Rough Rider makes some nice knives, and when I saw that they are making a knife with a marlin spike, I immediately bought one. This is the model 576 (red jigged bone) but there are also two other models. Each with a different handle material. Like all Rough Riders, this one is made in China. In-store cost is around $9.
The Handle: The Marlin Spike (to be referred to in this review as simply "the 576") is 4-1/2" long and 3/8" thick. The liners, bolsters, pins, and clasp are nickel silver, while the blade, marlin spike, backsprings are stainless steel. The knife uses two backsprings, laid side-by-side, for tension.
The left side of the knife has an anchor inlay, again in nickel silver (see the first photo for this). The right handle slab has nothing on it. The pins are visible on both sides.
The fit and finish on the 576 is perfect. If you were to take off the Rough Rider markings, this could easily pass for a Case knife. It's that good.
In use, the handle is comfortable enough. There are no hot spots, and the knife itself looks nice.
A word on the closed length: the handle measures 4-1/2" long with everythng closed, but the clasp extends past the butt, making a total closed length of 5-1/8". Remember this if you plan on getting a sheath for the knife.
Next to a Byrd Meadowlark for size comparison...
The Blade: All Rough Riders have "440 razor sharp steel" but I'm not sure of its exact composition. It wears, sharpens, and performs like 440A with a good heat treat. The blade is a sheepsfoot sytle, and is 3-1/16" long with a 2-3/4" cutting edge. It came razor sharp, and is flat ground on both sides. It's 1/8" thick. The blade is non-locking and opens via nail nick, although enough of it sticks out to just use finger pressure to bring it out.
The left side tang has the usual Rough Rider stamp...
While the right side has lasering...
The blade stays open with enough spring tension that it won't collapse under normal use, but it's clearly not designed for thrusting. It works very well for slicing. Rough Rider always puts a mirror polish on their blades, and I like this. The edge seems to stay sharp for a very good amount of time, considering that this is a sub-$10 knife. Resharpening is easy due to the straight edge angle.
In hand...
With a Meadowlark for size comparison...
The Handle: The Marlin Spike (to be referred to in this review as simply "the 576") is 4-1/2" long and 3/8" thick. The liners, bolsters, pins, and clasp are nickel silver, while the blade, marlin spike, backsprings are stainless steel. The knife uses two backsprings, laid side-by-side, for tension.
The left side of the knife has an anchor inlay, again in nickel silver (see the first photo for this). The right handle slab has nothing on it. The pins are visible on both sides.
The fit and finish on the 576 is perfect. If you were to take off the Rough Rider markings, this could easily pass for a Case knife. It's that good.
In use, the handle is comfortable enough. There are no hot spots, and the knife itself looks nice.
A word on the closed length: the handle measures 4-1/2" long with everythng closed, but the clasp extends past the butt, making a total closed length of 5-1/8". Remember this if you plan on getting a sheath for the knife.
Next to a Byrd Meadowlark for size comparison...
The Blade: All Rough Riders have "440 razor sharp steel" but I'm not sure of its exact composition. It wears, sharpens, and performs like 440A with a good heat treat. The blade is a sheepsfoot sytle, and is 3-1/16" long with a 2-3/4" cutting edge. It came razor sharp, and is flat ground on both sides. It's 1/8" thick. The blade is non-locking and opens via nail nick, although enough of it sticks out to just use finger pressure to bring it out.
The left side tang has the usual Rough Rider stamp...
While the right side has lasering...
The blade stays open with enough spring tension that it won't collapse under normal use, but it's clearly not designed for thrusting. It works very well for slicing. Rough Rider always puts a mirror polish on their blades, and I like this. The edge seems to stay sharp for a very good amount of time, considering that this is a sub-$10 knife. Resharpening is easy due to the straight edge angle.
In hand...
With a Meadowlark for size comparison...
