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Here's a new Tobacco Smooth Bone Improved Muskrat
I think I might have to get one of those, for when I don't want to risk beating up my Case/Bose.
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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
I think I might have to get one of those, for when I don't want to risk beating up my Case/Bose.
I have the Colt Texas Stockman (CT 322, have modified it a bit and used it hard carving walking sticks for sale out of birch, juniper, aspen etc.
It is a solid knife. Hasn't loosed up, and keeps a great edge - just as good as any 1095 knife I own (about 20 - various brands US, German, British) or have tried.
It is a better knife than those that cost 5 times as much.
It is a solid knife. Hasn't loosed up, and keeps a great edge - just as good as any 1095 knife I own (about 20 - various brands US, German, British) or have tried.
It is a better knife than those that cost 5 times as much.
Will Power
Gold Member
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The RR Barlows I have, single, two blade and an interesting tiny lockback Barlow have ALL been decent: great W&T, no gaps or play. A White Bone one was Scrimshawed by a vendor on the Bay and looks excellent. I'm sure the GD Barlow will be good, they're massive......
black mamba
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I have a RR Gdaddy barlow in my favorite material of theirs, brown sawcut bone. Furthest right in this picture, for comparison.
We just took it with us on our vacation to Hawaii, 'cause I needed a long blade to cut up some fresh pineapples! Worked great.
We just took it with us on our vacation to Hawaii, 'cause I needed a long blade to cut up some fresh pineapples! Worked great.
Will Power
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It is great Bone that Jeff.
Pineapples? You need a SAW for them sometimes
Regards, Will
Pineapples? You need a SAW for them sometimes
Regards, Will
black mamba
Gold Member
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My Gdaddy (make that "P"daddy!) handled them just fine. 
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Never give up on a knife!
After the "emergency surgery" on the sunfish described earlier, the knife locked up solid! Opening or closing the blade was an experience closer to operating a rock crusher with a VW engine... you had to put in a lot of muscle for the blade to grrrrrrrrind open or grrrrrrrrind closed.
A whole lotta work with a needle file set, followed up by a flush with WD-40, and a flush of the flush with "dry" spray-on lubricant, and the knife opens and closes like it's fresh from the factory, only without the terrible blade-play and over-glossy brass.
The $115 knife with issues goes back for a factory tune-up... the $10 knife gets to be a guinea pig in my "Seekrit La-BOR-atory" as my 3y.o. girl calls my workshop. (We've been letting her watch a lot of Dexter's Lab recently.)
After the "emergency surgery" on the sunfish described earlier, the knife locked up solid! Opening or closing the blade was an experience closer to operating a rock crusher with a VW engine... you had to put in a lot of muscle for the blade to grrrrrrrrind open or grrrrrrrrind closed.
A whole lotta work with a needle file set, followed up by a flush with WD-40, and a flush of the flush with "dry" spray-on lubricant, and the knife opens and closes like it's fresh from the factory, only without the terrible blade-play and over-glossy brass.
The $115 knife with issues goes back for a factory tune-up... the $10 knife gets to be a guinea pig in my "Seekrit La-BOR-atory" as my 3y.o. girl calls my workshop. (We've been letting her watch a lot of Dexter's Lab recently.)
Last edited:
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I had started a new thread with the post below, not knowing about this one. Jack Black suggested that maybe this should reside in the original RR thread instead. I agree with him. So, I closed the new thread and have done a copy/paste here in order to keep all the RR stuff in one place. Great suggestion, Jack. Thanks. 
***************************
A few days ago, PocketKnifeJimmy started a cool thread (here) where he expressed some curiosity about Rough Rider Knives and an interesting discussion ensued. The thread made me curious as well as I had no RRs in my collection. I had a used one in my possession a few years ago, the blade broke under light use (but it was a used knife when I got it) so I never bought another.
Recently, I found the CRKT Pocket Classics. Inexpensive, like the RRs, but knives that impressed me in the value category. They are good knives. So, what about RRs? Did I judge them too soon? I bought some and what follows is a pictorial comparison with some light weight comments that cannot be backed up over time yet as the knives are all new but one.
Whittler - Case vs RR vs CRKT
CRKT - $25
RR - $12
Case - $50 - $75
The quality of the Case, the F&F, and the knife steel is superior. But for actual use, it is hard to differentiate. The walk and talk is similar, the blade construction is similar, the weight and feel in the hand is similar. The CRKT come sharpest from the factory.
Peanut - Case vs RR
RR - $10
Case - $30 - $50
The covers on the RR Peanut are fake turquoise and the bolsters are engraved. The Case is jigged bone. The F&F of both are very good. No gaps. The Case has half-stops while the RR does not. The RR has a noticeably thinner main blade. One can take the blade in one's hand and slightly bend it from side-to-side. The Case is thick enough that you cannot bend the blade without significant exertion. Still, both are nice knives, especially the RR at its price point.
RR on the left.
Canoe - RR vs Case vs CSC
Case - $40 - $50
RR - $20 (for the "Moonshiners" package)
CSC - $110
Here the F&F really shows. The knives are extremely similar (the CSC is actually a Canoe/Cannitler w/3 blades) yet the F&F on the Case is far superior. Interestingly, the F&F on the CSC is not better than the RR although the blade steel (D2) is the best of the three. There are significant gaping in the RR & the CSC. The RR also has some minor chipping in the corncob jigging. The Case is well built and a good buy. The Moonshiners package is fun and a heck of a deal with all that comes with it. For $110 and the significantly poor F&F, this particular Canoe/Cannitler is not as good a value as either of the other two.
Moonshiners package (the 2 oz. flask and the knife come enclosed in the wooden barrel):
Case & RR:
RR:
Case:
CSC:
Utility (Camp) - Case vs RR vs Kamp King
Case - $100 (in stag)
RR - $15
KK - varies depending on condition and availability
Completely the opposite of the Canoes, these are all very different knifes. The blade pattern is the same, but the size varies widely. The RR is a very large and heavy knife. The F&F on this one was very good, but the spring for the can & bottle opener blades was very stiff. Almost unusable. But the main blade was nice, sturdy and capable of doing heavy duty work. The Case was much smaller, but very nicely put together. The KK was an older knife, but still quite functional and kind of fit in between the other two.
Size comparison - RR, KK, Case
Size comparison - RR & Case Peanut
RR Dog Bone Jack
This is a nice little knife, especially for $15. It particularly appealed to me as a dog lover. Comes with a whistle (not too loud, but not a silent whistle, either) and a nice leather pocket sheath. Two blades, sharp out of the box. Nice in the hand, good slicer. Certainly a novelty knife, but quite usable as well. I have found myself carrying this one with me outside often when I walk with my dogs. They easily trained to respond to the whistle.
In summary, the RR is not a bad deal for the money. It is not at the quality level of better knives but the cost easily compensates for that difference. I prefer the CRKT when available as it is also cheap, but seems to be a more substantial knife. If you are looking for a user and are not hung up on the fact that the steel is not super steel or even high quality steel, then the RR would be a knife to consider. I was particularly impressed with the Peanut.
The RR comes in some interesting packages and presentations (Moonshiner, Dog Bone Jack) that make the knife simply fun to own without breaking the bank.
Thanks for reading.
***************************
A few days ago, PocketKnifeJimmy started a cool thread (here) where he expressed some curiosity about Rough Rider Knives and an interesting discussion ensued. The thread made me curious as well as I had no RRs in my collection. I had a used one in my possession a few years ago, the blade broke under light use (but it was a used knife when I got it) so I never bought another.
Recently, I found the CRKT Pocket Classics. Inexpensive, like the RRs, but knives that impressed me in the value category. They are good knives. So, what about RRs? Did I judge them too soon? I bought some and what follows is a pictorial comparison with some light weight comments that cannot be backed up over time yet as the knives are all new but one.
Whittler - Case vs RR vs CRKT
CRKT - $25
RR - $12
Case - $50 - $75
The quality of the Case, the F&F, and the knife steel is superior. But for actual use, it is hard to differentiate. The walk and talk is similar, the blade construction is similar, the weight and feel in the hand is similar. The CRKT come sharpest from the factory.
Peanut - Case vs RR
RR - $10
Case - $30 - $50
The covers on the RR Peanut are fake turquoise and the bolsters are engraved. The Case is jigged bone. The F&F of both are very good. No gaps. The Case has half-stops while the RR does not. The RR has a noticeably thinner main blade. One can take the blade in one's hand and slightly bend it from side-to-side. The Case is thick enough that you cannot bend the blade without significant exertion. Still, both are nice knives, especially the RR at its price point.
RR on the left.
Canoe - RR vs Case vs CSC
Case - $40 - $50
RR - $20 (for the "Moonshiners" package)
CSC - $110
Here the F&F really shows. The knives are extremely similar (the CSC is actually a Canoe/Cannitler w/3 blades) yet the F&F on the Case is far superior. Interestingly, the F&F on the CSC is not better than the RR although the blade steel (D2) is the best of the three. There are significant gaping in the RR & the CSC. The RR also has some minor chipping in the corncob jigging. The Case is well built and a good buy. The Moonshiners package is fun and a heck of a deal with all that comes with it. For $110 and the significantly poor F&F, this particular Canoe/Cannitler is not as good a value as either of the other two.
Moonshiners package (the 2 oz. flask and the knife come enclosed in the wooden barrel):
Case & RR:
RR:
Case:
CSC:
Utility (Camp) - Case vs RR vs Kamp King
Case - $100 (in stag)
RR - $15
KK - varies depending on condition and availability
Completely the opposite of the Canoes, these are all very different knifes. The blade pattern is the same, but the size varies widely. The RR is a very large and heavy knife. The F&F on this one was very good, but the spring for the can & bottle opener blades was very stiff. Almost unusable. But the main blade was nice, sturdy and capable of doing heavy duty work. The Case was much smaller, but very nicely put together. The KK was an older knife, but still quite functional and kind of fit in between the other two.
Size comparison - RR, KK, Case
Size comparison - RR & Case Peanut
RR Dog Bone Jack
This is a nice little knife, especially for $15. It particularly appealed to me as a dog lover. Comes with a whistle (not too loud, but not a silent whistle, either) and a nice leather pocket sheath. Two blades, sharp out of the box. Nice in the hand, good slicer. Certainly a novelty knife, but quite usable as well. I have found myself carrying this one with me outside often when I walk with my dogs. They easily trained to respond to the whistle.
In summary, the RR is not a bad deal for the money. It is not at the quality level of better knives but the cost easily compensates for that difference. I prefer the CRKT when available as it is also cheap, but seems to be a more substantial knife. If you are looking for a user and are not hung up on the fact that the steel is not super steel or even high quality steel, then the RR would be a knife to consider. I was particularly impressed with the Peanut.
The RR comes in some interesting packages and presentations (Moonshiner, Dog Bone Jack) that make the knife simply fun to own without breaking the bank.
Thanks for reading.
I have that Dogbone and the smooth version too. They are quite good and fun to take on a walk in the woods.
I have about 25-30 RR's. Latest are two Trapperlocks. One amber bone jigged and the other red jigged bone
They are nice and slim, long and lock up well.
The Blue Moon Series is quite nice, especially the Sowbelly to me.
Barlows I have [3] are all pretty good with the smooth Outdoors one being just great in w+t,f+f.
RR electricians,in my experience, are really robust and well done, even nice half stops.
The Coal Miner series is very nice too with the Half Hawk being quite a substantial tool for the money.
I like being able to experience different patterns for little money. Some that didn't end up appealing to me I have gifted to grandkids etc.
Some others have been exceptional for the money and I use them. Because of Rough Riders I have purchase Case knives and other brands so I guess competion is healthly.
I have about 25-30 RR's. Latest are two Trapperlocks. One amber bone jigged and the other red jigged bone
They are nice and slim, long and lock up well.
The Blue Moon Series is quite nice, especially the Sowbelly to me.
Barlows I have [3] are all pretty good with the smooth Outdoors one being just great in w+t,f+f.
RR electricians,in my experience, are really robust and well done, even nice half stops.
The Coal Miner series is very nice too with the Half Hawk being quite a substantial tool for the money.
I like being able to experience different patterns for little money. Some that didn't end up appealing to me I have gifted to grandkids etc.
Some others have been exceptional for the money and I use them. Because of Rough Riders I have purchase Case knives and other brands so I guess competion is healthly.
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In summary, the RR is not a bad deal for the money. It is not at the quality level of better knives but the cost easily compensates for that difference. I prefer the CRKT when available as it is also cheap, but seems to be a more substantial knife. If you are looking for a user and are not hung up on the fact that the steel is not super steel or even high quality steel, then the RR would be a knife to consider. I was particularly impressed with the Peanut.
The RR comes in some interesting packages and presentations (Moonshiner, Dog Bone Jack) that make the knife simply fun to own without breaking the bank.
Thanks for reading.
Great post! I know that it takes a long time to take the pics, size them, upload them, then organize them. Then add the commentary and price comparisons... a lot of work! Thanks again.
I am going on a few years (5 - 6) of using a Remington branded, Chinese produced 4" stockman. I got it as a gift, and was reluctant to carry it as I thought it wouldn't hold up at work. After I carried it for a year or so, they had this same knife as well as a couple of others on sale at the end of the year and I bought more of the same pattern as well as a a couple of medium stockman patterns. All Remington badged.
The large Remington stockman pattern is an easy one for me to carry as it is a dead ringer for my favorite all time pattern, the CASE 92 series. With that in mind, I bought five of them! They came as a package deal with a two bladed peanut in the blister pack. I wound up taking one of the packages back as they stockman was dirty and gritty when I opened it and I didn't want to spend a couple of hours cleaning a $7.50 knife. (The combo was $15 on clearance.)
I gifted one, and kept three. Two of them have seen no use as I have had no reason to put them in my pocket yet. The one I have carried a lot over the last few years has been stellar. It snaps like it did when it was new, requires little maintenance, takes a great edge, and its steel has shown itself to be every bit as good in my hands as any traditional I have owned. I have actually used these knives harder than I would a CASE or similar as I don't have as much concern for the well being of a $7.50 knife as I do a $75 knife. Think of all the things a knife could do during a construction worker's day, and the Remington stockman has done them. Everything from stripping wire, cutting rope, breaking down boxes, to cutting an apple.
These Remingtons have a simple kind of elegance to me, one it took a while to warm up to. They are all stainless; liners, bolsters, blade, pivots, etc. They come with black wood handles (pakka wood) that I thought was plastic/delrin because it was so highly polished. Years of carrying have revealed the layers of wood under a strong light. So the scales and materials used in this knife are nearly indestructible.
I didn't think the knife would hold up, I thought the F/F would be lousy, and worst of all I thought the blades wouldn't hold a good edge. While I fully realize that I had to take on set back, I would put the Remingtons I got up against any traditional, mass produced offering on the market today. As is done with all traditionals today, it is better to see what you are buying first, but it stings a lot less when one of these knives isn't perfect as opposed to something that costs (literally!) ten times as much.
Unlike many here, I don't write these knives off anymore as a "starter knife" or a "good to try the pattern" knife. I don't think of them as novelties or "also ran" wannabes. The ones I own and use have proven themselves in a workingman's environment, so I can recommend them over most knives with no hesitation.
Robert
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I had started a new thread with the post below, not knowing about this one. Jack Black suggested that maybe this should reside in the original RR thread instead. I agree with him. So, I closed the new thread and have done a copy/paste here in order to keep all the RR stuff in one place. Great suggestion, Jack. Thanks.
My pleasure my friend. Personally I think this thread is too good a resource to lose, and your reviews are a great addition to it. Thanks for all your efforts :thumbup:
RR's are for real IMHO, very nice knives, with serviceable blade steel, you can't please everybody though. I really enjoy their barlows, especially the gunstock bone, very unique, and pleasing to the eye. F&F on this particular one is among the best I've seen. I have no quarrels, none. No gaps, no play, decent pull, and snap, and evenly died. Just a nice knife.
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heres a rough rider you dont see too often
one-arm razor barlow lockback
one-arm razor barlow lockback
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black mamba
Gold Member
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LEOGREG, if we put ours together we'd have a pretty complete collection of the brown sawcut! :thumbup: