Which model was it and what was wrong? Did you buy it from a seller that would take a return? I hope you sent it back. You don't get quality by accepting mediocrity.marinaio61 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 22, 2021 3:06 pmI appreciate all the raving reviews of RR knives but, being a realist, I can only go on what I have personally experienced. Granted I am basing my opinion of RR on a single knife; that knife was, is and will be my only RR purchase
I know what you mean about holding grudges based on one knife. I got a Case knife that was impossible to open without using the folding paper trick. WAY too tight. I gave Case a second try and ended up with a knife that was OK, but it had spring gaps across half the length of the back springs. I'll give Case another couple of shots I suppose, but it is hard to forget the two anomalies that ended up in my hands. Especially when they cost considerably more than a typical Rough Ryder that has none of these problems.
That is true when it comes to the kinds of steel or fancy handle materials like stag, but not when it comes to functionality as a tool. I have expensive knives and cheap ones, and there are ten dollar knives that are much more functional than the expensive ones.
My interest in pocket knives is as tools. I'm interested in the history of how they were designed and used, and the way the form followed function. I appreciate good solid workmanship and companies that "build a better mousetrap". I don't collect so much because it's the brand and model I had when I was a kid. I started off that way, but my interests have evolved beyond that. I know people see Buck 110s with turquoise, coral and mother of pearl inlays and they think they are looking at the most beautiful thing on Earth. But I appreciate the practicality for purpose of stock ebony handles. I'm not big on bling. I'm the same way with steels. I see people going on at length about the difference between one kind of super steel and another. They make a difference of one or two numbers on the Rockwell scale out to be a life and death thing. I just want a knife that takes a good edge, holds it a while and is easy to sharpen again. The steels in the middle suit my purposes a lot better than the space program ones. I can appreciate Japanese chef's knives. They are beautifully designed for a specific purpose, they generally have VG10 steel, and they aren't cheap. But do I think that they are better for carving the Thanksgiving turkey than a $10 Old Hickory or Chicago Cutlery knife with a carbon steel blade? Nope. I have both of those kinds of knives in my kitchen and I use them both.
There are always bargains on the market... undervalued and underpriced. You just have to be able to discern them. I have a lot of hobbies, and there's brand loyalty in all of them that blinds people to actual quality. Nikon is a longtime great camera manufacturer. But are their cameras the best deal today? Nope. People buy Lodge cast iron skillets because of the history of the brand, but there are no name ones at home stores that are better made and cost much less. Audiophiles buy four thousand dollar amps that are beautiful and weigh a ton, but they don't amplify sound any better for human ears than a $150 receiver from Amazon. People pay a lot of money for Wustof and Shun kitchen knives, but they are quite overpriced compared to their competition. That is where reviews come in handy. I love browsing the traditional pocket knife channels at youtube. They alert me to fantastic deals on well made knives. And we all know what brand dominates their discussion. It isn't Case or Buck.
You have to admit, when it comes to doing the job, a $5 import digital watch will keep time more accurately than either of them!
You don't always get more if you pay more. Sometimes you get more bling. Sometimes you get a brand name. Sometimes you get prestige. But you don't always get a better product.