Cattlemans Cutlery

[Jack Black]

Anyone any experience with the Cattlemans Cutlery and Roper ranges of knives produced/sold by American Buffalo Knife & Tool Inc of Sweetwater, Tennessee? Same sort of price range as Rough Rider, and I imagine similar provenance. Mainly use 3Cr13, but some 1055 and 1065. Few examples below.

Jack

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Never heard of them, but more options are welcome.... they might make a better looking version of what RR sells.

 

[CoffeeCat2112]

AG Rusell has them on his site. The description says that they're made in China, so maybe one of the factories that makes RR, Colt, etc. might be involved...?

 

[ptradeco]

Looks more like a Scout or Camper than a Cattle. But I suppose they can call it what they want. Other than that I have never heard of them.

EDIT: I now see Cattlemans and Roper are brand names not patterns. I stand self corrected

 

[Jack Black]

AG Rusell has them on his site. The description says that they're made in China, so maybe one of the factories that makes RR, Colt, etc. might be involved...?

Yeah, that's what I figured too Blaine. Glad I'm not the only one who hasn't heard of them! There are only a few models available here, but the carbon steel models look interesting as an alternative to RR. I just wondered if anyone had any first-hand experience as to fit and finish, etc. If AGR is selling them, I imagine it's good, and the prices are certainly low

 

[trey999]

If carbon steel knives are going to start coming from China, a lot of US knife companies are going to be hurting, in my opinion.

 

[knarfeng]

Mainly use 3Cr13, but some 1055 and 1065. Few examples below.

I have zero interest in owning a pocket knife shaped object with "blades" made of any of those alloys. 1055 makes a dinkum throwing blade because it's tough. Hold an edge? not so much.

 

[puukkoman]

I'm with you, Frank. Those steels are not what I'd want in a pocket knife.

 

[black mamba]

How much more expensive can it be to use 1084 or even 1095 instead!?! It can't make a difference of a quarter per knife, can it?

 

[Jack Black]

I'd still be interested to hear from someone whose actually bought/used one of these knives. Not expecting them to compare to GEC, but would be interested to know how they stack up next to Rough Rider, Colt, etc.

 

[shecky]

I have zero interest in owning a pocket knife shaped object with "blades" made of any of those alloys. 1055 makes a dinkum throwing blade because it's tough. Hold an edge? not so much.

C'mon, knarfeng... you know better than that. 1055 makes a very good knife steel. I'd bet nobody on this board would be able to distinguish it from what Opinel uses. Even the 3Cr13 is probably about the same as the 420J2 that works well enough when Kershaw uses it.

 

[BITEME]

Just got mine in the mail today.
-Fit and finish is nice(scales are snug and flush w/the bolsters),the wood scales tigerstripe I think is real decent.
-Decent edge ,catches on the nail nicely and removes armhair poorly,whittled on a 1x2 piece of fir,~50 times noticed a very slight dulling but still catches on the nail,still removes armhair poorly.
-Blades have a good snap and they are not touching each other
-The only thing I dont like is the Awl is really thin 1/16" so I put it on the table and put some pressure, and although it is a little springy it bent enough that I had to bend it back to have it full close as before.
-I will have to try out the other tools later to see how they hold up,
The knife does seem to be about the caliber as my Rough Rider knife I have and for under $20 it would be a good tackle box knife.

 

[Jack Black]

Just got mine in the mail today.
-Fit and finish is nice(scales are snug and flush w/the bolsters),the wood scales tigerstripe I think is real decent.
-Decent edge ,catches on the nail nicely and removes armhair poorly,whittled on a 1x2 piece of fir,~50 times noticed a very slight dulling but still catches on the nail,still removes armhair poorly.
-Blades have a good snap and they are not touching each other
-The only thing I dont like is the Awl is really thin 1/16" so I put it on the table and put some pressure, and although it is a little springy it bent enough that I had to bend it back to have it full close as before.
-I will have to try out the other tools later to see how they hold up,
The knife does seem to be about the caliber as my Rough Rider knife I have and for under $20 it would be a good tackle box knife.

Thanks a lot for the mini-review. I've mainly gifted on the Rough Rider's I've bought, but without reading the RR thread here I never even would have bought them, and I'm glad I did. I also happen to have a pal with the initials 'CC'!

 

[knarfeng]

C'mon, knarfeng... you know better than that. 1055 makes a very good knife steel. I'd bet nobody on this board would be able to distinguish it from what Opinel uses. Even the 3Cr13 is probably about the same as the 420J2 that works well enough when Kershaw uses it.

Poppycock.
1. 1055 makes a good throwing knife. Makes a fair sword. It does not make for a knife with anywhere near decent edge retention.

2. 3Cr13 IS 420J2. And I don't buy knives with that alloy from ANY knife maker.

You are implying that I am discriminating based on country of origin. NOTHING in my post supports that. Do that ever again and you will get an infraction for insulting a member.

 

[WA Martin]

I've got one on order. I'll have to be diligent to sue it when it gets here. Yardwork season is almost upon us so it may not be too difficult.

 

[Jack Black]

Look forward to hearing how you find it Wade

 

[WA Martin]

My Cattlemen's Cuttlery Scout knife came in last night's mail. At least in hand, it doesn't compare to my Rough Rider at all. My Rough Rider seems to be heavier and much sturdier. The knife, however does remind me of my first pocket knife, a Camp King. There is only a slight wobble to the accoutrements, the blade is nice and tight. As stated about though, the punch/awl is flimsy. Probably better off turning it into a fingernail cleaner of some sort. Very thin, very flexible - I wouldn't trust it...

Still need to cut something with it and see how the blade is.

 

[Jack Black]

That's disappointing Wade. Good to have the feedback though, much appreciated :thumbup:

 

[Berkley]

I'd still be interested to hear from someone whose actually bought/used one of these knives.

Ordered 3/7; just delivered today.:grumpy:

Roper Knives 0008CBB Chaparrel Series - Mini Trapper Pocket Knife with Brown Jigged Bone Handles.
Price $18.40 delivered.

3 1/2" closed. Weight 79 grams/2.8 ounces.

Clip is about a 6, spey about 5, half stops. No blade play at all on clip, spey feels slightly less solid.

Both blades slightly underbladed, neither centered. Fit of scales to frame is good except for one gap on top, fit to bolsters is acceptable at this price point. Gap in spring/iiner on spey.

Sharp enough to smoothly cut typing paper as received; I'm not big on shaving my arms, but probably wouldn't do it anyway.
Overall impression pleasant enough for the price. Comfortable in hand and pocket. Have plenty of chores coming up working in the garden; will give it a workout and report back.

 

[whetrock]

Looks good. 1055 or 1065 isn't just real appealing, but it's a step in the right direction, for these asian companies, producing traditional, American, patterns. It'll be interesting to see what Rough Rider has up their sleeve, heck they may come out of the same factory, who knows....... I kinda doubt it though.