Which should I choose for a present?

Which?

  • Rough Rider

    Votes: 15 83.3%

  • Schrade

    Votes: 3 16.7%
  • Total voters
    18
Of those two, I'd go with Rough Ryder.

As mentioned above, I'd try to find a good USA made Schrade 8OT, which is the quintessential large stockman (in my opinion). There are a bunch of them around, and finding an almost unused sample isn't difficult.... or expensive.
 
hornetguy said:
Of those two, I'd go with Rough Ryder.

As mentioned above, I'd try to find a good USA made Schrade 8OT, which is the quintessential large stockman (in my opinion). There are a bunch of them around, and finding an almost unused sample isn't difficult.... or expensive.
Click to expand...
The first Stockman, or traditional for that matter, I bought was one of those but with a sawtooth sheepsfoot. Unfortunately I love giving things away. I bought it from Fallkniven when it was a mail-order business and hadn't begun producing a line of knives of its own
 
Another vote for Schrade USA... just a much better finished knife.
I've tried the new Shrade knives and most had functioning issues, like blades striking liners and other blades.
The Rough Riders I've tried have been a mixed bag of really good to really bad, so it's a crap shoot.
 
I'll be the outlier here, IF you choose to buy a BTI Schrade look for the bone covers. They're built to a higher fit'n'finish that the regular ones.
fvpYLLU.jpg

This one is equal to any of my Rough Riders,and better than some. This one is a 858 lumberjack stockman, bit over 4 inches closed.
 
bluecow said:
skip all that and get on ebay or where ever and find a good USA made 340t
Click to expand...
OP wants a LARGE stockman. The 34OT is a small stockman.

I wouldn't buy a knife, or anything else on eBay.
What's that eBay allegedly USA Schrade cost? $50 bucks or more? Gosh! It doesn't have a warranty or guarantee for when the Swendon Key fails (if it hasn't already)
FYI There is nothing wrong with the offshore manufactured Schrade. Oh, the offshore made knives don't have the defective, weak, unreliable, un-repairable Swendon Key construction, and BTI (an American company) isn't fool enough to guarantee the knife against loss.

Want to know why your "precious" Schrade USA went bankrupt?
Refusal to stop using Swendon Key construction and that stupid guarantee against losing your knife are two very major reasons.
(Inept upper management, a Union that was stupid enough to go on strike during a recession, inept upper management's decision to lock out the workers (union and non-union) who decided to work during the strike, also played a roll, of course.)

I'd be surprised if less than 55% to 60% of the knives that left the factories were not warranty replacements for a failed Swendon key or an allegedly lost knife. I doubt more than 0.5% of the knives replaced because they were supposedly lost, were really lost.
Taking "human nature" into account, the vast majority of "humans" saw that "guaranteed against loss" B.S. as "BUY ONE GET ONE OR MORE FREE"
(The "replacement" knife was covered by the same fool guaranteed against lost B.S.)

BTI, the current owner of Schrade/Old Timer and Imperial is an AMERICAN Company. Not Chinese.
The company that owns Rough Ryder and Marbles is an AMERICAN Company; not Chinese.
Why don't you want to support an American company?
"They have the knives made in China!" ? Big deal. So what? Several of the Schrade USA knives were made offshore, too. All their modern one hand opening knives were made in China. After the Providence, RI Imperial plant burned down, all Imperial knives were made in Ireland and/or England.

I don't know the OP's financial status, nor do I care. It's none of my business, to be honest.
Why do "people" automatically assume someone who asks about a new with lifetime guarantee sub $20 Rough Ryder or around $23 new with lifetime guarantee BTI Schrade Old Timer can afford to buy a "inexpensive" (note quotes) at least 16 year old knife on eBay that's probably not what the seller claims, is in bad condition, and costs at least $50 ~ $60?
I have precisely two made in USA Schrade Old Timers (6OT and 7OT) both bought in the 1990's, and two Ulster knives, (a Barlow and Official BSA Scout/Camp knife) which are also Schrade USA.

I traded for the Ulster Barlow. The Scout/Camp knife set me back $50. Want the truth? I'd have been better off spending less than half that for a Boker Magnum, new production Old Timer 23OT, Rough Rider (or Marbles) Scout/Camp knife. (I did eventually get the Boker Magnum, 23OT, and Rough Ryder 4 blade Scout/Camp knife)
I can guarantee you I'll never purchase another vintage Schrade product. They are WAY outside my budget now.

I'm happy for you that you can afford to spend $50 ~ $100 and more for a knife without batting an eye, and consider it "inexpensive". :)
You should keep in mind that not everyone can. To me, $20 is a LOT of money to spend on a knife.

The offshore produced BTI Schrade knives hold an edge just as long if not longer as the old Made in USA (and other locations) Schrade products, by the way.

H Hjalmar69

Taylor sold Schrade/Old Timer/Uncle Henry/Imperial, and possibly Hammer Brand to BTI a couple years ago.
As far as I know, BTI didn't change the factories where the knives are made, Or lower the standards/quality expected.

How large do you want?
3 7/8 ~ 4 inch?

4 1/8 ~ 4 3/8 inch?

4 1/2 inch?

If 4 4/2 inch, about your only choice is the Old Timer 858OT or 858OTB (the 858OTB has saw cut bone covers and 9CR 18MoV "440C equivalent" blades. The 858OT has saw cut Delrin and 7CR17MoV "440A equivalent" blades.)

Rough Ryder has a couple that come in at 4 1/8 to 4 3/8. They are all square bolster knives though. I don't know if you or the person you're getting this for prefers square or round bolsters, or has no preference.
As far as I know, all their round bolster stockman are in the 3 7/8 ~ 4 inch and smaller camp. (Rough Rider does have square bolster 3 7/8 ~ 4 inch stockman, too.)

Rough Ryder has a greater selection of cover materials than the Old Timer, so unless you want a real "large" 4 1/2 inch stockman, I'd recommend the Rough Ryder.

Oh, the 8 or so Rough Rider stockman I have (none smaller than 3 7/8 ~ 4 inch closed) all have a pull of around "4" (about the same as a Buck 301) or so on all the blades. The BTI Old Timer 858OT and 858OTB both have a pull of around a "6" on all the blades
I don't have a BTI Old Timer 8OT, so cannot comment on them. However, I do have a same size Uncle Henry 885UH.
It doesn't get carried much. The main clip point blade has a pull of over "7" but under "8", even after (several) cleaning and lube. I don't like fighting my knife to open it. The sheepsfoot and Spey/Budding blades are both a "5" pull.

Another that you might want to consider (if they are not sold out) is the new Marbles D2 Sow Belly stockman.
3 3/4 inch closed, D2 blades (with half stops), and black canvas micarta covers.
Admittedly, I did have to do a wee bit of tuning (about 10 minutes) on the Spey Budding blade to reduce the pull from "The sheepsfoot has to be open before the Spey Budding blade will move "10" plus pull" down to a "5" like the rest of the blades.
Note the person doing the review of the knife on You Tube did not have that issue on the one he did the review on. I figure mine was a fluke.

I "normally" prefer a 4 inch or larger stockman. However, the Sow Belly fees good in hand, and has served at least four deployments as part of my weekly EDC trio since I got it.
Price was under $17 plus shipping.
 
Last edited:
afishhunter said:
OP wants a LARGE stockman. The 34OT is a small stockman.

I wouldn't buy a knife, or anything else on eBay.
What's that eBay allegedly USA Schrade cost? $50 bucks or more? Gosh! It doesn't have a warranty or guarantee for when the Swendon Key fails (if it hasn't already)
FYI There is nothing wrong with the offshore manufactured Schrade. Oh, the offshore made knives don't have the defective, weak, unreliable, un-repairable Swendon Key construction, and BTI (an American company) isn't fool enough to guarantee the knife against loss.

Want to know why your "precious" Schrade USA went bankrupt?
Refusal to stop using Swendon Key construction and that stupid guarantee against losing your knife are two very major reasons.
(Inept upper management, a Union that was stupid enough to go on strike during a recession, inept upper management's decision to lock out the workers (union and non-union) who decided to work during the strike, also played a roll, of course.)

I'd be surprised if less than 55% to 60% of the knives that left the factories were not warranty replacements for a failed Swendon key or an allegedly lost knife. I doubt more than 0.5% of the knives replaced because they were supposedly lost, were really lost.
Taking "human nature" into account, the vast majority of "humans" saw that "guaranteed against loss" B.S. as "BUY ONE GET ONE OR MORE FREE"
(The "replacement" knife was covered by the same fool guaranteed against lost B.S.)

BTI, the current owner of Schrade/Old Timer and Imperial is an AMERICAN Company. Not Chinese.
The company that owns Rough Ryder and Marbles is an AMERICAN Company; not Chinese.
Why don't you want to support an American company?
"They have the knives made in China!" ? Big deal. So what? Several of the Schrade USA knives were made offshore, too. All their modern one hand opening knives were made in China. After the Providence, RI Imperial plant burned down, all Imperial knives were made in Ireland and/or England.

I don't know the OP's financial status, nor do I care. It's none of my business, to be honest.
Why do "people" automatically assume someone who asks about a new with lifetime guarantee sub $20 Rough Ryder or around $23 new with lifetime guarantee BTI Schrade Old Timer can afford to buy a "inexpensive" (note quotes) at least 16 year old knife on eBay that's probably not what the seller claims, is in bad condition, and costs at least $50 ~ $60?
I have precisely two made in USA Schrade Old Timers (6OT and 7OT) both bought in the 1990's, and two Ulster knives, (a Barlow and Official BSA Scout/Camp knife) which are also Schrade USA.

I traded for the Ulster Barlow. The Scout/Camp knife set me back $50. Want the truth? I'd have been better off spending less than half that for a Boker Magnum, new production Old Timer 23OT, Rough Rider (or Marbles) Scout/Camp knife. (I did eventually get the Boker Magnum, 23OT, and Rough Ryder 4 blade Scout/Camp knife)
I can guarantee you I'll never purchase another vintage Schrade product. They are WAY outside my budget now.

I'm happy for you that you can afford to spend $50 ~ $100 and more for a knife without batting an eye, and consider it "inexpensive". :)
You should keep in mind that not everyone can. To me, $20 is a LOT of money to spend on a knife.

The offshore produced BTI Schrade knives hold an edge just as long if not longer as the old Made in USA (and other locations) Schrade products, by the way.

H Hjalmar69

Taylor sold Schrade/Old Timer/Uncle Henry/Imperial, and possibly Hammer Brand to BTI a couple years ago.
As far as I know, BTI didn't change the factories where the knives are made, Or lower the standards/quality expected.

How large do you want?
3 7/8 ~ 4 inch?

4 1/8 ~ 4 3/8 inch?

4 1/2 inch?

If 4 4/2 inch, about your only choice is the Old Timer 858OT or 858OTB (the 858OTB has saw cut bone covers and 9CR 18MoV "440C equivalent" blades. The 858OT has saw cut Delrin and 7CR17MoV "440A equivalent" blades.)

Rough Ryder has a couple that come in at 4 1/8 to 4 3/8. They are all square bolster knives though. I don't know if you or the person you're getting this for prefers square or round bolsters, or has no preference.
As far as I know, all their round bolster stockman are in the 3 7/8 ~ 4 inch and smaller camp. (Rough Rider does have square bolster 3 7/8 ~ 4 inch stockman, too.

Rough Ryder has a greater selection of cover materials than the Old Timer, so unless you want a real "large" 4 1/2 inch stockman, I'd recommend the Rough Ryder.

Oh, the 8 or so Rough Rider stockman I have (none smaller than 3 7/8 ~ 4 inch closed) all have a pull of around "4" (about the same as a Buck 301) or so on all the blades. The BTI Old Timer 858OT and 858OTB both have a pull of around a "6" on all the blades
I don't have a BTI Old Timer 8OT, so cannot comment on them. However, I do have a same size Uncle Henry 885UH.
It doesn't get carried much. The main clip point blade has a pull of over "7" but under "8", even after (several) cleaning and lube. I don't like fighting my knife to open it. The sheepsfoot and Spey/Budding blades are both a "5" pull.

Another that you might want to consider (if they are not sold out) is the new Marbles D2 Sow Belly stockman.
3 3/4 inch closed, D2 blades (with half stops), and black canvas micarta covers.
Admittedly, I did have to do a wee bit of tuning (about 10 minutes) on the Spey Budding blade to reduce the pull from "The sheepsfoot has to be open before the Spey Budding blade will move "10" plus pull down to a "5" like the rest of the blades.
Note the person doing the review of the knife on You Tube did not have that issue on the one he did the review on. I figure mine was a fluke.

I "normally" prefer a 4 inch or larger stockman. However, the Sow Belly fees good in hand, and has served at least deployments as part of my weekly EDC trio since I got it.
Price was under $17 plus shipping.
Click to expand...
Wow, that was a thorough answer. Thanks,. I had a Camillus that I liked, 711 yello jacket. Something like that, quite big but rounded bolsters. I don't know the exact specs.
 
I picked RR but it was tough. I have a bias against new Schrades, but its just me. The knives arent that bad. I just hate to see a good company cheap out like Schrade did. :( I do prefer RR though, lots of patterns and covers. Good quality mostly, sometimes they suck but you can send them back under warranty (which I used a few times, always a pleasant experience by the way). If you want the fancy option, get a Marbles though.:)
 
H Hjalmar69
I forgot to ask:
"Do you want stainless steel or carbon steel blades?"

If carbon steel, you're limited to Rough Rider, as BTI currently does not have any carbon steel knives in their Schrade brands lineup.

Rough Ryder uses T10 carbon steel. All I know about T10 is "it is about the same as 1095", from what I've read about it here, and on other sites.

I have a Rough Ryder RR1740 large (4 1/4inch closed) "Classic Carbon" stockman.
A great knife, holds an edge at least as good as the knives I have with 1095, and sharpens just as easily. :)
 
Oh, my goodness....if you want a good laugh... this is an excerpt from a review some buyer did on the BTI Schrade with the sawcut bone handles.....

"I recently fished an old Schrade Walden out of my tool box. I bought it for my grandpa in the eighties and he used it well. After cleaning it up and sharpening it I asked is there something bigger and I stumbled on this. Not exactly a Stockman but it's big.Ok, I saw the one with a Delrin handle but this had a bone handle which is actually imitation Delrin, And it came at a good price."
 
Wow I did not know bone was imitation delrin o_O
Learn something new every day I reckon. Why not long ago I learned my Case one armed barlow isn't actually a barlow! Well at least according to the old fella that was at the next table over from mine, he said REAL barlows have the name barlow on the silver part.:rolleyes:

:D:thumbsup:
 
hornetguy said:
Oh, my goodness....if you want a good laugh... this is an excerpt from a review some buyer did on the BTI Schrade with the sawcut bone handles.....

"I recently fished an old Schrade Walden out of my tool box. I bought it for my grandpa in the eighties and he used it well. After cleaning it up and sharpening it I asked is there something bigger and I stumbled on this. Not exactly a Stockman but it's big.Ok, I saw the one with a Delrin handle but this had a bone handle which is actually imitation Delrin, And it came at a good price."
Click to expand...
Delrin is imitation bone.
Therefore, Bone must be imitation Delrin?
 
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