A tale of two Barlows (with my apologies to Charles Dickens)

C

Captain O

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Would anyone like to help me with a comparison/contrast between a Schrade (Chinese) and a Rough Rider Barlow knife? While neither are expensive knives, I'm certain that either knife can be pressed into service, but which of these "bargain" knives is the better bargain? :confused:

Captain O
 
Just from spending time on this site, my impression is that Chinese Schrade is garbage. The trapper I got looked great, but the blades ground against the liners when opening and closing. The Rough Rider Canoe is very nice by comparison.
 
I like my Rough Riders, and I like my Taylor/Schrades. I find them both to be very good for the price. That being said, RR's are noticeably less expensive than Schrades, while they do look much better and have better fit and finish. I'm not a huge fan of Barlows (trying to avoid the inevitable bolt of lightning from above now..) so I don't have either a RR or Schrade Barlow, however from looking at pictures of them I like the looks of the Schrade Barlow better. On the other hand, the "grandaddy Barlow" from Rough Rider looks very good. Personally I'm guessing Schrade has improved their knives lately as all of mine have been great as opposed to others' experiences; but for the best value knife, go with the Rough Rider.
 
That's odd. I hang out here quite a bit (a shocking bit of information), and my impression is that the more recent Chinese Schrades are quite passable.
 
knarfeng said:
That's odd. I hang out here quite a bit (a shocking bit of information), and my impression is that the more recent Chinese Schrades are quite passable.
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Decisions, decisions! :confused: It looks as if I'll have to look into buying a set of Schrade and Rough Rider Barlows. :p:D:thumbup:

Captain O
 
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Captain O said:
Decisions, decisions! :confused: It looks as if I'll have to look into buying a set of Schrade and Rough Rider Barlows. :p:D:thumbup:

Captain O
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When faced with a choice of which knife to buy, buying both is always the right decision. This is a true statement.
 
Cptn O, The Rough Rider Barlow with imitation Abalone makes a grand 'Sunday go to Meetin'' knife.

Mine is in the EDC rotation.
 
knarfeng said:
When faced with a choice of which knife to buy, buying both is always the right decision. This is a true statement.
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This is a true Knife Knut statement. Knife Knuts are those people with many sharp objects, a camera, tattered clothes and little money.

My experience with Rough Rider is that they are well made. I bought my first just to critique it and ended up buying another. The first was a Congress that has absolutely no blade rub as the440 blades are well positioned and crinked to fit in a thin frame. Very well put together with impeccable fit and finish. I was impressed, especially because it only cost $11!
 
IMO, RR for sure,the Barlow is one of their best knives and guaranteed to come sharper than virtually any slip joint on the market.
They are the gateway drug of pocket knives, a great way to try out patterns for small money, then get hooked on GEC :D

Really, buy the RR. I wouldn't lead you astray.
If you have a choice, the gunstoke bone makes for a great grip and is very nicely done.
Best regards

Robin
 
Pipeman said:
IMO, RR for sure,the Barlow is one of their best knives and guaranteed to come sharper than virtually any slip joint on the market.
They are the gateway drug of pocket knives, a great way to try out patterns for small money, then get hooked on GEC :D

Really, buy the RR. I wouldn't lead you astray.
If you have a choice, the gunstoke bone makes for a great grip and is very nicely done.
Best regards

Robin
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Seeing those three just sold me on trying out a Rough Rider Barlow. I've been putting it off for a while because like I said I'm just not a big fan of Barlows; however, those look too good to pass up for the price. A month or two ago I only had one RR, a TL-29 copy, but since then I've gotten either three or four more, they're just too affordable!
 
Pipeman said:
IMO, RR for sure,the Barlow is one of their best knives and guaranteed to come sharper than virtually any slip joint on the market.
They are the gateway drug of pocket knives, a great way to try out patterns for small money, then get hooked on GEC :D

Really, buy the RR. I wouldn't lead you astray.
If you have a choice, the gunstoke bone makes for a great grip and is very nicely done.
Best regards

Robin
...
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I agree with Robin. RR Barlow is a fine knife; I have a jigged bone barlow like the middle one in Robin's photo. I have a "gunstock checked" bone copperhead, and that handle material is very attractive. (I personally don't like the barlow shown at the bottom of Robin's photo; for some reason, it reminds me of a big beetle or cockroach! :eek::()

- GT
 
5K Qs said:
I agree with Robin. RR Barlow is a fine knife; I have a jigged bone barlow like the middle one in Robin's photo. I have a "gunstock checked" bone copperhead, and that handle material is very attractive. (I personally don't like the barlow shown at the bottom of Robin's photo; for some reason, it reminds me of a big beetle or cockroach! :eek::()

- GT
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I'm with you GT on the "saw cut bone" barlow. Normally the saw cut bone goes along with the "fancy" bolsters, at least on the barlow you don't get the over the top (IMO) bolsters.
IMO RRs are the very best bang for your bucks slip joints made. If you want a sharp out of the box knife RR is the real deal.

Best regards

Robin
 
5K Qs said:
(I personally don't like the barlow shown at the bottom of Robin's photo; for some reason, it reminds me of a big beetle or cockroach! :eek::()

- GT
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Making it the perfect knife to give the wife or girlfriend ... :eek: :D
 
5K Qs said:
I agree with Robin. RR Barlow is a fine knife; I have a jigged bone barlow like the middle one in Robin's photo. I have a "gunstock checked" bone copperhead, and that handle material is very attractive. (I personally don't like the barlow shown at the bottom of Robin's photo; for some reason, it reminds me of a big beetle or cockroach! :eek::()

- GT
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Thank you! I've thought that same thing about the 'armor hide' scale, but didn't want to say it. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad in another pattern, but something about the shape just......:eek:

Don't forget the white bone option:
 
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