Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on October 21, 2011 at 6:22

Awl or Punch Blade - I know what you mean...that is one pointy sharp sucker! But, I have used mine many times for starting a screw hole and, so far (knock on wood), no problems with the tip...............so far>>

I think i was trying to punch a hole in Fromica or some type of laminated wood.  The tip got stuck.  However, when i tried to put the screw in the material, I ended up stripping the head of the screw as well.  What ever the stuff was, it required a power drill to eventually make the hole.  The fact that the punch made it into the material at all really is a testament to how sharp it was.  I think it comes down to blade abuse.

 

Blade Rub - I have little to none on mine! Just the teensiest bit on the back of my spear blade from the punch blade.>>

 

The amount of blade rub for both of mine is also  minimal.  My Case Canoe is about the same or even worse. I'm actually more critical of the knives than I think most people are when they review more expensive American made knives.  but if i didn't mention the blade rub, people would jump all over me like I lied about the quality of the knife  and start screaming "Chinese Junk".

 

These Rough Riders are every bit as good as any current production  Case knife in my collection.   They make it very hard for me to buy Case or even Queen.  At least Queen offers knives with 1095 or D2 Carbon steel blades.

 

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on October 21, 2011 at 16:27

in the world of Carbon vs. Stainless steel, for the most part I prefer stainless steel of a pocket knife.   440 Stainless is going to handle just about every thing you can ask of a pocket knife.

 

I like carbon steel primarily for large fixed blades. Primarily because I'm going to use it for more demanding jobs than most pocket knives are going to take on.  I'm not going to hack down a small tree with my stockman but I have done that with my Camillus Mk2 fighting knife.  And for the most part good ol' 1095 seems to work just fine for me.  I don't need any of the high tech super steels.

 

I guess the joy of using a carbon blade on a pocket knife is you'll need to sharpen it less frequently.  Maybe so, but you'll be oiling it more often and that means a messier every day carry. And when it does come to sharpening time, it will be harder to get the edge back.

 

From what I've read and my personal experience  the type of steel  really depends on what you plan on doing with the knife.  I know steel snobs will disagree. That's okay.  They can have the knock-down drag-out over what is the best steel with some other steel snob. I've read too much and have been  confused and baffled enough by their expert opinions.  Now I just buy what works for me and makes me happy.  

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on October 21, 2011 at 17:19

I've read too much and have been  confused and baffled enough by their expert opinions.  Now I just buy what works for me and makes me happy." 

That would be me also LOL.  I do love my 1095 but understand that steel, like pattern is personal preference.  Thats OK, if it were not for our differences in choice, we wouldn't have anything to talk about

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on October 22, 2011 at 0:37

That's for sure Jan! Knives are VERY personal items. People will go out of their minds for a certain handle/blade/pattern, I'll pick it up, and it won't do a single thing for me!  Funny how that works.

Permalink Reply by robert benton on October 22, 2011 at 16:40

Yes i agree it is awful hard to pay what they want for a case or queen whe the RR,s are just as niceibson said:

Awl or Punch Blade - I know what you mean...that is one pointy sharp sucker! But, I have used mine many times for starting a screw hole and, so far (knock on wood), no problems with the tip...............so far>>

I think i was trying to punch a hole in Fromica or some type of laminated wood.  The tip got stuck.  However, when i tried to put the screw in the material, I ended up stripping the head of the screw as well.  What ever the stuff was, it required a power drill to eventually make the hole.  The fact that the punch made it into the material at all really is a testament to how sharp it was.  I think it comes down to blade abuse.

 

Blade Rub - I have little to none on mine! Just the teensiest bit on the back of my spear blade from the punch blade.>>

 

The amount of blade rub for both of mine is also  minimal.  My Case Canoe is about the same or even worse. I'm actually more critical of the knives than I think most people are when they review more expensive American made knives.  but if i didn't mention the blade rub, people would jump all over me like I lied about the quality of the knife  and start screaming "Chinese Junk".

 

These Rough Riders are every bit as good as any current production  Case knife in my collection.   They make it very hard for me to buy Case or even Queen.  At least Queen offers knives with 1095 or D2 Carbon steel blades.

 

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on October 24, 2011 at 19:07

Craig,

I agree, it is an amazing site.  Tobias states on his page that he is often accused of being stuck in the 80's on his web program...I disagree.  His site is informative and fun