Rough Ryder Reserve: New Premium Rough Ryder Line

hornetguy said:
Does anyone have an inside track on when these will actually be available?
Click to expand...
I was trying to find anything on that, but was unable. It’s probably whenever the ship docks in Tennessee :p .
colubrid said:
I don't like D2... . I wish they made this line with the regualr steel and did not upgrade the Canoe with the new style.. should have kept the canoe the way it was.

Just make the fit and finish better.
Click to expand...
I just sharpened both their 440A and T10 carbon steel tonight. I found both of them to be soft; by feel (Take that for what it’s worth) the T10 was softer than the 440A. I think the 440A might be better that my Gerber in 420. The T10 took a wicked sharp edge. No idea how either will hold up their edges but my expectations aren’t high, which is fine for this product.

do you have any experience with these standard Rough Ryder steels? I’m curious, because I’d be nervous to have them on a $50 knife based on what I’ve seen so far. D2 seems like more of a slam dunk, or at the very least 440C.
 
hornetguy said:
I will likely try one of these, just "because".... I got one of the VG-10 stockmen, and it was pretty nicely made.. I got it with the intention of replacing the scales, and did that... on this one, they actually placed the blades in correctly, with the "ground sides" matching correctly, which eliminated the need to "krink" any blades.
jrVYS0.jpg
jL5OJr.jpg


it's actually a pretty slim, easy to carry stockman... with nice steel. I haven't done any cutting with it yet, but will get the edges the way I like them, and perhaps carry it for several days to see how it behaves...
I really think I prefer the VG-10 over the D2, but either one is a few steps above the 420's and 440ab's... 440C is pretty nice, though. Of course, these are just MY opinions, and worth what you paid for them.... :cool: :thumbsup:
Click to expand...


Where can i find the VG-10 stockman with the plain handles (black knife pictured on the right)?

I looked online and only find the bolstered VG-10. I prefer the non bolstered one you have.
 
colubrid said:
Where can i find the VG-10 stockman with the plain handles (black knife pictured on the right)?

I looked online and only find the bolstered VG-10. I prefer the non bolstered one you have.
Click to expand...
It comes with the two tone aluminum scales on it...no bolsters. Just unscrew those, and put whatever you want on it.
I put those ebony scales on that one. It's not terribly difficult to do... just find some decent 2mm screws the right length for whatever thickness scales you decide to put on it.
 
JohnDF said:
I noticed it too, but then thought maybe it was made for people with EITHER one arm or two.


Rough Ryder put combs in their knives before they were cool. :D
Click to expand...

I mean, how dare they give you the option to pinch it open easily or use the one hand open feature.

hornetguy said:
I will likely try one of these, just "because".... I got one of the VG-10 stockmen, and it was pretty nicely made.. I got it with the intention of replacing the scales, and did that... on this one, they actually placed the blades in correctly, with the "ground sides" matching correctly, which eliminated the need to "krink" any blades.
jrVYS0.jpg
jL5OJr.jpg


it's actually a pretty slim, easy to carry stockman... with nice steel. I haven't done any cutting with it yet, but will get the edges the way I like them, and perhaps carry it for several days to see how it behaves...
I really think I prefer the VG-10 over the D2, but either one is a few steps above the 420's and 440ab's... 440C is pretty nice, though. Of course, these are just MY opinions, and worth what you paid for them.... :cool: :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Very nice! I don’t worry too much about steel, but I felt it was worth trying one of these. Still, the handles are not a good look in my opinion. I haven’t got up the gumption to make different ones, but yours look great!

Omnius said:
It is just my suspicion based on that I haven't heard or seen anything to prove VG-10 series isn't abandoned.

I didn't mean discontinued, they probably still make them, but no plans to add more interesting models. The series was released i think half a year ago or more and only has 2 knives and for me not the most popular because of size and handle material. Because of these flaws I guess it didn't sell good enough to expand, but since it is VG-10 for a decent price also not bad enough to not be somewhat profitable.

No new models came since release and I don't remember ever hearing much about this series in their videos, so I assumed they left old designs in production for now, but switched focus to other series.
Click to expand...

I think they just don’t really do brand communication that well. They didn’t announce the new Queen knives, other than talking about them in a live stream a bit. They didn’t announce the new work knife, other than on their Instagram story I think. They did do more of an announcement on these Rough Ryder Reserves.

Camillus said:
I am based in Australia and enjoy the history and tradition of American pocket knives. Due to the crazy prices of imported goods I could never afford them as a boy and am over-compensating as an adult!

But how, on any level, you American guys can go for these knock-off imports is just a real struggle for me to comprehend. Don’t you realise and appreciate the beauty, value and significance of your own cutlery industry?
Click to expand...

How do these affect the significance of our cutlery history?

I know they’re not going to affect my enjoyment of GEC (gonna keep buying afaict), they’re not going to affect my buying of Case (I don’t really buy them; don’t like the unpinned shields, haven’t had great luck with quality control), etc.

hornetguy said:
Does anyone have an inside track on when these will actually be available?
Click to expand...

No, but I’ll ask. Also gonna ask again if the shields are pinned.
 
jrawk said:
This is what turns me off of most RR and Case knives, and is why i'm excited to see more RRR offerings that align closer to a GEC design aesthetic -- no goofy "R" bolsters, no goofy shields or center bolsters, no outlandish blade etches.


Anyway.. Bulldog brand knives have matchstrike nail nicks. Were they as ill received because of them?
Click to expand...
A match-strike nail nick just might come in handy if you have some strike anywhere matches and need to start a fire.
 
Camillus said:
I am based in Australia and enjoy the history and tradition of American pocket knives. Due to the crazy prices of imported goods I could never afford them as a boy and am over-compensating as an adult!

But how, on any level, you American guys can go for these knock-off imports is just a real struggle for me to comprehend. Don’t you realise and appreciate the beauty, value and significance of your own cutlery industry?
Click to expand...
I love American pocket knives, but I also have German, English, Japanese, French and Italian made traditional pocket knives. I may decide not to purchase a RR based on the qualities of the knife, but I won't avoid purchasing a foreign made knife solely on the country of origin.

I may not buy a knife because of its beauty, value and significance, but country of origin is not a factor for me.
 
Last edited:
LastRodeo said:
It depends on the sharpness of the edges of the match-strike pull.
Click to expand...
they aren't super sharp- I suspect the polishing of the blades takes some of the toothyness off of it. I will say that although it has a crescent shape, on my RR barlow they extend for what would be a long pull's worth of length.

In other news---

So fondling my knew RR, I think I'd expect the Reserve line to be chunkier than Case or GEC knives of a similar ilk. One of the sacrifices these knives seem to make is bulkiness... which in my mind stands to reason. It's probably easier to make a thick chunky knife with less dimensional tolerance constraints than it is to make something more... what's the word... sophisticated?

I am enjoying the chunkiness of the barlow. feels like I'm holding a hunk of steel, which is kind of what I think a barlow should be. A useful hunk of steel for cutting things. If the RRR line made a barlow that feels similar to this with better quality control, micarta handles and D2, I think I'd get one.
 
EngrSorenson said:
So fondling my knew RR, I think I'd expect the Reserve line to be chunkier than Case or GEC knives of a similar ilk. One of the sacrifices these knives seem to make is bulkiness... which in my mind stands to reason. It's probably easier to make a thick chunky knife with less dimensional tolerance constraints than it is to make something more... what's the word... sophisticated?
Click to expand...
That's my observation of the swayback work knife in comparison to the GEC 47 Viper. It's obviously thicker and more robust than the viper which to me is a tad too slim. The upcoming 2020 BladeForums Viper looks to be the "mama bear" just right.
 
LastRodeo said:
I may not buy a knife because of its beauty, value and significance, but country of origin is not a factor for me.
Click to expand...

I've been thinking about this and for me the country of origin becomes an influencing factor when it comes to traditional knives only.
For modern knives it would make no difference at all where they come from.
When I "discovered" the traditional world of knives I became fascinated with the stories and the history behind the them.
The appeal of getting a traditional knife made in it's country of origin is certainly strong.
I read about the origins of Case and Buck in America, the laguioles and opinels in France, Grohmann knives in Canada, my very much loved lambsfoot from Sheffield England and so on.

I am originally from Argentina and one day I would like to buy a Facón, the traditional gaucho knife. I will get one from an Argentine maker. It would not make sense to me to buy it from a French maker let's say , the same as I would not be interested in a Laguiole from Argentina if there is such a thing.

Now... to be honest... I do have 4 RR and they are quite good and I like them. I gave a canoe to my daughter and she loves it too.
However that bit of magic in owing, using a traditional knife is not as strong ( which makes no difference in their ability to cut things )

Just sharing my feelings about traditional knives and not meaning to derail the thread at all.
 
CelloDan said:
I've been thinking about this and for me the country of origin becomes an influencing factor when it comes to traditional knives only.
For modern knives it would make no difference at all where they come from.
When I "discovered" the traditional world of knives I became fascinated with the stories and the history behind the them.
The appeal of getting a traditional knife made in it's country of origin is certainly strong.
I read about the origins of Case and Buck in America, the laguioles and opinels in France, Grohmann knives in Canada, my very much loved lambsfoot from Sheffield England and so on.

I am originally from Argentina and one day I would like to buy a Facón, the traditional gaucho knife. I will get one from an Argentine maker. It would not make sense to me to buy it from a French maker let's say , the same as I would not be interested in a Laguiole from Argentina if there is such a thing.

Now... to be honest... I do have 4 RR and they are quite good and I like them. I gave a canoe to my daughter and she loves it too.
However that bit of magic in owing, using a traditional knife is not as strong ( which makes no difference in their ability to cut things )

Just sharing my feelings about traditional knives and not meaning to derail the thread at all.
Click to expand...
From my perspective, you and are in agreement. In my opinion, your preference as it pertains to a Facón would fall in the "significance" category.

Thanks for reminding me of Opinel and Laguiole. I have to amend my previous post to include France.
 
davemonkey said:
I knew it reminded me of something. The Kayak pattern is similar to the old Bulldog Groundhog knives.
Click to expand...

That's a pretty wild knife! It's like a reverse crescent pattern. cool connection there. I honestly think those blade would be better than the "reverse tanto" blades they have on there, but again to my point about "reverse tanto" not really meaning very much to me...
 
Fisher1573 said:
I didn't realize they had a purpose. I thought it was just a poor aesthetic decision. Does anyone know how well the nail nicks work for striking matches? Might be handy for my pipe smoking.
Click to expand...

They're an affectation and always were even on true Old School knives. If you've got non safety strike anywhere matches you can strike them on a wall, boot or nail like Clint ;)
 
I am very interested in seeing the canoe pattern RR Reserve knife in person. Basically at this point in my life, I have stopped buying most knives "just because" for the most part. The forum knife I get pretty much regardless of need; That is about it now. I am not a collector and never intend to be with knives. So, I do want to handle one of these knives to get the feel of it. If I like what I'm seeing, I'll get one. But it will require a store visit which I have been avoiding this year even though I pass through the area probably a dozen times a year.

I am comfortable with D2. It is Chinese D2 (I assume) which from my experience is a hit or miss affair.
 
Jathes said:
The shield looks like a plumb bob to me
Click to expand...

mbkr said:
Now that you mention it...View attachment 1421370
Click to expand...

A plumb bob! hah! it sure does. That makes it better for me.

Will Power said:
They're an affectation and always were even on true Old School knives. If you've got non safety strike anywhere matches you can strike them on a wall, boot or nail like Clint ;)
Click to expand...

Not to mention I'm not sure where I could even find strike anywhere matches anymore...
I'm sure online, but I couldn't possibly conceive a store that would carry them. I think the modern matches are called "safety matches"... and I'm sure that's for a reason, haha.
 
22-rimfire said:
I am comfortable with D2. It is Chinese D2 (I assume) which from my experience is a hit or miss affair.
Click to expand...

Does "Chinese D2" not meet ASTM standards for being referred to as D2? I'd imagine (barring heat treatment quality) that for something to be called D2 it'd have to meet that standard. I'm hoping someone can answer that one- I know "Carbon Steel" or "440 Steel" terms are used to be ambiguous deliberately, usually when a budget steel is being used. I'd be surprised if SMKW calls out D2 and it's anything but real D2.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top