The boys on Knives Live TV has been saying for some time now that Rough Rider knives with Pearl (as well as Stag) are pretty much a thing of the past.  They will not be remaking them and if a decision to remake them ever comes up it will be at a higher price point.  

From what I've seen they have opted to put use pearl in some of their other higher priced knives and on imported Remington's made exclusively by them.   The stag is showing up on their TM Colt and Marbles knives. 

Apparently both pearl and stag are bit too expensive at current market prices.  I guess what I'm saying, is if you want it, get ready to pay more and get it on eBay or some of the other knife sellers.  It is out there but it ain't as cheap as it used to be.

Didn't meen to digress into a discussion if they would replace the knife or not.  Just wanted to let Jay know that I really liked the scales on mine.  It was the first "Pearl" handle that I bought, only because of the appearance of the scales.

I'm not a big collector or pearl or stag but have been buying the occasional piece if it is a pattern I like.  This of course limits my choices as my Rough Rider has not produced pearl or stag in my absolute favorites (large toothpick, marlin spike, or scout)  Sigh.  You'd think the marlin spike would be a no brainier for pearl and the toothpick and scout would be perfect for stag.

I'm sorry JJ. I brought that up and didn't mean anything bad, I was just wondering about their warranty on their knives. If I digress the discussion, I didn't mean to, I guess I just come off wrong on what it is I'm trying to convey, sometimes.

Toby,

 You'd think the marlin spike would be a no brainier for pearl and the toothpick and scout would be perfect for stag.

Your right, that would seem to be a no brainer LOL.  My guess is your also right about the price point for the materials and why we would only be seeing it on a knife that costs a bit more.

How many brands do the boys at SMKW actually make?  Is it like GEC where they have an actual structure to their three brands and what handles or embellishments are available on each of their "brands"?  I have bought and used RR but honestly have not paid attention to the brands avail made by SMKW

Well, I'd love to get a whittler in barnboard...

Hi Jan.

As for brands owned by SMKW, My Who Owns Who list at "A pocket guide to knives gives that info.  Frost and SMKW own quite a few TMs.  See the list at:

http://apg2k.hegewisch.net/wow-6.html

If you do a search for Smoky Mountain Knife Works while on the page, you should be able to scroll through  with little problem.  I would estimate 20+ brands by SMKW and 30+ and growing for Frost. 

This doesn't include the knives both companies have made exclusively for their own stores.  SMKW  has Case, Schatt & Morgan, and Queen make numerous knives just for their store.   Almost any handle Case Corelon was made for Frost.

J.J., I 'd like almost anything in a barnboard jig or real barnboard.

I've never seen a good picture of a Barnboard knife, anyone have a picture? They must be nice, the way ya'll are talking.

I don't remember Rough Rider ever having a Barnboard jig. I have one that is a Case blue barnboard jig pilot test knife.

I'm pretty sure that RR hasn't made one in Barn Board.  CASE has made several different runs of their Barn Board.  The first almost looked like it came off an old barn...

I always thought that a whittler in the Barn  Board would be nice.

Boker has a series of knives that has handles made from old Beer Barrels...

I like the Boker Beer barrel knives.

It is kind of neat that they use actual barrel staves to make them.

I've seen those knives before, they are neat, that beer barrel knife is the perfect thing for the man that loves beer. I just thought that Rough Rider had come out with a Barb Board pattern knife, I missunderstood ya'll.

Nope,  I got mine several years ago.  Only reason I kept it was because of the scales.

Hell all, is it true that RR is going to stop producing Pearl knives ? I just got a RR 228 black pearl trapper it sure is nice ,the black pearl on my trapper is real nice.

That's a good question Robert, I just don't know maybe one of our members will know. Hey has anyone got a new Rough Rider lately?

The stories of No more new pearl RR comes straight from the mouths, of Steve Koontz and Tony Watkins of SMKW, the folks who produce Rough Riders.  They have said the same about Stag and Damascus.  I don't know the actual quote but it goes something like "Get 'em while you can because were not making any more actual pearl Rough Rough Riders.  And if we ever make them in the future they will be at least twice the price. They said the same thing about Stag and it is just about completely dried up in the folding patterns.   

The pearl seems to be getting used in other SMKW product lines and SFO's (Special Factory Orders) such as the Colt  line and Remington knives made exclusively for SMKW.

Thanks Tobias, for the update. Very interesting, news.

I almost forgot, SMKW has free shipping this weekend.

They sure do Robert...I have another Big Daddy Barlow and a Stroke of Luck Toothpick headed my way! That's a whole lot of blade for $20.48 shipped...

You bet, I need to get a little shopping list together.

Our gain and their loss.   Thing is they are in the business of selling so they need to move merchandise to make room for new products.   I got a pretty good deal on Schrade sharpfinger the other day as well.

I bought a few bucks worth from SMKW this weekend because of the free shipping. I plan to keep some and give some as presents this winter.

While i don't have every knife Rough rider makes in White Smooth Bone, I've got a few of them.  Got a few more to add but I got tired and decided to go with what I've written and photographed so far.  I can always add more later.  If you like white smooth bone, you may want to take a look:

http://blindkat.hegewisch.net/RRR/rr_wsb.html


--
-- Tobias Gibson
--Like the most interesting man in the world, I don't usually buy Globals but when I do -  I buy  Rough Riders!
-- http://blindkat.hegewisch.net/RRR

Those are really nice, Toby. I have the legs and the Toenail in that handle. I think I want to get the Toenail scrimshawed with something, I just don't know what yet.

Well, I got my $9.99 Silver Select knives the other day. These pics won't really show how nice they are, but for the price, I want the different patterns that they made if I can find them. These are really nice.  The detail on these MOP pieces is really good.

Thats some great looking knives there guys, I love white bone. Billy who will you get to do scrimshaw work for you?

Robert, I don't know.

I have only one real scrimshaw knife, maybe you saw it, it's my new Hen and Rooster. I love it. I know it cost pretty good to have one done I think. I have no clue who does it either. We have a Group on that, maybe one of those guys?

Tobias,

Excellent smooth whites. and I love this line

 Tobias Gibson
--Like the most interesting man in the world, I don't usually buy Globals but when I do -  I buy  Rough Riders!

Thanks, Steve. The Muskrat is just as nice, even though I am not a big Muskrat fan. The price was right for me to get it.

Steve, about not feeling the love...Maybe you're more of  Corelon type or Yellow Delrin.  (Not my favorites)

I have the white bone AG's split bolster Arkansas Toothpick that I've carried for years, and an RR Big Daddy Barlow in white...but that said, most of my "around the homeplace work knives" have yellow handles. They don't seem to walk off the job as easy - (translation: my eyes aren't what they used to be! lol ) Stag or jigged bone for collecting and dress carry...works for me.

Yea Steve, I have a few Rough Rider Moose patterns. They are strong and built to work. I also have some Colt Moose knives, they are a bit fancier, but well built. I would like a larger handle selection also. Like white bone, hey, camo or green sounds good too.

About today's celluloid.  for the most part, today the term is a misnomer.  The material may look like celluloid but most knife makers gave up on it celluloid long ago.  Today most of what is called celluloid is normally acrylic and it won't gas out.  Celluloid was made of nitrocellulose and camphor.  Overtime the camphor would react with the nitrocellulose and release gases.  Basically you'd have mini-factory producing acid rain on your knife.   Acrylic is synthetic petroleum based hard plastic.  I think  Polymethyl methacrylate  is the most common acrylic resin used for knife handles.  It is inexpensive and well as extremely stable and will not "gas out."

As for the Rough Rider Moose.  while i don't  own any, I have suggested to SMKW that Rough Rider produce a Moose in honor of Teddy Roosevelt, the original "Bull Moose"  My thought was it would make a great commemorative and should come out in 2013.  Why 2013?   Because the Teddy Roosevelt dollar coin was originally slated to be released on 2013 and I thought it would like nice with a big old Moose knife.   Either way, the should make a Rough rider Bull moose in honor of TR.

Tobias, I love that idea, Teddy was well before my time but from what I have read, he's my kind of guy [President]. If they come out with a Teddy Moose, count me in....

Nice Idea.

Tobias,

You can count me in also.  I think that is an awesome idea!!

White Bone with a Teddy scrimshaw would be really cool.

Anyone with a new Rough Rider, I have a couple, I'll try post a picture.

Got the RR1204  Purple and Brown Toad Sticker recently.  To be honest, I bought it fro the box.   Still a pretty cool knife.  Very sharp and very pointy.  Blade is a little delicate.

I've put the RR 514 Tortoise Shell locking work knife (Sodbuster)

Thanks for posting that Toad Sticker, Tobias. I've been curious about what one looked like.

Tobias,

Interesting knife.  Kinda reminds me of a melon tester except for the extreme point on the blade.  I do like the box very much though

I need one of those , Toby.

Here's my newest additions to the collection.