Got one of the Rigid sharpfinger clones in the mail today, the RGO152 (BEAR TOOTH) with black sawcut delrin handles and bead blasted dull finish. So here is my report to you, bear in mind I have not cut a damn thing with it.
Fit and finish very good. Except the shield which really shines, kinda high on the handle. Has the hole for the thong...er... lanyard or whatever you call it. Nice handle, identical to the 152OT. Blade is perfectly ground, very uniformly finished. Marks are etched on. "Made in USA" very proudly etched there. Very sharp, and looking at it, I think easy to keep sharp. 420HC steel, often maligned here in the forums. Big deal, I think the grind and bevel and heat treat are just as important as the steel. Nearly identical to the 152OT I have sitting right here next to it.
Sheath is nearly identical to the Schrade, except the edges are not polished. Other than that, perfectly serviceable.
The box... Is a box. Made in China. Just as is the 152OT box right here. Anyway, markings on the box make it plain it is a United product. Emblazoned on the top is "Rigid Classics". Other packaging differences: The Schrade came in a plastic bag, the knife not in the sheath, the blade protected by a cardboard sleeve. The Rigid was simply sheathed in the box. There is no accompanying paperwork with the Rigid. No sharpening instructions.
Also... there is no "lifetime Warranty" with the Rigid. Now that can say something about United's own opinion of their product. Or it could just say something about the world we now live in. You know, I am so used to seeing those words-- that claim to excellence and the manufactuter's pride and confidence in it's product (seeing those words on knives by BUCK, CAMILLUS, SCHRADE) that I just about missed it. How much extra $ is such a warranty worth to we consumers? Damn, remember the UH warranty against LOSS!?
The lack of warranty and the fact this Rigid knife lacks 100 years of tradition behind it is the only thing I see lacking. It is a good knife, just examining it. Use will tell the tale. The manufacture and sale of it has put food on American's tables, and if United can go head to head with the Chinee-- Taylor made crap, I say more power to them. I paid a bit less than retail fo this.. $20.00. Worth every penney.
OK... a difference in the blades, as I keep handling both knives: The Schrade has a very straight flat grind. The Rigid has a more concave feeling to it. This adds to my opinion that the Rigid will sharpen up nicely and rather easily.
That's it,
Phil
Never did get an answer though.
