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Here's a Colt buckshot bone canoe that GasMan1 graciously sent my way. I think it's a fantastic canoe example; thanks, Dave! :thumbup:
- GT
You are quiet welcome. :thumbup:
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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Rough Rider & Related Slipjoints
- Thread starter dalee100
- Start date
You are quiet welcome. :thumbup:
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I like stockman and whittlers.
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GaiusJulius
Gold Member
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Today I arrived in the environs of Cincinnati for some work-related training. Having been subjected to our friends in the TSA, I did not bring a knife with me, and I felt a need to remedy this lamentable state of affairs, posthaste. I visited the local KMart, the only place closer than the metro that seemed like it might have a selection of pocket cutlery. Alas, the selection was pretty dismal: about a dozen types of modern, a Taylor-Schrade Old Timer, and a Buck 110. Well, the flippers were out, and the Buck was unfortunately out too, as although I'm sure it's a fine knife, I really didn't want to have that ballast weighing down my trousers for the next week. So the Schrade it was.
What a piece of junk. This is the 12OT, the "Pocket Pal." Ok, I gotta say, I do really like the pattern. It's about the size of a peanut but more comfortable in the hand. The handle is shaped like a short trapper, but it gives a solid 3-finger grip with the thumb on the spine of the blade. Design is not bad, not bad at all.
But the execution, at least in this example, is abysmal. The action is so gritty and the cam tang has so many casting pits, that the new knife has less snap than my granddad's old Western penknife, which I considered totally worn out. There's no play but it really feels like you have to force the blade closed. The backsprings are flush and fairly gapless, but the blade well has curls of brass in it. Backspring pin is very proud of the covers. Finally, I know the Old Timers were more intended to be work knives, but in person this thing does not win any style awards, for sure. I'm trying to be nice but it's like they went out of their way to choose covers and a shield that would make an ugly knife. Something like an Opinel is inexpensive and feels like "affordable quality," whereas this knife to me feels "cheap." Granted, it was, it cost me about $13, but that's about $10 too much, IMO. It makes an Opinel feel like a GEC, and a Rough Rider feel like a Tony Bose.
Conclusion: if this knife represents the typical experience of a regular guy going out to buy a pocketknife, then no wonder few people buy Traditionals anymore as a matter of routine.
What a piece of junk. This is the 12OT, the "Pocket Pal." Ok, I gotta say, I do really like the pattern. It's about the size of a peanut but more comfortable in the hand. The handle is shaped like a short trapper, but it gives a solid 3-finger grip with the thumb on the spine of the blade. Design is not bad, not bad at all.
But the execution, at least in this example, is abysmal. The action is so gritty and the cam tang has so many casting pits, that the new knife has less snap than my granddad's old Western penknife, which I considered totally worn out. There's no play but it really feels like you have to force the blade closed. The backsprings are flush and fairly gapless, but the blade well has curls of brass in it. Backspring pin is very proud of the covers. Finally, I know the Old Timers were more intended to be work knives, but in person this thing does not win any style awards, for sure. I'm trying to be nice but it's like they went out of their way to choose covers and a shield that would make an ugly knife. Something like an Opinel is inexpensive and feels like "affordable quality," whereas this knife to me feels "cheap." Granted, it was, it cost me about $13, but that's about $10 too much, IMO. It makes an Opinel feel like a GEC, and a Rough Rider feel like a Tony Bose.
Conclusion: if this knife represents the typical experience of a regular guy going out to buy a pocketknife, then no wonder few people buy Traditionals anymore as a matter of routine.
I think you come to an obvious conclusion, unfortunately traditional pocket knives just aren't as popular as they once were. They require a little more work to produce, so therefore cost more to manufacture than a modern knife does. I have a Taylor Schrade trapper, same color and handle material as yours, and it is just like you described, plus if you put the handle on a buffing wheel the color and jig quickly rub off and disappear....looks like an old toothbrush handle now. What ever they are using for their handle material is certainly NOT Delrin, it is obviously some kind of less expensive, softer type of plastic.
It's all about what the brand owner(s) ask for as far as quality, the factories are completely capable of producing good products. Obviously TB doesn't give a hoot, so they just come out with bunk knives that look good & try to capitalize on a "traditional" old name. Since they can supply WalMart & others with an endless multitude of knives at a cheap price point, that becomes more important to them than anything else.
Unfortunately the "good old days" are gone as far as traditionals are concerned. A few local hardware stores around here carry them, (Case, Bear & Sons & Steel Warrior mostly), but none of the national stores in this area carry much of anything other than tacticals. I haven't seen a brick & mortar store of any kind locally with RR's for sale either, I have to get those online, (unless I happen to be in Tennessee).
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- Jul 30, 2006
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I have a couple of Taylor Schrades. Neither has any issues. And whatever plastic they used for the handles hasn't shown any problems.
I do remember reading reports that the early Taylor Schrades were pretty rough with many folks reporting issues such as yours. Mine are new stock. I looked for a seller who specifically stated that his stock was fresh from the warehouse.
I do remember reading reports that the early Taylor Schrades were pretty rough with many folks reporting issues such as yours. Mine are new stock. I looked for a seller who specifically stated that his stock was fresh from the warehouse.
Mine is an older one, probably near 7-8 years old, so that would make it an early version. I wanted to smooth out edges around the shield, put it on the cloth wheel and lo and behold the color and jigging started to rub away. It looked awful, so being already committed I decided to go ahead and finish that one side to see if I could at least save it. It came out colorless with no sawcut, just smooth off-white plastic, (I had no idea the handle color would be so superficial). I have since switched to Colts & RR's, their quality seems much more consistent.
You are probably right that newer versions are of better quality, but my attitude about Taylor Schrade has been irrevocably tainted by that early experience.
As to the future of traditionals? I think they will still be around, but the big national stores probably won't carry many, they will go for what they perceive as attractive to the younger generation of buyers, and younger buyers seem to think tacticals are "cool". Therefore they will market to that demographic, and keep a token few traditional knives around for those few traditionalists that may occasionally come around. Whether that marketing strategy is right or not is a totally different subject, but these days it just is what it is. I'm just happy to be able to still get a traditional knife, a decent traditional knife, at an affordable price.
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I was at Wally World recently and noticed that they barely stock traditionals. Lots of modern flippers instead. However, I did spot a Buck 110 and also a Buck 389 Canoe. That's it. They didn't even have any Taylor Schrades. They did have one lonely Victorinox Recruit, though.
I own four Taylor Schrades, which I purchased last year. Two 34OTs, one in sawcut delrin and one in yellow. I also have an 8OT in yellow. Lastly, I have a 280OT barlow in sawcut delrin. For some reason, the yellow delrin models are much better. The blades operate much more smoothly and are less likely to tear off my thumb nails. The sawcut delrin models are difficult to open and close, even after I cleaned and oiled them. None of them arrived to me all that sharp. I had to put a decent edge on all of the blades. You would think that the two 34OT models would be close to identical, with the exception of the covers. Not so. The blade stock is different. The yellow delrin 34OT has much thinner blades. Fit and finish appears somewhat better on the yellow delrin models. Pins are ground flush with covers, unlike the sawcut delrin models. All four of mine have no gaps. They were about $15 apiece online. Too much, probably, but I'm largely satisfied with them. They are sort of beater knives to me, although I'm a bit fond of the yellow delrin models. I would not recommend the sawcut delrin Taylor Schrades. The yellow delrin models seem to be the way to go. Taylor Schrade seems to be getting better in some ways over time. Maybe I'll buy another in a few years to see how they are.
I own four Taylor Schrades, which I purchased last year. Two 34OTs, one in sawcut delrin and one in yellow. I also have an 8OT in yellow. Lastly, I have a 280OT barlow in sawcut delrin. For some reason, the yellow delrin models are much better. The blades operate much more smoothly and are less likely to tear off my thumb nails. The sawcut delrin models are difficult to open and close, even after I cleaned and oiled them. None of them arrived to me all that sharp. I had to put a decent edge on all of the blades. You would think that the two 34OT models would be close to identical, with the exception of the covers. Not so. The blade stock is different. The yellow delrin 34OT has much thinner blades. Fit and finish appears somewhat better on the yellow delrin models. Pins are ground flush with covers, unlike the sawcut delrin models. All four of mine have no gaps. They were about $15 apiece online. Too much, probably, but I'm largely satisfied with them. They are sort of beater knives to me, although I'm a bit fond of the yellow delrin models. I would not recommend the sawcut delrin Taylor Schrades. The yellow delrin models seem to be the way to go. Taylor Schrade seems to be getting better in some ways over time. Maybe I'll buy another in a few years to see how they are.
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Just got some little Rough Riders shown here with my little revolver- A Mini Scout (rr1291) and the "G.I. Toothpick" (rr1407) both neat little knives. The little can opener isn't sharp enough to be functional, but I was thinking of putting an edge on it for fun. the main blade is razor sharp. Unfortunately the fixed blade will take some work to sharpen up, but otherwise seems like a nice little knife.
afishhunter
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- Oct 21, 2014
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Nice knives and Pocket Remington, Josh.
PS Uncooked Malt-o-Meal or Cream of Wheat works better than grease over the loaded chambers to prevent crossfires. Less messy, too.
PS Uncooked Malt-o-Meal or Cream of Wheat works better than grease over the loaded chambers to prevent crossfires. Less messy, too.
That company and other similar companies use sophisticated computer algorithms to monitor inventory and sales trends so one would assume what they stock is what is what sells.
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Thanks! What is nice about these .31 black powder pistols is that you can use 00 buck shot for bullets, and those are big enough to shave a ring off when loaded to seal nicely. Another way to prevent chain fires is to use a conversion cylinder.
Here's a picture of my little Rough Rider knives with a little revolver and some little bullets....
.... And enough about that, we're probably pushing our luck a bit with this "gadgets and gear" talk.
Mail man interrupted my Olympics viewing with this delivery, Colt CT220 Canoe with Genuine Stag handle. This was received as an exchange for a Muskrat with the same handles that didn't quite live up to my standards. This one passes the test with no high pins, no gaps, no wiggle. Pretty cool to get genuine stag for such a good price. Can't wait for this one to develop some pocket wear.
I like the Ferrari-like shield.
I like the Ferrari-like shield.
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- Jul 5, 2016
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That canoe is gorgeous, Sonny14! I might have to look into getting one. Thank you for posting pictures!
Alex
Alex
5K Qs
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Sonny14, congratulations on picking up that Colt stag canoe; superlative knife! :thumbup::thumbup: Here's a post from earlier in this thread showing off mine. 
Josh, congrats on your new knives! :thumbup: What is the bone on your Dogbone Jack? It doesn't look sawcut (although it has the same dark color as RR's sawcut brown bone), and it's certainly much darker than the smooth tobacco bone I'm used to seeing from Rough Rider.
The stag on your muskrat is incredible!:thumbup: I got a Colt stag canoe this week, and I was overjoyed at how nice the covers are! Here are some photos. I REALLY like the symmetry shown in the 3rd pic!
- GT
Thanks guys. I have various Colts with Stag Bone, (bone jigged to look like stag, both black & brown), but wanted one of the "genuine" stag versions before they are gone, (soon from the looks of it). My first Canoe & fifth Colt. I put my US-made "collectibles" away for posterity and carry these for EDC now, and I truly enjoy getting such a nice tool at such a bargain price.
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I received my 5th ct201 in mail today and that makes 4 of the 5 are diffrent...Did they make the ct201 with real stag?...
I'd sure Love to have one if so....It's one of my favorites...I've always liked single blades,and that Stocky looking Gunstock
really hits the spot for me.....When I paid for it,I did not realize it had a diff shield and the others...I bought just because
the stag bone seemed to be a lighter shade.....When It came today I was happy to see the shield being diffrent too....
Is it TRUE?...Colts will be made no more?...When they are gone,that's it?...Unless someone buys the name,or something...
What's the story,someone please??
Thanks for all the wonderful posts....I could read these things 24 hours a day...Mainly why I've not been on here very much...
I get carried away and don't get anything else accomplished....
JD
I'd sure Love to have one if so....It's one of my favorites...I've always liked single blades,and that Stocky looking Gunstock
really hits the spot for me.....When I paid for it,I did not realize it had a diff shield and the others...I bought just because
the stag bone seemed to be a lighter shade.....When It came today I was happy to see the shield being diffrent too....
Is it TRUE?...Colts will be made no more?...When they are gone,that's it?...Unless someone buys the name,or something...
What's the story,someone please??
Thanks for all the wonderful posts....I could read these things 24 hours a day...Mainly why I've not been on here very much...
I get carried away and don't get anything else accomplished....
JD
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- Sep 25, 2006
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Sonny14, congratulations on picking up that Colt stag canoe; superlative knife! :thumbup::thumbup: Here's a post from earlier in this thread showing off mine.
Sonny,what diff patterns did the real stag come on?...What's it called,if im wanting to search for one?
Thanks for reply,JD
At this point they have the Canoe, Whittler, Copperhead, Trapper, (a coupla different versions), a 4" Lockback & Congress in "Genuine Stag", (some fixed blades too), the same frames plus Barlow, Sowbelly & Wharncliffe also come in "Stag Bone" in black & brown & also in "Buckshot Bone". As to whether Colt branded knives will disappear or not I can't say, but the word is some of these frames will indeed vanish soon.