Rough Rider & Related Slipjoints

[Fodderwing]

 

[I'mSoSharp]

Built my first tonight. Total beater, especially after seeing yours , which are beautiful. The kit is janky as all get out. Spent a fair amount of time at the drill press and bench grinder, both of which were recently given to me. Not gonna lie though, I’m proud of it.

Well done, let's see it.
You should be proud, they may be kits but they aren't easy, they are a real good insight into what goes into a folder so it's good practice.

 

[22-rimfire]

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Guess that is what they call "stag bone". Looks great!

 

[Fodderwing]

Guess that is what they call "stag bone". Looks great

Thanks! Nice knives.

 

[dc50]

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Nice! if it didn't have RR on it, a fellow might think it was a more costly knife.

 

[Modoc ED]

Here are a couple that Roigh Rider calls Halfhawk; however, this pattern goes by several names - Curved Jack, Loom Fixer, Halfhawk. These knives are very nice with very good fit and finish. No gaps, cracks, or chips.

 

[afishhunter]

Here are a couple that Roigh Rider calls Halfhawk; however, this pattern goes by several names - Curved Jack, Loom Fixer, Halfhawk. These knives are very nice with very good fit and finish. No gaps, cracks, or chips.

Of the two, do you prefer the Coal Miner or the Old Yellow?

I have the Old Yellow ... I really should carry it more ... maybe in combination with a (large) sunfish?
O.K. You talked me into it.
Old Yellow Half Hawk and Zombie Nick Sunfish can join my RR 1569 Moose in right front pocket for the next few weeks (months?)

 

[Modoc ED]

Of the two, do you prefer the Coal Miner or the Old Yellow?

I have the Old Yellow ... I really should carry it more ... maybe in combination with a (large) sunfish?

Eh ... Why not? You talked me into it. No better time than now.
Old Yellow Half Hawk and Zombie Nick Sunfish can join my RR 1569 Moose in right front pocket for the next few weeks (months?)

Actually I like them both pretty much equally; however, the yellow composite that Rough Rider uses is almost creamy in it's looks and very even. I have two of the Coal Miner and usually go to one of them when I carry one.

 

[5K Qs]

My latest Rough Rider. RR1769 Wharncliffe with bone scales.

What do you think of it so far, @edbeau? I've considered that RR wharncliffe model often, but haven't ordered one yet. Is that the smooth tobacco bone?

Small Cotton Sampler arrived yesterday.

Excellent example, really thick deeply jigged bone slabs a rich dark colour not unlike a Tortoiseshell cat (think Americans say Calico cat?). I really like this knife, its size 3" is just right and the thick slabs ensure looks and comfort. Finish is super, centre blade, excellent radiusing of the bone&liners, spring cut off square, bolster finished properly(no sharp edges) Flush in Open/close, strong half stop and loud talk, murderously sharp . No play at all.

Criticisms: Don't like lanyard holes they spoil a knife for me and totally absurd in a small knife It also causes slight gaps at the rear where a pin would tighten it up. But it has it because it's a mini version of the full size CS. Otherwise, this knife is high quality finish.

Its uses: well, never cared for the full size versions, just too massive for my taste and how did they sample a cotton bale with it? Any films? It will work well for any gardener, cuttings, harvesting veggies, opening sacks, good wire stripper too and its compact size is a bonus for these tasks. Not bad as a putty knife when you need to tinker with windows and probe old stuff out Mine are all metal these days so that's redundant (thank god)

I'd like to underline that although small it is in no way toy like, RR do this very well with their small knives, likewise so do CASE. GEC small knives are far less credible for me, too skimpy and toy like-the 25 excepted and that's bulbous bug like

I liked it so much I bid and won on a Smooth Bone version. I recommend sampling one of these, a quirky and worthwhile addition to the collection.

Thanks, Will

Inspired by this, and because I hadn’t bought a RR in a while, I ordered one in jigged and one smooth. The smooth one came today. My first thhought was “Awww, isn’t that cute”. Very nicely made, F&F, snap, no gaps, everything. Almost Peanut-small.

It came with a lot of the details that are showing up on new RR patterns: matchstrike nail nick, a single lined, slanted bolster. If only it had an acorn shield, it would be just about perfect.

Because it is quite sharp, it should do just about any EDC task that does not require a sharp point. Where it will really shine, however, is at putting a dab of olive tapenade onto a Pita-Bite.

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Will & Henry, thanks for the reviews of the small cotton sampler. I've had the large version on my wish list at my usual RR vendor for quite a while, but maybe I should reconsider what size is more useful. Dwight, is your stag bone model also the smaller version? Your and Will's photos sure make the knife look superb!

You'd think I'd learn my lessons...
I've been on the hunt for a traditional looking lockback with a shield, something in the 3-1/4" to 3-3/4" range with a stainless blade. I thought I'd have a good selection to choose from but there isn't much out there that I can find. Rough Rider makes exactly what I was looking for, but I haven't had much luck with their lockback knives. I decided to order one anyways and see if I could get a little luckier this time. It is a beautiful little knife with no gaps and a nicely centered blade. I was getting excited because it was exactly the look I wanted for this knife. I opened the blade, it has a great looking blade on it by the way. The blade snapped into the lock with authority, now I was really getting excited. Have I finally got one of those quality Rough Rider lockback knives that everybody has been singing the praises of? Then I noticed its one downfall, the blade flops around side to side when locked open. The up and down play is super tight, so the lock is at least solid on this one, but obviously the bolsters are too loosely fit and causes some very annoying blade wobble. I'll probably keep it because I really like the look of it, at least until I try to tighten the pivot pin and possibly ruin it. Lol.

I think in the future I'll stick with Rough Rider slip joints and stay away from their lockbacks, I know I've said that before...

Sorry to hear about your run of bad luck with RR lockbacks, John. I've purchased several RR lockbacks, and I've given them all away, and more than once I've said to myself, "Don't buy any more of those." But all of mine seemed to be very well-made knives with solid lock-up and virtually no blade play; I just don't enjoy carrying a lockback knife (maybe because I never had any experience with modern folders??). So my experience is just the opposite of yours in terms of build quality.

(I do often struggle with the release bar on lockback knives, especially when the release is far back on the knife. A release in the middle of the knife seldom gives me problems, and I've never had a problem closing a lockback with release bar near the front bolster. Interestingly, I can handle any release if I use a little scrap of wooden dowel between my thumb and the release bar. )

- GT

 

[JohnDF]

Sorry to hear about your run of bad luck with RR lockbacks, John. I've purchased several RR lockbacks, and I've given them all away, and more than once I've said to myself, "Don't buy any more of those." But all of mine seemed to be very well-made knives with solid lock-up and virtually no blade play; I just don't enjoy carrying a lockback knife (maybe because I never had any experience with modern folders??). So my experience is just the opposite of yours in terms of build quality.

Thanks for the feedback, GT. I have had great luck with their slipjoints, but I'm 0/3 on lockbacks. I'm glad others hare having luck with them.

 

[B.F.U]

You'd think I'd learn my lessons...
I've been on the hunt for a traditional looking lockback with a shield, something in the 3-1/4" to 3-3/4" range with a stainless blade. I thought I'd have a good selection to choose from but there isn't much out there that I can find. Rough Rider makes exactly what I was looking for, but I haven't had much luck with their lockback knives. I decided to order one anyways and see if I could get a little luckier this time. It is a beautiful little knife with no gaps and a nicely centered blade. I was getting excited because it was exactly the look I wanted for this knife. I opened the blade, it has a great looking blade on it by the way. The blade snapped into the lock with authority, now I was really getting excited. Have I finally got one of those quality Rough Rider lockback knives that everybody has been singing the praises of? Then I noticed its one downfall, the blade flops around side to side when locked open. The up and down play is super tight, so the lock is at least solid on this one, but obviously the bolsters are too loosely fit and causes some very annoying blade wobble. I'll probably keep it because I really like the look of it, at least until I try to tighten the pivot pin and possibly ruin it. Lol.

I think in the future I'll stick with Rough Rider slip joints and stay away from their lockbacks, I know I've said that before...

I generally don't prefer locking traditional knives. I prefer slipjoint or fixed traditionals. Even higher end lockback traditionally made knives seem to have more issues. I think it's just more difficult to make a lockback with traditional construction without blade play because of how they're put together.

If you don't mind risking making it too tight, you can put the top bolsters between towels and tap it with a hammer to tighten the pivot. The pivot pin might stick out some once you're done though.

 

[JohnDF]

If you don't mind risking making it too tight, you can put the top bolsters between towels and tap it with a hammer to tighten the pivot. The pivot pin might stick out some once you're done though.

I'm thinking of doing this exact thing. It's worth the risk with a $10 knife.

 

[R.c.s]

This one was given to me as a Christmas gift It's called the highlander . I have had no problems with it fit a finish is good locks up strong no gaps and nicely scented blade

 

[Fodderwing]

Dwight, is your stag bone model also the smaller version? Your and Will's photos sure make the knife look superb!

Thanks GT. Both sizes are stag bone models.

 

[Fodderwing]

Nice! if it didn't have RR on it, a fellow might think it was a more costly knife

Exactly Dave. I am always surprised and in a "good way".

 

[dc50]

I generally don't prefer locking traditional knives. I prefer slipjoint or fixed traditionals. Even higher end lockback traditionally made knives seem to have more issues. I think it's just more difficult to make a lockback with traditional construction without blade play because of how they're put together.

If you don't mind risking making it too tight, you can put the top bolsters between towels and tap it with a hammer to tighten the pivot. The pivot pin might stick out some once you're done though.

I did that with one of my GEC 72"s it's tight as a drum now.

 

[R.c.s]

 

[JohnDF]

I hammered the bolster and it worked perfectly, just tapped a little and checked, tapped a little and checked. I lost a tiny bit of 'snap' on the closing but all blade play is gone. Good to go now!

 

[black mamba]

That's quite a swoopy clip, and a VERY good looking pocket knife!

 

[JohnDF]

That's quite a swoopy clip, and a VERY good looking pocket knife!

Thanks, I do like the looks of it. It was between this Rough Rider and the Winchester Yellow Boy. So classic looking with their yellow handles and shields.