My new Rough Riders, an ongoing commentary...

TLARbb said:
I got the other stockman today, which was sent as a replacement for fat-sided bark pearl one. It has brown "gunstock" checkered scales which are very nicely done. I give them an A+ on this knife. I believe anyone would like this checkered bone; it's a treat.

I will also mention that none of the three blades on this knife would shave out of the box, but it was useable as it came. It only took about 5 minutes on the india stone and strop to get it hair popping sharp. (I have only yet sharpened but the main blade though). The 440A steel does sharpen easily and I am watching the edge closely on my Congress whittler (my main test bed for now) to see how good the edge holding will be.

I'm itching to carry that Copperhead, but I am determined to give the Congress a fair shot before I move on.

Bottom line so far: These knives are very good values for the money and well worth what they cost.

I'm going to be looking at some more for next month I think.

Ed
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Glad your liking your replacement stockman TLARbb, the 'Gunstock' is the same pattern that i have.

Any blade rub between the Spey and Sheepfoot blades? i'm new to the Stockman pattern so i'm just trying to establish if this is the nature of this pattern or just a feature of my particular knife, thanks.
 
The Gunstock Bone (not to be confused with the pattern) is I think, one of the best RR offerings. I particularly like a green Mini Trapper I have in it and a Peanut with completely sunken joints. The brown version is handsome too and the shield discrete on this bone style.
 
Bad Monkey said:
Glad your liking your replacement stockman TLARbb, the 'Gunstock' is the same pattern that i have.

Any blade rub between the Spey and Sheepfoot blades? i'm new to the Stockman pattern so i'm just trying to establish if this is the nature of this pattern or just a feature of my particular knife, thanks.
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When the blades are parked in the handle there is clearance between the spey and sheepsfoot and the spey does not rub when closing the blade. However there is barely perceptable drag against the sheepsfoot when the spey is lifted out, probably because of the pressure of the thumb against the blade in the nail nick. It is going to leave a mark over time. The pull on the spey is pretty hard. I'm thinking that the spey on this knife (probably not unique to my knife) is a touch too long and it just runs out of clearance.

I did check the bark pearl one, which appears to be the same knife except for the handle material and the spey does not drag on the sheepfoot on that knife. The thickness of the pearl and the closeness of the nail nick on the spey to the top of the liner makes it tricky to get the thumb nail in there to open the knife. It's doable, but I'll probably avoid using the spey because it is a bit of an aggravation to get open on that particular knife. This situation does not exist on the checkered bone version.

My knives do not have a problem between the sheepsfoot and the main clip; they clear always.

I hope this answers your question.

Ed
 
Took a couple pics of the new stockman. First photo shows it in "full strut" with all blades out. This knife is a perfect light EDC size especially suited for office work or other light duty service. I like it a lot; especially like the price.

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This next picture is an attempt to show the checkered bone in a little better detail. It is surprisinglly comfortable to hold - giving a good purchase without digging in; it's as good as any jigging pattern in this regard, somewhat unusual and looks good.

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This final photo shows this knife in relation to a modern folder, a Spyderco Dragonfly. I bought this Dragonfly as my first (and still only Spyderco) to see what I thought about them. I found that it does not feel natural in my hand even though it is very finely made of very good materials. It is not, however, as hand friendly as this little RR stockman. I am not trying to say that this is better than the Spyderco, but rather the RR is a better fit for me and I will use it over the Spyderco.

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Notice the similarities in blade length, handle length. Notice also how much different the handle and blade shapes are. The Spyderco almost requires you to hold it a particular way, while the stockman allows you to vary your grip as needed to perform a specific task or use a different blade. Just different design philosophies at work. I prefer the stockman.

Ed
 
hey ed... that last pic of the RR stockman with the dragonfly is great. i think it is an excellent comparison of design and size. i'll take a stockman anyday.
the checkered scales RR is doing is very interesting too. very well done i must say.
how is that congress doing for you?

keith
 
The little Congress whittler and I are getting along very well. I am beginning to really like the sheepsfoot as a main blade and have not felt at all handicapped because the main blade isn't "pointy". It hasn't had much actual knife use so far, but opening boxes and cutting tape has not shown up any shortfalls with it. I'm sure I can get comfortable with it. ... but that sway back jack under the monitor is not happy about it.

Ed
 
I'm really like this thread. For the price, I've got to say the RR is really hard to beat. My favorite among them is the 4 3/4 inch sowbelly. I'm also very fond of their Rigger. The sheepfoot on the Rigger is just a really good utility blade.

This review has convinced me to get the Gunstock Sowbelly. I'm guessing it will be a good, if not better than the sawcut handle I've been carrying recently.

Thanks
 
TLARbb said:
When the blades are parked in the handle there is clearance between the spey and sheepsfoot and the spey does not rub when closing the blade. However there is barely perceptable drag against the sheepsfoot when the spey is lifted out, probably because of the pressure of the thumb against the blade in the nail nick. It is going to leave a mark over time. The pull on the spey is pretty hard. I'm thinking that the spey on this knife (probably not unique to my knife) is a touch too long and it just runs out of clearance.

I did check the bark pearl one, which appears to be the same knife except for the handle material and the spey does not drag on the sheepfoot on that knife. The thickness of the pearl and the closeness of the nail nick on the spey to the top of the liner makes it tricky to get the thumb nail in there to open the knife. It's doable, but I'll probably avoid using the spey because it is a bit of an aggravation to get open on that particular knife. This situation does not exist on the checkered bone version.

My knives do not have a problem between the sheepsfoot and the main clip; they clear always.

I hope this answers your question.

Ed
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It does, thanks very much Ed.

Craig
 
Well, I am sorry to report that I have "lost" or misplaced my Rough Rider Congress whittler, but happy to report that it served me very well up until then. I am still watching for it to turn up as I know it will, but I have been very satisfied with the knife. The love for the pattern still eludes me; hopefully, that doesn't have anything to do with "losing" it. It certainly would not have been intentional.

I have used the Copperhead twice for minor envelope and package opening just because it happened to be handy since I had misplaced the congress and it really feels nice in the hand and it opened the packages and letters like a laser, but that's hardly a test, but it feels wonderful in hand, perfect size for me. I like the size of it better than the Case Copperhead I have.

The long term test of the Congress whittler will resume when it comes back into the daylight.

Ed
 
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I put out an APB on that congress last night and it was apprehended hiding in the pocket of my oldest pair of work jeans and a wayward SAK and the mini copperhead were caught trying to hide as well. But all suspects are in custody now and will be placed on work detail shortly.

Ed
 
I have roughly 55-60 RRs and they are very nice knives and you cant beat the prices on them. I have 4 that I have used alot, they hold n keep a great edge and all still have great snap, the 2 I have carried most a red jigged bone sowbelly and a imitation abalone canoe I have had for 3-4 years and they are probably 2 of the best knives Ive ever carried. I also I have carried a mini trapper in the gunstock handle and it gets the job done time n time again. Then a few months back I bought a amber bone folding hunter that has made for an absolutley great skinning knife for fish and squirrels. I cleaned 10 squirrels before I even touched up the edge. Im a Case guy, but for price....I cant say anything bad about a RR. With a RR...if you lose it, break it, or its stolen....youre out $7-$20 (depending on handle/pattern). Where as you lose a case youre probably out at least $30.
 
thejamppa said:
For the price I pay Case, I expect them to last few decades easily. For Rough Rider, they're beaters and loaners.
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I do not see why RR will not last for a couple of decades.
Price and quality are not always the same.
RR proves this.

This $8 RR Sawcut Peanut is light years a head of my $25 Case Peanut in yellow CV
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I have purchased quite a few of the Sawcut bone with fluted bolster.
The F&F on all of them was outstanding
I gifted all of them to different non-knife folk.

I have followed up on one that I gave to a friend that has small farm.
A whittler with a split spring and a tapered spacer, a lovely knife.
He uses it constantly without mercy and it is holding up well.
 
neeman, the brown sawcut bone with fancy bolsters is my favorite RR series, of which I currently own 8 different patterns.
The most recent is this large coke bottle.

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The F&F is quite literally as good as 98% of the knives I own, and most of mine are GEC, Queen, S&M, etc.
No gaps or hanging edges, excellent snap, good grinds, no ripples in blade, which is perfectly centered, razor sharp out of box.
Paid $8 shipped! If only they made a series with 1095 steel, or even 1075 or 1080.
 
I can remember when being a RR fan was like having a secret drinking problem. "Hello I'm yobbos1 and I like Rough Riders";) I don't think of these as good knives for the money anymore they are just good knives. I own about ten now, here are a few of my favs along with a Colt (honorable mention) the fit and finish are as good as anything factory made out there and the steel is surprisingly good. My purely unscientific testing leads me to believe it is 8cr13Mov despite the 'razor sharp 440' etch. The barlows were especially surprising to me, I have beat the living daylights out of the red bone barlow and although the single blade yellow is new and untried it is a real jewel of a knife, nearly perfect in every way. Will any of these replace my Case small Texas jack and my medium stockman in cv? Probably not. Those two knives are 'just right' for me and usually ride with my Zippo in LFP wherever I go. I should add that I have owned about 10 RR's now and only one has disappointed. A french tickler sometimes called a 'pig sticker' an absolute piece of crap. So with me anyway RR's have a 90% success rate in delivering a satisfying product.
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Problems can arise with the hands on maker of any knife, regardless of where it is made.I have had hell, with one US made knife mod. They were a bad run.I contacted the company and they were very glad to learn of their problem knives.With my help they were able to figure out their failure.I have bought many knives from this maker and will buy more. I like many brands of knives but any maker can and often has issues with quality control.The rough riders that I own are very good well made knives.I like them.
 
kitkat52 said:
I am still waiting for my love of Bokers to be ok in the USA.
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I don't know where you're going with this but on this sub-forum Boker's are well respected amongst the membership.

We focus on the discussion and review of our knives here and leave politics and xenophobia for debate elsewhere.

Please don't stir up controversies where they don't exist and aren't desired.
 
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