Which Would You Rather Have...1 Case Or 5 Rough Riders?

fairhaven

fairhaven

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May 22, 2013
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There seems to be a lot of comments about Rough Riders being comparable to Case but at about 1/5th the cost of Case. So, if you had the option of buying a Case pocket knife or 5 Rough Rider pocket knives which would you purchase?
 
You can't use all 5 at once, I'd rather have one nice Case knife that I can use for all tasks.
 
Well I have zero Cases and more than a dozen Rough Riders so...

Originally, and still for the most part, I bought RR's because of the price point and ridiculous amount of variety, I can't afford to drop a lot of money just to try new patterns (to me) that I might end up hating. After I bought a few though, I realized, these aren't just cheap knives, they are good knives. And everything I buy goes in my pocket to use. Out of all of the ones I bought, I had two complete stinkers, a toenail with weak spring and a baby sunfish that was just plain wrong (though after hearing Smoky Mountain warranties Rough Rider, I contacted them and they let me pick a replacement sent free of charge, even though I purchased from a seller on the bay and not them directly! I was very impressed.) I carried one of their canoes every day for a year, their scout for the next year, and I have an electrician knife and large sunfish that see a fair bit of pocket time. As a rule, I prefer carbon blades, so I try out these patterns and then find similar models in old carbon that may cost more, but have proven themselves to suit my tastes and needs. But carrying those four knives I mentioned, I never feel under-knifed and continue to use them in my rotation.

I wouldn't mind trying a CV Case someday, and I'm sure I will, but to be honest a lot of the patterns I've seen don't appeal to me uniquely or badly enough to drop $50 or more to get one in my hands. Especially when as you mention, I read more and more guys who have both in hand and report equal or better fit and finish coming from the RR's lately. Keep in mind I'm also not American, so the nostalgia and national pride don't enter in my purchasing equation the same as it might for another guy. I just like what I like, and what cuts well for me.
 
Case Knives? Not anymore. Give me five Rough Riders.

What I get for an overpriced Case when I buy one:
Spaces in the Liner
Blade Play
Blade Rubbing
Uneven Grinds
Liners that do not engage (Trapperlock)
One Red bone scale on one side and a half died pink scale on the other
Weak Springs

Seriously Case, if GEC can do it, it's not too much to ask for your long time customers.

Buy GEC or Pre 80's Case if you want something good.

I'm also a strong believer that when you buy something from someone that preaches good American quality you shouldn't have to send it back as soon as you buy it.
 
I would rather have the Case by far.
Very good American made knives for the price.
 
TheGent said:
Case Knives? Not anymore. Give me five Rough Riders.

What I get for an overpriced Case when I buy one:
Spaces in the Liner
Blade Play
Blade Rubbing
Uneven Grinds
Liners that do not engage (Trapperlock)
One Red bone scale on one side and a half died pink scale on the other
Weak Springs

Seriously Case, if GEC can do it, it's not too much to ask for your long time customers.

Buy GEC or Pre 80's Case if you want something good.

I'm also a strong believer that when you buy something from someone that preaches good American quality you shouldn't have to send it back as soon as you buy it.
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This. I've looked at some newer Case offerings and they just stunk. Compared to other brands that put out similar offerings there just isn't enough quality to justify Case prices. I've had knives from Queen, Kissing Crane, Bulldog and Rough Rider and I would take any of them over a new Case. And that's a damn shame. Not too long ago I saw a CF Russlock that I would love to have a while back but no way I'd buy one right now.
 
lots of hate on the newer case knives?...of the last 10 trappers I bought only one had what I would call a "slight" imperfection...and that was the shield stuck out slightly and had rough edges around it....and thats being very picky...the fit and finish is great on all of them..no gaps..nice snap, no blade play whatsoever..and these are all 2012 made. I will say of the few rough riders I own they are excellent and I will even buy more eventually...but if I had to take my pick...1 case over 5 RR any day
 
Buy what you like.

I am a GEC fan as of late (since finding them a couple years ago).

Queen and S&M have been a bit dissapointing in my limited buying experience.

I have one case, that I was given, new. It had blade play and rub. I fixed the play. It really does carry well, and was gap free. A great user in my book. Not as pretty and clean as my GEC, but also less expensive.

I have gone in a few times to the local case dealer and just have not seen a case in person that I wanted.
 
I've got two Rough Riders and zero Case, so I'd more likely go with the brand I know better, but if Case were to put out a Russlock in CV with the navy blue jigged bone scales, that might change.
 
I've voted with my wallet - have 3 Cases and zero Rough Riders.
None of mine have discernable color, fit or finish issues. But I'm a user, not a collector, so possibly I'm not that picky.
Only carry it once a week or so, but I love my Swayback Jack.
 
I must admit I am a Case JUNKIE. That said, I collect only specific ones, mostly Sanbar Stag Damascus. Due to my taste, they are always older. I will always entertain a Case in any Damascus, or most any in CV steel. Not a ton of experience with any "new" Cases. I recently bought a MooreMaker from a very small Mom and Pop tack store in Texas. I know Moore doesn't make them, but it was a carbon steel and a cow bone handle trapper that "spoke" to me. For less than $50.00, I like it a ton.
 
I'll take a Case slimline trapper over five Rough Riders. But that's because Rough Rider doesn't offer a slimline trapper.

Outside a couple patterns unique to Case, I'll take one Rough Rider over one Case.
 
shecky said:
I'll take a Case slimline trapper over five Rough Riders. But that's because Rough Rider doesn't offer a slimline trapper.

Outside a couple patterns unique to Case, I'll take one Rough Rider over one Case.
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Good point. The Slimline Trapper or Queen's Utility are great knives.
It all depends on the pattern, some RRs I have a really good knives and are remarkable value. A number of CASE knives I have are much liked, but, when they send out a misfit (not at all rare) it costs you so much compared to the RR.

RR are planning carbon offerings I hear, this could really be a sea-change.
 
RR are planning carbon offerings I hear, this could really be a sea-change.
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Whoa, that will be sweet... stainless is the only gripe I have with RR knives... no character. If carbon RRs see the light of day I wouldn't consider a buying a Case sight unseen anymore. Too many stories of terrible FF issues.

I'd just go the GEC route if I wanted something nicer and American.
 
I'd rather have 1 Fallkniven, keep the Case and Chinese AHC, (age hardened cheese) blades.
 
I like Case. I like that they're still USA made. I prefer the CV steel over the stainless, but CV isn't available in every pattern or bone style that I like.

Rough Riders are excellent for the cost. I've got a couple, and a couple Steel Warriors. Decent steel, sharp out of the box, well constructed, and tight tolerances. But there's no pride in ownership with those. Something about having a Case in my pocket instead of something mass produced overseas seems more honest to me. I've also noticed that the nickel silver on these Chinese made knives discolors way faster than on Cases, or any other American (or German) made traditionals.

That said, I'd rather have a GEC than 2 Cases, or 7-10 Rough Riders. GEC is quickly becoming my favorite traditional knife manufacturer.
 
I'm very picky on the new Case knives I will buy. I stick to the models that seem very consistent. Both SBJs have been perfect as well as the backpocket series. I tend to buy older knives at the local shop so I can fiddle with them before buying.
 
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