First post - too junky to buy?

K

KnifeGuyinSocal

Joined
Apr 19, 2007
Messages
61
knife.jpg


I'm just getting back into knives. I was into them about 5 years ago, and bought 4 good quality factory made knives.

The original Benchmade 'Eclipse' (Ascent, Pika) in ATS 34 was my EDC for 5 years. I lost it and about a week ago started doing research on a knife to replace it. Settled on a Spyderco Native C41PBK in S30V, which is on the way.

I also really want a Carbon Fiber Handle knife and don't have the money right now to spend on even the cheapest decent one I found that I like - A Lone Wolf T1 at about $80.00.

How disappointed will I be, quality wise, in this Rough Rider if I'm used to Benchmade and Spyderco quality? I think it will go for under $20.00. Anybody have one of these? Any other sub $30 Carbon Fiber tactical style ( non 'Gentleman' style) folders?

Thanks
 
The fit-and-finish of some of the cheap imports has been improving. But you still get junk steel and worked-over designs.

I know you really want a carbon fiber handle, but there are so many nice good-quality knives that I'd rather have for $20...
 
Depends on what your priorities are for having a knife. For me, I look at the steel--the type, heat treat and profile--before anything else. I'm picky in that I want something that will take a sharp edge and keep it. I use my edges for slicing and push cutting.

Then again, I don't pry, scrape or screwdrive with my blades--if I did I'd want a tougher blade with less edge-holding ability. For me the $40 Walmart Spyderco Native is a perfect user. The steel performs exceptionally well at that price point, and I can live with the Zytel scales as a trade off.

For you, it sounds like handle comfort, looks and light weight might be the priority. If you're sure about that, I think you've found your knife.
 
GarageBoy said:
Skip it..it's a rough rider..come on..
Click to expand...

I did a couple searches here and a pocket knife forum and came up with vastly different opinions. Many said they're absolute junk, but others said that for the price they're ok and compared them to Case - but this was mainly for their $5.00 'old style' folding knives.
 
RobbW said:
Depends on what your priorities are for having a knife. For me, I look at the steel--the type, heat treat and profile--before anything else. I'm picky in that I want something that will take a sharp edge and keep it. I use my edges for slicing and push cutting.

Then again, I don't pry, scrape or screwdrive with my blades--if I did I'd want a tougher blade with less edge-holding ability. For me the $40 Walmart Spyderco Native is a perfect user. The steel performs exceptionally well at that price point, and I can live with the Zytel scales as a trade off.

For you, it sounds like handle comfort, looks and light weight might be the priority. If you're sure about that, I think you've found your knife.
Click to expand...

For THIS knife, Carbon Fiber is the priority. I know that a $20.00 Byrd would be a much better knife, but I love Carbon Fiber, and if this knife is not absolute junk it should fit the bill.
 
I wouldn't bother. I know that some Rough Riders are decent for the money by some people's standards but if you have had good knives like Spyderco and Benchmade, you probably will never be happy with cheap knives again.

I don't know anything about that particular RR but I am willing to bet that even the Spyderco Native would make it look and feel like a POS. My vote is that it will be $20 WASTED. I have found many, many times, it is better to put that money towards what you will really like and want than to buy junk. Eventually you will probably get a nice carbon fiber knife but if you buy that $20 one first, it will take you longer and be more expensive.

Do what you want but you asked for advice and we are giving it. In 5 years, you will be giving the same advice to someone else. Might as well buy quality now and be ahead of the game for once.
 
KnifeGuyinSocal said:
For THIS knife, Carbon Fiber is the priority. I know that a $20.00 Byrd would be a much better knife, but I love Carbon Fiber, and if this knife is not absolute junk it should fit the bill.
Click to expand...

It ain't worth buying this knife for the CF scales.
You're buying a complete knife.

And this knife is not very good at all.

Take a pass on a few knives like this, and pretty soon you'll have the money to buy a good CF knife. Quality always wins in the end.

Knives like this end up disappointing you and going into the garbage.
 
Another option is to buy whatever knife you like and try and find some CF slabs. I think I have seen it for sale on E-bay. That way you get to mess with the knife yourslef. If you use the old scales as a template, I bet you could make your own.

As a matter of fact, I may even try my hand at this stuff. I am not that keen on CF so I will look for a material that suits me better. CF is probably not as easy to work with as wood or metal. It seems to splinter and crack easy.
 
rifon2 said:
Knives like this end up disappointing you and going into the garbage.
Click to expand...

Or putting your finger in a bag of ice on its way to the hospital :D


Like every one else said, just save your money, its honestly not worth it.
 
kgriggs8 said:
As a matter of fact, I may even try my hand at this stuff. I am not that keen on CF so I will look for a material that suits me better. CF is probably not as easy to work with as wood or metal. It seems to splinter and crack easy.
Click to expand...

Carbon fiber can be a serious hazard to your lungs if you work it without really good protection.
 
KnifeGuyinSocal said:
knife.jpg


I'm just getting back into knives. I was into them about 5 years ago, and bought 4 good quality factory made knives.

The original Benchmade 'Eclipse' (Ascent, Pika) in ATS 34 was my EDC for 5 years. I lost it and about a week ago started doing research on a knife to replace it. Settled on a Spyderco Native C41PBK in S30V, which is on the way.

I also really want a Carbon Fiber Handle knife and don't have the money right now to spend on even the cheapest decent one I found that I like - A Lone Wolf T1 at about $80.00.

How disappointed will I be, quality wise, in this Rough Rider if I'm used to Benchmade and Spyderco quality? I think it will go for under $20.00. Anybody have one of these? Any other sub $30 Carbon Fiber tactical style ( non 'Gentleman' style) folders?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I got it yesterday. In my excitement to get a carbon fiber handled knife, I missed the fact that this knife has no pocket clip! Oh well. For under $15 delivered, the carbon fiber handles are 'worth the price of admission' alone, if you have a 'thing' for carbon fiber like I do. There is no flex to them at all. They are genuine solid carbon fiber. I was wondering if they might turn out to be plastic with a carbon fiber 'facing' or fake carbon fiber. (patterened plastic) They're not. (might be good for 'projects', too) The fit and finish is decent, except for the thumb stud screw post is slightly shorter than the depth of the hole. It has a real stainless steel blade too! ;) Pics in the next few days. If someone handed me this knife and it had no name, or 'Made in China' on it - the blade said 440 - and asked me to guess the price - I can honestly say that I would estimate that it had an MSRP of at least $75.00. It probably uses a much lower grade steel than 440 though. All in all, I'm impressed.
 
I have a Rough Rider Peanut style slipjoint , the F&F is nice , blade walk and talk in nice as well , for the price ($10.99) I have no complaints. Blade steel is 440c , no complaints there.
I think companies like RR have a definate place in the market if they keep the quality up , these are not "gas station" knives at all.

How is the lockup and blade play on your new knife ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top