New Rough Ryder Reserve knifes to be available at SMKW

[Old Folder]

Dan I like that going on its frame size I'm wondering how big the main blade is ? Got to be 3inches or under to be uk legal Thanks for sharing mate

Your welcome Paul.
Unfortunately, the master blade length was not included, (yet) however, the largest RRR series knife was the Swell center Whittler (RRR003) which is 4.50" closed with a 3.25" master blade.
The new RRR008 is 4.25 closed, I'm guessing that the master blade will be at 3" max . Hopefully making it UK legal.

Dan

[Old Folder]

I just received my first of these RR Reserve knives, a 3 5/8" Kayak and a 4 1/2" Swell Center Whittler. I am very impressed with everything even the packaging which includes a polishing cloth. Blades are ultra sharp and all blade action is tight and crisp. The important thing to know is that these are stout solid heavy knives. They are not the slender light weight, disappear into you pocket type of knives.
The liners, bolsters and springs are all thicker than on a GEC of the same size. They are also heavier, 101 grams for the Kayak compared to 83 grams for a GEC Gabon Ebony 782217 which is 3/16" longer.
Being thicker, heavier and stronger does not make it 'better than'. For most of us on most days we do not need a heavy duty pocket knife. A more slender lighter weight pocket knife is all we need and it is less noticeable when in your pocket.
But if you are going to be gardening, camping, cutting up boxes, etc. this is the knife to use.
The D2 blades are hair poppin' sharp and with this steel should be able to maintain this sharpness better than 'average'.
These RRR knives are definitely worthy of being in a new stand alone line of RR knives because they are significantly different from all previous RR's.
I think these are likely The Best work-type folding knife you can buy. They may be others as good, but not better and likely they are much more expensive than the $50-$60 price range of the RRR's.
kj

Excellent review Roland.

Dan

[cody6268]

The Common Stock may become my new work knife--the screwdriver in work use is SO much more useful than a spey blade. I really like the HedgeHog as well. And, ironically, it will replace another big RR Stockman, which is my current "beater" work knife.

I said "NO MORE CHINESE", but since I don't think any other company will be doing something like the Common Stock, I may just pick it up.

[Old Folder]

"They're baaaaack!" (#4)
I sent a message to my "Inside Information Informer" at smkw. He just informed me that the RRR006 picture will be sent to me next week.
I shall post it within aapk when received.

Dan

[zed6309]

Dan I like that going on its frame size I'm wondering how big the main blade is ? Got to be 3inches or under to be uk legal Thanks for sharing mate

Your welcome Paul.
Unfortunately, the master blade length was not included, (yet) however, the largest RRR series knife was the Swell center Whittler (RRR003) which is 4.50" closed with a 3.25" master blade.
The new RRR008 is 4.25 closed, I'm guessing that the master blade will be at 3" max . Hopefully making it UK legal.

Dan

Thanks Dan

[Modern Slip Joints]

Large 4 1/4" stockmans are among my favorite knives. Made by Case, Camillus, Schrade (Chinese) and Queen their master clip blades are over 3". Offhand I remember they're 3 1/4" to 3 3/8". Since I have not handled a 4 1/4" stockman that did not have a blade over 3" I suggest that you get someone to measure the Common Stockman before importing it into a jurisdiction where over 3" blades are not legal. I would not rely on the length written in SMKW literature. I just bought a 4 1/2" Chinese Schrade Stockman. SMKW advertised its main blade is 3 1/2". It is actually 3 1/4". That did not please me buy it's not a big deal. I also bought a RR Workman series jack with a sheep's foot master. SMKW advertised its main blade is 2 1/2". It is actually 2 13/16". Since I bought it for areas where a law makes blades over 2 1/2" a felony it's unusable for its intended use.

I remember yellow Delrin RR Stockmans with 2 knife blades and a screw driver bottle opener in old SMKW ads. IIRC they were closer to the standard 4" length.

[dlr110]

Okay I got my RRR004 Bar Back in the mail today. (Pic #1)

The knife is just as well made as any of the other knives in the series, but still IMO it is priced about 25% too high. I would rate it just like I have the other RRR series knives, there is nothing wrong with the craftsmanship. However this is not a knife I will use or carry. First off, this is possibly the strangest pocket knife in my collection.

If you have the drop point blade open for use (Pic #2) and as you hold it, one of your fingers is going to want to rest on the cap lifter of the "main blade." Depending on what I'm doing with the knife at that point I could hurt that finger. Also if that curve at the back end is for your little finger to rest on then the back end of the blade is going to hurt, I already found out.

When you open the main blade now you have a semi-circle to rest your pointer finger in, (Pic #3) don't slip or loose your grip or that finger will be right up on the edge of that blade. Again IMO you are better off with a utility/camping knife.

I am looking forward to getting the other knives in the series and I'm sure I will be pleased with them.

[Modern Slip Joints]

David R.,

Thank-you for posting how the Bar Back feels in hand. I had not thought about the point of the bottle opener poking fingers or the other discomforts. I was slightly tempted to buy one but only because it will likely become a real oddity.

On the other hand the just revealed Common Stockman looks like a practical knife for my use. I will buy at least one. However, it appears to me that stockmans have declined in popularity leaving the market flooded with stockmans. While buyers scrambled to get other GEC models it took retailers at least a year and half to sell all their GEC Dixie Stockmans and over two years to sell their GEC 66 Stockmans. Consequently, I expect RRR Common Stockmans will be at retailers for quite a while. While having a Wharncliff as one of their blades helps, Muskrats are another unpopular style. Maybe they're even less popular than stockmans. In contrast I expect the RRR single blade lock back will sell out fast.

[Stanwade]

I have one question-- is David a crybaby for giving the bar back something other than an A1 review? I don't think so myself (thank you, David, for your honest opinion without judging). he's just giving his honest opinion.. there has been passive aggressive statements made to the contrary...

[kootenay joe]

The Bar Back is simply a stupid design. Design is everything in a folding knife. When the proportions and curves all flow together with perfect balance you have an instantly pleasing knife. The Bar Back has none of this and for function is design stupidity. It does not matter how well made it is. The design does not work and is actually dangerous to the user.
I think a sensibly designed RRR Stockman will sell well.
I really like my RRR Kayak.
kj
Edit to add: i just saw the picture Dan posted of the "Common Stock" knife. This guy's designs need to be better vetted before production starts. Why use the valuable space to put a cap lifter ? At least here in Canada all bottle tops can be twisted off by hand. Put a saw blade with a slot screw driver tip or an awl blade, not a no longer needed tool.
i will pass on it.
kj

[Stanwade]

The Bar Back is simply a stupid design. Design is everything in a folding knife. When the proportions and curves all flow together with perfect balance you have an instantly pleasing knife. The Bar Back has none of this and for function is design stupidity. It does not matter how well made it is. The design does not work and is actually dangerous to the user.
I think a sensibly designed RRR Stockman will sell well.
I really like my RRR Kayak.
kj
Edit to add: i just saw the picture Dan posted of the "Common Stock" knife. This guy's designs need to be better vetted before production starts. Why use the valuable space to put a cap lifter ? At least here in Canada all bottle tops can be twisted off by hand. Put a saw blade with a slot screw driver tip or an awl blade, not a no longer needed tool.
i will pass on it.
kj

Thank you, KJ, I appreciate your honest review/opinion.. Well said...

[zed6309]

The Bar Back is simply a stupid design. Design is everything in a folding knife. When the proportions and curves all flow together with perfect balance you have an instantly pleasing knife. The Bar Back has none of this and for function is design stupidity. It does not matter how well made it is. The design does not work and is actually dangerous to the user.
I think a sensibly designed RRR Stockman will sell well.
I really like my RRR Kayak.
kj
Edit to add: i just saw the picture Dan posted of the "Common Stock" knife. This guy's designs need to be better vetted before production starts. Why use the valuable space to put a cap lifter ? At least here in Canada all bottle tops can be twisted off by hand. Put a saw blade with a slot screw driver tip or an awl blade, not a no longer needed tool.
i will pass on it.
kj

Thank you, KJ, I appreciate your honest review/opinion.. Well said...

Thanks KJ for the review, it's not a knife for me , the kayak works perfectly for me and fits in well in my daily edc , I'm not interested in any of the others , if they do a nice 2 blade barlow then I'm.in

[Beavertail]

The Bar Back is simply a stupid design. Design is everything in a folding knife. When the proportions and curves all flow together with perfect balance you have an instantly pleasing knife. The Bar Back has none of this and for function is design stupidity. It does not matter how well made it is. The design does not work and is actually dangerous to the user.
I think a sensibly designed RRR Stockman will sell well.
I really like my RRR Kayak.
kj
Edit to add: i just saw the picture Dan posted of the "Common Stock" knife. This guy's designs need to be better vetted before production starts. Why use the valuable space to put a cap lifter ? At least here in Canada all bottle tops can be twisted off by hand. Put a saw blade with a slot screw driver tip or an awl blade, not a no longer needed tool.
i will pass on it.
kj

I think the Barback could be compared to this.

[Modern Slip Joints]

I have one question-- is David a crybaby for giving the bar back something other than an A1 review? I don't think so myself (thank you, David, for your honest opinion without judging). he's just giving his honest opinion.. there has been passive aggressive statements made to the contrary...

Since my reply was the only one in between David's and yours it was the only one you could have been calling "passive aggressive." Am I that bad of a writer? Either that or you need to read what I actually wrote. Read it literally and you'll have my honest opinion.

[1967redrider]

Most of the beer I drink requires an opener, but this one is not working for me.

[Stanwade]

I have one question-- is David a crybaby for giving the bar back something other than an A1 review? I don't think so myself (thank you, David, for your honest opinion without judging). he's just giving his honest opinion.. there has been passive aggressive statements made to the contrary...

Since my reply was the only one in between David's and yours it was the only one you could have been calling "passive aggressive." Am I that bad of a writer? Either that or you need to read what I actually wrote. Read it literally and you'll have my honest opinion.

My comment was not directed at, MSJ.. sorry if you thought it was.. I shouldn't post certain things about what I'm thinking, sometimes. I meant no offense to anyone, especially you, I just made a personal observation that I shouldn't have.. all is good

[Old Folder]

"They're baaaaack!" (#4 and final post of the new RRR Series 2 knives)
My inside informer (as promised last week) sent me the below picture and description of the fourth and last RRR new Rough Ryder Reserve in the series #2 group. (Not yet posted for sale on the smkw web site)

My "Inside Informer" advised me that all four knives are still at sea. However, on the West coast harbors here in Southern Ca. one of the largest seaports in the world is backed up. The Western (Pacific coast) is where much of the U.S. trade & ocean transit takes place. The land harbors are packed high and tight with freight containers. The cargo ships at sea are also backed up and sitting idle. Having worked in Ground and Air Transportation (FedEx Air) for most of my life, this backup is not new. However, related "coronavirus" situations are the main reason for the current situation. So, if you cannot find the items that you normally purchase at your retailer, this is why.

Rough Ryder Reserve "Rhino Toe" Pattern 006
The Rough Ryder Reserve Rhino Toe (Pattern 006) is a modern take on the Elephant Toe pattern designed by Andy Armstrong, Andy also designed the Barback. The Rhino Toe a sleeveboard pattern jack with a D2 tool steel Wharncliffe main blade at the large end and a Spear Point blade at the small end. Both blades have a brushed satin finish with match strike pulls, half stops, and heavy swedging. The handles are blue denim Micarta with a nickel silver Triple-R Arrowhead shield. No blade lengths were given to me. The Rhino Toe also has nickel silver pins, brushed steel striped bolsters, and brass liners. It's 3.875" closed and comes packed in a collectible Rough Ryder Reserve Tube Tin with a Rough Ryder Reserve microfiber cleaning cloth just like the prior series.

There they are folks. I think all four will sell quickly. From the pictures, all four appear to maintain the same excellent quality as the prior four.
I will post all four soon to be released RRR below, however, all the limited statistics are located in above posts for every knife.
Dan

[Beavertail]

I know I said I wouldn't pay that much for a Rough Ryder, but I probably will get the Hedgehog and Rhino toe.
Thanks for sharing this information.

[Railsplitter]

The Rhino Toe would be a good collector piece. It would probably be a good user too until the edge needed touched up. The bolster is kind of in the way as pointed out on another venue.

The small blade looks like it might present the same problem when fully open but it's difficult to tell for sure.

[dlr110]

Okay I'm going to be Mr. Negative here. What good is a Rhino, Elephant Camel toe any kind of knife for?
For my likes and tastes in knives they're ugly and I just don't know of any use for them. I don't mean to
hurt anyone's feelings, just expressing my thoughts and asking a question.

[Railsplitter]

Okay I'm going to be Mr. Negative here. What good is a Rhino, Elephant Camel toe any kind of knife for?
For my likes and tastes in knives they're ugly and I just don't know of any use for them. I don't mean to
hurt anyone's feelings, just expressing my thoughts and asking a question.

I'm honestly not sure but I think the original "Toe" patterns were designed for cutting rope. I wouldn't carry one myself but I can understand the attraction whether using it for rope or not.

[Beavertail]

Okay I'm going to be Mr. Negative here. What good is a Rhino, Elephant Camel toe any kind of knife for?
For my likes and tastes in knives they're ugly and I just don't know of any use for them. I don't mean to
hurt anyone's feelings, just expressing my thoughts and asking a question.

My Grandfather always carried an elephant toe.
He worked in the cotton mill and said it was perfect for cutting rope and the roving the mill produced.

[Old Folder]

I know I said I wouldn't pay that much for a Rough Ryder, but I probably will get the Hedgehog and Rhino toe.
Thanks for sharing this information.

Your very welcome Tim.
I'm in for all four.

Dan

[Old Folder]

Okay I'm going to be Mr. Negative here. What good is a Rhino, Elephant Camel toe any kind of knife for?
For my likes and tastes in knives they're ugly and I just don't know of any use for them. I don't mean to
hurt anyone's feelings, just expressing my thoughts and asking a question.

My answer to your question David, is: "History."

I have a few "Elephant Toe" knives, no, I have no reason to EDC one. I only collect and display. They are a part of knife history just as my Fleams, Ink Erasers, Barrel Knives, Folding 18th century Medical knives and Bleeding Lancets, the list goes on and on. All of which I have no reason to carry.

I think one has to be into the history of this knife pattern, many collectors are and the Sunfish knives are still being made today by many firms, and even custom makers too, many with drop dead gorgeous handles with prices much deeper than my pockets.

These knives were originally produced as working knives, used by carpenters and sailors in the late eighteen hundreds early nineteen hundreds. That's the reason for the heavy blades, sailors would use belaying pins to hammer the blade through a line to cut it. That's the reason only a few survived this long.
The elephant toenail (sunfish) knife is rich in history and full of all the things in a made for TV movie, and involves many of the granddaddies of American cutlery history.

Bottomline: This wonderful pattern was made for heavy work- manual labor, hunting, trapping, etc. The earliest that I have been able to definitely trace it back to is right before 1900, when sailors at sea would perform their beautiful "Scrimshaw" art on the elephant toe due to its large area of bone handles.

I have been unable to determine the first firm to have produced it, or a patent. (Still researching) Perhaps I should send Bernard Levine an email?

It is a popular pattern and is increasing in demand among new and old collectors. A good example would be by witnessing the ending price on the auction sites, some currently sell for hundreds of dollars, depending on the manufacturer and condition of course.

The pattern was obviously popular in its hay day because dozens of firms began producing them. Interestingly, the knife took on different names as each maker attempted to differentiate their toenails from the others made during that era. Some of the nicknames includes, Vest Pocket Axe, Rope Knife, The Jumbo and many others. Today, they are primarily known as toenails, and elephant toes, elephant toenails and, probably the most popular- Sunfish knives, now we have smkw naming their new RRR a "Rhino Toe." (I'm good with Rhino Toe)

As Tim (Beavertail) mentioned in his above post. Tim's Grandfather carried an Elephant Toe to work in the cotton mill.

I am a history fanatic, I often want to know: Who, What, When, Where and Why.

Dan

[Old Folder]

They're baaaaack!" (#4.1)

Andy, from smkw added the below comment today 02/17/2021:

"Here's what the design mockup looks like. This is a separate file from the actual design files that shows the round in comparison to one another. For size comparison, the Triple-R 008 Common Stock is 4.25" closed."

"They're on their way and will be added to the smkw online store as soon as we know exactly when they will be in house. Pricing will be available at that point as well. ~ Andy"

Dan