Rough Rider Large Sunfish

[Sword and Shield]

When my wife and I were planning our trip to Disney World this summer, I realized I needed a cheap beater I could toss in the suitcase without worrying about TSA "appropriating" it. Enter the Rough Rider large sunfish. 4 1/4" closed, red bone scales, stainless that claims to be 440, with Cumberland Knife Works saying 440C.

Like all knives, this one has its pluses and minuses.

Plus
Sharp out of the box
Snaps cleanly open and closed
Decent blade-handle and scale-liner fit
Well-finished scales, with the pins taken properly flush
No blade wobble out of the box

Minus
Annoyingly large blade etch, came most of the way off with Scotchbrite and Barkeeper's Friend
Easily develops blade play- I've had to tighten the pivot pins multiple times
Dye washes off the scales- when I was rinsing crud out of the pivots, scales that were initially matched lightened considerably and now don't match
Gritty opening and closing- multiple cleanings were needed to get it right
Painfully shallow nail nicks- even with stout fingernails, it was hard to use. A minute with a Dremel cutoff wheel solved this.

Overall, it's okay, I suppose. If I had paid more than about $15 shipped, it would be going back for a refund. However, if the pin issue can be resolved to keep it without wobble, then it's a decent user. I've heard of many others who have had excellent luck with RR, but mine was a bit short.

 

[knarfeng]

Thanks for the well written review.:thumbup:

 

[5370H55V]

Great review.:thumbup: I experienced some of the problems you described such as the nail nicks, but didnt know about the color washing off. Probably because I have white bone on mine, but I'll keep that in mind on my next purchase.

 

[Sword and Shield]

Great review.:thumbup: I experienced some of the problems you described such as the nail nicks, but didnt know about the color washing off. Probably because I have white bone on mine, but I'll keep that in mind on my next purchase.

Does yours develop wobble really easily?

 

[5370H55V]

Does yours develop wobble really easily?

Not yet, although I havent used it much. It was primarily for opening packages and as a lender (sheeple friendly and cheap ). But supposing that it does develop blade play, how did you tighten the pivot pin?

*And mines a doctor's knife, so it might be a bit different.

 

[Sword and Shield]

I just covered the bolster with a cloth and tapped it tight again with a hammer. Easy.

 

[db]

SS make sure you are hitting the pin when tapping it. If your not peening the pin with your taps you could be just pushing the bolsters togather without really tightening the pin by not peening it. This could be why it loosens back up for you quickly. Note I don't have an RR knife but have tightened pivit pins on other knives.

 

[Sword and Shield]

I polished it a little with some Scotchbrite and that lets the pin show quite nicely. The pin sits a hair proud now, but it seems to be tight to stay.

 

[Will Power]

Good review thanks, there's always a niche for beater knives but I admire your bizarre choice of pattern, Sunfish.....an odd lump!

My Rough Riders have been OK with a couple,Mini Trapper and Copperhead being actually very good indeed,well finished.The large Sodbuster liner lock was put to lightish beater tasks, but first the scales cracked and then the damn thing literally fell to bits on me with the pivot loosening!I experienced the same thing with the colour washing off the scales, this could be sinister,makes you wonder what kind of bone or dyes they use in China.....

Having said this, most of the Rough Riders I've had have been fine,good value,I think a Scout knife could be a useful travelling cheapie too.

 

[CWL]

I have 5 of them (and 2 baby sunfishes), although most of mine are labelled "Marbles". Bought them all on eBay for less than $15 delivered each.

I occasionally carry the yellow jigged bone one as I gave a matching one to my dad. Will eventually give the other ones away as gifts. The size & design really makes it stand out.

The ones I have handled are all solid and the blade edges only needed a little touching up on the Sharpmaker & strop. My only real complaint is that the 2nd blade is almost impossible to extract.

 

[G. Scott H.]

I have two of their Jumbo Sunfish and one Elephant Toenail. The main blades on both the Sunfish travel far enough to hit the spring upon closing (though the springs feel strong) before bouncing back into proper closed position, leaving little dents in the edges about an inch back from the tip. When I use 'em now I just don't snap the main blades closed, solving that problem. No such trouble on the ET, and it's close to being as large as the Sunfish. I prefer the ET for this reason.

 

[Sword and Shield]

Good review thanks, there's always a niche for beater knives but I admire your bizarre choice of pattern, Sunfish.....an odd lump!

My Rough Riders have been OK with a couple,Mini Trapper and Copperhead being actually very good indeed,well finished.The large Sodbuster liner lock was put to lightish beater tasks, but first the scales cracked and then the damn thing literally fell to bits on me with the pivot loosening!I experienced the same thing with the colour washing off the scales, this could be sinister,makes you wonder what kind of bone or dyes they use in China.....

Having said this, most of the Rough Riders I've had have been fine,good value,I think a Scout knife could be a useful travelling cheapie too.

It's a handful, which is what I was going for.

Glad I didn't get the Sodbuster. It was on the short list.