Rough Rider vs Old Timer Shrade

[tranders]

Which of these China made folders are better quality?
I have read a few favorable reviews on the Rough Riders. I never was a huge fan of Old Timer when they were made in USA,but curious to their quality now.

Thanks!

 

[JohnDF]

I've had some good knives from Rough Rider, but the last several I've bought have been pretty bad. I got two more in today that really are gas station quality; blade rub, gaps, blade wobble, super gritty actions, etc. Good thing they are cheap, but I think I'm done with buying them.

 

[Misplaced Hillbilly]

I have both, both are good imo. But I handle them before I buy. I've got more new Old Timers. If your looking for good user working knives their hard to beat for the money.

 

[afishhunter]

I only have a couple offshore made Old Timer's.
A 7OT lockback
Full size Trapper
15OT(?) single blade peanut size thing that I never carry.

I don't have a Rough Rider trapper or lockback, so I can only compare "oranges to grapefruit" as it were.

The offshore made Old Timers I have compare favorably to the Rough Riders I have as far as over-all quality.
The offshore 7OT compares favorably to my vintage USA made 7OT, as well.

 

[Henry Beige]

There is one made-in-China Old Timer on my shelf, a 128OT stockman, bought about 15 years ago in a big box store. For a long time it was my only no-SAK slipjoint. I probably paid too much for it, about $20. I didn’t expect much from it, and it delivered. It is probably not representative of current ownership or production.

I can’t say for sure if the scales are bone or synthetic. Either way, the finish is drab and lifeless, even if I spiff them up a bit with some oil or beeswax. The scales are curling away from the liners, and do not blend particularly well with the bolsters. The glued-in shield sits cockeyed, even after it fell out and I tried to glue it in straight.

The blades have decent snap, with half-stops that are a bit vague. The springs are flush when closed. When open, the spring for the clip is a little low; the other is proud at both ends.

Most of my several Rough Riders are better fitted than the OT, and they all look better. Most of them came sharper out of the box than I could ever get the Schrade.

 

[Wurrwulf]

I have a few Rough Riders and one 108OT. The Rough Riders are much better fit and finish. Obviously, not enough of a sample size to be definitive, but I'd be more willing to purchase a RR sight unseen.

 

[Will Power]

I have two of the 3 OT small lock backs that are Chinese made. One is Delrin, the other Buffalo Horn. Both are properly well finished, excellent lockup and impressive spring/blade line up. No blade play. Small at 3" they are a very reasonable watch pocket worker. The Delrin is not as nice as the US versions but it's a tight, tidy little knife.

 

[Modoc ED]

Here is a write-up I did a few months ago in July. It compares two Rough Rider and one Imperial Schrade knives - all China made.
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"These knives came in yesterday and here's my .02¢ on them so far.

I'll continue to use these knives in the coming weeks and of course carry them. Of the three, I really like the RR 479 Sowbelly. It's solid and fits the hand nicely. So does the IMP 25 Sowbelly.

I think that if someone is just getting into knife collecting, these brands would make a great gateway for them and the price point for these knives would allow them to accumulate several patterns to experiment with."
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As a follow-up to the above write-up, I've been using the two Rough Riders around my place for various tasks and they're holding up nicely. Neither of them has loosened up or had the liners or bolsters shift and the blades hold a good edge.

I've also had a few Colt branded China made knives and those have been very decent. I've used those Colt knives for X-mas presents for nephews.

As to the China made Old Timers, I haven't had any; therefore, I can't speak to them.

 

[mpt]

From my experience (about dozen RRs and 2 Schrades: 123OT, IMP22Y) they're similar as it comes to fit and finish. However comparatively sharpened (both cut paper with ease) RRs cut wood way better. Schrades gave me a "feeling of slipping/sliding" and required much more force to cut similarly to RRs.