Rough Ryder Reserve: New Premium Rough Ryder Line

[jrawk]

The blue and black "Micarta" on the knife I posted above looks and feels more like G10 to me.

except G10 (and real micarta) does not shrink/recede like RR micarta does.

 

[craytab]

except G10 (and real micarta) does not shrink/recede like RR micarta does.

True.

 

[craytab]

Well, after having the RRR009 for over a month, I've got some more thoughts. I still think it is a good buy at sub $40. Fit/finish, function, and materials are all worthy of, at or above that price, IMO.

Some critiques are the nail nick is useless to me. Too close to the pivot so the lack of leverage means you have to pull really hard, making you a little worried of a mishap involving a cut. Fine, that is what the easy open cutout is for, right? Well, if you use that all the time, the nicely finished blade will always have a finger print right there that you either need to wipe off or live with. I didn't like those options so I decided to force a patina on the whole blade. After couple 10-12 hour stints in a lemon, I think it came out pretty good. And as HEMI 49 pointed out in another thread, the blade can be a bit slippery. I swear that with this patina I can get a better grip. Before pic includes the finger smudge on the blade. After is the patina that will hide any such smudge. Now, with use I'll just add to the character!

 

[B1GSHOT]

These are my favorites so far...

RRR003 Swell Centered Whittler - Really nice giant main blade
RRR005 Hedgehog - Both blades are nice (The RRR002 Kayak is very nice too)
RRR007 Nomad Folding Hunter - Really nice action and fits my hand nice.

My least favorites are...

RRR004 Bar Back - That weird main blade just doesn't look or feel right to me
RRR006 Rhino Toe - It may be a good knife, but I'm just not a fan of this kind of knife.
RRR010 Tear Drop Jerk - Frankenstein design that doesn't work in actual use
RRR001 / RRR009 - Not a fan of the EZ open design

These are a little overbuilt / too big...

RRR008 Common Stock - This pattern is better around 4 to 4.25 inches closed.
RRR011 Heavy Trapper - Too thick

 

[chuckgp]

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.

That was me, yes no fibers after sanding down at least half way, just lots of resin dust. Not the same as the Northwoods denim micarta...not the same at all, maybe Pipescarta or something. Probably 1 layer of denim or just a jpeg of it covered by lots of goop.

Another member here said that they did get fibers though.

 

[FLymon]

That was me, yes no fibers after sanding down at least half way, just lots of resin dust. Not the same as the Northwoods denim micarta...not the same at all, maybe Pipescarta or something. Probably 1 layer of denim or just a jpeg of it covered by lots of goop.

Another member here said that they did get fibers though.

Thanks for the follow up. So when you sanded yours once the top layer was gone you saw no more fibers in the scale itself? I understand none in the dust, but the pattern on the new scale can't be seen after sanding and then wetting or polishing what's left?
Not doubting you at all, and wouldn't be surprised by the low end material, just clarifying.

What impresses me most about the knives is the workmanship, however they achieve it. Better materials can't be all that much more money. The investment in machinery and/or labor to get the F&F they do at the price point is what I find impressive.

 

[B1GSHOT]

I’ve heard of micarta being referred to as canvas micarta, denim micarta, and linen micarta. Supposedly the texture depends on the fabric.

 

[craytab]

Just looking at the imperfections and layering on the RRR009, it looks like polished canvas micarta to me. I have and have had lots of modern fixed blades in various types of micarta with various types of finish. The RRR009 is consistent with my expectations based on those experiences. Now, that Rough Ryder swayback I posted earlier that is supposed to be micarta? It looks much more like G10 to me, of which I also have lots of experience with from modern folders and fixed blades. In fact, I would not be shocked if it was something inferior to G10, just based on the price point and reports of shrinking.

 

[chuckgp]

Thanks for the follow up. So when you sanded yours once the top layer was gone you saw no more fibers in the scale itself? I understand none in the dust, but the pattern on the new scale can't be seen after sanding and then wetting or polishing what's left?
Not doubting you at all, and wouldn't be surprised by the low end material, just clarifying.

What impresses me most about the knives is the workmanship, however they achieve it. Better materials can't be all that much more money. The investment in machinery and/or labor to get the F&F they do at the price point is what I find impressive.

no, there were no fibers at all after sanding about half of the material down in one finger-size area, but it did make a contoured grip there. Just resin dust no denim. Yes you can still see 'the pattern' if you mean the 'pseudo-denim', but you can't feel it, its still 'down deep' in there. The denim is 'easier' to see in that area because some of the Pipes mucus...errr micarta has been cleared away.

I like these knives too, F&F is excellent, but WTF just make micarta like you're supposed to, maybe check out a Northwoods duhhh Pipes. Make an excellent new product line and screw up the covers. its just micarta dude, we know what that is. faux faux faux

Just another sign of this 5G high tech world, so awesome, its all just insane (yes i know it is truly) gee everbody's a millionaire but make a cell phone digital call and it sounds like you're in the freekin sewers with 2 cups and 50 miles of wet string...turn on some music and its all the same song over and over, if you listen...hello?

 

[JohnDF]

Just got this RR Reserve Carbon Scout knife.
At first look, I was very excited, have I finally received a Rough Rider that is actually worth the purchase?
It had nicely fit covers, it was attractive, there was minimal gapping at the back spring, and the blades looked nicely nestled in their well.
Now the bad news... the main blade has like a #2 or #3 pull and no snap at all, and the bottle opener has a 9+ pull and can't be opened.

Edit: Found out why I couldn't open the cap lifter... the spine of it is sitting inside the nick of the main blade, locking it in place. It opens pretty easily when you open the main blade first... but that ain't safe!

There are other nit-picks, but the function is the only one that matters. Oh well... It will look nice just sitting on the desk.

 

[B1GSHOT]

Have you oiled the joints yet? There's grit inside Rough Ryders when you get them. The Reserves come clean, but the regular ones no.

 

[craytab]

Just got this RR Reserve Carbon Scout knife.
At first look, I was very excited, have I finally received a Rough Rider that is actually worth the purchase?
It had nicely fit covers, it was attractive, there was minimal gapping at the back spring, and the blades looked nicely nestled in their well.
Now the bad news... the main blade has like a #2 or #3 pull and no snap at all, and the bottle opener has a 9+ pull and can't be opened.
I've have some strong pulls, and I like them. I buy knives from people that can't open them and I find them easy enough. But this one is locked shut.
The look of the knife is wonderful, but once again the function is lacking. Some day i will learn... but I wanted a nice Scout Knife like Grandpa used to carry.

There are other nit-picks, but the function is the only one that matters. Oh well... It will look nice just sitting on the desk.

That sucks. Like mentioned, you might try some oil. Quick correction, I don't think that is in the Reserve line.

 

[JohnDF]

Have you oiled the joints yet?

you might try some oil.

Oiled it right away. It didn't improve the snap on the main blade.
Found out why I couldn't open the cap lifter... the spine of it is sitting inside the nick of the main blade, locking it in place.

 

[nickvnlr]

Just got this RR Reserve Carbon Scout knife.
At first look, I was very excited, have I finally received a Rough Rider that is actually worth the purchase?
It had nicely fit covers, it was attractive, there was minimal gapping at the back spring, and the blades looked nicely nestled in their well.
Now the bad news... the main blade has like a #2 or #3 pull and no snap at all, and the bottle opener has a 9+ pull and can't be opened.

Edit: Found out why I couldn't open the cap lifter... the spine of it is sitting inside the nick of the main blade, locking it in place. It opens pretty easily when you open the main blade first... but that ain't safe!

There are other nit-picks, but the function is the only one that matters. Oh well... It will look nice just sitting on the desk.

That's not a Reserve, but it is a pity yours is not so good. Mine came in perfect working order except the cap lifter is not designed right and doesn't actually fit over a capped bottle top and the screw driver is butter soft and will twist with very light pressure. Despite that, it's still one of my favorites. I think I like the heft for the size and I like the bail.

 

[Pàdruig]

Just got this RR Reserve Carbon Scout knife.
At first look, I was very excited, have I finally received a Rough Rider that is actually worth the purchase?
It had nicely fit covers, it was attractive, there was minimal gapping at the back spring, and the blades looked nicely nestled in their well.
Now the bad news... the main blade has like a #2 or #3 pull and no snap at all, and the bottle opener has a 9+ pull and can't be opened.

Edit: Found out why I couldn't open the cap lifter... the spine of it is sitting inside the nick of the main blade, locking it in place. It opens pretty easily when you open the main blade first... but that ain't safe!

There are other nit-picks, but the function is the only one that matters. Oh well... It will look nice just sitting on the desk.

I got a RR Scout in a giveaway that 5K Qs conducted a few years back. Overall, it is a fine knife with a pretty stellar blade configuration. That said, it isn't a marvel of engineering, I can't pull the punch or close it without opening the main blade first and the nail nick on the caplifter is too shallow. It's still a very usable knife though and one that I am happy to own - I keep it in my hunting bag.

 

[JohnDF]

I was able to take a hammer to the cap lifter and straighten the krink out a bit... It will open now.

 

[B1GSHOT]

good news!

 

[chuckgp]

has anyone else seen the new spaces for RRR damascus knives if you search SMKW?

15-16 new spots for knives

 

[Alex.Y.]

has anyone else seen the new spaces for RRR damascus knives if you search SMKW?

15-16 new spots for knives

Yeah. People think that those might be a webmaster's mistake and they are really RR, not RRR

 

[nickvnlr]

Yeah. People think that those might be a webmaster's mistake and they are really RR, not RRR

Yeah, some of the naming conventions are not right. There are a bunch of modern sounding knives in there as well labeled as RRR. Judging from the already strange ideas, I suppose anything is possible.