Rough Ryder Reserve: New Premium Rough Ryder Line

Some of these look like they use a random knife feature generator to produce the pattern or they just slap popular features together on one knife thinking "Well, if EO notches are cool and wharncliffe blades are cool and everybody loves the teardrop/bullet pattern with a balloon spear... let's put them all together! It will be awesome x3!"
 
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So, I've been watching this and the other rough ryder threads. I was interested in getting some less expensive traditional knives to use but would like some upgrade in materials and fit. These seemed to fit the bill very well except most of the models had something funky about them, this example included.

I love the SwayBack pattern, so this was the one I'd try and it did not disappoint. For around $40 this is a smashing deal. Huge upgrade over the standard RR SwayBack. Much better fit. The only gripe I have is in the design. The nail nick is so close to the pivot, with the heavy pull it makes the knife hard to open using that method. The EZ open method works OK, but it gets tiresome. Unless you are diligent about wiping it off, you'll get on odd patina just right there on the blade from your finger oils. I wish they'd have just put the nail nick further out, got rid of the EZ open, and had a less heavy pull and it would be about perfect for me. Some pics to compare with the standard version I got for $12 after a partial refund because the tip arrived bent and dinged (I fixed it but I did ask and the seller agreed to check the tip specifically if the grinds were crisp and the tip was sharp, but neither were). The fit on the standard SwayBack is not so good.

RRR009

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craytab said:
I love the SwayBack pattern, so this was the one I'd try and it did not disappoint. For around $40 this is a smashing deal. Huge upgrade over the standard RR SwayBack. Much better fit. The only gripe I have is in the design. The nail nick is so close to the pivot, with the heavy pull it makes the knife hard to open using that method. The EZ open method works OK, but it gets tiresome. Unless you are diligent about wiping it off, you'll get on odd patina just right there on the blade from your finger oils. I wish they'd have just put the nail nick further out, got rid of the EZ open, and had a less heavy pull and it would be about perfect for me. Some pics to compare with the standard version I got for $12 after a partial refund because the tip arrived bent and dinged (I fixed it but I did ask and the seller agreed to check the tip specifically if the grinds were crisp and the tip was sharp, but neither were). The fit on the standard SwayBack is not so good.

RRR009
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Swayback is not one of my favorite traditional styles, but I have the standard blue model (shown in your photo above) that I picked up in a bundle I purchased here on the Exchange. Fit and finish on my example are really outstanding. Some of it must just be luck of the draw.

Some of the Reserve models put me off because of the quirky design choices, but the ones I have - 001 and 008 - are really well done.
 
craytab said:
I'll also add that the new Heavy Trapper looks really good.
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I agree, the Heavy Trapper does look really nice. Is it only available in denim micarta? Some people said they had issues with earlier RR Reserve denim micarta, did that turn out to be a real problem? Hopefully those who have experience will chime in... Thanks in advance!
 
That Teardrop looks very... strange. That's a pity, because it's one of my favourite patterns, and RR make them rarely. I wish they just made their RR teardrop with RRR materials and a fatter spear.
 
rje58 said:
I agree, the Heavy Trapper does look really nice. Is it only available in denim micarta? Some people said they had issues with earlier RR Reserve denim micarta, did that turn out to be a real problem? Hopefully those who have experience will chime in... Thanks in advance!
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I don't recall reports of RRR denim micarta issues, but that doesn't mean there aren't. I'm certainly no expert on RR, or traditionals in general, and I have only been following the few threads on RR here for a month or so. Curious to hear if there is an issue.

I did read about the regular RR "micarta" shrinking. On my example of the regular RR swayback, the "micarta" absolutely has a huge gap that certainly could have resulted from shrinking but more likely is just poor fit/finish.
 
craytab said:
I don't recall reports of RRR denim micarta issues, but that doesn't mean there aren't. I'm certainly no expert on RR, or traditionals in general, and I have only been following the few threads on RR here for a month or so. Curious to hear if there is an issue.

I did read about the regular RR "micarta" shrinking. On my example of the regular RR swayback, the "micarta" absolutely has a huge gap that certainly could have resulted from shrinking but more likely is just poor fit/finish.
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From what I remember, there were reports of people who carried the blue denim RRR one-arm razor 001 and had gotten it sweaty and/or wet, and the micarta has actually begun to 'wear away' prematurely... I'll see if I can find those reports.
 
I have the original three from last year about this time,
The one-hand knife is the best overall even though the micarta is a little different. Its slim and solid, looks "right" if that makes any sense, and has great FFA (Fit, Finish, and Action)
The other two are thicker and heavier overall than they need to be and the designs are a little unique, but the FFA is top shelf.

They have completely lost the plot since then. Why is it that these have to be unique in such a goofy way? The build, if like the originals, is fantastic. The aesthetics IMHO are terrible. They should be improving materials and subtlety. They are going the wrong way in my view.
 
This is all I can find so far. Was there any follow up?

Rough Rider & Related Slipjoints

I get a kick out of the fact that they pack a return slip with their knives. :D (quote) "Most unusual, Captain." (Mr. Spock, 1st Officer, USS 'ENTERPRISE') (end quote) They've never included that sheet of paper in any of my orders/packages ... not that I've ever needed it ....
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
rje58 said:
From what I remember, there were reports of people who carried the blue denim RRR one-arm razor 001 and had gotten it sweaty and/or wet, and the micarta has actually begun to 'wear away' prematurely... I'll see if I can find those reports.
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I guess I can't find where anyone says they have an issue with their denim micarta on the one arm. Some people do have issues with their regular RR Micarta.
 
I remember a claim of it not being real denim micarta because the layers didn't show when it was sanded down or something.
 
JohnDF said:
The Trapper has been done to death and there are many copies they could have followed. Typically the pulls would be on the same side if the Wharncliffe is in front. Even Case gets that right. And then there is the tiny nail nick as mentioned before by Mr. Sorenson. And why so many pins??? Seems odd they would copy a proven pattern yet stray from the formula that makes it so good.
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They haven't really strayed that far on the trapper. 2 extra pins (one on each end) and a lanyard tube and like GEC, the nail nicks are on opposite sides. 🤷‍♂️

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nickvnlr said:
I remember a claim of it not being real denim micarta because the layers didn't show when it was sanded down or something.
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That was never made clear exactly, seemed to me to be the impression that was intended but never confirmed. There were no 'fibers' in the dust from sanding I think was the claim.
It's not like any micarta I have on any better knife, that's for sure. Doesn't mean it's not resin soaked fabric of some kind.
 
The blue and black "Micarta" on the knife I posted above looks and feels more like G10 to me.
 
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