Great Knives-Little Money

[kootenay joe]

Like many here i am a big fan of GEC knives. Their designs and workmanship are top notch and better than any other brand of traditional style knives since the 1930's. But demand has greatly exceeded supply so that many of the new releases are sold out in minutes making them hard to get.
To soothe the disappointment i feel when again seeing "Sold Out" posted on the GEC dealer sites, i began looking for a consellation prize on ebay. I began to see recent Rough Rider knives often with a design that while Traditional, have a unique look. So i have been buying some of these knives, all under $20 delivered.
So far every one has excellent fit and finish, spring tension 'just right', smooth action opening and closing and zero blade play, along with shaving sharp edges. This brings happiness to a knife collector especially the consistently high level of workmanship because the deep disappointment of receiving a knife with a major issue does not happen.
It feels a bit awkward to admit but i like these Rough Riders every bit as much as i like my GEC knives. And i see the level of fit & finish and overall quality to be comparable. A minor difference is that the RR edges are a bit sharper than those on the GEC knives.
Am i 'loosing it' ? Is this early dementia ?
I will post a bunch of pictures showing some of these RR knives. If you have any of the same ones or if this post gets you to buy any of these knives, please post your assessment of them. I need this 'reality check'.
I am posting here instead of the Chinese Knife forum to get a wider readership.
Pictures here are of 2 from the "Trapper Series": RR 1032, 4 1/2", & RR 1030 3 1/2", and also a Tobacco Bone Small Trapper 778, 3 1/2".
More to come in subsequent posts.
kj

[kootenay joe]

Here are a few more. I include "Colt" with Rough Rider as i believe these brands are under the same ownership and made in the same factories.
Colt "High Carbon Steel" CT610, a 4" Sowbelly Trapper with carbon fiber handles and titanium coated non stainless blades. This is stout heavy knife, like a sleek tank.
Rough Rider 1778, a huge 5" Trapper with black bone handles and titanium coated stainless steel blades. Even has a lanyard hole. (shown with a 4 1/8" RR bone Trapper for size comparison)
These are examples of a traditional pattern that has been 'tweaked' (major tweak !).
kj

[kootenay joe]

Just a few more and then i will tale a break so that others can post.
RR "Classic Carbon" 1741, 3 3/4" Wharncliffe Whittler.
RR1269, 3 1/4" Ladies Leg with turquoise bone.
RR1186 "Dog Bone Jack", 3 5/8" 2 blade, single spring, bone handles and a whistle and a carry pouch with a pocket clip. (All for less than $20 delivered).
All these are very well made.
kj

[Paladin]

,,,,,,,,........
Am i 'loosing it' ? Is this early dementia ?
I will post a bunch of pictures showing some of these RR knives. If you have any of the same ones or if this post gets you to buy any of these knives, please post your assessment of them. I need this 'reality check'.
,,,,,,,.........
kj

KJ,
Take two aspirins and call me in the morning.

Ray

[orvet]

,,,,,,,,........
Am i 'loosing it' ? Is this early dementia ?
I will post a bunch of pictures showing some of these RR knives. If you have any of the same ones or if this post gets you to buy any of these knives, please post your assessment of them. I need this 'reality check'.
,,,,,,,.........
kj

KJ,
Take two aspirins and call me in the morning.

Ray

[doglegg]

KJ I have one of the carbon whittlers and it is a great knife. That dog bone jack catches my eye.

[deo-pa]

Given what an astute knife person you are Roland I suspect your assessment of these Rough Riders is right on the money. For the most part I collect pre-1950 knives so I admire but don't spend my money on GECs. If I did I know I'd have a hard time acknowledging the quality of a comparable knife that costs 20% or less of what I paid. It will be interesting to see the responses to your post. I hope those who have been burned by Rough Rider quality will also chime in.

Here is an interesting recent article from Forbes on one company's thoughts on how to achieve quality in Chinese manufacturing: https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/201 ... 2847f775ae

Dennis

[Doc B]

I've picked up about 15 different RR patterns and found them to be very good knives. I have roughly 22-23 GEC and find them to be very good knives, as well. Being honest...I'm not sure that they are 8-10 times the quality. They certainly are 8-10 times more costly and sometimes more than that. I do understand the difference in paying Chinese and US workers...and like to support US makers, when possible. There's no denying that RR puts out a pretty good product...at a very good price point.

[tongueriver]

[Railsplitter]

I've got one of those RR Whittlers. Wicked little knife and the blades are sharp as all get out. Well made too.

[RobesonsRme.com]

I've had a couple of RR knives. They have great fit and finish and the blades are the sharpest out-of-the-box I've ever seen from any manufacturer.

I also bought a little RR bone handled knife opener that is as good as any other I know about.

My biggest problem with RR bone handled knives, as well as most other modern/traditional patterns, is the jigging. Nobody is getting it right for a vintage knife person like me. For instance, those RR trappers Roland posted, that bone jigging is decidedly unattractive.

I also have a bit of a problem patronizing a big Chinese company over an American one, but, quite simply, I cannot afford GEC or any other American maker right now.

I am a vintage Robeson/Terrier collector, but for EDC purposes, my line-up of knives are pretty much all foreign made.

As I sell off my Robeson collection, I will probably put a couple of those in the EDC pile.

Charlie

[orvet]

Roland,
Whether or not you have lost it or are in the early stages of dementia, you are probably more capable of making that clinical diagnosis then ninety-nine percent of us in this forum!

I started writing this a few hours ago and got interrupted. My purpose in writing this by way of explanation to you, why I and other people may not interested in collecting Rough Rider knives. You seem to be wondering in your original post why people didn't collect them, this is my attempt to answer your question. I'm not attempting to convince you or anyone else to collect or not to collect Rough Riders or any other brand of pocketknives. I could really care less what knives people collect, apart from Schrade and Camillus. I'm not trying to encourage people to collect Schrade and Camillus because that means more competition for the rare pieces!

As far as collecting a bunch of Rough Rider knives is concern, everyone is kind of on their own to collect whatever they want, and I don't hear a great deal push back to anyone for collecting a specific brand. There are certain things to consider choosing a brand, and one of those things is the potential for increase in value. I think that's what drives a lot of people to collect GEC knives.
For me the exciting part about collecting a brand is doing the historical research and the thrill of the hunt search for hard to find examples.

I don't collect GEC because there's no history and there is really no search it's just being in the right place at the right time money in your hand to buy one. I'm sure you have heard many people say the hunt is more fun than the actual finding.

For me, when it comes to collecting Rough Riders, there is no interest for me.
1 - There is no potential for increased value, or very little, even though this isn't a big incentive to me, I expect it is to some people.
2 - There is no history to discover and research. This is important to me. Sometimes the history of a company makes me a fan of their knives.
3- With RR there is no thrill of discovery after a long search to find an elusive pattern! All I need to do just pick up a catalog and order.

As far as a using knife goes RR, they may be great; I will take your word for it. I look at them kind of like I do Case knives, I don't collect Case but if I find one I like that I want to use I will buy it. I have two or three seahorse whittlers that I use. I have a couple other I like and use but I don't collect them. If Rough Rider made a unique pattern that I needed for a specific task I might consider it. Unfortunately, I think they probably do not have the best steel in them, certainly not better steel than in dozens of knives I already own, so why would I want one? If I just want to spend money on a knife, I will get a use knife that I like and that has some interesting history to it, not a cookie cutter copy of an old knife or a remake of an old design.

Basically I don't collect Rough Riders because I have absolutely no interest in them. I don't buy them for users because I don't really care for them and I am fortunate that at this point in my life price point doesn't have to be my only consideration. If that ever becomes a consideration I will probably just keep my old knives and not by any new ones, I actually have plenty to choose from.

The last reasons which leave me no desire to buy Rough Rider knives are political.
1 – The government of China subsidizes its manufacturing so that it can maximize its leverage on the world market, especially against the United States. This is not good for our country, not good for manufacturing in our country and not good for the workers of our country. The bottom line is the policies of the government of China work against the good of every person in American. And I don't care if some people disagree with me, that is my belief and my prerogative is American citizen to hold such a belief, at least this one small point in time.
2 – Another political reason I don't buy Rough Rider knives is because of their support for North Vietnam and the Vietcong. They were one of the major suppliers of arms and munitions to the VC in the NVA. When you have had steel shot at you, it does take away a little of your enthusiasm for buying steel from the same government that provided the steel that was shot at you.
3 – I don't like to support a government that has an active policy of persecuting Christians, which China does. I love the Chinese people, they are absolutely amazing! I don't like to see my Chinese Christian brothers and sisters persecuted and imprisoned for their beliefs and possibly used as prison labor in a factory that is making a product that I might purchase. I realize given the current economic entanglements that we have with China, this means that the only viable products for some items are from China. But I do have many viable options to Chinese pocketknives and I choose to exercise those options rather than by a Rough Rider or any other knife manufactured in the PRC. I have a number of very good knives made in Taiwan, the people in Taiwan are free they do not exist under an autocratic government. I have no problem buying knives made in Taiwan, in fact I find them usually a very good value or the money.

Roland, my Canadian friend; even though we only live a few hundred miles apart, there is a cultural divide that prevents either of us from fully understanding why the other thinks as he does. This is true on the issue of guns and no doubt other issues as well. This post is my way of explaining why I (and others?) feel at best ambivalent about collecting RR knives. Stay well my friend.

[rmsize]

Those rough rider Trapper Series knives ,#1030 and 1032 really look good and I think the quality is bar none. If you ever decide to sell the two trappers ,I would appreciate if you would give me a shot at buying them.

[Rotten]

Basically I don't collect Rough Riders because I have absolutely no interest in them. I don't buy them for users because I don't really care for them and I am fortunate that at this point in my life price point doesn't have to be my only consideration. If that ever becomes a consideration I will probably just keep my old knives and not by any new ones, I actually have plenty to choose from.

+1

[kennedy knives]

Roland,
Whether or not you have lost it or are in the early stages of dementia, you are probably more capable of making that clinical diagnosis then ninety-nine percent of us in this forum!

I started writing this a few hours ago and got interrupted. My purpose in writing this by way of explanation to you, why I and other people may not interested in collecting Rough Rider knives. You seem to be wondering in your original post why people didn't collect them, this is my attempt to answer your question. I'm not attempting to convince you or anyone else to collect or not to collect Rough Riders or any other brand of pocketknives. I could really care less what knives people collect, apart from Schrade and Camillus. I'm not trying to encourage people to collect Schrade and Camillus because that means more competition for the rare pieces!

As far as collecting a bunch of Rough Rider knives is concern, everyone is kind of on their own to collect whatever they want, and I don't hear a great deal push back to anyone for collecting a specific brand. There are certain things to consider choosing a brand, and one of those things is the potential for increase in value. I think that's what drives a lot of people to collect GEC knives.
For me the exciting part about collecting a brand is doing the historical research and the thrill of the hunt search for hard to find examples.

I don't collect GEC because there's no history and there is really no search it's just being in the right place at the right time money in your hand to buy one. I'm sure you have heard many people say the hunt is more fun than the actual finding.

For me, when it comes to collecting Rough Riders, there is no interest for me.
1 - There is no potential for increased value, or very little, even though this isn't a big incentive to me, I expect it is to some people.
2 - There is no history to discover and research. This is important to me. Sometimes the history of a company makes me a fan of their knives.
3- With RR there is no thrill of discovery after a long search to find an elusive pattern! All I need to do just pick up a catalog and order.

As far as a using knife goes RR, they may be great; I will take your word for it. I look at them kind of like I do Case knives, I don't collect Case but if I find one I like that I want to use I will buy it. I have two or three seahorse whittlers that I use. I have a couple other I like and use but I don't collect them. If Rough Rider made a unique pattern that I needed for a specific task I might consider it. Unfortunately, I think they probably do not have the best steel in them, certainly not better steel than in dozens of knives I already own, so why would I want one? If I just want to spend money on a knife, I will get a use knife that I like and that has some interesting history to it, not a cookie cutter copy of an old knife or a remake of an old design.

Basically I don't collect Rough Riders because I have absolutely no interest in them. I don't buy them for users because I don't really care for them and I am fortunate that at this point in my life price point doesn't have to be my only consideration. If that ever becomes a consideration I will probably just keep my old knives and not by any new ones, I actually have plenty to choose from.

The last reasons which leave me no desire to buy Rough Rider knives are political.
1 – The government of China subsidizes its manufacturing so that it can maximize its leverage on the world market, especially against the United States. This is not good for our country, not good for manufacturing in our country and not good for the workers of our country. The bottom line is the policies of the government of China work against the good of every person in American. And I don't care if some people disagree with me, that is my belief and my prerogative is American citizen to hold such a belief, at least this one small point in time.
2 – Another political reason I don't buy Rough Rider knives is because of their support for North Vietnam and the Vietcong. They were one of the major suppliers of arms and munitions to the VC in the NVA. When you have had steel shot at you, it does take away a little of your enthusiasm for buying steel from the same government that provided the steel that was shot at you.
3 – I don't like to support a government that has an active policy of persecuting Christians, which China does. I love the Chinese people, they are absolutely amazing! I don't like to see my Chinese Christian brothers and sisters persecuted and imprisoned for their beliefs and possibly used as prison labor in a factory that is making a product that I might purchase. I realize given the current economic entanglements that we have with China, this means that the only viable products for some items are from China. But I do have many viable options to Chinese pocketknives and I choose to exercise those options rather than by a Rough Rider or any other knife manufactured in the PRC. I have a number of very good knives made in Taiwan, the people in Taiwan are free they do not exist under an autocratic government. I have no problem buying knives made in Taiwan, in fact I find them usually a very good value or the money.

Roland, my Canadian friend; even though we only live a few hundred miles apart, there is a cultural divide that prevents either of us from fully understanding why the other thinks as he does. This is true on the issue of guns and no doubt other issues as well. This post is my way of explaining why I (and others?) feel at best ambivalent about collecting RR knives. Stay well my friend.

Dale I'm with you 100% feel the same

[Reverand]

I have a couple of Rough Riders that my Dad gave me. They are good knives. I also have a few other Chinese-made knives that are users, just because they are cheap and I don't have to worry if I ruin one or lose one. Still, I want to avoid supporting China (which is difficult to do).

I simply cannot afford a new GEC, or even a new Case.
Thankfully there are still some American companies that manufacture inexpensive knives - "Bear and Son" is the first that comes to mind. I have had a small stockman of theirs for years that has been a great EDC. It will never be a collectible, but it has been a great and inexpensive user.
Somebody else name a few other new, inexpensive American cutlers, and help us poor folk support American, too!

[geocash]

To me, the values and beliefs and such that are connected to buying a knife made in China aren't much different from those involved in buying all the other stuff that we have to have at the cheapest price we can get. I completely agree with some of the reasons that I'm reading not to buy a knife made in China. But, I agree with other reasons to buy a knife made in China. It sure ain't simple. I am, so I'll just mention that I ordered a RR last night. For what reason(s), I can't say, because I don't really know, myself. Some of each, apparently. And I wanna see the knife.

[bighomer]

I'll stay out of the politics except to say we live in a global economy whether we like it or not. I worked for a company that had a footprint on every continent, so my living and my pension is from everywhere. I understand what Dale is saying about Nam because I too was shot at, it's personal to us, but our WWII vets could say the same about German or Japan made products. I don't have near as many far east knives as Roland and will never have, but like a old crow I like pretty shiny things, and they fit that to my eye, at a price I don't mind paying. YMMV.

[edge213]

I have about 10 RRs out of approximately 600-700 knives. They are a good knife for the money, but to say they are the same or better quality than GEC is kind of crazy in my opinion.
Maybe I just haven't had as good of luck as others when it comes to acquiring RR.

[deo-pa]

I hope those who have been burned by Rough Rider quality will also chime in.

When I posted above I'd totally forgotten that I indeed own a Rough Rider. Roughly four years ago on a whim I bought one of these baby sunfish, part of their Stoneworx series. It struck me as particularly attractive with its (simulated I assume) turquoise and abalone inlays and fluted bolsters. The handle craftsmanship was excellent but the blades were not well sharpened and the main blade was an absolute nail buster. Tough to open even with a pick. That definitely soured me on them.

I note on their website that this is their 25th year, so they certainly are not a fly-by-night knife maker. It's not surprising that, as Roland suggests, they are constantly getting better and better. Perhaps it's not far fetched to think that in another quarter century on eBay under "Vintage Pocketknives" there will be the kinds of listings I hate: "L@@K! - First Generation Rough Rider! - 50 Years Old! - Mint! - L@@K!"

Dennis

[carrmillus]

Roland,
Whether or not you have lost it or are in the early stages of dementia, you are probably more capable of making that clinical diagnosis then ninety-nine percent of us in this forum!

I started writing this a few hours ago and got interrupted. My purpose in writing this by way of explanation to you, why I and other people may not interested in collecting Rough Rider knives. You seem to be wondering in your original post why people didn't collect them, this is my attempt to answer your question. I'm not attempting to convince you or anyone else to collect or not to collect Rough Riders or any other brand of pocketknives. I could really care less what knives people collect, apart from Schrade and Camillus. I'm not trying to encourage people to collect Schrade and Camillus because that means more competition for the rare pieces!

As far as collecting a bunch of Rough Rider knives is concern, everyone is kind of on their own to collect whatever they want, and I don't hear a great deal push back to anyone for collecting a specific brand. There are certain things to consider choosing a brand, and one of those things is the potential for increase in value. I think that's what drives a lot of people to collect GEC knives.
For me the exciting part about collecting a brand is doing the historical research and the thrill of the hunt search for hard to find examples.

I don't collect GEC because there's no history and there is really no search it's just being in the right place at the right time money in your hand to buy one. I'm sure you have heard many people say the hunt is more fun than the actual finding.

For me, when it comes to collecting Rough Riders, there is no interest for me.
1 - There is no potential for increased value, or very little, even though this isn't a big incentive to me, I expect it is to some people.
2 - There is no history to discover and research. This is important to me. Sometimes the history of a company makes me a fan of their knives.
3- With RR there is no thrill of discovery after a long search to find an elusive pattern! All I need to do just pick up a catalog and order.

As far as a using knife goes RR, they may be great; I will take your word for it. I look at them kind of like I do Case knives, I don't collect Case but if I find one I like that I want to use I will buy it. I have two or three seahorse whittlers that I use. I have a couple other I like and use but I don't collect them. If Rough Rider made a unique pattern that I needed for a specific task I might consider it. Unfortunately, I think they probably do not have the best steel in them, certainly not better steel than in dozens of knives I already own, so why would I want one? If I just want to spend money on a knife, I will get a use knife that I like and that has some interesting history to it, not a cookie cutter copy of an old knife or a remake of an old design.

Basically I don't collect Rough Riders because I have absolutely no interest in them. I don't buy them for users because I don't really care for them and I am fortunate that at this point in my life price point doesn't have to be my only consideration. If that ever becomes a consideration I will probably just keep my old knives and not by any new ones, I actually have plenty to choose from.

The last reasons which leave me no desire to buy Rough Rider knives are political.
1 – The government of China subsidizes its manufacturing so that it can maximize its leverage on the world market, especially against the United States. This is not good for our country, not good for manufacturing in our country and not good for the workers of our country. The bottom line is the policies of the government of China work against the good of every person in American. And I don't care if some people disagree with me, that is my belief and my prerogative is American citizen to hold such a belief, at least this one small point in time.
2 – Another political reason I don't buy Rough Rider knives is because of their support for North Vietnam and the Vietcong. They were one of the major suppliers of arms and munitions to the VC in the NVA. When you have had steel shot at you, it does take away a little of your enthusiasm for buying steel from the same government that provided the steel that was shot at you.
3 – I don't like to support a government that has an active policy of persecuting Christians, which China does. I love the Chinese people, they are absolutely amazing! I don't like to see my Chinese Christian brothers and sisters persecuted and imprisoned for their beliefs and possibly used as prison labor in a factory that is making a product that I might purchase. I realize given the current economic entanglements that we have with China, this means that the only viable products for some items are from China. But I do have many viable options to Chinese pocketknives and I choose to exercise those options rather than by a Rough Rider or any other knife manufactured in the PRC. I have a number of very good knives made in Taiwan, the people in Taiwan are free they do not exist under an autocratic government. I have no problem buying knives made in Taiwan, in fact I find them usually a very good value or the money.

Roland, my Canadian friend; even though we only live a few hundred miles apart, there is a cultural divide that prevents either of us from fully understanding why the other thinks as he does. This is true on the issue of guns and no doubt other issues as well. This post is my way of explaining why I (and others?) feel at best ambivalent about collecting RR knives. Stay well my friend.

....100% agree, dale!!!!..... .........

[Eye Brand Man]

Roland,
Whether or not you have lost it or are in the early stages of dementia, you are probably more capable of making that clinical diagnosis then ninety-nine percent of us in this forum!

I started writing this a few hours ago and got interrupted. My purpose in writing this by way of explanation to you, why I and other people may not interested in collecting Rough Rider knives. You seem to be wondering in your original post why people didn't collect them, this is my attempt to answer your question. I'm not attempting to convince you or anyone else to collect or not to collect Rough Riders or any other brand of pocketknives. I could really care less what knives people collect, apart from Schrade and Camillus. I'm not trying to encourage people to collect Schrade and Camillus because that means more competition for the rare pieces!

As far as collecting a bunch of Rough Rider knives is concern, everyone is kind of on their own to collect whatever they want, and I don't hear a great deal push back to anyone for collecting a specific brand. There are certain things to consider choosing a brand, and one of those things is the potential for increase in value. I think that's what drives a lot of people to collect GEC knives.
For me the exciting part about collecting a brand is doing the historical research and the thrill of the hunt search for hard to find examples.

I don't collect GEC because there's no history and there is really no search it's just being in the right place at the right time money in your hand to buy one. I'm sure you have heard many people say the hunt is more fun than the actual finding.

For me, when it comes to collecting Rough Riders, there is no interest for me.
1 - There is no potential for increased value, or very little, even though this isn't a big incentive to me, I expect it is to some people.
2 - There is no history to discover and research. This is important to me. Sometimes the history of a company makes me a fan of their knives.
3- With RR there is no thrill of discovery after a long search to find an elusive pattern! All I need to do just pick up a catalog and order.

As far as a using knife goes RR, they may be great; I will take your word for it. I look at them kind of like I do Case knives, I don't collect Case but if I find one I like that I want to use I will buy it. I have two or three seahorse whittlers that I use. I have a couple other I like and use but I don't collect them. If Rough Rider made a unique pattern that I needed for a specific task I might consider it. Unfortunately, I think they probably do not have the best steel in them, certainly not better steel than in dozens of knives I already own, so why would I want one? If I just want to spend money on a knife, I will get a use knife that I like and that has some interesting history to it, not a cookie cutter copy of an old knife or a remake of an old design.

Basically I don't collect Rough Riders because I have absolutely no interest in them. I don't buy them for users because I don't really care for them and I am fortunate that at this point in my life price point doesn't have to be my only consideration. If that ever becomes a consideration I will probably just keep my old knives and not by any new ones, I actually have plenty to choose from.

The last reasons which leave me no desire to buy Rough Rider knives are political.
1 – The government of China subsidizes its manufacturing so that it can maximize its leverage on the world market, especially against the United States. This is not good for our country, not good for manufacturing in our country and not good for the workers of our country. The bottom line is the policies of the government of China work against the good of every person in American. And I don't care if some people disagree with me, that is my belief and my prerogative is American citizen to hold such a belief, at least this one small point in time.
2 – Another political reason I don't buy Rough Rider knives is because of their support for North Vietnam and the Vietcong. They were one of the major suppliers of arms and munitions to the VC in the NVA. When you have had steel shot at you, it does take away a little of your enthusiasm for buying steel from the same government that provided the steel that was shot at you.
3 – I don't like to support a government that has an active policy of persecuting Christians, which China does. I love the Chinese people, they are absolutely amazing! I don't like to see my Chinese Christian brothers and sisters persecuted and imprisoned for their beliefs and possibly used as prison labor in a factory that is making a product that I might purchase. I realize given the current economic entanglements that we have with China, this means that the only viable products for some items are from China. But I do have many viable options to Chinese pocketknives and I choose to exercise those options rather than by a Rough Rider or any other knife manufactured in the PRC. I have a number of very good knives made in Taiwan, the people in Taiwan are free they do not exist under an autocratic government. I have no problem buying knives made in Taiwan, in fact I find them usually a very good value or the money.

Roland, my Canadian friend; even though we only live a few hundred miles apart, there is a cultural divide that prevents either of us from fully understanding why the other thinks as he does. This is true on the issue of guns and no doubt other issues as well. This post is my way of explaining why I (and others?) feel at best ambivalent about collecting RR knives. Stay well my friend.

Extremely well said My thoughts exactly.

[Mumbleypeg]

Dale you said what I believe also, and better than I could have.

Ken

[kootenay joe]

I collect knives because a well made knife in good condition gives me a good feeling. This is likely true for all of us here. I get the same good feeling from an RR knife as i do from my newest GEC. I keep buying more of both because i am rather addicted to knives.
I like vintage knives best because of the searching needed to find a good example and because of all the history of the knife manufacturers that is learned along the way. Ebay has been my main source for vintage knives and 10 or so years ago there were always many listed. Now 90%+ of the listings are for new knives made mostly in China and a good vintage USA folding knife is getting a bit rare.
I am not concerned by where a knife was made. I am concerned with quality of workmanship and quality of the steel used.
I agree it sounds 'crazy' to say many of my Rough Rider knives are as good as the GEC knives in both fit & finish and function. This is why i started this thread, to question my own judgement, not to discuss political differences between countries.
My assessment of RR knives went way up in Nov. of 2010 when i dressed out a whitetail with one of the RR "trapper Series" knives. The blade cut through everything with such ease, almost no force at all needed including amputating all 4 lower limbs which usually dulls the blade. It still shaved my arm hair after i was done. I never expected or had experienced such edge holding.
RR is a USA company, owned by Americans and with American employees so presumably with taxes it does add a little to the USA economy. The parts and manufacture of the knives is all Chinese.
Here are pictures from Nov. 2010 showing the deer and RR knife i used. Note that the secondary blade barely rises above the handle when closed so it is very comfortable in hand. How could i not be thoroughly pleased with this knife ?
kj

[Doug51]

I'm more of a user than a collector. Not a huge Rough Rider fan but I will buy one because I like the pattern mostly. This Rough Rider is why I'm not a huge fan. I just purchased this one. like everything about this knife except it's blade isn't centered when closed. It was a disappointment. Because otherwise it would have been perfect.