Rough Rider

M

Murdamook

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Nov 3, 2010
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They seem very inexpensive. How are they overall? Would traditional knife toters consider them worth while? I just ask because I want to make sure the price is not a reflection of the quality.
 
I have owned about half a dozen and I really like them. I always prefer a carbon steel blade, especially on a traditional knife. But for the price they are great users and they don't look half bad either.
Don't expect them to be perfect though. Some may have small gaps or imperfect fit and finish. But they are definitely worth the price.
 
I bought several RR's when I first started collecting slipjoints. If nothing else, they are good for trying out different patterns/sizes. The fit and finish is usually very good. The steel isn't very good in my opinion. I wonder if a few of them have any heat treat at all - very soft. Some people say they hold a good edge, none of mine did. I've upgraded since, and don't ever carry RR's anymore. Bottom line - I would rather have a $50 Queen with D2 than 10 RR's. They are decent knives for the money, but "excellent knives" they are not. I should add though, that their San Mai damascus lockback seems to use a different higher carbon steel, and holds a very good edge.
ETA - There is a 40-50 page thread in the traditionals section talking about RR's
Adam
 
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I've Taken A Look At Some Of Their Stuff, And It Seems Alright.

Honestly If You're Going For A Better But Lower Priced Knife(In My Opinion) I'd Go With:
-Winchester - Cheap But Overall Solid I've Owned Some And Never Had An Issue And Easy To Sharpen And Seem To Stay Decently Sharp.
-Schrade Old Timer Knives, Or Even Some Of Their Newer Knives, Uncle Henry, Awesome Prices, And Older Old Timers Are Made In The USA, I Own A Few And I Like Having Them In My Collection.
-You Can Get Some Nice Case Knives For Good Prices, Like The Sod Buster.
-Buck Has A Variety Of More Traditional Knives, Also Have Some Nice Gentleman Type Folders.

If You Wouldn't Mind A Lockback, Check Out The Kershaw Black Gulch - It's A Sweet Little Knife I Love It, It's My User And It Goes Everywhere With Me. I'm Looking Into Getting A Wildcat Ridge Too Which Is Just A Little Larger Than The Black Gulch.

Other Good Choices Would Be a Buck 55, Buck 112, Buck 110, Buck 111, Etc.
 
BladeChick777 said:
I've Taken A Look At Some Of Their Stuff, And It Seems Alright.

Honestly If You're Going For A Better But Lower Priced Knife(In My Opinion) I'd Go With:
-Winchester - Cheap But Overall Solid I've Owned Some And Never Had An Issue And Easy To Sharpen And Seem To Stay Decently Sharp.
-Schrade Old Timer Knives, Or Even Some Of Their Newer Knives, Uncle Henry, Awesome Prices, And Older Old Timers Are Made In The USA, I Own A Few And I Like Having Them In My Collection.
-You Can Get Some Nice Case Knives For Good Prices, Like The Sod Buster.
-Buck Has A Variety Of More Traditional Knives, Also Have Some Nice Gentleman Type Folders.

If You Wouldn't Mind A Lockback, Check Out The Kershaw Black Gulch - It's A Sweet Little Knife I Love It, It's My User And It Goes Everywhere With Me. I'm Looking Into Getting A Wildcat Ridge Too Which Is Just A Little Larger Than The Black Gulch.

Other Good Choices Would Be a Buck 55, Buck 112, Buck 110, Buck 111, Etc.
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Yeah, I have been into knives for a few years now. I already know about the alternatives. I am probably going to just buy a Lime Green Jigged Bone Medium Case Stockman.
 
Give the CRKT line of Pocket Classics a close look. The quality is amazing and the price will make you do a double take. I picked one up on a whim because I was looking for an inexpensive replacement for my old Uncle Henry stockman and I ended up buying one of every model in the lineup for my collection. I believe they are some of the best production folders on the market today - at any price.
 
I've eyeballed them before at a nearby sporting goods,they did'nt do it for me.Not saying they're bad or anything,I just like American made traditionals better.
 
Rough Riders are, as other said, great for the price. Some say they don't hold a good edge, but they will hold a decent working edge if you sharpen it right. The steel they use is a 440a/440b equivalent, which is great for having edge stability but not so much wear resistance; the trick is to put a very thin/acute primary bevel with a slightly thicker secondary bevel.

Also, if you get one of the san mai lockbacks, these are GREAT. They have a core of a harder steel which takes a very keen edge and holds it as well if not better than other carbon steel blades from my experience. The fit and finish on the san mai lockbacks is a notch above their regular lineup.
 
as someone else said there is a long thread in the traditional knife forum. most of the slippie guys there are impressed for the quality to price, and focus on the knives themselves and not on where it's made, or the name brand. it's kinda refreshing to see knive lovers talk only about the knives.

i own a handful myself, bought to see if i like patterns and to see how they do....and my assessment is they are pretty good. the 440a steel imho, holds a better edge than other brands 440a steel in knives i own. even big brand names....so i think it's falls into the everyone has their own opinion on what steel works and doesn't for themselves category. rr's 440a is no worse and imo better than some other brands 440a. as usual ymmv.

all that said they are not for everyone. if a case or maybe one of the value queen city line appeals to you more and you can afford a few bucks more to get the case or queen city, then it's a no brainer. i'll take a case or queen city over a rr anyday, but........i still carry my rr's and they get pocket time.
 
Great beater knives that actually hold an edge pretty well. I've been using a locking toothpick knife from them for years now.
 
Murdamook said:
I am probably going to just buy a Lime Green Jigged Bone Medium Case Stockman.
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Good choice.

If you ever have 10 or 15 dollars to spare in the future, consider getting a Rough Rider anyway. It would be worth it just to see for yourself and chances are you will like it.
 
I have one in my left pocket right now. I've been carrying one ever since I bought my first one to test as a chore knife, and that was about 4 years ago. RR makes folders for a lot of the companies you've already heard about, and what's funny is that they make many of the knives recommended in the above postings.

For price v. performance, they are a very affordable and make a good usin' knife, and are good little to start with if you are thinking about collecting slippies.
 
In my opinion Rough Rider are the best brand for trying out different patterns to see which ones you like.

They make decently built knives for very little money with decent (not great though) materials.

If you end up liking something that they make very much you can always buy a Case/Queen/GEC version of that knife if you want a nicer one.
 
Prolly the best "El Cheapo" knife. Fit and finish is nice, steel is just "OK" (but not actually "bad").

Mine cost $7, worth that (Opinels are $12-$16 now).

Would be good gifts, you could play with them first.
 
RR's are excellent knives. The ones I have bought came with razor sharp blades, great walk/talk, and very good fit/finish. For the price, they are hard to beat. But there are some other brands out there that are the same way; Steel Warrior, and Hammer Brand are two other brands I have bought and the same things said about the RR's applies to these brands as well. For all I know they may be produced in the same factory!
 
rr01.jpg


I only have two Rough Riders, but I'm impressed. Above, you see the 'Half-Whittler' in genuine pearl and abalone, and a 'Lockback Canoe' with yellow synthetic scales. Both use 440 steel and have real nickel bolsters with brass pins and liners. Not bad at all. :thumbup:

I was initially skeptical but have found them to be astonishingly high-value pocket knives: decent materials with good fit & finish--not great, but good. As others have mentioned, Rough Riders are fantastic for trying out new traditional-style patterns before committing to more expensive brands, and they also make excellent gifts.
 
cutter17 said:
RR's are excellent knives. The ones I have bought came with razor sharp blades, great walk/talk, and very good fit/finish. For the price, they are hard to beat. But there are some other brands out there that are the same way; Steel Warrior, and Hammer Brand are two other brands I have bought and the same things said about the RR's applies to these brands as well. For all I know they may be produced in the same factory!
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Is the steel any better on those brands?
 
I like them quite a bit. Steel is average, but then what else can you expect for the price. Finish is reasonable, in some cases surprisingly impressive (they have a luxury model with abalone hexagon inlay, for example). They make great gifts to non-knife people (beautiful, non-scary pieces) and are a good way to experiment with traditional patterns. I don't expect the entry level CRKTs and other made-in-china traditional series of Western brands to be substantially better, it could even be that RR makes them all!
So, they are swell to try out, and after that do an upgrade towards a German Eye or a Queen or a G.E.C.
 
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