Rough Rider good place to start?

A book is a good place to start. There was a time when traditional knife collectors would walk around knife shows lugging books with them. Now days most folks shop the web and surf the web for answers. Frankly, there's probably as much misinformation as well as information on the web. But it seems people seldom go the book route these days... must be an outbreak of an allergy to paper products. ;)

Rough Rider et al has a nice selection of patterns. I often remark that they have done a really good job bringing back LOTS of old patterns... probably more than any other company. I hate recommending any one brand as a good place to start though. But since most folks aren't going to bother to read books or go to knife shows etc, I suppose buying a selection of low cost knives is a good place to start.
 
Very good knives. Not good for the price, but good in their own right. I have several, and haven't been disappointed yet.
 
Rough Rider is a good place to start. You can keep your spending down and get experience with a lot of different parts "IF" traditional slipjoints is what you're in the market for. I will note that there is a difference in fit and finish between the different slipjoint makers...
 
My most recent Rough Rider is the improved muskrat. The bone looks better in person than it did on the net. Both blades are sharp and evenly ground. Pins are flush, bolsters fit. There are no gaps between scales and liners. In fact none of my four RRs show gaps there. A couple of them do show a little light between springs and liners. So does my Case stockman. In any event, the muskrat is a nice knife.

So is the large toothpick, and so is the marlinspike. These are not my first traditional knives, but I would not be disappointed with them if they were. I will probably try a GEC or two, as soon as I figure out what I want. In the meantime I will be happy enough trying out a few patterns from RR.
 
supratentorial said:
A book is a good place to start. There was a time when traditional knife collectors would walk around knife shows lugging books with them. Now days most folks shop the web and surf the web for answers. Frankly, there's probably as much misinformation as well as information on the web. But it seems people seldom go the book route these days... must be an outbreak of an allergy to paper products. ;)

Rough Rider et al has a nice selection of patterns. I often remark that they have done a really good job bringing back LOTS of old patterns... probably more than any other company. I hate recommending any one brand as a good place to start though. But since most folks aren't going to bother to read books or go to knife shows etc, I suppose buying a selection of low cost knives is a good place to start.
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I have no objection to reading books. I do it all the time. I will look around for a book too.
 
Thanks for the input everyone. I am definitely going to order a few after the new year. Probably start with a few diffrent doctors knives. There are plenty of cover choices on them.
 
:thumbup:

Start with Levine's Guide to Knives and their Values 4th Edition. If you can't find it, then buy the 5th edition and ignore the prices. From what I've heard, the guy that took over the editing messed up the prices but didn't change the text.

If old knives are also of interest, then buy Goins' Encyclopedia.
 
I picked up a new Rough Rider from a guy at a flea market several months ago. It looked good, so I bought it. I am very satisfied with the fit, finish, blade grinds and overall look of the knife. It cost all of $7. It is amazing to be able to get a well made knife for that price.

It would be a company to buy to try out different slipjoint patterns and see what you like.

Here are a couple photos of my first Rough Rider.


 
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I agree with others that Rough Riders are a great place to start when getting into traditional patterns. The fit and finish is really good especially given the price ( at least on par with Case and generally better). I have several that have half stops and the springs are flush in the closed, half stop and open positions. Not one of the many GECs with half stops I own are like that! I about 30 or so RRs and almost all came razor sharp. They offer a ton of patterns as well, so you can try out a wide variety without spending too much.
 
I love RR's (and Colt, made by them). Quality is actually great in relation to their prices. I have never considered them to be the top of the line. But it's a great way to try out different designs, or to collect interesting looking sets in a cost effective way. I don't know the exact number, but have well over 100+. And still buy one every now and then when something catches my eye.

The most recent was this little "Dog Bone Jack". Everyone I showed it to liked it...especially the dog lovers, because it came with an attached dog whistle and leather slip w/ clip. So I bought a bunch more for gifts.

33uedr8.jpg


And the Stoneworx Series caught my eye recently, so I buy one every now and then when I find them at a good price. Usually $10-$15 each. I only have 5 or 6 of them right now. But they are kind of cool because every one is just a little different with the inlay's.

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A year or more ago their Colt branded "Black Stag Bone" series interested me. So I tried to find most of the set.

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My collection is very eclectic, but reflects my interests at the time of purchase. So I just look at it as telling a story of my process for that particular hobby. No one needs to tell you what you like. And don't believe the snobs that insist that every knife be an investment or from a specific point of origin. Try them out for yourself and develop your own interests.
 
Henry Beige said:
My most recent Rough Rider is the improved muskrat. The bone looks better in person than it did on the net. Both blades are sharp and evenly ground. Pins are flush, bolsters fit. There are no gaps between scales and liners. In fact none of my four RRs show gaps there. A couple of them do show a little light between springs and liners. So does my Case stockman. In any event, the muskrat is a nice knife.

So is the large toothpick, and so is the marlinspike. These are not my first traditional knives, but I would not be disappointed with them if they were. I will probably try a GEC or two, as soon as I figure out what I want. In the meantime I will be happy enough trying out a few patterns from RR.
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Yeah so reading this I'm pretty sure I'm going to return mine for a different one. What covers are on yours?
 
I have bought and given away several Rough Rider knives. The only problem I've had is one lost the shield from the scale. Frankly, the Rough Riders had better fit and finish than the GEC Geppetto Whittler that cost 10 times as much. And cracked the scale at a rivet within a couple of weeks.
 
Well my 7.99 RR dogleg jack came in today. So for that price I got the knife a clipped pouch/sheath and a lanyard with bead all for 7.99 all I can say is score.


 
Rough Riders have been around for some time now, over a decade I believe. Some of the earlier models were of lesser quality, as the cutlers learned what was expected of them. Everything made in the last 5 years that I've seen are of very good quality, and worth far more than their price. I own or have owned 2-3 dozen of them, and only a couple were not up to snuff. The brown sawcut bone series as shown by RDaneel above is a fine place to start, I've got several of them and all keepers.

BrSCBone.jpg~original
 
I also had to try out Rough Rider after reading about them on the forum. First I bought a Muskrat and really think it is a good knife. Next was the Folding Hunter and I will give it only an okay. Then I won the Gunstock on the forum and my faith was restored. I now have a Red Bone Muskrat on the way.

 
black mamba said:
Rough Riders have been around for some time now, over a decade I believe. Some of the earlier models were of lesser quality, as the cutlers learned what was expected of them. Everything made in the last 5 years that I've seen are of very good quality, and worth far more than their price. I own or have owned 2-3 dozen of them, and only a couple were not up to snuff. The brown sawcut bone series as shown by RDaneel above is a fine place to start, I've got several of them and all keepers.

BrSCBone.jpg~original
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Agreed. One of mine is the large toothpick, second from right in your array. I'd buy more knives that look like that.

I would not be surprised if RR quality continued to improve in future years.
 
Thanks for everyones opinion. I think I will pick up a few after the new year and start a new endeavor in my collecting. I also saw a pretty cool looking marbles doctors knife. I know they used to be made in the u.p. but I believe they have went the way of scrade and smith and wesson but they did look quite nice at a reasonable price.
 
I have the Marbles Army Utility knife (a copy of the Camillus "Demo" knife) Marbles is made in China now. I'm not sure, but I think they are owned by the same company that owns the Rough Rider and Colt brands.
I do know that the Marbles knife I have is just as good (if not better tgan ) the original Camillus "Demo" knife I have.
No blade play, no blade rub (amazing, considering the design) and came "shaving sharp" out of the box.

The Rough Rider, Colt, and Marbles are all good knives in my experience. Note I only have their traditional knives, no modern one hand openers.
 
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