Rough Rider Reserve Barlow nail breaker

H

HoleInPocket

Joined
Aug 12, 2022
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16
Hey all, I’m brand new here (minutes old) and I‘m sorry if I’m dropping this thread into the wrong spot. It’s a question about a traditional style knife (the RRR Barlow) that can be applied to any ole pocket knife. Opening my RRR Barlow really wants to tear my thumb nail off. Is it just mine? How can I fix this? A line of background here. I’m not really a knife collector or a knife guy but I’m an avid outdoors rambler. I also work in NYC so I shy away from modern pocket knives. Plus I just love the look and feel of traditional pocket knives
 
Welcome to BF. :)

Have you already flushed the joint with oil and worked it a bit?
 
Dadpool said:
Welcome to BF. :)

Have you already flushed the joint with oil and worked it a bit?
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I have not. My first thought was to do so but the only oil I have at hand that I would use is an old bottle of gun oil. Ballistol. Google told me that it is bad for brass and I think this knife has brass liners. I suppose I need to get some new oil. Or maybe google lied. That is always a possibility lol.
 
I use plain old mineral oil, or a knife-specific lubricant. Hopefully Ballistol helps. :)
 
HoleInPocket said:
Hey all, I’m brand new here (minutes old) and I‘m sorry if I’m dropping this thread into the wrong spot. It’s a question about a traditional style knife (the RRR Barlow) that can be applied to any ole pocket knife. Opening my RRR Barlow really wants to tear my thumb nail off. Is it just mine? How can I fix this? A line of background here. I’m not really a knife collector or a knife guy but I’m an avid outdoors rambler. I also work in NYC so I shy away from modern pocket knives. Plus I just love the look and feel of traditional pocket knives
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I detest nail-breakers, or even what some might describe as ”strong pulls”. I have had some moderate success loosening up a couple, but I still avoid using anything if it is an unpleasant experience to open or close it.

I don’t know if that is a problem with all examples of the knife you got, or just yours. Maybe someone else can suggest another moderately priced, readily available Barlow that they have had better luck with. Would you be open to a different traditional pattern altogether if it was also NYC friendly?

Sadly, since the demise of small independently-owned hardware stores and sporting goods stores, we are all pretty much stuck buying knives online, and hoping for the best when they arrive.
 
Just Tom. said:
I detest nail-breakers, or even what some might describe as ”strong pulls”. I have had some moderate success loosening up a couple, but I still avoid using anything if it is an unpleasant experience to open or close it.

I don’t know if that is a problem with all examples of the knife you got, or just yours. Maybe someone else can suggest another moderately priced, readily available Barlow that they have had better luck with. Would you be open to a different traditional pattern altogether if it was also NYC friendly?

Sadly, since the demise of small independently-owned hardware stores and sporting goods stores, we are all pretty much stuck buying knives online, and hoping for the best when they arrive.
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I am wide open to all suggestions. I’ve carried a Swiss Army Knife since I was a boy. When I lost my most recent one my wife bought me a Civivi flip thingy. Fun knife to play with but not really what I need. So, in my 40s, I decided to get a little classy. The word Barlow came up (what is more classy than a down in the dirt working knife) and after a short search I came up with this one. The Rough Rider Reserve Barlow. It had some good sounding reviews and I loved the way it looked. I do love this Barlow design but am wide open to suggestions. I do have a few Case knives that I love and some basic Mora camping knives. I love the Case mini copperlock but it gets lost in my pocket.
 
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Send it back and ask for a replacement. I have the same knife and mine is pinchable. Depending on the dealer they might send you another and tell you to keep the one that you have.
 
I do not recall thus being a general problem for this model. There is a dedicated thread for the reserve line here that may give you more information on the models. they are not known for hard pulls. Have you considered returning it?
 
Haven't tried RRR yet, although they have some very cool patterns. As far as oil goes, I like Super Lube. It's mineral oil with PTFE nanoparticles I think, odorless tasteless and food safe. Seems to work a bit better than mineral oil for me.
 
HoleInPocket said:
Hey all, I’m brand new here (minutes old) and I‘m sorry if I’m dropping this thread into the wrong spot. It’s a question about a traditional style knife (the RRR Barlow) that can be applied to any ole pocket knife. Opening my RRR Barlow really wants to tear my thumb nail off. Is it just mine? How can I fix this? A line of background here. I’m not really a knife collector or a knife guy but I’m an avid outdoors rambler. I also work in NYC so I shy away from modern pocket knives. Plus I just love the look and feel of traditional pocket knives
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There is basicly 3 things that affect the pull of a blade in a slip joint.
1. How hard does the liners squeeze on the blade. Is the blade peened to tight.
2. How hard does the back-spring push on the blade.
3. How thick and hard is the back-spring in it self

If it´s no1 it can usually be fixed with lubrication and som wear/usage over time.
If it´s no2 you can sometimes file down the part of the blade thet meets the spring without taking the knife apart, to releave some tension. Sometimes you do need to take the knife apart though.
If it´s no3 you can try to remove some material of the spring/spine of the handle by sanding it down 1/2mm.

Like others said, if it´s too hard and you find it to be something wrong, try returning it.
 
If you're considering returning the knife, before you do so, why don't you just try flushing out the joint, it could just have some gunk in there? This won't mark or alter the knife in any way, so if it doesn't work, you should still be able to return it (though Ballistol has a rather distinctive tell-tale smell).

Liberally oil the joint of the knife, and work the blade backwards and forwards a few times. Open the blade to around 45 degrees, and blow air through the joint, from the blade well out, using canned air or a compressed air line. You might want to put a tissue around it to catch any gunk as it comes out.

Oil the joint again, work the blade backwards and forwards, open the blade to around 90 degrees, and blow out the joint again. Repeat the procedure with the blade at around 120 degrees.

Keep repeating, with the blade open at various angles until the oil being blown out is clear.

Hopefully, this will make a difference. If not, you can either return it, or there are various other procedures, but most will alter the knife very slightly.
 
Thank you all so much for the replies guys. I’m out and about this weekend but will try a bit of oil in the pivot tomorrow and update on the results.
 
Open the blade until the backspring is extended out to its farthest point, leave it there for a while. That can loosen the spring a little and make opening easier, but it is a permanent change so check it often.
 
Thanks chuckgp chuckgp . I did as you said and also the steps that Jack Black Jack Black B Barbababa and others were so kind to drop me a line about. I asked my wife to open the knife after oiling and letting it sit 80% open for a while. She said it was tight but she opened it without a problem. I gave it a shot. 100% better. Hard to say what did it but it worked. Probably a mash up of all the great advice. Thanks guys.
 
If you can get your hands on a GEC Sudbuster, now is the time, thats a great knife to be a user and retain value.
 
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