Rough Rider & Related Slipjoints

yatsunil said:
After reading so many positives about affordable traditional folders in this thread, I just had to get onboard. Ordered one RR and one Colt. Can't wait for my first traditionals to arrive! Suddenly my current folders all look so tactical :(
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Be sure and come back here and let us know what you think 'em. This is not only an affordable way to try out patterns, but these knives are pretty good tools. I have found a couple of specimens that wear the Colt and Remington brand to be as good as any traditional pattern I have owned, foreign or domestic.

The good thing about these knives is you will most likely get a well built, useful knife that you won't be afraid to use for anything that you feel it should do. The old timers I know use their traditional knives for all manner of tasks that I would consider near abuse. They can take it! You can find your own limits with these, and use them for any task you want without worrying too much about the knife itself since you aren't in too deep when you buy one or two of these.

Betcha these won't be your last!

Robert
 
My Rough Rider collection so far. I'm sure there will be more in the future. They're almost too cheap to resist!

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Well I just got my rough rider and I got to say I'm pretty impressed! It cost me 11$ on that place named after a river. The lockup is strong with no play what so ever. The blades do rub a little bit on the liners but not enough to be upset about. There is a very small gap that light passes through on the back Springs but not enough to be upset about as well. the dye on the bone is a little darker on one side but I think that looks cool. The blades came pretty dulll but a few passes on a diamond rod and a piece of leather made it easily cut through notebook paper. Over all I really like it. Would I pick it over a case? No, but I will buy more! Now if I could just find a large Stockman with jigged bone I'd be happy!
Chris.
 
Welcome to the RRAC (Rough Rider Addiction Club), Chris!

I'm a tad surprised your blades came dulled. All three RR's I've bought so far were razors.

BTW, for a large Stockman in jigged bone look at the Case "Purple Haze" line. I just picked one up and love it.
 
I too am amazed by the fit and finish of my Rough Rider Canoe. For the price, it can't be beat. Can't really ask for more. Now to see how long it'll handle being carried and used.
 
Rough riders are the threshold drug of the knife collecting field. You can try 10 patterns for the price of one, it's all downhill from there. :D

Regards

Robin
 
I might end up buying one or two soon to test out. If they live up to their good reputation I'll be very pleased.
 
This one is a copy of my favorite Case pattern. It has been making a good account for itself as a dashboard knife in my truck. The cost was $12!
 
Well, to revisit that little Colt CT424 fixed blade I posted earlier, at least I think I posted the pic. Anywhosin. I decided to carry it then changed a few things, but dang it I missed the little pony on my belt. So it now rides on the belt on my right side and is probably the knife I reach for the most and for most things.

Not only after I recut the edge to my specs has it proven to be a real cutter on sticks to cordage, to fruit, I've found the spine to include the gimping and the false edge will throw a decent spark off my firesteels. I even ordered a second as a backup or maybe to be my wife's belt knife when we're out on the motorcycle. I actually had to order a third though because a friend who is a bowhunter and likes things bladely handled mine and liked it so much he asked me later if I had an extra one. I told him I had one on order, but I could sell it to him for what it cost me and order another in it's place which I did.

My RR Elephant Toenail is still a solid working knife though I'm not carrying it right now. I had picked up one a few years ago to try the pattern, but decided I just didn't like the awbaloney (fake abalone) scales much. I gave it to the wife who really liked the look and put it in her jewelry box. A few months ago she pulled it out while I was sharpening some other knives and had me sharpen it for her then she put it back. Yesterday she left for about a two month summer teaching gig three hours away working at her old district doing a summer program for some autistic kids. I had put her a little car and purse survival/emergency kit together and mentioned she should have a small knife of some sort on her. She said, "I'll carry my Toenail!" Which she got and slipped into a small zip pocket in her purse.
 
The RR Barlow lockback, a tiny peanut sized knife is my EDC. I have been sharpening lately on my Spyderco Sharpmaker as opposed to freehand. Let's just say after putting it through the sharpmaker my freehand leaves a lot to be desired!

I rotate between that and an ALOX Cadet whenever I think I might need the flathead on it. But in general its the little RR along for the ride. I had picked up a GEC recently. It was really high quality and beautiful. But at the end of the day, I think I like really slim, compact users, no muss, no fuss.
 
sogflash said:
I might end up buying one or two soon to test out. If they live up to their good reputation I'll be very pleased.
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Did the same thing with Frost Cutlery (Chattanooga TN) knives. I am somewhat surprised that the overall Rough Rider fit & finish seems to be a little better than the Frost Cutlery slippies. I suspect they are made by the same factory and certainly Frost and SMKW (Rough Rider distributor) are somewhat joined at the hip at least historically. Pricing is about the same.

I feel if you like slip joints, you need to take a look at the less expensive stuff too. They are surprisingly good as long as you're comfortable with 440A. If nothing else, it certainly helps to make you appreciate the more expensive brands.
 
midnight flyer said:
Oddly, I took a look at the Pacific Rim offerings because I was so disappointed in the knives I bought from German and domestic manufacturers. No names as I don't want to start an off topic storm of posts by those defending their favorite brand name. But it didn't make sense to me to buy a $100 knife that I had to accept as a project in some cases, one I had to flush out joints, soften up the edges for better carrying, rebevel and then sharpen the blades, and in glue the shield back in on occasion. Yet on another forum here, that is considered unfortunate and a not too often circumstance, but common enough for at least one of those issues to be addressed frequently.

No thanks. I don't want a project, a kit, or anything to add to my "to do" list. If I do, then I will gladly buy older, used versions of CASE, Buck, Boker, Queen, Eye, Schleiper, etc. and happily work on those for hours.

I got my first Pacific Rim knife as a branded as a Remington. It was a gift from my favorite niece that thought it was "pretty". A classic 4" stockman design, it has turned out to be an excellent work knife. Still at that time, I wouldn't have bought any of them myself. Since then I have bought a few Pacific Rim offerings, but not too many.

Although overall my luck with Pacific Rim knives (including non traditionals) is much better than with domestic and German models, I have decided at this point that regardless of point of origin "ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances".

Robert
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Glad I ran across your post, addresses most of the issues that I also have with so called "Premium Folders"
Considering the limited number that some of them produce you would think they would be head & shoulders above the mass produced
offerings but sadly I have not found this to be true.
George
 
yatsunil said:
I too am amazed by the fit and finish of my Rough Rider Canoe. For the price, it can't be beat. Can't really ask for more. Now to see how long it'll handle being carried and used.
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The canoe is one of their best frames IMO, it's very comfy using the spear with the pen allowing for a nice finger grip.
I discovered RR knives in the Feb 2007 edition of Knives illustrated, the article to my surprise was Very favourable toward the tested knife, a clip point lockback. I bought a micarta stockman and used it for well over a year before I bought a bunch. I cut leather with it every day pretty much using only the sheepsfoot. It cut 10 oz sheath leather like butter and still does. After about three years of heavy use the one blade is a bit slow. Not bad for a $7.00 knife. Since that time I have introduced 100s of people to the joys of slip joint addiction, Some have gone on to Case and GECs etc BUT the good old boys around here who use their knives Love the price and ability of the RRs.

Best regards

Robin
 
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Pipeman said:
SNIP... I cut leather with it every day pretty much using only the sheepsfoot. It cut 10 oz sheath leather like butter and still does. After about three years of heavy use the one blade is a bit slow. Not bad for a $7.00 knife. Since that time I have introduced 100s of people to the joys of slip joint addiction, Some have gone on to Case and GECs etc BUT the good old boys around here who use there knives Love the price and ability of the RRs.

Best regards

Robin
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Well, I think that says a lot right there. Few people I know use their knives for much more than opening mail and cutting up a piece of fruit now and then. In my job I use my knives so frequently (like when I am cutting and installing moldings) that I just leave it open on the cutting table. It is literally used ALL day sometimes. It sounds like yours get a good workout, too.

I haven't had one of these less expensive knives fail yet, and my Remington stockman that sees a LOT of job site time is probably about 6 years old by now. It has worked as well and is continuing to do so as well as any knife of its type I have ever owned, regardless of price and country of origin.

As I have said before, for some time now I no longer feel that I have to apologize for having one of these Pacific Rim offerings in my pocket. The knives I have from that part of the world work just fine with no excuses needed. And as for the folks that I have gifted these, they either buy and upgrade and can't see a lot of difference, or are just as happy with their RRs unless their new knife is "prettier".

Robert
 
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I just want to add. I Am doing my part to support the US slip joint makers, just ask my wallet :D What the RRs are is the 21st century Imperials and late Hammer brands, good hard working knives for cheap.

Regards

Robin
 
Pipeman said:
I've been buying RRs for years, think i've had most patterns. Just grabbed a big lot on the exchange forum and this 3 1/2 inch trapper showed up,have never seen this one before. The stag is not bad.

Regards

Robin
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Hey! That's my knife! :eek:

Thanks bro! :D
 
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