Some of the most popular traditionally patterned pocket knives in America come from W.R. Case & Sons, popularly known simply as “Case Knives.”
To be fair, they are really high-quality, American made pocket knives with a rich history.
But there’s a (relatively) new player on the scene: Rough Rider (AKA Rough Ryder).
But how can a Rough Rider knife pose a legitimate challenge to such an established brand?
Let’s break it down. Simply put, you need one of these knives if you don’t have one yet.
Rough Rider Knife Value: What’s the Big Deal?
At first glance, you wouldn’t even be able to tell the difference between most Rough Ryders and Case Knives, were it not for the “R” bolsters of the former and “Case” shields of the latter.
That alone should tell you a lot. But there are some who gripe that a Rough Rider knife is a cheap cheat because they’re made in China.
Well, the second part of that is true. They are made in China. But cheap they are not. Here’s why a Rough Rider knife delivers absolutely incredible value.
Blade Steels
First off (and yes, this is a ding against Case) is that with a Rough Rider knife you know what you’re getting. In most knives, Case simply labels their blades “Tru-Sharp Surgical Steel.”
To be curt, that means absolutely nothing to anyone. No one that takes knives or steel seriously would buy a knife labeled that way. It is a massive red flag.
Not that Rough Ryders are gems here, because most of them are made with 440A. That is a cheap, budget steel, but at least you know what you’re buying.
And guess what – Rough Ryder also makes knives with better alloys, like T10, D2, damascus, and VG-10, so you can get a premium version if you want, too.
Handle Scales
People love Case because they sell a lot of pocket knives made with high-end natural scale materials like jigged bone and antler in a wide range of colors and finishes.
Guess what? So does Rough Ryder. They sell a myriad of pocket knives with bone and stag antler handles, as well as horn, mother of pearl, wood, imitation tortoiseshell (no one uses the real thing anymore), and semi-precious stones, along with premium synthetics like Micarta and G10.
Available Knife Patterns
Love the traditional patterns of Case? Rough Ryder has you covered. They offer the following and other traditional patterns:
- Stockman
- Sowbelly
- Trapper
- Whittler
- Canoe
- Congress
- Hawkbill
- Barlow
- Copperhead
- Swayback
- Peanut
- Cotton samplers
- Sodbuster
- Doctor’s knives
- Equestrian knives
- Pipe knives
This is just a sampling. They offer many others where these came from.
Unbelievable Fit and Finish
When you pick up a Rough Rider knife, you simply will not believe you’re holding a knife in this price class. Fit and finish is superb, and many of their knives feature blades that are completed with mirror finishes.
Price You Won’t Believe
Now let’s get to the crux of the matter here. Yes, Rough Rider knives are made in China, but they utilize premium steels and materials and exhibit a fit and finish that you simply won’t believe, all at an actual fraction of the cost of a Case.
In fact, a Case could easily run you a hundred dollars or more. Most Rough Ryder knives cost between $7 and $20, which is, in a word, simply ridiculous considering the quality. There are some higher end versions that are more expensive, but you could build a whole collection of Rough Ryders for the price of just one Case.
And, as we said, you’ll be taking a gamble on the Case steel. So do you really want to?
Where Can You Get a New Rough Rider Knife?
There you have it – a complete and total defense of the reputation of Rough Ryder knives against the Case crew.
Getting into the market here will only cost you a few dollars, and you have basically nothing to lose. If you want to get your hands on a Case-quality knife at a fraction of the price, and to be straight – Rough Rider is the best alternative to Case out there – visit White Mountain Knives.
They carry a wide collection, so your next Rough Rider knife is waiting for you there. You just need to find it – and White Mountain Knives even offers free shipping in the United States, too.
