Forget about Great Eastern Cutlery and W. R. Case for a second. There’s another player in town that, while not made in America, is locking down quality in the corner of traditional pocket knife patterns.
It’s Rough Rider (also spelled Rough Ryder) and they bring incredible quality to this area of the knife industry. Here are 6 things that will shock you (in a good way) about a Rough Rider knife.
The Materials
The two brands invoked are not criminal here, as both Case and GEC use some serious quality materials. It’s the other off-brands that are suspect.
But not Rough Rider. This company uses a wide range of super high-end, premium materials in their pocket knife patterns. This includes alloys and synthetics like brass, copper, micarta and G10, along with precious natural materials like horn, bone, antler, mother of pearl, turquoise, malachite, and other semi-precious stones.
The Fit and Finish
The fit and finish is possibly the second biggest selling point of any Rough Rider knife. These things are spotless, built by hand and backed by a strong implicit guarantee. Other cheap knives are shoddily assembled and the fit and finish are questionable.
Not a Rough RIder knife. The workmanship and attention to detail cannot be understated. But you know what – no justice will be done here. Get your hands on one as soon as you can and see for yourself.
The Blade Steel
Many Rough Rider knives are made with average quality blade steel like 440A stainless which is fairly soft and easy to work with, along with highly corrosion resistant.
But many of their higher-end models are made with much more desirable steel alloys, such as D2 (a respectable tool steel), VG-10 (often reserved for much higher end culinary knives), and T10 (used in the construction of swords).
In short, a Rough Rider knife’s steel chemistry will not disappoint you.
The Number of Patterns
Another great thing about Rough Rider is that they still specialize in something that so few other brands do – they make high-quality traditional pocket knife patterns.
And this goes far beyond stockman and congress knives and jackknife patterns like trappers. They make a whole bunch of highly niche patterns like doctor’s knives, pipe knives, cotton samplers, dog legs, canoe patterns, moose knives, rhino and elephant toes, as well as hawkbill patterns and whittler knives.
The Quality of Assembly
The quality of assembly – not just the fit and finish – is a whole other thing to love about Rough Rider knives.
Specifically, everything is tight and proper. Many of their knives have half-stops that are exceptionally crisp, and the slipjoint mechanisms are perfectly fitted.
Nowhere else at this price point will you reap such incredible value – which is a whole other point on its own.
The Price
Get ready to shell out a hundred or more for a Case or GEC knife in one of the patterns mentioned here.
Or, get ready to spend perhaps ten or fifteen on a Rough Rider knife that offers the same quality and construction of materials. Honestly, probably better.
Most high-end pocket knives will cost a hundred or more. A Rough Rider knife of similar quality will only cost a small fraction of that. See for yourself if you don’t believe it.
Where to Get Yourself a Rough Rider Knife
In the market for a new traditional-pattern pocket knife? Check out White Mountain Knives. They carry a wide range of popular pocket knives and Rough Rider as a brand is well-represented. Get your next (or first) Rough Rider knife there today.
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