All About Pocket Knives

I’m sure this is an old topic already hashed out somewhere on aapk, regardless: Has any tried out one of the more recent carbon steel RRs yet? Many thanks in advance.
Froe

Froe wrote: ↑Tue Mar 23, 2021 1:51 am I’m sure this is an old topic already hashed out somewhere on aapk, regardless: Has any tried out one of the more recent carbon steel RRs yet? Many thanks in advance.
Froe

Good question Froe.
I have read that High-carbon steel is a premium-grade steel for knife blades The high amount of carbon in the steel provides toughness, strength, edge-holding, and corrosion resistance. It is a popular material for kitchen knives also because it does not wear easily and is easier to sharpen than stainless steel. Steel stock comes in a variety of sizes and high carbon types.

I have a few RR T10 Carbon Steel bladed knives, to include the RR Denim Micarta Series, the RR Classic Carbon Series, and my RR Heavy Forge Series of two knives pictured below that are just gorgeous. Hoping RR makes more of the 'Heavy Forge' series soon?

Just go to smkw.com and put "RR Carbon Steel" in Smoky's search box at the top for some results.

I believe that SMKW has a few more 'Carbon Steel' bladed knives than I have mentioned?

They all arrived razor sharp and I have not had the need to 're-sharpen' them yet.
However, I'm sure that other members will chime in that know much more than I do about the steel quality.

Dan

Hey Dan.
John 🥸

Froe wrote: ↑Tue Mar 23, 2021 1:51 am I’m sure this is an old topic already hashed out somewhere on aapk, regardless: Has any tried out one of the more recent carbon steel RRs yet? Many thanks in advance.
Froe

I have a couple of the carbon steel fish knives. I think they are good knives ... but the blades do rust just like old time carbon steel! If I had bought anything except a fish knife I probably would not have noticed.

Thanks for response OLd Folder. I may just buy one to try it out. I like the size of the bigger stockmans they offer. The big yellow handled one is calling me.
You’ve got some beauties posted.
Froe

Froe, you probably won't be disappointed. I got a couple of the yeller handled ones. I tried to force some patina on one and as old folk are prone to do I forgot and left it in the tater to long and it turned black. Worked on it some and got it looking better but would probably not try the patina thing again, anyway I use it pretty hard cutting whatever needs cutting and it's solid. Easy to sharpen and holds the edge pretty good.

bighomer wrote: ↑Wed Mar 24, 2021 1:53 pm Froe, you probably won't be disappointed. I got a couple of the yeller handled ones. I tried to force some patina on one and as old folk are prone to do I forgot and left it in the tater to long and it turned black. Worked on it some and got it looking better but would probably not try the patina thing again, anyway I use it pretty hard cutting whatever needs cutting and it's solid. Easy to sharpen and holds the edge pretty good.

I've got one like that one and use it to whittle with on occasion. Good knife.

Dog I've whittled with this one quite a bit and cut a bunch of cardboard, it's something about that warncliffe blade and slicing up boxes. The only change I'd like would be one of the little blades be a coping blade.

bighomer wrote: ↑Wed Mar 24, 2021 2:24 pm Dog I've whittled with this one quite a bit and cut a bunch of cardboard, it's something about that warncliffe blade and slicing up boxes. The only change I'd like would be one of the little blades be a coping blade.

I have one of those in stainless, and I agree that a coping blade would be nice. In fact, I have often wondered why so many whittlers have two spear blades as secondaries. Why not two coping blades!!!

Here are my carbon steel Rough Riders. One used, one not. One clean, one not.

I agree that a coping blade would be an improvement.

A while back I was looking for a single blade in the range of 3.75-4” closed. Thanks to the kindness and generosity of a fellow knife knut who sent me this beauty I’m now the happy owner of this beauty.
A Rough Ryder RR2103 4” closed with aluminum handles. Typical RR quality, which is to say, excellent. Very sharp with about a 5-6 pull. Back spring is flush when open and closed and just ever so slightly depressed at half stop. Blade is centered. As others have said the bolsters are just painted. The aluminum is not for everyone and will never be mistaken for any traditional heirloom covers but it is a well fitted, well put together traditional slip joint

I have the same knife. Perfect as EDC, light weight but strong, slim in the pocket and a very sharp and pointy blade. Would field dress a deer in a slick and easy manner.
kj

zed6309 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 23, 2021 6:54 pm Ok guys, a little question, why is it sometimes written ROUGH RIDER OR ROUGH RYDER?

I bought 8 for the heck of it just to see what all the raving here was about...and even in my little sample I have some knives that are marked both. Sometimes it’s the shield and the tang don’t match, and on one knife the tangs don’t match from blade to blade.

Not that this means a damn thing...just a random observation.

From SMKW, they showed up today FedEx. I really like that Cinnamon Bone on the Copperhead. Looks very much like stag. And the blades appear to be some kind of Damascus. Not a lot of layers but still.................
The full size Trapper because it has a Wharncliffe blade, slanted bolsters and it was very reasonable.

jerryd6818 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 6:39 pm From SMKW, they showed up today FedEx. I really like that Cinnamon Bone on the Copperhead. Looks very much like stag. And the blades appear to be some kind of Damascus. Not a lot of layers but still.................
The full size Trapper because it has a Wharncliffe blade, slanted bolsters and it was very reasonable.

The Copperhead is a good looking knife!

Love the Damascus and the Wharncliffe. Two good ones Jerry. And those handles are a head turner.

That Copperhead is a very fine looking knife, Jerry! Makes me want to go buy one right now.

jerryd6818 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 6:39 pm From SMKW, they showed up today FedEx. I really like that Cinnamon Bone on the Copperhead. Looks very much like stag. And the blades appear to be some kind of Damascus. Not a lot of layers but still.................
The full size Trapper because it has a Wharncliffe blade, slanted bolsters and it was very reasonable.

Hey Jerry;

Glad to hear you like the RR Cinnamon Bone. One of my favorite RR series, I have the entire set.
I agree, the slanted pinched bolsters add a lot of 'Eye Candy' The "R" logo is not too distracting, at least on this series.

RR did an excellent job on their "Bone Stag"
Yes, it is real "Damascus."
I do not know the exact layer count, however, after I received my Cinnamon Bone's last year, I hooked up my "Micro Capture Pro" digital USB microscope and took some micro pictures of the top of the blades. The results are below.
Many, many layers.

Dan

Nice knives Dan and great pictures.
Have you ever used the RR straight razor to shave ? The regular RR blades are 'shaving sharp' so this razor might give a fine smooth shave.
kj

kootenay joe wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:00 pm Nice knives Dan and great pictures.
Have you ever used the RR straight razor to shave ? The regular RR blades are 'shaving sharp' so this razor might give a fine smooth shave.
kj

Thanks Roland.
No, I've never used a straight razor to shave. I don't think I would have enough time to call 911.

The handles are great but the acorn shield was what tipped the scales for me. For $25 I couldn't pass it up. One of the few RR's over $20 that I was willing to bring home.

CamMan21 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 3:31 pm

zed6309 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 23, 2021 6:54 pm Ok guys, a little question, why is it sometimes written ROUGH RIDER OR ROUGH RYDER?

I bought 8 for the heck of it just to see what all the raving here was about...and even in my little sample I have some knives that are marked both. Sometimes it’s the shield and the tang don’t match, and on one knife the tangs don’t match from blade to blade.

Not that this means a damn thing...just a random observation.

Its defantly random , wonder why this happens

jerryd6818 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 6:39 pm From SMKW, they showed up today FedEx............

The full size Trapper because it has a Wharncliffe blade, slanted bolsters and it was very reasonable.

Bought one because of your post. It just arrived...Nice knife!

CamMan21 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 15, 2021 7:42 pm

jerryd6818 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 6:39 pm From SMKW, they showed up today FedEx............

The full size Trapper because it has a Wharncliffe blade, slanted bolsters and it was very reasonable.

Bought one because of your post. It just arrived...Nice knife!

There I go. Gettin' blamed for somethin' again that I didn't do on purpose.

Pretty slick outfit, eh?

jerryd6818 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 15, 2021 8:22 pm There I go. Gettin' blamed for somethin' again that I didn't do on purpose.

Nah, this is all you, Marine

jerryd6818 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 15, 2021 8:22 pm Pretty slick outfit, eh?

It is rather slick.

I had absolutely zero intentions of buying any RRs until recently, but in two orders I have purchased 14 of them. I'm pretty selective, but I feel like I've gotten a nice bunch of blades...most in patterns I otherwise wouldn't collect.

A couple standouts: the upswept bow trapper, stag bone cotton sampler, and the white bone barlow. Those 3 plus the wharncliffe trapper would be my favorites of the lot.