Rough Ryder Classic Carbon pocketknives

[Briar Lee]

What utter claptrap.

Pocket and penknives are still being made in Sheffield. Because you aren't aware of them doesn't mean they don't exist.

I have a very large collection of old Sheffield pocket knives (Sheffield is my home city) and in my pocket I have a vintage (19th c) Taylor's 'Eye Witness' brand 2 blader and the company are still hand forging pocket knives....as are several other manufacturers.

Pocket Knives - Taylor's Eye Witness - Brands

taylors-eye-witness.co.uk

Pocket Knives Made by Arthur Wright of Sheffield | SteelCityCutlery.com

Pocket Knives Made in Sheffield at Arthur Wright's workshop in carbon steel. Pocket knife making at its best.

www.steelcitycutlery.com

Jay.

I should have said the English trade of affordable knives died in America before I was born.

We Yanks are not used to many cheaper Made in England goods here.

If it says Made in England it’s a luxury good in the USA.

 

[Briar Lee]

I try to avoid Chinese goods, but my curiosity got the better of me and I just ordered a stockman.

The Classic Carbon stockman is just plain a better gadget than the equivalent Case or Buck.

I do not own a pocket knife I would have believed would just ziiiiiiiiip through yards and yards of wet, soaked, heavy carpet,,,,and as it came from the box.

The Chinese will wind up making 90% of the world’s pocket knives using Western machinery, and duplicating every little foo fraw and gee gaw that ever came on a Solingen made knife.

 

[mawnansmiff]

I should have said the English trade of affordable knives died in America before I was born.

Well if you hadn't wasted all your money buying those cheapo Chinese efforts, you might have been able to afford yourself a quality Sheffield blade or two that would become heirlooms in time.

Besides, hundreds of thousands of Sheffield knives of all kinds were exported to North America over the years, there must be oodles of them on the used markets.

Jay.

 

[Briar Lee]

Well if you hadn't wasted all your money buying those cheapo Chinese efforts, you might have been able to afford yourself a quality Sheffield blade or two that would become heirlooms in time.

Besides, hundreds of thousands of Sheffield knives of all kinds were exported to North America over the years, there must be oodles of them on the used markets.

Jay.

By the time I was old enough to know about Sheffield cutlery about forty years ago it was all in the flea markets and estate sales.

I think the USA put a stiff tariff on English luxury goods.

When I was young the cheap stuff was first from Japan, then Taiwan, and the last two or more decades China.

The Germans make things that look like they’ll invade somebody. Stern, complex, expensive and complicated.

The British make things that look like museum pieces, far more elegant than needed.

We hardly see any French things. They look frivolous what little we do see.

An American makes things built like Sherman tanks. Cheap, good enough, reliable and durable, but little style.

The Asians usually mimic American goods.

A Classic Carbon RR has an American yellow or black handle on a Solingen knife.

 

[SBC]

For fanciers of traditional slipjoint nostalgia, there are three, global centers, I think: Sheffield, England; Solingen, Germany; and NW Pennsylvania, including both Bradford (Case) and Titusville (Schatt & Morgan / Queen / GEC).

One question which interests me is which pattern is most iconic for each location.

For Sheffield, it is probably the barlow.

For Solingen, it is probably Boker's equal end spear point.

For Case, it is probably the trapper.

For Schatt & Morgan / Queen, I am not sure, but perhaps the English Jack, the Teardrop Jack, and the Sleeveboard are all candidates.

(GEC I'll ignore because it is a recent, overpriced, collector's phenomenon riding on the coat tails of S&M / Queen. Sure, their slipjoints are about the handsomest ever made, and of a quality which rivals the rarest and best made by the others, but they can never have real nostalgia attached to them because they were never the working man's knife. I doubt that a GEC has ever really been used to cut anything!)

My EDC is a Case trapper and I inherited a Boker equal end spear point from my grandfather when he died - it was his EDC.

I would still very much like a real Sheffield barlow, and a 1990s S&M.

 

[Airborne]

Hello Briar lee from the UK ,
I found your thread about Rough Ryder pocket knives very interesting firstly as you seem to have a good long term all round interest in knives in general ( which I do also ) , and secondly because I have very recently discovered Rough Ryder pocket knives and have now started a small collection which I know will grow into something bigger . I am no expert regarding case knives or indeed any other well known American brands apart from owning both the Buck 110 and 112 Ranger which I greatly admire . I do understand peoples patriotism when it comes to collecting knives as back in the day England also had its own thriving industry and great knife makers in the City of Sheffield which is now almost sadly gone forever , but for whatever the reasons many of both our countries industries have been sold off to China . Now I wont become too political here as we all know the present political situation between China and the Western alliances yet we all share an International space station and trade has never been so productive between our nations so the the argument will keep coming back as to the quality of knives made in china !
I have been a knife owner , user and at one time maker and more recently collector of many different styles of knives for almost 60 years and like yourself BL I have seen for myself the overall great build quality of Rough Ryder knives . I do not consider myself an expert but Ive been around knives long enough to recognize decent quality when Im holding and getting the feel of a knife and as far as I can determine RR knives are of a very high build and a great fit and finish and for the price have the look and feel of a much higher priced product . now I dont think any of us can actually have the knowledge of how well their steel is forged and heat treated but at the end of the day they are small pocket knives and should be used for what they are intended for , lighter use , ie cutting and other lighter tasks , they are not meant to be tested to destruction as some people like to do ! I own six at this moment in time with more on order for Christmas and in all truthfulness my Military and wild camping days are over ( mainly due to ill health ) so I am a collector only and for my particular situation Rough Ryder pocket knives keep me interested by their quality , aesthetics and overall knife fit and finish which because of the wide range of styles make for a great collection which one day I can hand down to one of my Grandchildren .
By the way BLhave you had a look at the Rough RyderPipe Doctor Tobacco Bone model / RR1899 ? Its a beautiful slim pipe knife with stunning tobacco bonescales and a very nice small metal badge in the shape of a pipe ! It has a sheeps foot blade and a stem punch for your pipe. Good luck with your collecting .

 

[Airborne]

Today I got in the mail this $15 Diamond 10” sharpener and once again the Chinese have figured out a way to sell some article related to knives at such a low price I cannot see how it’s possible.

You need several of these, if you like knives. They are extremely fine grit and will cut the hardest D2 or other super steels like butter. Then after you get an edge a few strokes on a steel or a ceramic rod is all you’ll need. Just an amazingly good product.

View attachment 249019

My son has taken over my Rough Ryder Classic Carbon stockman and reports it’s among the best knifes I’ve ever given him, and he actually uses them.

I’ve ordered a Carbon Cotton Sampler, and these have cinnamon bone scales.

It should make a dandy patch knife for a muzzle loader, for only $22.

View attachment 249020View attachment 249021

Hello Lee , I bought the Stag bone cotton sampler purely from the historical aspect and for my growing collection . My first thoughts were , what a strange looking blade but after a while it grew on me . It is a solid little knife which could be adapted for a number of tasks not least as a small craft knife or just a general user .

 

[Airborne]

My Rough Rider Tortoise shell Barlow. View attachment 249080View attachment 249081

I have the tortoiseshell whittler and have to say the workmanship / craftsmanship fit and finish as well as its good looks are hard to beat for the low price they come in at !

 

[Airborne]

Well if you hadn't wasted all your money buying those cheapo Chinese efforts, you might have been able to afford yourself a quality Sheffield blade or two that would become heirlooms in time.

Besides, hundreds of thousands of Sheffield knives of all kinds were exported to North America over the years, there must be oodles of them on the used markets.

Jay.

Hello Jay , politics apart , Rough Ryder knives are what they are and the fact that they are manufactured in China seems to be a real bone of contention with many knife collectors . Like many other owners and collectors I would prefer to buy quality knives that were made in the UK , US , Germany or yes even Japan because like BL i can also remember when Products from Japan were considered poor quality and looked upon as cheapos but I doubt many people would say that these days . Many people are on budgets that wont allow them to pursue their hobby by buying from what are classed as the better ( and more expensive) manufacturers so rightly or wrongly why wouldnt they turn to a company like Rough Ryder ? I certainly dont see it as wasting your money and Ive had many types and styles of knives over many years , in fact that is the point , they are actually great value for the money they cost even here in the UK and it does allow people to enter the world of pocket knife collecting / ownership at a reasonable price and own as far as I can see a decent quality knife .
In my personal opinion if we are talking about knives , even whats left of the smaller Sheffield manufacturers like everyone else are overpricing their knives considering what they used to cost pound for pound back in the 1960s / 70s . If we look at bushcraft knives as an example , most British style bushcraft knives are based on the ever popular Woodlore knife which is so overpriced its ridiculous , after all a knife is only a knife with each one having its own particular uses and can only be used within its limits . I worked as a combat survival instructor for the Military and privately and the one thing I learned from day one is that you do not need some super steel oversized Rambo knife to carry out most tasks , i actually used a small pearing knife for gutting rabbits , general lighter campcraft tasks etc . As stated I own six RR pocket knives so far and I have studied them from every angle and I genuinely cannot fault them for what they are and I would put them up against many of the so called better branded knives .

 

[mawnansmiff]

after all a knife is only a knife

It's not so simple as that.

The quality of the steel used must come into play here and it is well known, Chinese made knives (and often much else from that region) are made from substandard materials.

I'm also thinking of the India Enfield motorcycles made in India. The metal used in their castings was found to contain many impurities which was resulting in warping and eventual failure of said castings.

I would rather have just the one Sheffield made knife over 20 from the far east.

Welcome to the Forum BTW.

Jay.

 

[Airborne]

It's not so simple as that.

The quality of the steel used must come into play here and it is well known, Chinese made knives (and often much else from that region) are made from substandard materials.

I'm also thinking of the India Enfield motorcycles made in India. The metal used in their castings was found to contain many impurities which was resulting in warping and eventual failure of said castings.

I would rather have just the one Sheffield made knife over 20 from the far east.

Welcome to the Forum BTW.

Jay.

Hi Jay , thanks for the welcome , I totally understand what you say about your one Sheffield knife against 20 Chinese manufactured knives and would even agree with you up to a point . To put it into perspective when you research the various knife forums there are good and bad reviews about almost every knife or manufacturer including some of your more respected names . I am a traditionalist by nature and admire the old Sheffield penknives and sheath knives of which I once owned a few and wish I still had them but to be fair back then I wasnt as knowledgeable about knives in general and for all I know the fit and finish could have been rubbish ! My friend has very recently bought a Sheffield made stag lambsfoot which he paid good money for and I sadly burst his bubble by pointing out the not so good fit and finish . I did advise him to return it but he refuses so thats his choice. By the same token I have six RRs and a Marbles bought recently and try as I might I cannot find fault with them in any way . I understand that the heat treatment may or may not be up to the same standards as better known makes but I had cheap knives in the 1960s early 70s which stood up to quite a bit of abuse without any breakages .I am certain of one thing RR have been around for 30 years now with an ever growing reputation for a well made product and Im sure the majority of satisfied ownerrs / users cant be wrong . Yes the China thing will always be controversial but that comes down to personal choice I suppose .

 

[Airborne]

Hello from the UK , I,ve Just come across this thread regarding Rough Ryder slipjoint knives and as I now have a small collection ( 15 I think ) of these I thought I would add a little input here myself .
In one way or another I have been around knives for sixty years now and have enough knowledge to to know a decent knife when I see one . Ive owned , used and made numerous types of both large and small knives over he years but now just stick to collecting small slipjoints in the form of Rough Ryders . Now I have to say that my main reasons for starting this collection was mainly down to the relatively low price of RRs , followed by their quite good build quality , fit and finish and aesthetics . I soon came to realise that you got a good deal of knife for your buck !
I know all the arguments regarding Case verses rough Ryder etc and I do understand that the USA is predominantly a very patriotic country and of course many Americans especially feel the need to show their support for US Manufacturing products and companies like Case and thats great but at the end of the day many would be knife collectors and enthusiasts just cannot afford the luxury of Case or GEC the way they can for Rough Ryder knives .
I can only speak from my own experience and knowledge of knives regarding the level of quality of any given rough Ryder knife but I will state here now that every one of my fifteen models is almost near perfect , partly due to the fact that the supplier I buy from in the UK ( Heinnie Haynes ) I always request that every knife I buy from him that he checks the product over for any visual damage , good fit and finish , no gapping between the liners and scales and springs , good straight blades with zero lateral or vertical movement , and good transitions from scales to bolsters ! Yes that sounds a lot to ask but it works for me and if all those points above are correct in the knife you buy then what more can you ask for ! As a traditionalist I like bone or stag scales on my slipjoints and nobody will convince me that the RR slipjoints I have bought do not match up to the quality of any similar case knife . This is 2025 now and knife manufacturing skills have moved on even in China , yes you will always get a certain amount of junk products out of China but Rough Ryder knives are not one of them ! I can remember way back when the same used to be said of low quality Japanese knives but now they are a force to be reckoned with ! Its whatever suits the individuals tastes and for me now its Rough Ryder .

 

[Airborne]

I just bought a Half Hawk Carbon II with black Micarta scales, $17.50

View attachment 246857

Hello Briar lee from the UK , Thinking about getting this particular RR carbon 2 series as a working knife for my Grandson who works on the wind turbines . Having owned it , how would you rate it for a practical general purpose working knife ?

 

[Airborne]

I'm sorry but no. As a knife collector, these may punch above their weight but they're not a replacement for true quality knives. Are they good, yes. Are they a match for a good folder costing 5x-10x as much, no. Let them be what they are. A good folder at a bargain price. I'd have one as a beater EDC if I didn't work in a place where it could get me fired and jailed but it cant replace my US made classics.

Hello captainsousie , I understand we all have our opinions but can you quantify your statement above by producing some sort of evidence regarding US made classics verses Rough Ryders ? because there are plenty of US knife enthusiasts on various forums that will challenge what you are saying ! The way I look at it is this , yes there are some knives manufactured to higher standards than others , using better materials and better production methods , agreed , but at the end of the day there is nothing more you can do to improve a slip joint knife and they have been around for a very long time . They are not exactly rocket science ! Much of it is down to good quality control and many on different knife forums now condem " Case" QUALITY CONTROL !! . I have 18 Rough Ryder slip joints and can truthfully say their overall fit and finish including . well centred perfectly straight blades between liners , zero lateral or vertical movements of opened blades , good walk and talk usually with half stops , great transitions between scales , liners , and bolsters , very little gapping ( if any ) , beautifully finished bone scales with excellent finishing for aesthetics . All these points above apply to my RRs and if Case , GEC or whichever manufacturer has the same characteristics , Whats the difference ? You may ask , what the heat treatment is like on a Rough Ryder slip joint , well I would say what is it like on a similar Case knife ? , the truth is none of us know the answer but what I do know is that Rough Ryder ( or Rider ) knives have been around for 31 years now , so they must be doing something right !

 

[captainsousie]

Hello captainsousie , I understand we all have our opinions but can you quantify your statement above by producing some sort of evidence regarding US made classics verses Rough Ryders ? because there are plenty of US knife enthusiasts on various forums that will challenge what you are saying ! The way I look at it is this , yes there are some knives manufactured to higher standards than others , using better materials and better production methods , agreed , but at the end of the day there is nothing more you can do to improve a slip joint knife and they have been around for a very long time . They are not exactly rocket science ! Much of it is down to good quality control and many on different knife forums now condem " Case" QUALITY CONTROL !! . I have 18 Rough Ryder slip joints and can truthfully say their overall fit and finish including . well centred perfectly straight blades between liners , zero lateral or vertical movements of opened blades , good walk and talk usually with half stops , great transitions between scales , liners , and bolsters , very little gapping ( if any ) , beautifully finished bone scales with excellent finishing for aesthetics . All these points above apply to my RRs and if Case , GEC or whichever manufacturer has the same characteristics , Whats the difference ? You may ask , what the heat treatment is like on a Rough Ryder slip joint , well I would say what is it like on a similar Case knife ? , the truth is none of us know the answer but what I do know is that Rough Ryder ( or Rider ) knives have been around for 31 years now , so they must be doing something right !

Oookay.

 

[didimauw]

Oookay.

He gone no worries.

 

[Briar Lee]

Hello Briar lee from the UK , Thinking about getting this particular RR carbon 2 series as a working knife for my Grandson who works on the wind turbines . Having owned it , how would you rate it for a practical general purpose working knife ?

Not a safe work knife.

Has no lock.

The modern G2 handle flipper is what I buy my son to actually use to work.

 

[SSGT.]

For what ever reason the Chinese are the only affordable makers of intricately hand made trinkets on earth.

Cheap labor. 6 years ago, went to Shenzhen to tour the MECANMED plant for the "latest technology" in Xray machines and was told that the assembly line workers were paid the equivalent of .25 USD an hour.

Ended up buying one from Vatech America, cost a little more but support is right here in my own backyard. I did enjoy the free trip, and they fed me good for the week I was there.

 

[Briar Lee]

Cheap labor. 6 years ago, went to Shenzhen to tour the MECANMED plant for the "latest technology" in Xray machines and was told that the assembly line workers were paid the equivalent of .25 USD an hour.

Ended up buying one from Vatech America, cost a little more but support is right here in my own backyard. I did enjoy the free trip, and they fed me good for the week I was there.

I’d never heard of Vatech. It’s a Korean company.
Xxxx

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I was raised in prosperity, security, and comfort where my father would hire farm workers for $5 a day, who lived in shotgun houses with tar paper siding, down dirt roads in Cedar County in the timber.

My Daddy miked 25 head of Holsteins using DeLaval equipment.


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Xxxx

It reminds me of an old Bobby Bare song.

Detroit City

Those factories in China are full of country boys who’d give anything to go back home.

 

[VDL_Piper]

You can’t beat a Taylor’s Eye.