Older "Rigid" and "Gerber" question

C

Clan Gunn

Joined
Oct 28, 2012
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164
Still image/picture posting challenged.

Have a large and heavy Rigid folder w/ finger notches, bought this knife about 38 years ago. Suggested value and thoughts about it please?

The second folder is a Gerber with brass and wood inlay, nice looking and feels good in the hand. As above, suggestions about value/thoughts, please.

The reason for the question; I stumbled on a post that strongly suggested BladeForums readers avoid the newer Gerber knives. Were Rigid knives made by Gerber? Were Rigid brand knives of a very good quality some 38-40 years ago?

Many Thanks
 
The original Rigid knife company was started by Bill Duff and Don Colum. Both worked at Buck before that. And it was long rumour that Buck parts and such secretly made their way into those knives on the sly when they where starting up.

The line was benchmade, and met with decent success during that time. The knife you probably bought was the R-9 Apache, as that was their most popular knife at the time. The quality was as good or a tiny bit better than Buck or others during the time. Check Ebay for prices.

The best article on them I've seen is in the "Guns and Ammo Guidebook to Knives" from 1973-74 written by Burton Miller.

The Gerber is either a Gerber Magnum or Folding Sportsman. They were popular knives, the Sportsman was a favorite of folks that did not like bulk of the Buck 110 or 112. They were quality knives, and quietly influenced by the knives Ron Lake was custom making at the time, although they seldom admit it.
 
I've often wondered about Rigid knives myself, although in relation to Schrade rather than Buck. I own two Schrade XT2B fixed blades, one made in the US and the other in China following the Taylor Brands takeover. I also own Rigid and and Outdoor Life knives that are in all visible respects identical to the American-made Schrade, including the USA stamp/logo. If these are copies, then they are the most blatant copies ever, but I suspect that one company made all three knives. The plot thickens, because the Outdoor Life knife packaging states that it's manufactured by United Cutlery. On one hand, I know that United did at one time build knives here in the US (I have a couple others stating this, anyway) but I don't think that people intending to buy a Schrade would have necessarily wanted a knife actually made by United. No idea about Rigid.
 
Rigid knives used to be really nice. Now, not so much. That's about all I know about it.
 
I have a small Rigid lock back, all stainless pinned construction. It's as tight as a drum yet looks like its been through hell. I will upload a pic if I find it.

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