Rough Rider & Related Slipjoints

[bigfish64]

I hadn't seen these carbon steel models with the cinnamon stag bone before your post, Todd; great-looking knife!
I have a canoe from the damascus steel and cinnamon stag bone line RR did over a year ago, and like it a lot!

Thanks Gary. I almost went for one of those stockmans in that line.

1 Tablespoon of flax seed per day works wonder for me!

That looks like the "black stag" line that Colt used to make before that company closed and Rough Ryder and Marbles seemed to divide up some of Colt's product line, with Marbles getting the "black stag". I have a Colt black stag sowbelly and a Colt buckshot bone teardrop jack that are both built like tanks. (RR seems to have the old Colt buckshot bone franchise now, I think).
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- GT

That buckshot bone is nice, I have the Barlow from that line.

 

[HEMI 49]

I thought I'd give the little RR lockbacks a examination..... I first ran them through my ultrasonic cleaner to degunk the innards... Followed up by sharpening/stropping and oiling.... I had one with a sticky lockbar but I took care of that w/o difficulty..... They are nice little knives that would be good for a watch pocket or in a Lady's purse.....

 

[5K Qs]

I thought I'd give the little RR lockbacks a examination..... I first ran them through my ultrasonic cleaner to degunk the innards... Followed up by sharpening/stropping and oiling.... I had one with a sticky lockbar but I took care of that w/o difficulty..... They are nice little knives that would be good for a watch pocket or in a Lady's purse.....
View attachment 1777382View attachment 1777383View attachment 1777384

Those are kind of cool little lockbacks, Brent, especially the "funky" acrylics on either end of the line-up!
Did you do the impressive colored sketch?? Very nice!

- GT

 

[HEMI 49]

Those are kind of cool little lockbacks, Brent, especially the "funky" acrylics on either end of the line-up!
Did you do the impressive colored sketch?? Very nice!

- GT

Thanks Gary..... The sketch is courtesy of a software update to my Samsung S25.... There is a "style" option in the editing function..... Included are 8-10 artsy settings.....

 

[5K Qs]

Thanks Gary..... The sketch is courtesy of a software update to my Samsung S25.... There is a "style" option in the editing function..... Included are 8-10 artsy settings.....

What will they think of next??!

- GT

 

[Rich S]

Has anyone tried the RR black micarta Cattleman? Even in the online mountain picks it looks like the nail nick for the main blade is buried behind the pen blade. Had the "buried nail nick" problem with several RRs. I like the looks, size, etc. of the knife but am tired of stuffing wads of paper under the kick to be able to access a blade. (Not worth the hassle to return items).
Thanks.

 

[B1GSHOT]

If you are talking about the 2380, I've got that in my hand right now. The clip point blade is indeed hidden behind the pen blade, but it has a very long nail nick, and it extends just enough in front of the pen blade to open pretty easily with a thumb nail. It isn't a very big amount of nick to grab ahold of, but it's enough. My nails are thrashed and I can do it. Not ideal, but it works.

Really nice smooth Micarta on this knife. Good snap. Firm half stops. Solidly built with no gaps on mine.

 

[Rich S]

B1GSHOT -

Thanks, that's what I needed to know. I've about had it with RRs. Some excellent knives and some that are either to stiff or have hidden nail nicks. Guess I'll be content with the nice ones I have. Just can't trust them to produce a correct knife.

 

[B1GSHOT]

A similar knife is the Classic Carbon 2 wharncliffe whittler RR2217. That has a clear nick. But the small nick on the cattleman doesn’t really bother me at all.

 

[Rich S]

BIGSHOT

I got the RR Cattleman yesterday. Sadly, what I was afraid of. Nail nick on main blade is 99.9% hidden and pull weight about 60+.
Why RR can design should nice looking knives but not actually have one manufactured I don't know. The older RR's didn't seem to have these problems. That's why I stayed with them -- no more. IMHO the Marbles and Colts (when they had the contract) were better knives without all the problems. Oh well, another in the "could have been" box.

I did use the old "wad of paper under the kick" trick to raise the main blade enough that I can just get to the nail nick to open it.

 

[B1GSHOT]

I told you it was like that, but there’s room to get your thumbnail in. You said that wasn’t good enough. Why did you buy it anyway? I suggested the Warncliffe that didn’t have that issue. Why didn’t you get that?

 

[Rich S]

BIGSHOT

I just really liked the style of the cattleman and figured WTH, only $20. It is now usable with the wad of paper. Didn't get the Wharncliffe as I don't care for that blade shape. I thank you for the info on the cattleman though (I knew what I was getting into). I may carry it some or may not, we'll see. Still a nice knife to look at in the cigar box .

These are just secondary knives. Sometimes a traditional, some TS/LL, some flippers (like best, easy open/close one handed), sometimes a lockback. Always carry a SAK Tinker as primary.
This is one I modified and carry occasionally . I like having a smaller secondary blade. Someday I'll get around to putting more belly on the shorter blade. One reason for the cattleman.



Rich (the hard headed one)

 

[Dadpool]

After years of enjoying this thread but never coming across the right RR for me, I happened upon this little Barlow from their Wasp series -- and dang, this is a great knife for $17!

Honestly, it's a great little knife for Case money, and fit and finish are on par with or above the Case knives I've owned, as well as some of the Schatt & Morgans that have passed through my hands. No backspring gaps, flush in every position save the pen blade at the half stop, nice bolster details; this one punches well above its price point.

The only quibble is that the mark side bolster arrived pre-scuffed and with a tiny nick in it, presumably from bouncing around its poorly designed box during shipping -- but within 24 hours of being on my desk, that's what it would have looked like anyway.

 

[jdswitters]

And I notice the nail nicks are on opposite sides of the knife. I got a denim micarta in the same pattern and took a grinder to the pen blade so I could get the main blade out. During that process I got a bunch of gunk in the pivot and now the blade grinds. For the price I might try one more time, it would go so well with the baby bee.

 

[Dadpool]

And I notice the nail nicks are on opposite sides of the knife.

What was the arrangement on yours? Pen and clip nicks both on the pile side?

 

[jdswitters]

What was the arrangement on yours? Pen and clip nicks both on the pile side?

Yes, and the pen covered the clip so much I took half of the nail nick out of the pen blade. Edit, on the mark side, not the pile. I learned something new today.

 

[Rich S]

After years of enjoying this thread but never coming across the right RR for me, I happened upon this little Barlow from their Wasp series -- and dang, this is a great knife for $17!

Honestly, it's a great little knife for Case money, and fit and finish are on par with or above the Case knives I've owned, as well as some of the Schatt & Morgans that have passed through my hands. No backspring gaps, flush in every position save the pen blade at the half stop, nice bolster details; this one punches well above its price point.

The only quibble is that the mark side bolster arrived pre-scuffed and with a tiny nick in it, presumably from bouncing around its poorly designed box during shipping -- but within 24 hours of being on my desk, that's what it would have looked like anyway.

The Wasp series barlow shown on the mt. website has nail nicks on opposite sides and is VG10 steel.
I hope it really is as I have one on order based on their description.

 

[Dadpool]

The Wasp series barlow shown on the mt. website has nail nicks on opposite sides and is VG10 steel.
I hope it really is as I have one on order based on their description.

That's where I ordered mine earlier this month, and what's pictured in the listing is exactly what I received.

 

[sf fanatic]

Let’s see your RRR knives. Here’s mine so far. Haven’t been disappointed with any of them. Very good fit and finish and a lot of bang for your buck. Try one you just might like it.
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[Dadpool]

Does anyone happen to have a Rough Rider Cattleman (which I've sometimes seen called the Highland Cattleman)? It's the one with black micarta covers, red liners, federal-style shield.

I always find photos taken by fellow knife knuts more useful than catalog shots.