My first Rough Rider - mini review

akadave2

akadave2

Joined
Jun 21, 2008
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So after reading the good words about Rough Rider knives in this forum I decided to give them a try even though I have a been a staunch "Buy USA" knife advocate forever. So keeping an open mind I ordered a pattern that I have always wanted (vintage Case version) but it was always more than I wanted to pay for a specimen in really good shape. I mean its a pattern that I will not use very often as well since I think its pretty specialized. Im talking about the Rough Rider Hawkbill.

The Positive: Fit and finish are very good actually. And I dont mean for an Asian import. Its good. A little roughness on the bone covers but not as much as my brand new GEC Hound Tooth so not a strike at all as it will smooth out with carry. The pull is perfect, I dont want to say scale wise because I dont know if I have it down. But its not too hard and not too light. Half stop is a tad light but more than adequate and it opens with authority. Also its very very smooth. Some of my new knives from big makers are not this smooth. No hint of looseness or wobble. Bolsters are very nice. Im guessing Nickle Silver but it has a brass cast to it but they are nice. No gaps whatsoever pins are perfect and it came out of the box sharper than any of my Case knives.

The Negative: Not much to say here. The shield looks cheap. I dont know if its pinned. If so then great but I suspect its glued in. Case glues theirs and that is why I mostly buy older Case knives. Also at half stop the spring is not flush. Doesnt look like any effort was made to make it flush. Its a nitpick but a negative nonetheless. Thats it two tiny things.

Overall: Great knife regardless of price point. Jury is still out on the blade steel as I have not used it yet but there is no reason to think it will be a problem. I will definitely be trying other patterns of Rough Riders!


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Thanks for the objective review. Just got one of their tiny locking Barlows in a very good bone called Armour Hide, like Armadillo I think. I'm delighted with the little gem anyway.

As for shields, I'm certain it's a stick on job....RR shields vary a lot, most are cheap looking but the small Bowtie one is actually very good.

That Amber Bone on the H.Bill should wear in and mellow nicely, mine have anyway. The steel on the RRs I have appears sound, they usually come lethal&sharp, they seem very fair at retention, I've no complaints.

Regards, Will

P.S. There's a new pattern called Half Hawk which interests me, it has more of a Sheepfoot/Cotton Sampler style blade.
 
had three rough riders and recently traded one away for a fourth.
havent carried any of them much because ive been too deep into my svord peasant and douk douk.
one has the blade rubbing against the liner a little at the tip but the others seem fine to my inexperienced eye. the new ones were all sharp when i took them out of the box.
cant say anything yet about durability or how they hold an edge.
 
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