Rough Rider uses 440A not 440C. Case's "True Sharp" is 420HC. The back spring's sole purpose is to hold the blades closed when not in use, and to keep the blade from flopping partially closed when open, like a razor or friction folder can. They are not designed to lock the blade open. Unless you're doing something stupid when cutting, the forces on the blade force it open - not closed. In 59 years of using slipjoints and friction folders, I've never had one close on me during use. Why people want to fight their knife to open it, I'll never understand ... especially when your hands are cold and wet. Case has had, and still does have QC issues, from what I've seen on the various knife forums. Both Case and Rough Rider have a "Lifetime Warranty". Smokey Mountain Knife Works (owns the Rough Rider brand) inspects every knife. They have a high level of QC. The main reason a Case knife costs 4x or more than a Rough Rider is the name. I have Rough Rider knives and Case knives of the same pattern and size. I can honestly state that a Case is NOT 4x to 6x better than the Rough Rider.
I can respect the companies that have always been in China and are just trying to put out a more budget friendly product. Or some of the American companies that have a line of knives made over seas with good quality control like Spyderco. What I hate are the companies who used to be American but moved overseas and started cutting corners to save money like Old Timer. It's a slap in the face when they move and start putting out a piss poor product and it tells me that they no longer care.
No Schrade or Old Timer didn't move production overseas. They faced hard times and went bankrupt they sold the Company to Taylor in order to pay off their debtors. I wouldn't be so hard on them.
Did not read all the comments, so someone may have said this already. The narrower main blade on the Case is called a California clip while the one on the RR is a more standard clip point blade. You will see plenty of both types on Stockman pattern knives.
Agree with you assessment, especially when comparing RR to other Chinese made knives it is an excellent EDC, though not without QC issues between models. RR is worth every penny as a practical inexpensive EDC.
Unless it’s a sodbuster. Sodbusters are a fair price depending on where you buy from. I got a used large case sodbuster from vendor on letgo for 25 USD, I got a new project and a classic blade all in one.
Best knife reviews on the tube buddy imo. Always easy going and relaxing to watch. Re this topic: I have several case and rr's. I think Case need to up their game a bit. Every Case stockman I have, has blade rub from new, while in contrast none of my rr's have it. Yes, Case are "pretty" knives, but a polishing pad and 10 mins with a dremel will have any rr looking just as good. At the price point, I think Case need to step up a bit. Anyway, as said, I like your reviews and largely always agree with your verdict. Keep it up mate.
Great video, as an American, I can tell you that Case has gone downhill, they continue to capitalize on the Case name but have gotten complacent and there are now issues such as uneven grinds, blade rub and bad bad centering. These issues are virtually unacknowledged by the company. The premium price commanded used to get you a quality product, but as the prices remain consist, the fit and finish have gone down. Great comparison, great video, please ditch the music-- it's more of a distraction, people will watch your videos for what you have to say.
Isn't Case owned by Zippo? Or is it vice versa? Whichever it is, are they going to make knives or lighters? My understanding is that both have suffered in recent years. Jmo.
One thing about Chinese knives is that they arrive very dirty. You have to wash them in soapy water, dry them thoroughly, wipe them inside and out and oil them. Once they're clean, you can apply a light coat of Renaissance Wax. If you do that, the scales will look as nice as the Case and the bolsters will shine.
Glad you liked the review - thanks for watching! A while ago I asked my subs to let me know if they had a strong preference for music or no music. Those in favour just carried the vote, so I do tend to still use background music - although I take more care nowadays with music selection and balancing the levels :-)
I've just started collecting Rough Rider knives. Very good value for money, well made and inexpensive. I prefer the weaker backspring - weak nails. Thanks for the video.
nicestknives Thanks, I like them well enough to have ten or more now. I seem to have started collecting the Trapper pattern but have others and I think that they are very well pricer, my EDC at the moment is a RR205 Stockman in red jigged bone, excellent fit and finish £12. Same dealer least expensive Case is £35, the Case would not be worth the extra for my needs.
Interesting to watch this 7 years on. Now China, and Taiwan, are making some of the best knives in the world. Folk like WE Knives are rivalling all but the best of American manufacturers. The UK has given up, with a handful of specialist (Michael May, Lee White etc.) holding out, but manufacturers like Arthur Wright having practically no standards at all! Would be nice to see you posting again!
Excellent review. Case's tru-sharp Stainless is believed to be 425M or 420HC stainless with an HRC around 55-57. As they don't identify it outright, one cannot be sure and it may vary over time. Rough Rider uses a 440A with an HRC around 56-58. Victorinox uses a X55CrMo14, which has a little more chromium than either of the others and is a tad softer 54-56. In all, i think all are great choices for everyday use. Easy to get razor sharp, if you know how to sharpen. And edge retention should be about the same, depending on the type of edge applied. I own a good selection of all of them (Case, Rough Rider, and Victorinox) I think you have made the most accurate assessment. I carry both a Rough Rider and Victorinox as they are the least expensive but get my daily chores done with less financial worries.
Very true - I think most people have clear cut reasons for preferring one over the other and whichever you choose it doesn't necessarily make the other brand a bad choice. I like them both :-)
Thanks for your comments :-) I don't have any Buck knives in the collection yet but I will certainly be looking into adding one or two at some point in the future.
The biggest difference in these knives is the collectors market. My father has collected and carried Case knives since the 60's and as such I have learned a good deal about knives. Case knives are superb, quality knives. As such, I almost feel guilty using one for work. As an electrician I use a knife quite often. I carry a Case Amber Bone medium Stockman. I have to admit, it's the last knife I reach for when I am at work. I tend to use my Victorinox a lot more. I'm just afraid of messing it up. I do have a Sodbuster I am quicker to use. I do like the RR knives simply for the fact that I can use it without that mental hang up. If it breaks or gets lost....oh well I'll get another one. The Case knives...not so much because of the investment. I do like the RR over many other knives for the fact that the blades are a uniform thickness which is not so with the "new" Schrade products which I used to carry a lot for work. Anyways...it boils down to the sentimentality of the investment and collector market in my opinion. The RR knives are similar in quality as the original Camillus or Schrade knives and no one I know, other than my father, ever complained about those.
You make a good point. I know plenty of people who like RR knives, but I've never encountered a RR collectors' scene. Myself, I'd rather use my RR knives and keep my Case Bermuda Green medium stockman nice and clean :-)
Thank you for your feedback. I thought I'd watch some of your videos to pick up a few pointers on how it should be done, but you don't appear to made any.
But would a rough rider hold up in the field? That's my concern. How much reasonable field work can it handle without structural failure? Or are they really just for collecting/looks?
If you like a nice looking knife , maybe open the odd letter - fine - buy the Rough rider. BUT if you carve wood seriously, get a chromium carbon steel Case knife - it will serve you well for years .
I agree. I used a Case medium Stockman for whittling a hardwood walking stick. After 4 hours with no touch up the CV blade didn't lose any sharpness. OUTSTANDING !
Cool! Love that orange bone!! (I don't buy Case; they're too expensive to loose, give-away, or get stolen. I like Schrade best.) But this review turns me towards Rough Riders. Aren't they from Canada (made in China)? Great review. Ty.
This is a fine video. I like Jim because he is not afraid of giving credit to a product without regard to where it was made. As a pocket knife collector, I grow weary of the argument that where something is made dictates its quality. I've purchased expensive American knives and been roundly disappointed. The Germans can be streaky too. In this hobby, you run the risk of buying lousy products. You accept that risk when you jump in. Jim understands that.
Very good review & video. I own Case Trappers & Rough Rider Trappers. The only difference I can see in them is the price. The Case has a little bit more class but not that much. I have possibly 30 Rough Rider knives and I have been happy with them. I carry them quite a bit. Your video was good and long and I hung with it all the way. Thanks.
Thank you for your very kind comments. I tried to be objective, and I think I achieved that for the most part. My personal experience of the Case Vs Rough Rider debate is limited to these two knives so I am still open to other ideas.
American vs. Chinese? No contest. I will always choose American, assuming I have a choice. In all honesty I can't stand almost ANYTHING made in China, except Chinese bikini models of course ;-) I have seen some excellent Chinese knives and swords though and do own quite a few of each. They can and do make some good stuff and you are almost never worried about trashing them because they are IMHO disposable, but for me it is the principle, and I always try to buy American first. Great review and excellent points. Expense will usually be the number one criteria for most buyers, but I think they should always keep in mind that the Case will literally last for decades, while the RR might last a few years and then you will have to buy another. Thanks for the great vid!
Thanks for watching - glad you liked the video :-) It is certainly a good thing to support your own country's economy, but sometimes that just costs too much money, although if you buy too cheap it will usually cost more in the long run :-)
I'm Australian, but I usually look at buying US or similar, for quality reasons, however I think that a lot of case knives are on par with rough riders, and would bet that a rough rider would hold up close to, or the same as a case over years of use. That being said, the real reason to go Case (for me) would be their fantastic CV steel, which is modified 1095 and will take a great edge. In fact, I semi convexed my swayback jack, with a polished/stropped edge and it has to be one of my sharpest knives.
Ryan Sumner I certainly think that if I was buying a knife for a long lifetime's use, I'd pick Case over RR, but for casual use RR knives are more than capable for the money. Thanks for watching :-)
Good video! I just got myself a Rough Rider work knife (red jigged bone handle) and am very pleased with it. I'd rather spend my big money on Cold Steel locking knives, or big bladed Bowies, than small traditional folders. I find Rough Rider are perfect for supplying those at a price that's great.
nicestknives Yes! A nice collection could be made with a very small budget :-) I can imagine having a case on the wall, lined with green velvet, filled with a few dozen of them.
I'll tell you another really handy and useful knife to carry and that is a regular size Canoe knife. I use Canoe knives quite a bit when we go out to eat. LIke for cutting a Subway Sandwich or cutting clams out of their shell or cutting up fruit or mushrooms into smaller pieces. I got a yellow handled rough rider canoe knife that is really nice as a regular "go out to eat" knife. I've used it for cutting up meat, cutting chicken off the bone, etc.
I think your final assessment is very fair. Both knives enter the market at different prices for a reason. That said, I will be happy to leave my Case knives to my son when my time has come. Rough Rider? Practical work knife, perhaps, but not something I'd want my son to remember me by.
nicestknives In the meantime , i bought 13 rough riders... But i sold 5 of them and still selling 2 beqause they where not so sturdy... Especialy the elephant toenail - that one was completely rubbish. Never buy that one!!! Good advice.. So i keep 6 good rough riders...no blade play or nothing , no wiebeling , nothing , just goog knives for the money. I find that by rough rider - the bigg Trapper and the stockman are the best knives with no troubels at all. I'm going to order 2 case knives now...to see the differents... The large trapper and a large stockman...I'm curious
A good stainless steel knife is really handy when you go fishing in the ocean. I use one for cutting up small fish for bait. They cal it "cut bait" and it is handy to have a good sharp pocket knife to cut off a chunk and use it to bait your hook. Every fish in the ocean is voracious and they really go for that cut bait.
Hey great video! I am kinda like you I like them all! Lol. Rough riders are the best in there price range. And there's not much to say about case knives. They are great ! But at cases higher price, and some that are very detail finished I almost feel guilty using them! -Kevin
ill stick to case their work knives and life time warranty so im not worried about putting them to work ,plus since im in the states so ill support an american company
Good review. I find for comparison the Case and Great Eastern are closer together with Great Eastern winning. Rough Rider is a working mans knife. Work it to death and buy another. If it gets lost, get another. Much the way the Imperial knives of the past. An Imperial Barlow could be bought anywhere cheap in those days.
Great Eastern are still on my wish list - They are not very common in the UK, and there are so many beautiful models to try and find. This video was just me setting out why the "Case Vs. Rough Rider" debate is pointless, but when I am able to do a "Case Vs. Great Eastern Cutlery" video that should ruffle a few feathers :-) From what I have seen on video, I would not be surprised if GEC do nudge ahead of Case, but I need to get hold of at least one before I can decide. Thanks for watching and commenting.
nicestknives Whew! I went and looked up Great Eastern pocket knives at KnifeCountryUSA. They are really expensive. Way out of my price range. I doubt I'll ever own one unless my wife stumbles upon one at a yard sale and the people selling it don't know what they got.
James Herrington Thanks for watching and commenting - this was quite an early video for me, and I try to put more effort into balancing the background music nowadays. You might find the more recent videos a little easier on the ear :-) All the best, Jim
No disrespect intended mate, just constructive criticism. I'm sure you've seen other sites. They're a little brighter, cheerier, faster moving. Makes a big difference.
Not at all - but the new wave of English knife-makers has somewhat eclipsed the old school. For modern makers check out people like DirtyRoom Knives, Jackloreknives, Guy Stainforth, Wessex Blades and Doberman knives. Companies still making traditional folders include Taylor's EyeWitness, Sheffield Knives and Wrights of Sheffield.
Btw, I use my knife a lot and I have Case brand too. The Rough Rider sharpens up quick and easy. Again, the Case product does but it costs much, much more.
Great assessment, the case are premium knives & great quality, but not everyone can afford a $50+ knife, whereas the RR is a budget Chinese product. China is producing quality AFFORDABLE products these days thanks to Western QC, tooling, training & production techniques. At the end of the day the RR is a GREAT knife for $20 or about 12 quid. FACT!
I'm going to stick with what I said last time. Case for collecting, RR for use. The Case falls out of your pocket and is lost, that's a lot of money gone. If the RR gets lost - a quick swear, then on the computer to order another one, lol. I think one of the reasons RR are popular is that a lot of people in the UK don't want to carry a slipjoint, they want a locking blade for safety reasons. So they don't want to spend too much on something they are not that keen on, but is all they can have.
The 440 steel in RR is 440A, not 440C. It is a budget steel with much less carbon in it than 440C. I have RR and Case knives. I carry a Case nowadays as it is just better quality. I had to return two linerlock trapper RR knives as the blade had so much play in it. RR bolsters also turn dark/spotty with wear, Case does not. That being said, RR is a good value. It costs 1/5 what a Case knife does, and has a lifetime warranty. If a RR breaks, you do not even have to return it. It is cheaper for them to write it off than pay shipping. They simply send you another one. All in all, I will stick with Case, but to each their own.
The steel on the Case knives is most likely a 420 based on results of RH tests, the numerous discussions on the BladeForums over the years seem to place it here as well. Of course Case are very protective about what 'actual' steel they use, but RR are very responsive to questions of this nature, which is another positive I think.
intrestin i own both Case & RR Trappers & use both given the choice i use the Case but if i,m doin somthing & i,m not to botherd if i loose it.....it happens lol i,ll use the RR Case is a better knife no doubt!..... better value for money thats a totality different thing cheers for posting ;-)
FYI THE BACK ROUND MUSIC IS VERY DISTRACTING AND YES I AM A ROCK AND ROLL FAN BUT NOT MY REVIEWS, JUST MY PERSONAL OPINION BUT I FIND MY CONCENTRATION IS SPLIT BY THE MUSIC. THANKS ANYWAY, GOTTA GO!
@@jasonwainwright83 I have a GEC, and although it isn't necessarily so much better than a case that it justifies the price, it definitely is a good knife.
i believe the difference between case and rough rider is the differerence between products made by workers who get a fair wage and workers in a sweat shop. China is not known for human rights.
Hi Jim, nice review on those two Knives my Friend, by the way mate, would you PM me, and let me know, what your Intro music is, It reminds me of a kids program on "Anglia" or "Southern" TV that I used to watch when I was a Kid in Oxford, God Bless! ..Tony.
Well it is what it is, RR is a copy but a good copy. Very inexpensive Ok construction for the price but will not keep up with a Case. I would take a China made Old Timer or Schrade over RR any day. I do have some RR but they are in the bottom of the drawer. I do prefer Case and I really like the Queen Cutlery Sod busters Don't have a GEC bullnose yet. For my taste and value I prefer Case for slip joints, I like their steel both SS and CV. Don't get the wrong idea RR has a market I view them as the top notch high quality gas station knife. Where I live, gas stations sell really cheap china made knives all sizes and colors and those are real crap, you won't find RR there, only on the larger higher end chain stores. So RR it is the highest quality cheap knife you might find.
cases fit and finish have went to crap i prefer the rough ryders ohh btw the reason the case main blade is so skinny is because that model has a California clip point which is skinnier then there regular clip points just have to read knife descriptions when u buy it if u prefer the california clip main blade or regular clip main blade
sounds almost like machinea supremacy in the background, they are both absolutely beautiful knives but would never be found in my pocket. Id break them.
The two real difference between Case and Rough Rider are quality control, and type of steel used. I don't suppose type of steel makes much difference if you just put a knife in a drawer, but if you USE a knife, it's a different story. RR knives use a Chinese stainless steel that's below 440a in quality. Case uses a steel that's above 440c in quality. This is massive difference. Factory edge means absolutely nothing, unless you never intend to actually use the knife. Case is actually extremely well priced for what you get. Nothing you can say about fit and finish matters. Steel matters, and RR knives do not use good steel in the blade, or in the frame. Case uses excellent steel in both. RR does not use 440c. It doesn't even use 440a. Case uses a steel that's better than 440c. RR knives use weak, cheap steel in the frame, and in the pivot pins. Case uses extremely strong steel in both. All you're doing is going by prettiness. That's a poor way to judge a knife. Steel matters. Steel ALWAYS matters.
James, the steel case uses in their "tru sharp" s.s. isn't that good. It's 420hc which is basically the bottom of the barrel as far as stainless steels go. Rough Rider uses 440a which is better as you know, and is quite a good steel for value knives.
Hi Lisa - A lot of people favour GEC or Queen, and I've seen some lovely examples in videos. They are both high on my wish list, with something from the Tidioute line probably taking top priority. Thanks for watching :-)
Arthur Riechert Indeed! I am lucky enough to have a few very nice knives in my collection.... but I have to focus on the budget end or I'll get into trouble with my Mrs :-)
both companies are american - one who have factory in china other one in us...for one case pocket knife you will get approximately 5-7 rr pocket knives...difference can be only seen on fit and finish - where case have less microscopic flaws than rr ,but there is no practical difference when it comes to quality ...its up to buyer if he decide to have one pocket tool for 50-100 bucks or very same tool little bit less polished for 7-10 bucks
Your review is pretty good but difficult to listen to. Your voice is monotonous and quiet. I woke up when you performed the paper cut test. The music does not add anything. In fact it's annoying. You could have imparted all of the information in at least half the time
nicestknives Thanks! I'm a big Rough Rider fan. Rough Rider knives are an incredible buy for the money. I'm an old retired guy and live on a pension and Case knives are way out of my price range.
Arthur Riechert I like RR knives a lot... you sometimes get quality problems, but generally they are very well made. I love the price too, as it means I can add them to my collection more easily - purchasing a Case knife would be a big decision for me :-)
nicestknives Same for me. I am retired and live on a small pension and social security. I used to be a meat cutter and hunted and fished a lot as a young man. I also worked in a restaurant for a number of years so I have used knives a lot in my work. I still like knives a lot. I am especially fond of traditional or classical pocket knives. Not so much tactical knives. I probably have about 30 pocket knives. Only 2 Case knives though! I have about 12 Rough Rider knives, a couple of Schrade pocket knives, one Boker, 2 Buck knives, 1 Kershaw, etc. The low price of Rough Rider knives has allowed me to collect quite a few of them. The knife I am thinking about buying myself for Christmas is a Rough Rider Deer Slayer. It is huge! 5" when folded. It has a 4 1/8" blade on it. I don't think I'd ever use though. It is too big to carry in my pocket.
Rough Rider uses 440A not 440C.
Case's "True Sharp" is 420HC.
The back spring's sole purpose is to hold the blades closed when not in use, and to keep the blade from flopping partially closed when open, like a razor or friction folder can. They are not designed to lock the blade open.
Unless you're doing something stupid when cutting, the forces on the blade force it open - not closed.
In 59 years of using slipjoints and friction folders, I've never had one close on me during use.
Why people want to fight their knife to open it, I'll never understand ... especially when your hands are cold and wet.
Case has had, and still does have QC issues, from what I've seen on the various knife forums.
Both Case and Rough Rider have a "Lifetime Warranty".
Smokey Mountain Knife Works (owns the Rough Rider brand) inspects every knife. They have a high level of QC.
The main reason a Case knife costs 4x or more than a Rough Rider is the name.
I have Rough Rider knives and Case knives of the same pattern and size. I can honestly state that a Case is NOT 4x to 6x better than the Rough Rider.
Case isn't 420HC. Just compare it to Buck 420HC.
@@cyberdon-kv2iz buck 420HC has a heat treat that is the exception not the rule, case knives are more typical of what it usually does.
I can respect the companies that have always been in China and are just trying to put out a more budget friendly product. Or some of the American companies that have a line of knives made over seas with good quality control like Spyderco. What I hate are the companies who used to be American but moved overseas and started cutting corners to save money like Old Timer. It's a slap in the face when they move and start putting out a piss poor product and it tells me that they no longer care.
No Schrade or Old Timer didn't move production overseas. They faced hard times and went bankrupt they sold the Company to Taylor in order to pay off their debtors. I wouldn't be so hard on them.
Good point well made. There's room in the market for the quality of case and the affordability of Rough Rider.
Did not read all the comments, so someone may have said this already. The narrower main blade on the Case is called a California clip while the one on the RR is a more standard clip point blade. You will see plenty of both types on Stockman pattern knives.
Your reasoning is sound.....as usual. Thanks for sharing your impressions. Best wishes from Oregon USA!
Agree with you assessment, especially when comparing RR to other Chinese made knives it is an excellent EDC, though not without QC issues between models. RR is worth every penny as a practical inexpensive EDC.
"Case for collecting, RR for use" Sounds about right to me....
Unless it’s a sodbuster. Sodbusters are a fair price depending on where you buy from. I got a used large case sodbuster from vendor on letgo for 25 USD, I got a new project and a classic blade all in one.
Best knife reviews on the tube buddy imo. Always easy going and relaxing to watch.
Re this topic: I have several case and rr's. I think Case need to up their game a bit. Every Case stockman I have, has blade rub from new, while in contrast none of my rr's have it. Yes, Case are "pretty" knives, but a polishing pad and 10 mins with a dremel will have any rr looking just as good.
At the price point, I think Case need to step up a bit.
Anyway, as said, I like your reviews and largely always agree with your verdict.
Keep it up mate.
Logical comparison, or more precisely decision to not compare, and thoughtful conclusion. Thanks.
Rough Rider's quality control is waaay better than Case's right now.
Great video, as an American, I can tell you that Case has gone downhill, they continue to capitalize on the Case name but have gotten complacent and there are now issues such as uneven grinds, blade rub and bad bad centering. These issues are virtually unacknowledged by the company. The premium price commanded used to get you a quality product, but as the prices remain consist, the fit and finish have gone down. Great comparison, great video, please ditch the music-- it's more of a distraction, people will watch your videos for what you have to say.
Isn't Case owned by Zippo? Or is it vice versa? Whichever it is, are they going to make knives or lighters? My understanding is that both have suffered in recent years. Jmo.
One thing about Chinese knives is that they arrive very dirty. You have to wash them in soapy water, dry them thoroughly, wipe them inside and out and oil them. Once they're clean, you can apply a light coat of Renaissance Wax. If you do that, the scales will look as nice as the Case and the bolsters will shine.
Glad you liked the review - thanks for watching! A while ago I asked my subs to let me know if they had a strong preference for music or no music. Those in favour just carried the vote, so I do tend to still use background music - although I take more care nowadays with music selection and balancing the levels :-)
I've just started collecting Rough Rider knives.
Very good value for money, well made and inexpensive.
I prefer the weaker backspring - weak nails.
Thanks for the video.
Glad you enjoyed the video - I hope you like your RR knives :-)
nicestknives
Thanks, I like them well enough to have ten or more now. I seem to have started collecting the Trapper pattern but have others and I think that they are very well pricer, my EDC at the moment is a RR205 Stockman in red jigged bone, excellent fit and finish £12. Same dealer least expensive Case is £35, the Case would not be worth the extra for my needs.
Interesting to watch this 7 years on. Now China, and Taiwan, are making some of the best knives in the world. Folk like WE Knives are rivalling all but the best of American manufacturers. The UK has given up, with a handful of specialist (Michael May, Lee White etc.) holding out, but manufacturers like Arthur Wright having practically no standards at all! Would be nice to see you posting again!
Excellent review. Case's tru-sharp Stainless is believed to be 425M or 420HC stainless with an HRC around 55-57. As they don't identify it outright, one cannot be sure and it may vary over time. Rough Rider uses a 440A with an HRC around 56-58. Victorinox uses a X55CrMo14, which has a little more chromium than either of the others and is a tad softer 54-56. In all, i think all are great choices for everyday use. Easy to get razor sharp, if you know how to sharpen. And edge retention should be about the same, depending on the type of edge applied. I own a good selection of all of them (Case, Rough Rider, and Victorinox) I think you have made the most accurate assessment. I carry both a Rough Rider and Victorinox as they are the least expensive but get my daily chores done with less financial worries.
correct
Well said
Excellent I couldnt agree more!
Thank you Sir :-)
Very true - I think most people have clear cut reasons for preferring one over the other and whichever you choose it doesn't necessarily make the other brand a bad choice. I like them both :-)
Thanks for your comments :-) I don't have any Buck knives in the collection yet but I will certainly be looking into adding one or two at some point in the future.
very cool vid my driend, awesome knives, i want them sooo much lol
Thank you :-)
Case quality control is pretty horrific right now.
The biggest difference in these knives is the collectors market. My father has collected and carried Case knives since the 60's and as such I have learned a good deal about knives. Case knives are superb, quality knives. As such, I almost feel guilty using one for work. As an electrician I use a knife quite often. I carry a Case Amber Bone medium Stockman. I have to admit, it's the last knife I reach for when I am at work. I tend to use my Victorinox a lot more. I'm just afraid of messing it up. I do have a Sodbuster I am quicker to use. I do like the RR knives simply for the fact that I can use it without that mental hang up. If it breaks or gets lost....oh well I'll get another one. The Case knives...not so much because of the investment. I do like the RR over many other knives for the fact that the blades are a uniform thickness which is not so with the "new" Schrade products which I used to carry a lot for work. Anyways...it boils down to the sentimentality of the investment and collector market in my opinion. The RR knives are similar in quality as the original Camillus or Schrade knives and no one I know, other than my father, ever complained about those.
You make a good point. I know plenty of people who like RR knives, but I've never encountered a RR collectors' scene.
Myself, I'd rather use my RR knives and keep my Case Bermuda Green medium stockman nice and clean :-)
Thank you for your feedback. I thought I'd watch some of your videos to pick up a few pointers on how it should be done, but you don't appear to made any.
Nice
You're being yourself, and that is all anyone should do. I think your videos are great, and I enjoy them. Thank you for your efforts.
the background music makes what he is saying hard to hear.
To fix that he needs to turn down the music gain layer. When he mixes the video.
But would a rough rider hold up in the field? That's my concern. How much reasonable field work can it handle without structural failure? Or are they really just for collecting/looks?
For light use and collecting fun. For long-term regular use I'd say go with Case if you have the budget :-)
If you like a nice looking knife , maybe open the odd letter - fine - buy the Rough rider.
BUT if you carve wood seriously, get a chromium carbon steel Case knife - it will serve you well for years .
I agree. I used a Case medium Stockman for whittling a hardwood walking stick. After 4 hours with no touch up the CV blade didn't lose any sharpness. OUTSTANDING !
Rough Ryder all the way!
Nice presentation. I like them both and like to collect different styles within a budget... hello Rough Rider!
Cool! Love that orange bone!! (I don't buy Case; they're too expensive to loose, give-away, or get stolen. I like Schrade best.) But this review turns me towards Rough Riders. Aren't they from Canada (made in China)? Great review. Ty.
what is the music anyway?
J T Bruce... might still be available on jamendo.com
Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching :-)
This is a fine video. I like Jim because he is not afraid of giving credit to a product without regard to where it was made. As a pocket knife collector, I grow weary of the argument that where something is made dictates its quality. I've purchased expensive American knives and been roundly disappointed. The Germans can be streaky too. In this hobby, you run the risk of buying lousy products. You accept that risk when you jump in. Jim understands that.
Thank you for your kind words - much appreciated :-)
Very good review & video. I own Case Trappers & Rough Rider Trappers. The only difference I can see in them is the price. The Case has a little bit more class but not that much. I have possibly 30 Rough Rider knives and I have been happy with them. I carry them quite a bit. Your video was good and long and I hung with it all the way. Thanks.
Thank you for your very kind comments. I tried to be objective, and I think I achieved that for the most part. My personal experience of the Case Vs Rough Rider debate is limited to these two knives so I am still open to other ideas.
American vs. Chinese? No contest. I will always choose American, assuming I have a choice. In all honesty I can't stand almost ANYTHING made in China, except Chinese bikini models of course ;-) I have seen some excellent Chinese knives and swords though and do own quite a few of each. They can and do make some good stuff and you are almost never worried about trashing them because they are IMHO disposable, but for me it is the principle, and I always try to buy American first. Great review and excellent points. Expense will usually be the number one criteria for most buyers, but I think they should always keep in mind that the Case will literally last for decades, while the RR might last a few years and then you will have to buy another. Thanks for the great vid!
Thanks for watching - glad you liked the video :-) It is certainly a good thing to support your own country's economy, but sometimes that just costs too much money, although if you buy too cheap it will usually cost more in the long run :-)
Spot on!
I'm Australian, but I usually look at buying US or similar, for quality reasons, however I think that a lot of case knives are on par with rough riders, and would bet that a rough rider would hold up close to, or the same as a case over years of use. That being said, the real reason to go Case (for me) would be their fantastic CV steel, which is modified 1095 and will take a great edge. In fact, I semi convexed my swayback jack, with a polished/stropped edge and it has to be one of my sharpest knives.
Ryan Sumner I certainly think that if I was buying a knife for a long lifetime's use, I'd pick Case over RR, but for casual use RR knives are more than capable for the money. Thanks for watching :-)
Good
Good video!
I just got myself a Rough Rider work knife (red jigged bone handle) and am very pleased with it.
I'd rather spend my big money on Cold Steel locking knives, or big bladed Bowies, than small traditional folders. I find Rough Rider are perfect for supplying those at a price that's great.
The Rough Riders certainly let you try a few different styles without busting the budget :-)
nicestknives
Yes! A nice collection could be made with a very small budget :-) I can imagine having a case on the wall, lined with green velvet, filled with a few dozen of them.
*****
...and I can imagine Mrs Nicest's face if I suggested that LOL :-)
nicestknives
That's a shame! Perhaps placate her with a display of her own favorite things :-)
What on earth do you do with big bladed Bowie knives? They're as useless as screen doors in a submarine. Cold Steel isn't much better.
I'll tell you another really handy and useful knife to carry and that is a regular size Canoe knife. I use Canoe knives quite a bit when we go out to eat. LIke for cutting a Subway Sandwich or cutting clams out of their shell or cutting up fruit or mushrooms into smaller pieces. I got a yellow handled rough rider canoe knife that is really nice as a regular "go out to eat" knife. I've used it for cutting up meat, cutting chicken off the bone, etc.
The Canoe is classic pattern... I like those a lot :-)
I think your final assessment is very fair. Both knives enter the market at different prices for a reason. That said, I will be happy to leave my Case knives to my son when my time has come. Rough Rider? Practical work knife, perhaps, but not something I'd want my son to remember me by.
+soylent green Exactly! :-) The Rough Riders are great for what they are....but they are no substitute for a proper quality knife :-)
I'd love to have queen or gec,but damn there expensive! I kinda like em better than case knives, especially the swinguards, always wanted a swinguard!
Queen and GEC are not easy to find over here, as well as being expensive!
nicestknives I got a Queen black sodbuster for $24 so they are in the Case price range, GEC is more expensive.
Randy Brown i hv a stag deer, not 6.5, handle swingaurd. My favorite knife. Never used🔪🔪👊
Just ordered 2 rough riders....i think i'm going to like them
Excellent - they are great value for money :-)
nicestknives In the meantime , i bought 13 rough riders...
But i sold 5 of them and still selling 2 beqause they where not so sturdy...
Especialy the elephant toenail - that one was completely rubbish.
Never buy that one!!! Good advice..
So i keep 6 good rough riders...no blade play or nothing , no wiebeling , nothing , just goog knives for the money.
I find that by rough rider - the bigg Trapper and the stockman are the best knives with no troubels at all.
I'm going to order 2 case knives now...to see the differents...
The large trapper and a large stockman...I'm curious
I'll be sure to avoid the elephant toenail :-)
Let me know how the Case knives compare - it should be interesting :-)
i will...greetings my friend
A good stainless steel knife is really handy when you go fishing in the ocean. I use one for cutting up small fish for bait. They cal it "cut bait" and it is handy to have a good sharp pocket knife to cut off a chunk and use it to bait your hook. Every fish in the ocean is voracious and they really go for that cut bait.
Hey great video! I am kinda like you I like them all! Lol. Rough riders are the best in there price range. And there's not much to say about case knives. They are great ! But at cases higher price, and some that are very detail finished I almost feel guilty using them! -Kevin
Michigan edge Thanks for watching Kevin - It's a bit daft when people argue about Case vs. RR, they are different beasts
Very nice vid. and positive knives, ok brother.
just kept wishing i could turn that damn music off
Background tune is Bellatrix by JT Bruce, from the album Universica, or, as we call it......free stuff from Jamendo.com!
ill stick to case their work knives and life time warranty so im not worried about putting them to work ,plus since im in the states so ill support an american company
Fair enough - I can appreciate that :-)
Umm... Rough Rider has a lifetime warranty.
SMKW (owns the Rough Rider brand) is an American company, based in Tennessee.
Good review. I find for comparison the Case and Great Eastern are closer together with Great Eastern winning. Rough Rider is a working mans knife. Work it to death and buy another. If it gets lost, get another. Much the way the Imperial knives of the past. An Imperial Barlow could be bought anywhere cheap in those days.
Great Eastern are still on my wish list - They are not very common in the UK, and there are so many beautiful models to try and find. This video was just me setting out why the "Case Vs. Rough Rider" debate is pointless, but when I am able to do a "Case Vs. Great Eastern Cutlery" video that should ruffle a few feathers :-) From what I have seen on video, I would not be surprised if GEC do nudge ahead of Case, but I need to get hold of at least one before I can decide. Thanks for watching and commenting.
That is a very apt description of rough rider, and is the way I have always seen them. The 'modern day' imperial.
nicestknives Whew! I went and looked up Great Eastern pocket knives at KnifeCountryUSA. They are really expensive. Way out of my price range. I doubt I'll ever own one unless my wife stumbles upon one at a yard sale and the people selling it don't know what they got.
Arthur Riechert Great eastern has been on my wish list for a while now... and it's likely to stay there for a while to :-)
The music is distracting and makes it difficult to hear the man. Overall though very good review/comparison.
James Herrington Thanks for watching and commenting - this was quite an early video for me, and I try to put more effort into balancing the background music nowadays. You might find the more recent videos a little easier on the ear :-) All the best, Jim
It would be even better if you leave out the music altogether.
ardvarkkkkk1
I do sometimes... but generally I like having some background tunes :-)
Thanks man - I have plenty more opinions where that came from! LOL
These two are not comparable case xx has the best steel and I wouldn't even use these two in the same sentence
No disrespect intended mate, just constructive criticism. I'm sure you've seen other sites. They're a little brighter, cheerier, faster moving. Makes a big difference.
Not at all - but the new wave of English knife-makers has somewhat eclipsed the old school. For modern makers check out people like DirtyRoom Knives, Jackloreknives, Guy Stainforth, Wessex Blades and Doberman knives. Companies still making traditional folders include Taylor's EyeWitness, Sheffield Knives and Wrights of Sheffield.
Btw, I use my knife a lot and I have Case brand too. The Rough Rider sharpens up quick and easy. Again, the Case product does but it costs much, much more.
The Case is easier to sharpen and holds an edge better but its 420 just well heat treated
The heat-treat can, literally sometimes, make or break a blade. Thanks for watching :-)
Great assessment, the case are premium knives & great quality, but not everyone can afford a $50+ knife, whereas the RR is a budget Chinese product. China is producing quality AFFORDABLE products these days thanks to Western QC, tooling, training & production techniques. At the end of the day the RR is a GREAT knife for $20 or about 12 quid. FACT!
+Andrew Cannon I agree :-)
I'm going to stick with what I said last time. Case for collecting, RR for use. The Case falls out of your pocket and is lost, that's a lot of money gone. If the RR gets lost - a quick swear, then on the computer to order another one, lol. I think one of the reasons RR are popular is that a lot of people in the UK don't want to carry a slipjoint, they want a locking blade for safety reasons. So they don't want to spend too much on something they are not that keen on, but is all they can have.
The 440 steel in RR is 440A, not 440C. It is a budget steel with much less carbon in it than 440C. I have RR and Case knives. I carry a Case nowadays as it is just better quality. I had to return two linerlock trapper RR knives as the blade had so much play in it. RR bolsters also turn dark/spotty with wear, Case does not. That being said, RR is a good value. It costs 1/5 what a Case knife does, and has a lifetime warranty. If a RR breaks, you do not even have to return it. It is cheaper for them to write it off than pay shipping. They simply send you another one. All in all, I will stick with Case, but to each their own.
though Case is not 440C if that is what is being implied. tru-sharp is closer to 420HC
The steel on the Case knives is most likely a 420 based on results of RH tests, the numerous discussions on the BladeForums over the years seem to place it here as well. Of course Case are very protective about what 'actual' steel they use, but RR are very responsive to questions of this nature, which is another positive I think.
intrestin i own both Case & RR Trappers & use both given the choice i use the Case but if i,m doin somthing & i,m not to botherd if i loose it.....it happens lol i,ll use the RR Case is a better knife no doubt!..... better value for money thats a totality different thing cheers for posting ;-)
Was the music necessary
Yes
In the UK..did you ask the muslims permission to own a knife?
FYI THE BACK ROUND MUSIC IS VERY DISTRACTING AND YES I AM A ROCK AND ROLL FAN BUT NOT MY REVIEWS, JUST MY PERSONAL OPINION BUT I FIND MY CONCENTRATION IS SPLIT BY THE MUSIC. THANKS ANYWAY, GOTTA GO!
You need a great eastern the best quality slip joint.
A Great Eastern is on my wish list...well, *several* Great Easterns are on my wish list lol :-) Thanks for watching
Great Easterns are way too expensive.
Great eastern sucks
@@jasonwainwright83 I have a GEC, and although it isn't necessarily so much better than a case that it justifies the price, it definitely is a good knife.
GEC is tops imho
The music.
i believe the difference between case and rough rider is the differerence between products made by workers who get a fair wage and workers in a sweat shop. China is not known for human rights.
Correct.
I like the review, but background music is distracting
Hi Jim, nice review on those two Knives my Friend, by the way mate, would you PM me, and let me know, what your Intro music is, It reminds me of a kids program on "Anglia" or "Southern" TV that I used to watch when I was a Kid in Oxford, God Bless! ..Tony.
Well it is what it is, RR is a copy but a good copy. Very inexpensive Ok construction for the price but will not keep up with a Case. I would take a China made Old Timer or Schrade over RR any day. I do have some RR but they are in the bottom of the drawer. I do prefer Case and I really like the Queen Cutlery Sod busters Don't have a GEC bullnose yet. For my taste and value I prefer Case for slip joints, I like their steel both SS and CV. Don't get the wrong idea RR has a market I view them as the top notch high quality gas station knife. Where I live, gas stations sell really cheap china made knives all sizes and colors and those are real crap, you won't find RR there, only on the larger higher end chain stores. So RR it is the highest quality cheap knife you might find.
I think that's a really fair assessment - I would like to eventually add some GEC or Queen Cutlery slipjoints to my collection :-)
My experience with RR vs. Schrade China is quite the opposite.
I choose RR. Case’s quality has been lacking lately. Case is over priced.🖖🏻🇺🇸
Lose the music when you are talking, please?
cases fit and finish have went to crap i prefer the rough ryders ohh btw the reason the case main blade is so skinny is because that model has a California clip point which is skinnier then there regular clip points just have to read knife descriptions when u buy it if u prefer the california clip main blade or regular clip main blade
sounds almost like machinea supremacy in the background, they are both absolutely beautiful knives but would never be found in my pocket. Id break them.
Good video mate please take the awful music away tho 👍🏼👊🏼
I don't like bright and shiny, I like dull and deadly.
The two real difference between Case and Rough Rider are quality control, and type of steel used. I don't suppose type of steel makes much difference if you just put a knife in a drawer, but if you USE a knife, it's a different story. RR knives use a Chinese stainless steel that's below 440a in quality. Case uses a steel that's above 440c in quality. This is massive difference. Factory edge means absolutely nothing, unless you never intend to actually use the knife. Case is actually extremely well priced for what you get. Nothing you can say about fit and finish matters. Steel matters, and RR knives do not use good steel in the blade, or in the frame. Case uses excellent steel in both. RR does not use 440c. It doesn't even use 440a. Case uses a steel that's better than 440c. RR knives use weak, cheap steel in the frame, and in the pivot pins. Case uses extremely strong steel in both. All you're doing is going by prettiness. That's a poor way to judge a knife. Steel matters. Steel ALWAYS matters.
I agree that steel always matters, but it doesn't matter to the degree that lots of people think it does.
James, the steel case uses in their "tru sharp" s.s. isn't that good. It's 420hc which is basically the bottom of the barrel as far as stainless steels go. Rough Rider uses 440a which is better as you know, and is quite a good steel for value knives.
For me any knife that I buy the steel is the #1 factor by a country mile. Edge holding and tuffness is what matters !
For the money the rough rider is a good work horse but I personally go with GEC or Queen - far superior to case for higher end traditional knives
Hi Lisa - A lot of people favour GEC or Queen, and I've seen some lovely examples in videos. They are both high on my wish list, with something from the Tidioute line probably taking top priority. Thanks for watching :-)
Thanks for the review
I can highly recommend Tidioute have a 66 pattern - looking to get a farm and field by GEC too
Thanks again nicestknives :)
Must be nice to be rich and can afford to be so picky.
Arthur Riechert Indeed! I am lucky enough to have a few very nice knives in my collection.... but I have to focus on the budget end or I'll get into trouble with my Mrs :-)
Sorry buddy, couldn't take the background noise and had to stop.
Please prepare your presentation so you don’t hesitate as much: then get to the point!!!!
Ur music spoils it for me
Much ado about ado's.....................BFD!
totally agree with you:) people are ALL bias
Terrible music
both companies are american - one who have factory in china other one in us...for one case pocket knife you will get approximately 5-7 rr pocket knives...difference can be only seen on fit and finish - where case have less microscopic flaws than rr ,but there is no practical difference when it comes to quality ...its up to buyer if he decide to have one pocket tool for 50-100 bucks or very same tool little bit less polished for 7-10 bucks
Eliminate the background music. I can't hear what you are saying.
Your review is pretty good but difficult to listen to. Your voice is monotonous and quiet. I woke up when you performed the paper cut test. The music does not add anything. In fact it's annoying. You could have imparted all of the information in at least half the time
lose the music. Difficult to hear you over the music.
I think I have the music under control a bit better in more recent videos :-)
nicestknives Thanks! I'm a big Rough Rider fan. Rough Rider knives are an incredible buy for the money. I'm an old retired guy and live on a pension and Case knives are way out of my price range.
Arthur Riechert I like RR knives a lot... you sometimes get quality problems, but generally they are very well made. I love the price too, as it means I can add them to my collection more easily - purchasing a Case knife would be a big decision for me :-)
nicestknives Same for me. I am retired and live on a small pension and social security. I used to be a meat cutter and hunted and fished a lot as a young man. I also worked in a restaurant for a number of years so I have used knives a lot in my work. I still like knives a lot. I am especially fond of traditional or classical pocket knives. Not so much tactical knives. I probably have about 30 pocket knives. Only 2 Case knives though! I have about 12 Rough Rider knives, a couple of Schrade pocket knives, one Boker, 2 Buck knives, 1 Kershaw, etc. The low price of Rough Rider knives has allowed me to collect quite a few of them. The knife I am thinking about buying myself for Christmas is a Rough Rider Deer Slayer. It is huge! 5" when folded. It has a 4 1/8" blade on it. I don't think I'd ever use though. It is too big to carry in my pocket.
Arthur Riechert It might be too big to carry... but it sounds like a lot of fun :-)