Frankly, I think this shopkeeper was talking off the top of his head, to put it politely
There is no connexion between CASE and Rough Rider and you cannot patent a knife pattern only the marque, why else do most slip-joint companies offer the same or similar range of existing patterns!
Let's address other issues: contemporary CASE output has been of extremely high quality (I can't speak for the previous century) but the 9 CASE knives I own are really excellent-sharp, no gaps,blade-play or roughness. I'm a proud Euro owner of these fine authentic pieces of American cutlery heritage, and I hope to add to my collection. The same cannot be said for the Queen Cutlery knives or Schatt&Morgans, or sadly, Canal Street, I have, they all have issues-blunt,blade wobble,horrible gaps and they cost a fair bit. Whereas, the Rough Riders I have: locking Sodbuster, Peanut, Lockback, Sow Belly,Copperhead have no gaps, blade wobble and are very sharp. There ARE some differences between Rough Rider output, the Gunstock range of knives is appreciably of higher quality in build,action and fit than the others, The Peanut, Copperhead and Mini Trapper I have are simply superb for this money or for many times more frankly. I use the Mini Trapper everyday out in the garden for beater tasks,prodding etc and it is faultless, sharp and feels nice.
For me, these knives are an excellent way of acquiring patterns that you are unfamiliar with before making some costly mistake. They appear to be very good working-knives and are certainly not some rubbish that fall to bits in a week or two or feel rough in the hand. Of course, I understand if people have reservations political or economic about buying Chinese knives, fair enough, but they are not junk. CASE make first class production slip-joints, Rough Rider is not so far behind (they have no heritage it's true but they offer an honest product at a very tempting price) Other American companies need to take note here, if CASE can deliver consistent quality then so must they. It IS depressing that Schrade, Camillus, Marbles and others have ceased or moved elsewhere. Price is important but more vital is consistent quality, this is where CASE has its trump-card- heritage, authenticity, choice and :thumbup::thumbup:reliability:thumbup:
