Rough Ryder

[Henry Beige]

For a single blade RR, try the 2176, upswept bow trapper. This is a very nicely done later release. The first run sold out quickly, but they have brought it out again, in red in addition to the original black. The upswept blade may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but on this knife, it looks really good. A lot of guys bought multiples of this knife. I am glad I did, because when my sweetie saw it, she claimed it for her own. I had to find something else to give my son.

Another vote for the half hawk, too, especially in carbon steel.

If you can find one, the Improved muskrat is one of the most useful RR patterns, with a California clip on one end and a long, slim sheepsfoot on the other. The smooth tobacco bone are long gone, but you might run across one in yellow delrin, probably still six bucks if anybody has it.

 

[johnnywizzo]

I have over 300 Rough Rider knives and have yet to have a bad experience with them. They are guaranteed for life.

 

[Triton]

Take a look a some Swiss Army Knives. Consistently solid build quality for a very reasonable price.

This. Skip the Chinese knives and get a quality product that is perfect for a first knife.

 

[Kiteman72]

I just bought a very sweet single blade Alox SAK for the princely sum of 22 bucks or so. It's thin as can be and sturdy.

I just ordered a bunch of Classics too but a 16 year old probably wouldn't be wild about such a small knife.

 

[Doppler Bob]

For a two-blade, I'd go Copperhead, Barlow, or Trapper, or Bow Trapper. I like both blades to open on the same end (aka a "jackknife). A Barlow would be an ideal first knife and has the classic Huck Finn/Tom Sawyer thing to go with it.

I got him a Blue Canoe, I think a Barlow would be really nice too. I think I’ll get him one. Thanks man!

 

[Rich S]

IMHO, a SAK Tinker, Super Tinker or Deluxe Tinker is the better choice.

 

[Doppler Bob]

For a two-blade, I'd go Copperhead, Barlow, or Trapper, or Bow Trapper. I like both blades to open on the same end (aka a "jackknife). A Barlow would be an ideal first knife and has the classic Huck Finn/Tom Sawyer thing to go with it.

I got him this as well as the Blue Canoe. This is in T-10 carbon steel.

 

[afishhunter]

Most of the traditional slipjoint patterns are 440A stainless, with some available in a plain carbon steel whose designation I do not know.

T10 Carbon Steel.

I have a couple of the Classic Carbon series with yellow covers, and an older Ti coated T10 carbon steel Colt Canoe from when SMKW had the license for the Colt knives.
Some of the Colt knives, (like the carbon steel canoe) were moved to Rough Rider with no changes but the tang stamps and shields, when SMKW lost or gave up the Colt license.
I don't know why they lost the license, if they gave it up, or if they owned the brand reired it.
I know I haven't seen any new Colt knives since then.

My Carbon Steel Rough Ryder and Colt hold an edge just as well as my vintage made in USA 1095 Western, Ulster, and Old Timer knives.

The T10 seems a bit more reluctant to start a patina than 1095, however.

Rough Ryder makes a good knife, despite the cost.
I only have around 60 of them in various patterns.
Not a lemon in the bunch.
Worst was a shield remained in the box when I took it out. Big deal. Can and does hapen to cse and others, too. A drop of super glue fixed it.
My large Coke Bottle had a small crack in the pile side bone cover next to a pin. Again, can and does happen to more expensive brands, and a drop of super glue worked into the crack fixed it.
The pull on all the blades of any given knife average around a "5". The large stockman's are a little lighter, at 4 to 4 Anna Half.

 

[eveled]

I got him this as well as the Blue Canoe. This is in T-10 carbon steel.

You went with my suggestion! Yay! What do I win? Lol. I think he will really like the denim Half Hawk. It’s a great knife.

 

[Doppler Bob]

You went with my suggestion! Yay! What do I win? Lol. I think he will really like the denim Half Hawk. It’s a great knife.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Doppler Bob]

For a two-blade, I'd go Copperhead, Barlow, or Trapper, or Bow Trapper. I like both blades to open on the same end (aka a "jackknife). A Barlow would be an ideal first knife and has the classic Huck Finn/Tom Sawyer thing to go with it.

I prefer jacks myself. I carry most slip joints in a pocket slip. Doing that keeps crap out of the joints, so lots less cleaning and oiling, plus I find most slippies ride nicer if in a leather slip to keep them in one place. I ended up buying a canoe in SS and a loom weaver in carbon. I decided to keep the carbon blade and glad I did. It’s a sheepsfoot cutting demon. He loves his canoe, it goes perfectly with the Tidioute #62 half congress I gave him.

 

[Doppler Bob]

You went with my suggestion! Yay! What do I win? Lol. I think he will really like the denim Half Hawk. It’s a great knife.

Wellllll, he digs the canoe, but I kept the Half Hawk for myself. It’s a cutting demon and I love carbon steel. I wanted to see how it compares with GEC carbon, Case cv, and old German folders. Jury is still out as I haven’t had to sharpen it yet, but it’s not my daily user.

 

[skyhorse]

I bought this trapper several years back for around $14 to try one out. The box even had a magnetic close on the top flap.