Rough Rider & Related Slipjoints

chevy_racin said:
I got my first Rough Rider this weekend. I thought it would be an inexpensive way of determining if I like the scout pattern and would carry it. I was expecting a very light pull, some blade rubbing, maybe some gaps and not a solid feeling knife in the hand. But I was happily surprised. It does feel solid in the hand, no real gaps and blades are not rubbing. As far as having a weak pull, I do wish it was a little weaker. The thing is a real nail breaker. So regrettably it will not see any pocket time to give me a feel for the pattern.


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I got the same knife for Christmas, same tight springs. I oiled it and worked it the try and loosen it, no real difference. Then I left the blades/tools open at max spring tension position for a day or two and that fixed it. It went from a 9 to a 6-7, now it is usable. I like it except for the can opener.
 
jblyttle said:
I got the same knife for Christmas, same tight springs. I oiled it and worked it the try and loosen it, no real difference. Then I left the blades/tools open at max spring tension position for a day or two and that fixed it. It went from a 9 to a 6-7, now it is usable.
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That's a pretty slick idea. I may try it out on some of my nailbreaker demo knives. :D :thumbup:
 
Just ordered myself an amber jigged bone little barlow (I'd like a yeller but my previous two experiences with RR yeller covers left me unimpressed) and an Old Forge Coppersmith lockback, excited to try them out! I've been enjoying my RR canoe, hopefully these ones are just as good.
 
The best thing about this knife is the long caplifter. The main blade is a winner too. The caplifter is great. Shorter ones like on SAK knives work, but frequently need a second or third try. This long one pops the cap off easily the first time every time.
 
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Carboniferous said:
Just ordered myself an amber jigged bone little barlow (I'd like a yeller but my previous two experiences with RR yeller covers left me unimpressed) and an Old Forge Coppersmith lockback, excited to try them out! I've been enjoying my RR canoe, hopefully these ones are just as good.
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I guess this is as good a place as any to make my only possible contribution to this thread, since it is relevant to your decision. I haven't seen the jigged bone RR Barlows but if the difference is anything like the sawcut vs. yeller standard Barlow then I think I'd stick with the bone -- though honestly for a complete beat-er-up knife, the yeller covers aren't too bad, short of some very slight discoloration on the pile side which you can kinda sorta see in the pic.





F&F on the bone Barlow was excellent for the price point. On the "yeller" there was some slight separation at the corner of a scale, no actual construction gaffes like gappiness or blade rub. Pull is reasonable to stiff on both, the bone Barlow pulling slightly harder on the pen blade but otherwise no worse than a fresh "new old stock" Schrade roused from its slumber. Blades aren't perfectly centered but still center better than some Queens and pretty much every I*XL I've ever gotten. :P

If the dogbone jack ever gets back into stock I plan on supporting this remarkable company at least once more, although that purty scout might have me going back to the RR well more than that. :D
 
TsarBomba said:
I guess this is as good a place as any to make my only possible contribution to this thread, since it is relevant to your decision. I haven't seen the jigged bone RR Barlows but if the difference is anything like the sawcut vs. yeller standard Barlow then I think I'd stick with the bone -- though honestly for a complete beat-er-up knife, the yeller covers aren't too bad, short of some very slight discoloration on the pile side which you can kinda sorta see in the pic.





F&F on the bone Barlow was excellent for the price point. On the "yeller" there was some slight separation at the corner of a scale, no actual construction gaffes like gappiness or blade rub. Pull is reasonable to stiff on both, the bone Barlow pulling slightly harder on the pen blade but otherwise no worse than a fresh "new old stock" Schrade roused from its slumber. Blades aren't perfectly centered but still center better than some Queens and pretty much every I*XL I've ever gotten. :P

If the dogbone jack ever gets back into stock I plan on supporting this remarkable company at least once more, although that purty scout might have me going back to the RR well more than that. :D
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My canoe has some discoloration on both sides, and it's the replacement for a first yellow canoe with covers just as uneven. On a sub $10 I don't really mind, but yeah, I think I'll be sticking to bone RRs. Plenty of yeller Case knives, German Eyes, etc.
 
TsarBomba said:
That's a pretty slick idea. I may try it out on some of my nailbreaker demo knives. :D :thumbup:
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I'd be careful opening (or specifically half opening) both blades on the same spring at the same time on a demo knife. On older ones, it's a good way to break the springs. Happened to me on my grandpa's 1967 Camillus demo knife.
 
So I had my first two RR knives come in. I picked up an electricians knife with pliers in jigged amber bone, and a large cotton sampler in smooth Appaloosa bone.

Both patterns were new to me, and I thought it would make a great budgetary way to try them out. I intend to put together a little show and tell video. I'll post it up here when its done.
 
btb01 said:
I'd be careful opening (or specifically half opening) both blades on the same spring at the same time on a demo knife. On older ones, it's a good way to break the springs. Happened to me on my grandpa's 1967 Camillus demo knife.
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Yeah, on a single-spring or shared-spring knife it would be best to do one side at a time, I imagine. Thanks for the heads-up. :) Thankfully that won't be a consideration for some of the jacks I want to loosen up. Demo knives probably should pull a little bit harder than your average watch pocket denizen, anyway.
 
Here are my first look into the world of Rough Rider knives.

Early impressions are decent handle materials, nail breaker pulls, and hit and miss fit and finish on your typical kitchen stainless steel. Edges aren't terrible on them though.

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jprime84 said:
Here are my first look into the world of Rough Rider knives.
Early impressions are decent handle materials, nail breaker pulls, and hit and miss fit and finish on your typical kitchen stainless steel. Edges aren't terrible on them though.
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Oddly enough, on the Barlows (which I normally expect to have a heavier than average pull) the masters are pretty reasonable. So far every RR I've seen has come pretty impressively sharp, though only the yeller Barlow has seen enough action to make a call regarding edge retention (average, maybe slightly above average).

I really dig that equal-ender, what's the name or RR # for that pattern?
 
TsarBomba said:
Oddly enough, on the Barlows (which I normally expect to have a heavier than average pull) the masters are pretty reasonable. So far every RR I've seen has come pretty impressively sharp, though only the yeller Barlow has seen enough action to make a call regarding edge retention (average, maybe slightly above average).

I really dig that equal-ender, what's the name or RR # for that pattern?
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It's a RR1080 electricians knife. It's got noticeable gaps going down the back, and pretty pronounced blade rub. However, it's the only knife I have with a set of pliers on it, such as they are.
 
This thread is dangerous! I just ordered a few Rough Riders. I thought I'd try out the hawkbill they offer, to see how I like it before I decide whether or not to spring for the prettier and undoubtedly finer GEC version. Of course, they're so cheap, so, if you're ordering one, why not order four more? My wife will doubtless not be pleased ;)
 
Jeff I've certainly not found RR to have "typical kitchen stainless steel"??? I've witnessed my knives keep sharp a good deal longer than comparable stuff from CASE or Schatt stainless. Cutting up cardboard, gardening tasks, making small fire-sticks, whittling the end of a walking stick over some days and still excellent. Wish my kitchen knives could do that:rolleyes:
 
While a few of my RRs (I have been binging on them the last few months) have had a lot of gaps and rubbing blades, my most recent ones have been quite good.
 
Will Power said:
Jeff I've certainly not found RR to have "typical kitchen stainless steel"??? I've witnessed my knives keep sharp a good deal longer than comparable stuff from CASE or Schatt stainless. Cutting up cardboard, gardening tasks, making small fire-sticks, whittling the end of a walking stick over some days and still excellent. Wish my kitchen knives could do that:rolleyes:
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I guess it depends. I have not owned these very long, and I do not have much experience with case and schatt stainless. The reason I said kitchen knives, is that I think the inexpensive China made set of kitchen knives we have is 440 steel as well. Well, not including the two japanese knives I use (VG-10 and japanese Shirogami steel)
 
I've had this RR Congress in my pocket all week as my part of the EDC challenge posed by ConBon and I must say so far so good.:thumbup:


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