. They're inexpensive, decently made, aren't meant to hold up forever, but are good to toss in the pocket, put to work, and if you lose or break them it's no big deal.
 
Sword and Shield said:
Make sure to write it up- I've been hunting for a Big Whittler in sawcut.

As for me, I see the Rough Rider line as a spiritual heir to the crown of the old shell-handle Imperials. They're inexpensive, decently made, aren't meant to hold up forever, but are good to toss in the pocket, put to work, and if you lose or break them it's no big deal.
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I agree, although the RR line does a fairly good job of simulating the
traditional "quality" knives.

As I posted elsewhere, not everyone will buy them, for a variety of reasons,
but for what you get, for the price, is going to be serious competition
for the established companies.

Remember, most folks just want a knife to use. It's a matter of choice.

Ray
 
Sword and Shield said:
As for me, I see the Rough Rider line as a spiritual heir to the crown of the old shell-handle Imperials. They're inexpensive, decently made, aren't meant to hold up forever, but are good to toss in the pocket, put to work, and if you lose or break them it's no big deal.
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I think that's a good analogy. "Back in the day" quite a few folks went about their lives using those old "value" knives. Still remember seeing all those Imperial displays at the hardware store. Even had an Imperial sheath knife as a kid. Didn't know squat about sharpening and did more damage to the edge trying to sharpen it.

Of course now as traditional knife junkies we find those old Imperials endearing and wax nostalgic about them.
 
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