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A Daily Use Test Of A Rough Rider

Another forum member asked me a question in the chat room that intrigued me. He asked how well a Rough Rider knife would hold up to every day use. I really couldn't answer that question. I have 34 RR's but have actually only used one of them. It is a Sidewinder fixed blade and I only carry it when I go to the woods.

So I decided to put one to the test in daily use. At first I thought about ordering one for the test. But then I thought that with 34 RR's I surely had one suitable to test. My first inclination was to test a trapper. But no way was I going to use my Rifleman Series trapper after having so much trouble finding one. And I didn't want to use my Don't Tread On Me trapper.

And then I saw my RR718 Work Knife. Well if Rough Rider calls it a Work Knife, let's see how well it holds up to work! It is relatively small and will not add much weight or take up a lot of space in my pocket. That is where it will be for the foreseeable future. From right now it is my EDC.

The Rough Rider RR718 Work Knife is comparable to the Case Sodbuster Jr. in size and shape.

Comparing the Rough Rider Work Knife to the Case Sodbuster Jr.

Blade: RR-2 3/4" Drop Point, Case-2 3/4" Drop Point

Steel: RR-440A Stainless, Case-TruSharp Surgical Steel (Whatever that is)

Blade Thickness: RR-1/16", Case-1/16"

Blade Width: RR-9/16", Case 12/16" (I know, 3/4" but easy to compare!)

Pins & Liners: RR-Brass, Case-Brass

Scales: RR-Yellow Composition, Case-Yellow Composition (Yes others available but comparing)

Closed Length: RR-3 1/2", Case-3 5/8"

Cost: RR-$7.99, Case-$27.99 (On SMKW's web site)

The first step in this test is to establish a baseline. The knife is mint now. As soon as it arrived it went into my collection. It has never been used, carried, or sharpened. It has very good snap on opening and excellent snap on closing. When open the blade has no play or wobble. The scales are tight with no looseness or movement. The fit of the scales to the liners is perfect with no overlap or exposed liner. To test the beginning sharpness I pulled a sheet of paper out of my printer. It sliced all the way through it with ease. I then tested it on the hair on my arm. I now have a bald spot on my arm. And I have a hairy arm.

So it is starting out the test as a solid, sharp, and nice looking knife. I will use it for something every day even it is to just pick up a stick and whittle a while with it. I will add comments to this discussion to relate what I use it for and to tell how it holds up.

5 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 17, 2015 at 20:34

Our experience has always been the same with RR Charles. I am glad this one is making its way into your pocket daily and we get to hear about how it is performing

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on July 11, 2015 at 15:50

Time for another update on the little Rough Rider.

The weeds and grass had grown to the point they were blocking the view of my game cameras. I took my gas powered weed eater and trimmed the area in front of my cameras. The weeds and grass were two to three feet tall. As I was trimming they would wind around the head of the trimmer. So much so and so tightly that it would begin to choke down the trimmer. I tried to pick at them and pull them off by hand but it was a near impossible task. So I pulled out the RR and sliced through them and was able then to peel them off easily. I had to do this four or five times. Thanks to the little RR, each time only took a few seconds.

The more I use it the more I like this little knife. It has permanently replaced my Case Mini Blackhorn as my EDC.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on July 11, 2015 at 18:35

WOW! Charles I like to hear that. You bought this knife to take the RR challenge and did end up replacing another knife in your pocket!

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on August 11, 2015 at 20:17

Rough Rider work knife update.

I had to put a new battery in my lawn mower today. One of the terminal lugs was so corroded that I had to cut it off and install a new one. After cutting off the old lug I used the little RR to cut the heavy insulation off the battery cable so I could crimp on the new lug. After doing that it was still sharp enough to cut out Captain D''s coupons which I used to buy supper.

I like this knife!

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Jeremy B. Buchanan on August 11, 2015 at 20:19

Sounds like a very durable knife, made with quality steel. Keep updating us Charles.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on August 11, 2015 at 20:20

Thats good! It seems to be holding it's edge rather well!

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on August 27, 2016 at 23:11

I noticed tonight that it has been over a year since I updated how the RR718 work knife has held up. I haven't carried it continuously since then but I have carried and used it a lot. Everything I have said about it before is still true. It still has very good snap both on opening and closing. When open the blade still has no wobble or looseness. When the blade dulls, I have no problem bringing it back to hair shaving sharp with my KME sharpener. The scales are still tight with no movement at all. The only thing to report is that there is a very small crack in the back side scale at the back rivet. The crack is between the rivet and the edge of the scale. As can be seen in the picture above, the rivet is very near the edge. The scale is still rock solid tight and the crack in no way effects the functionality or use of the knife.

BTW, I pulled the knife out of my pocket and played with it while doing this update.

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on April 28, 2017 at 19:50

I am still carrying and using this knife every day. It is a dependable reliable knife. I have had no problems whatsoever with it. It still has good snap opening and closing and has not loosened any at all. The verdict? Rough Rider makes a good knife and is good value for the money.

Permalink Reply by Ugly Old Guy on August 21, 2017 at 11:56

From what I learned over at another forum, Case's "True Sharp" is 420HC run slightly softer than Buck's 420HC.

Personally, I can't see buying a Case. They cost significantly more than a Rough Rider, and in many cases, the Rough Rider has better fit and finish.
Out of nearly 40 Rough Riders, I've had two with a "defect". My large coke bottle with smooth white bone covers jad a very small crack by one pin. (not a big deal, bone is a natural material and can crack. A little clear epoxy fixed it)
The second "defect" was on my Twisted Bone" canoe. When I took it out of the box, the shield decided to stay in the box. A little super glue took care of that.

I've found that Rough Riders are consistantly among the sharpest knives out of the box, rivaling Buck, in that respect. They also hold an edge very well.
I used a "Outdoorsman" series large Sunfish to carve/whittle some seasoned oak, to make a replacement part for a cabinet in my truck. I had to make a deep notch, about 3 inches long, for a lock. After I finished, the Sunfish was still arm hair shaving sharp.