Collecting Rough Ryders - Red Jigged Bone

H

Happy Hippo

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I collect Buck and Case knives. For Case, it is mostly the red ones. Just recently, as a lark, I've come to pick up a few Rough Ryder red jigged bone knives. At first, I was curious about how they compared to Case. Since they seem OK, I though I'd try to get all the red jig bone RRs. What I am finding is they made a lot of patterns in that red jig bone family. Also, a lot are very hard to find. They haven't been around for that many years, so I was expecting the task to not be so difficult. What I am thinking, because they didn't cost much is:
A). Collectors didn't take them seriously so not a lot were saved
B). People bought them to use them. They wore out and were tossed away.
C). Perhaps in the early years, they didn't make that many.

I am loath to spend a lot of money on early RRs because they seem rare now when I could be using that money on Buck and Case. But they do have some interesting patterns. How many people actually collect RRs? I have about 25 right now that were cheap and easy to find. But I have identified another 35 that I don't have. Problems, problems. Do I really want to pursue those? I am thinking maybe but very patiently, which is a trait I struggle with.

Although I have mostly red Case knives. The buffalo horn family is speaking to me. So for the 25 RRs I already bought, I could have bought 3 or 4 of them already. When I look at it that way, I don't want any more RRs.😀
 
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A few years ago I’d buy a new RR every month because I could pick it up for less than $10. I’ve noticed now that prices have gone up and there’s not much routine in their release schedule.

The Reserve knives are quite nice, sometimes approaching GEC in quality, but often a bit “off” in style choices. I think a single vendor now has first right to them.

Good luck.
 
I bought a bunch of RR's when they first came out. Can't really say I collect them, but I still buy them now and then (when funds are low). :)

They definitely offer many patterns and variations, so I could see someone collecting them.
But on the other hand, they're a good, low-cost user knife, so finding new in box older ones might be hard.
Many Case knives are bought just to collect, and they're kept new in box.

From a collector's point of view (IMO), there's really nothing compelling about RR knives, other than being a good working knife.
So, I'd rather buy one Case knife than 3-4 RR's or one GEC to a bunch of RR's.

I only have one red bone RR, it's about the size of a Case mid-hunter. Shortly after buying it, I could not find another one.

rr7.jpg
 
JPD1998 said:
I bought a bunch of RR's when they first came out. Can't really say I collect them, but I still buy them now and then (when funds are low). :)

They definitely offer many patterns and variations, so I could see someone collecting them.
But on the other hand, they're a good, low-cost user knife, so finding new in box older ones might be hard.
Many Case knives are bought just to collect, and they're kept new in box.

From a collector's point of view (IMO), there's really nothing compelling about RR knives, other than being a good working knife.
So, I'd rather buy one Case knife than 3-4 RR's or one GEC to a bunch of RR's.

I only have one red bone RR, it's about the size of a Case mid-hunter. Shortly after buying it, I could not find another one.

View attachment 2106017
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What number is that? It kinda looks like the RR313 (Copperhead). The one I see on the internet says RR313 on the blade on the other side. But this is also my point. Even if I did want to collect the Red Bone versions of this, it is hard to figure out how many versions there actually are. I searched Worthpoint and found quite a lot. That is a nice looking knife and good picture.
 
Happy Hippo said:
What number is that? It kinda looks like the RR313 (Copperhead). The one I see on the internet says RR313 on the blade on the other side. But this is also my point. Even if I did want to collect the Red Bone versions of this, it is hard to figure out how many versions there actually are. I searched Worthpoint and found quite a lot. That is a nice looking knife and good picture.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure of the number, my knife isn't marked, and the box is long gone.
But it's not a 5" inch hunter (RR313), it's 4", about the same size as a Case Mid folding hunter and larger than the regular RR copperheads.
 
I generally buy what I like, thus if I find an interesting RR, or other brand, I get it.

I bought several RRs about over a decade ago and two were in red jigged bone, which looks really good.

Will they ever go up in price, become collectable? I doubt that will happen for all, but maybe some models will.
Here are some cute ones:
https://imgur.com/tIl1vCO
https://imgur.com/8ktK5Xk
https://imgur.com/W77HeCf
https://imgur.com/GcosMLl
https://imgur.com/52MmWjK
https://imgur.com/a8aDeMK

and a red one:
https://imgur.com/Pjll8NV
 
I think I am not going to further expand my RR collection of Red Jigged Bone family. There are too many versions and they are not easy to find at a decent price. I'll stick with Buck and red Case.

And, as I said, maybe Case Buffalo Horn.
 
I like this one I got 10 or more years ago: well finished, good colour and very unusual pattern Eureka Stockman 3 3/8" I doubt RR will become sought after as 'collectible' and in many ways this is a good thing. 'Collectibility' is often irrational and can sometimes give vent to negative energies: envy, greed, resentment and money wasting etc.

Seek what you can find and take pleasure in that.

fyxUEJa.jpg
 
Will Power said:
I doubt RR will become sought after as 'collectible'
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I've seen some old discontinued RRs on bay for double/triple of their original price. That's not much of an amount itself though, but talking about percentage ratio, it is big, so they already are in fact collectables. But of course not as sought after as GEC or something.
Will Power said:
Seek what you can find and take pleasure in that.
Click to expand...
Amen!
 
Will Power said:
I doubt RR will become sought after as 'collectible' and in many ways this is a good thing. 'Collectibility' is often irrational and can sometimes give vent to negative energies: envy, greed, resentment and money wasting etc.

Seek what you can find and take pleasure in that.
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- yep, well said, sir.!

i bought a few of them when the nice faux Stag ones arrived here in UK - they're all put away - for, if I ever need to sell my Oesers, Penas, Dunlaps and Dowells etc in my dotage to pay for a bottle of whiskey, loaf of bread, whatever.........I will still have knives to play with 😄
 
Chui said:
if I ever need to sell my Oesers, Penas, Dunlaps and Dowells etc in my dotage to pay for a bottle of whiskey, loaf of bread, whatever.........I will still have knives to play with 😄
Click to expand...
There is great satisfaction in that Paul.
 
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