Sonny, yeah, I always carry a locking blade too, usually a Buck Bantam or Buck Vantage. Something like that. However, I carry many more traditionals on me. I keep trying to phase out the modern folder. I think I need to look at a Buck 501 or 503 to replace the modern. The 500 series at least seems more traditional to me. Perhaps I should check out what RR has to offer in the way of locking blades. I don't carry a modern for defensive purposes. I'm a very tall woman. 6 feet 2 inches. Normally no one messes with me! I just somehow feel like I need a locking blade. I'm trying to get in the mindset that I do not need one. And honestly, I don't. Any Rough Rider or other traditional will accomplish 99.9% of what I need. I got into knives a little over a year ago and bought a bunch of modern folders I didn't need or want. But I quickly discovered Rough Rider, Case, and Buck. So happy about that! Traditionals entrance me and touch my heart for so many reasons. And they're beautiful to look at all day long!
Alex
I'm with ya on "modern" folding knives, don't really see what people get so excited about....they just don't do it for me. I'm primarily a Buck collector, (dues paying member of Buck Collectors Club, Inc), and have a full set of every model of pre 1986, Camillus-made model 300 Series, which of course are all "traditional". Because I have a full set, or "collection" of those I have retired them for posterity, so all of the RR's, Colts, Case and others
I do use for EDC are traditional. The only modern folder I use is the boot knife that I mentioned earlier, (I own several others but don't carry them, I keep 'em around to use as gift knives), so my EDC's are all traditional-type folders. The lockblade I generally carry is a 1970's Camillus-made Craftsman 95232 4" Folding Hunter which belonged to my late brother, (of course I also own several 5" Buck #110's, but only use them when camping). The 95232 looks like a smaller version of a Buck 110, so it's definitely traditional too.
That is what I like about RR & "related" slipjoints, they look very traditional, generally work as advertised, and are cheap to replace. The quality of import knives has really come a long way in the last few years, and brands like RR & Steel Warrior prove that, and the fact that they cost so little makes them even better...definitely not the same as the "good 'ol days" when a cheap knife was decidedly cheap in every way; not like the quality consistently coming out of China nowadays.
I'm from CA, so open carry of a firearm is nearly impossible, so a lockblade knife is the only self defense weapon I carry. I just recently did a solo drive across country, and though I'm rough, tough & hard to bluff, I like having a little insurance in my pocket or sheath, like I said, "just in case".
:thumbup:
