Let me start off this review with a photo of the knife I'm reviewing...
Now, my knife is a Rough Rider Muskrat, model 129 (jigged bone handles). The knife shown is the Rough Rider Muskrat, model 127 (smooth white bone handles). The 127 was in the 129 box, and every 129 box in the store has the same knife (127) in it. I'm not sure if there was a switch somewhere, but I can't seem to find the jigged bone handles (129) anywhere; not even in the 127 boxes.
So anyway, here we go...
Rough Rider knives are made in China, and they've been talked about a bit on here; mostly good. For the price ($8) the Muskrat, and all other Rough Riders that I have, have had great fit and finish and are well-constructed. They all came out of the box very sharp with no flaws. They even look just as nice as the Bokers or Cases that they are clones of. But here's the details of the Muskrat.
Handle Details: The Muskrat is 3-7/8" closed and 1/2" thick. It has nickel silver bolsters, one on each end, and smooth bone scales (read the above). The scales are indeed very smooth, and mine are a very light amber color, almost transparent off-white. They are secured to the handle frame with three brass pins, and there are no cracks or rough spots; not even around the pins. The Muskrat, true to its past, has no lock; it's a slipjoint. Both blades stay open without play thanks to the stiff backsprings, which aren't so strong as to require a hard pull. The liners are brass. There is no shield on this one (I prefer that) but you can get Rough Rider Muskrats with a shield if you prefer.
Using either blade was comfortable, and the handle isn't too long nor too short; it's just right.
Blades Details: Being a Muskrat, the Rough Rider has two identical "Turkish" clip point blades. They're the same exact blade, just at opposite ends of the handle, so I'll describe them as if there were only one blade. The blades are 3" long with a 2-1/2" edge, and are 3/32" thick. They both came razor sharp, and are made out of "440 razor sharp steel" which to my knowledge is really 8Cr12MoV (I heard this from a dealer who spoke with the Rough Rider factory). Why it's called "440" is beyond me. It takes a wicked edge and holds it nicely for an $8 knife, but is nothing to brag about. It's close to the steel used in the Spyderco Tenacious (8Cr13MoV) or Kershaw's 440A. Lock-up, if you can call it that since it's a slipjoint, is perfect on both blades. No wiggle or play and the blades don't want to "fall" closed
One blade is marked as follows: the Rough Rider logo stamped into the tang on the left side, and 440 over razor sharp over steel on the right tang; CHINA lasered on the right side of the blade and "ALWAYS READY!" lasered on the left side of the blade. The other blade is void of any markings.
Overall, the blades are great.
This would make a nice, inexpensive user or a "gentleman's knife" for those of us who can't afford to spend $80 on a gentleman's knife that we won't take out of the house much. The only thing I don't like about the Muskrat doesn't have anything to do with Rough Rider since all Muskrats have this feature, but there's no way to attach a lanyard to it. My pockets tend to lose knives if they aren't clipped on or tied to a belt loop with a lanyrd, and I feel that this will happen with the Muskrat as well. I will probably end up buying a belt sheath for it though. If you still haven't given the Rough Rider brand a try, go for it; I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Great fit and finish, nice looks, super low price, and blades that come razor sharp. Cool :thumbup:
Now, my knife is a Rough Rider Muskrat, model 129 (jigged bone handles). The knife shown is the Rough Rider Muskrat, model 127 (smooth white bone handles). The 127 was in the 129 box, and every 129 box in the store has the same knife (127) in it. I'm not sure if there was a switch somewhere, but I can't seem to find the jigged bone handles (129) anywhere; not even in the 127 boxes.
So anyway, here we go...
Rough Rider knives are made in China, and they've been talked about a bit on here; mostly good. For the price ($8) the Muskrat, and all other Rough Riders that I have, have had great fit and finish and are well-constructed. They all came out of the box very sharp with no flaws. They even look just as nice as the Bokers or Cases that they are clones of. But here's the details of the Muskrat.
Handle Details: The Muskrat is 3-7/8" closed and 1/2" thick. It has nickel silver bolsters, one on each end, and smooth bone scales (read the above). The scales are indeed very smooth, and mine are a very light amber color, almost transparent off-white. They are secured to the handle frame with three brass pins, and there are no cracks or rough spots; not even around the pins. The Muskrat, true to its past, has no lock; it's a slipjoint. Both blades stay open without play thanks to the stiff backsprings, which aren't so strong as to require a hard pull. The liners are brass. There is no shield on this one (I prefer that) but you can get Rough Rider Muskrats with a shield if you prefer.
Using either blade was comfortable, and the handle isn't too long nor too short; it's just right.
Blades Details: Being a Muskrat, the Rough Rider has two identical "Turkish" clip point blades. They're the same exact blade, just at opposite ends of the handle, so I'll describe them as if there were only one blade. The blades are 3" long with a 2-1/2" edge, and are 3/32" thick. They both came razor sharp, and are made out of "440 razor sharp steel" which to my knowledge is really 8Cr12MoV (I heard this from a dealer who spoke with the Rough Rider factory). Why it's called "440" is beyond me. It takes a wicked edge and holds it nicely for an $8 knife, but is nothing to brag about. It's close to the steel used in the Spyderco Tenacious (8Cr13MoV) or Kershaw's 440A. Lock-up, if you can call it that since it's a slipjoint, is perfect on both blades. No wiggle or play and the blades don't want to "fall" closed
One blade is marked as follows: the Rough Rider logo stamped into the tang on the left side, and 440 over razor sharp over steel on the right tang; CHINA lasered on the right side of the blade and "ALWAYS READY!" lasered on the left side of the blade. The other blade is void of any markings.
Overall, the blades are great.
This would make a nice, inexpensive user or a "gentleman's knife" for those of us who can't afford to spend $80 on a gentleman's knife that we won't take out of the house much. The only thing I don't like about the Muskrat doesn't have anything to do with Rough Rider since all Muskrats have this feature, but there's no way to attach a lanyard to it. My pockets tend to lose knives if they aren't clipped on or tied to a belt loop with a lanyrd, and I feel that this will happen with the Muskrat as well. I will probably end up buying a belt sheath for it though. If you still haven't given the Rough Rider brand a try, go for it; I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Great fit and finish, nice looks, super low price, and blades that come razor sharp. Cool :thumbup:
