Rough Rider & Related Slipjoints

That is a handsome little knife.

I'm curious about the lock. Is it a button lock as in plunge lock, or button lock as in a liner lock with the liner actuated by the button?
 
It is a liner lock with the button used to push the liner lock out of the way to close the knife. Maybe I should have called it a button activated hidden liner lock but button lock was much easier to type...:D
 
I managed to grab one of those moose stockmans too. The fit and finish is quite good only with a few minor aesthetic imperfections. I had to reprofile/resharpen the clip blade because of a tiny blunted part near the point. The spey blade opens easily but the spring of the clip blade is quite strong, so I loosened it so the opening feels better now.
Overall I'm satisfied with its quality even considering its very low price.
 
I am a Newbie here but have been collecting pocket knives for about 50 years.

I was at a Gun & Knife Show this past weekend and a young fellow and his wife had several cases of China Knives on his 2 tables.

I saw Rough Rider, Owl Head, US Classic, Steel Warrior and on and on etc.

The fit and finish on these knives was incredible. Great snap in the springs well centered blades.

I asked him if they were all made in same factory and he said he buys from several different vendors.

These were about 20% the price or less than a good Case.

What is the story on this if anyone has the inside info.

Semper Fi.

Oldbriar
 
Well, I'll jump in...

First, welcome OldBriar!

I have heard that some of those brands are made at the same factory, but I cannot back that up with facts.

I agree that the fit and finish on these brands can be quite good. That being said, I am always a little skeptical when they make these knives that look so good and sell them for so very little money. I am skeptical of the quality control, such as heat treating, and types of steels used.

Myself, though, I would not buy one if I had a choice. Specially after reading that Case is laying off workers. If all the people that would buy three or four Rough Riders at a time would take their money and buy one quality USA made knife, maybe we wouldn't have to read about Case workers getting laid off.

I suppose it's hard to pass them by for the price...

Sorry if I made this a little political. It's kinda hard to separate the issues.

Glenn
 
There may be international trade factors involved. Being a controlled economy with an immense potential workforce, the Chinese can hold down costs (wages) to break into the market. The more foreign companies they put out of business or force to use their factories, the sooner they get the money in their own economy. You can compare this to Japan, which started off with "Made in Japan" meaning junk until they ended up with the best quality control available, and an advanced high-tech economy.
 
A person can not sell out his brother or sister, it will weaken the whole family until it finally breaks........
 
I did buy 1 Owl Head congress pattern in Rams Horn from this young fellow.

I also just purchased 2 Case from SMKW. because of the layoff.

My first China Knife and it was 15.00 now I feel a little guility.

Semper Fi.

Oldbriar
 
Let's keep it on target for this forum, folks. (Which is about the knives.)

We have political and current events forums for discussion of the larger issues of the global economy.

Thank you.
 
Got an RR small sodbuster in their Old Yellow handle series.Exceptionally nice knife,well made and an interesting variant on the pattern.It is smaller and slimmer that its CASE or Böker counterparts (also very fine knives but more workingman's knife than this,more rustic) This is a kind of gent's sodbuster, an elegant recessed shield,heavy spring and ultrasharp.Their Old Yellow series is very much a good effort
 
oldbriar said:
I did buy 1 Owl Head congress pattern in Rams Horn from this young fellow.

I also just purchased 2 Case from SMKW. because of the layoff.

My first China Knife and it was 15.00 now I feel a little guility.

Semper Fi.

Oldbriar
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I buy a Rough Rider every now and then because I keep hearing they are getting better at putting them together, so I want to see for myself....and I agree, they are getting better.
 
I have several RRs that I rotate in and out of my EDC, But my next ones will be some yellow handle cases in cv.
 
i have about 30 RR knives, i'll post a pic. when i get back home in a few days.
if it has not already been said, the RR Marlin Spike knife (esp. in jigged bone) is one of the very best.
roland
 
oldbriar said:
I did buy 1 Owl Head congress pattern in Rams Horn from this young fellow.

I also just purchased 2 Case from SMKW. because of the layoff.

My first China Knife and it was 15.00 now I feel a little guility.

Semper Fi.

Oldbriar
Click to expand...

I just bought one of the OH sowbelly patterns in fake MOP ( aka MOT:) )

It's a very well made knife , I'd say it's a little different than most of the Steel Warrior or RR knives I've bought in the past. The blades have swedges and are satin finished.

I also tend to abuse these cheaper knives more than my more expensive knives ( actually a lot more) and they can really take it.

Since you mentioned Case I'll add this ....

I recently bought three Case knives, two large stockmen and a Crandall large saddlehorn. The cheapest was an amber bone large stockman in CV, it cost $50 and I wouldn't trade it for 5 of the low cost imports. The Crandall saddlehorn is a work of art.
 
I picked up 4 US Classics and 2 China made Marbles awhile back at a very low price on the 'bay. Like some of the other posters I figured it was a good way to check out some patterns I didn't have and see if I liked them. Two of the US Classics were actually very well done, with surprisingly good F&F (a swell center splitback whittler and a cattleman). The other two were fairly poor and got put in the junker box. The imported Marbles both had very good F&F (actually looked like they were made in the same place as the good Classics), but of course couldn't compare to my Queen made Marbles knife.
I really liked the splitback whittler, so now I'm pursuing one from a US manufacturer.
 
RandallFlagg said:
I picked up 4 US Classics and 2 China made Marbles awhile back at a very low price on the 'bay. Like some of the other posters I figured it was a good way to check out some patterns I didn't have and see if I liked them. Two of the US Classics were actually very well done, with surprisingly good F&F (a swell center splitback whittler and a cattleman). The other two were fairly poor and got put in the junker box. The imported Marbles both had very good F&F (actually looked like they were made in the same place as the good Classics), but of course couldn't compare to my Queen made Marbles knife.
I really liked the splitback whittler, so now I'm pursuing one from a US manufacturer.
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That's similar to what I did with a swing-guard pattern. I bought a new Marbles swing-guard, liked the pattern and bought a Case 6.5 Cheetah.
 
I think a few compliments to Stewart Taylor for his work in restoring the Imperial and Schrade lines are in order. Excellent knives, and he has re-energized the brand with some fantastic new models. Worth noting too, there are plenty of brand new USA made Schrades being under the Taylor stewartship, by US makers who need the work.

I have seen 'tests' and comparisions online matching old, USA made Schrades vs New China made ones. In every case, I have to challenge the 'testing'. One knife from each maker, the test conducted by an old Schrade collector, is in no way close to any recognized scientific way of doing things.
 
orca8589 said:
Is Rough Rider making a carbon steel series of knives? :confused:

thx - cpr
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I don't think they are making carbon blades. My first love is carbon steel slippies but I can tell you the 440a they use in RR knives cuts and sharpens a Lot like carbon steel. I have nothing but good things to say about RR knives and I have had over 100 and most of their patterns.

Best regards

Robin
 
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