I have one too Toby. The blades on mine are VERY rough to open. The spring is pushed against the other side and stops, making the blade grind against the spring. Not one of RR's best efforts.

If Rough Rider were to make a clone of a Case Russlock, would you buy it or would it upset you?

I ask this because I've always been a bit irked by all the Swiss Army Knock-offs and I'd be irked by Russlock knock-off.

Yet I have no problem with RRs copy of the locking Sodbuster (an old Case pattern)  and would welcome a copy of the Schrade Sharpfinger.  

I know part of my rationale is  both of these patterns have  been copied so many times that they are very much traditional and generic, yet the Russlock remains a Case original.    But at the same time, I don't apply that thinking to Swiss Army knives.

How do others feel? Would you welcome a Rough Rider Russlock clone?

I don't htink it would bother me....though if I bought a Russlock I'd get a Case.

About the Rough Rider Swiss clone.  I only bought it to compare the scissors agains those of my Case Pen knife.  Sadly, the RR scissors, at least straight out the box out performed the Case scissors. That said, I seriously doubt the RR scissors will stand the test of time.  I'm pretty sure the Case Scissors will, however.  I was really generous with the stars on that RR.

Here's one that's getting a bit hard to find....though you can still find them here and there. The first production of imitation turquoise. Which I like better than what they're using now. I also like the fancy bolsters better than the ones they are using now too.

I should point out that ALL of the first production imitation turquoise had hairline cracks. The crack on mine is almost invisible. I know where it is and I have to search for it. I read that that's the reason they stopped using this type of imitation turquoise.

Canoe 696 Indian Feather carved soapstone box........

Thanks for the info Craig.  I was wondering why they don't make these anymore.  They really look nice.  I haven't bought any... yet.  You are correct,  They are getting hard to find and the price seems to be going up!  The turquoise looks much better than on  the Brian Yellowhorse knives. Even better than the synth stone used on the Stoneworx line.

Yeah, too bad they had trouble with it....I think it looks real, even in person.

I like that turquoise, it has a nice appearance and I do like RR.  As for the SAK knock off...I agree, why?  If you can get the original for 10.00?

As for a Russlock, it would give folks that could not afford to pay the cost of a Case the ability to own a great pattern so I do not think I would be upset

"As for a Russlock, it would give folks that could not afford to pay the cost of a Case the ability to own a great pattern"

I read where some guys will buy a RR to try out a certain pattern before they pay a higher price for a pattern they may not like.

I don't have to worry about that.....I like most everything! LOL!

I had to look at some RR's because there are a quite a few of you collectors that I have come to respect you opinions about knives in general. I have narrowed down what I would like to get. I like the Stoneworx and Tortoise shell line initially. I just need to find the pattern I like, I saw on eBay a RR "Pigsticker" that is basically a melon tester with a long Wharncliff blade. I might start off with that.

Hi Brad.

I think you mean a "Toad Sticker"  While it is a decent enough knife, I think it would be bad choice for your first Rough Rider.  See my reviews:  http://blindkat.hegewisch.net/RRR/

Toad sticker summary: The blade on the Toad Sticker is a very slender and tapers evenly from tang to tip.  This is unlike the typical melon tester which is normally a long spear blade that for most of its length is the same width from spine to edge.  The blade is 4.5 inches long At just 3/8 of an inch wide at the tang, you can imagine how pointy the blade is.  The Match striker pull is located around mid spine and the blade opens smoothly with little effort. Because of the thin profile of the blade, I was able to penetrate heavy cardboard almost effortlessly. It was also quite easy to push the knife through an inch thick uncooked pork chop and the side of 7 inch blue gill which stood in for a bullfrog.  The blade is also razor sharp but because of how thin the blade is, I’m reluctant to cut anything more than paper or cooked meat. I would not use it for carving or whittling. The blade is not designed for such work.  I also would not try pushing the blade into anything like wood as this in not a leather punch or awl. I suspect the tip would bend or break.  Nor is the knife an ice pick. You can use it to poke melons and/or frogs!The blade will not handle twisting or prying.  I'm sure it will bend or break with moderate side force or twisting torque

If you like Tortoise shell, you may want to consider their "RR 515 Work Knife which is a locking Sodbuster. 

Sodbuster summary: Call it what you like, The knife is a spittin' image of the old discontinued liner-lock sod buster first made by W.R. Case & Sons. And guess what? It is fantastic. Case has said repeatedly that they have no plans to re-release the pattern. Rough Rider has been making this pattern for some time and quite frankly, if you don't own one, what are you waiting for! Anyone who collects Sodbusters or sodbuster like knives should jump on this pattern. I have two of these Rough Riders. The coal miner and tortoise shell. Both are excellent in every aspect. Sharp right out the box with a very positive, super strong liner lock, and just a beauty to cut with. They make an excellent work knife and are half the price of Case's cheapest non-locking sodbuster.

See images of both knives below

Hey Brad, I really like the Tortoise shell look. I have a bunch of the RRs in it. I wish other companies would put out Tortoise handles! I've read a lot of other people say they like them too, so I don't know why they don't do them. I think it looks classy.

Craig and others have slowly convinced me that I like Tortoiseshell as well.  Either that or the Marbles Toothpick did.  So far I've got the RR liner lock sod buster and the Marbles 5 inch toothpick in tortoise shell.  the quality is excellent on both knives which doesn't surprise me because they are both SMKW house brands and are made in the same factory in China.  The Tortoise shell looks remarkably good.

More pix of the tortoise shell toothpick and sodbuster.

The Sodbuster is RR 515    The Marbles is MR 207.   Sorry i didn't give the numbers at first.   Both are getting pretty hard to find.  The soddy is damn near impossible.

Oops.  The Soddy might be RR 514.  Either that or it is listed wrong with this seller.  $12 on Ebay   Use the auction number:  251195167839

I've been tempted to get the tortoise Sodbuster for a long time. 

Apparently someone (hopefully here) got that Soddy on eBay.  It is sold out.  That was a good price.  Next best price going is around $17.  I suspect that unless it gets re-released by SMKW it is going to hover around the $17-20 price for awhile. The RR soddy in any handle is a really nice solid one blade knife.

Here's one Toby.....only $8.39! It's been a while since I ordered from him. I can't remember what his stocking system is....whether he actually has it or has to get somewhere.

http://www.hrknives.com/rr514-rough-rider-work-knife/

I've bought from HR Knives a bunch of times...for RRs. No problems and pretty fast service. 

I bought the RR1202 Smooth Bone & RR1203 Blue/Black Swirl "Toadsticker" on eBay this morning. I should have them next week hopefully. I do like those Tortoise scales, hope I can find one.

RR514 is the Tortoise Sodbuster. the RR515 is the Tortoise Razor trapper. Which cost the same on eBay. hmmmm

Have no fear ordering from HR Knives - http://www.hrknives.com/rr514-rough-rider-work-knife/

I always have fear.  Ship & Handling.  Are they reasonable?

Last I ordered from him it was reasonable.

I fear spiders! LOL!

I fear wives with honey-do lists!

That too! LOL!

"Honey-do lists" AAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH (running for the hills, while turning off my phone)

HR Knives USPS to my mailing location is $4.25 for the Work knife.

You ordered it? Cool! That's pretty cheap shipping! I thought I remembered his shipping being pretty good.

10 pages of whittlers...

Calm down JJ! LOL!

Brad, I know how that is! I get a "knife allowance" when my Social Security comes in each month. December's is gone. COME ON JANUARY! LOL!

Got the Tortoise Sodbuster and while I was at it, got a Lg Tortoise Congress too. $24.00 shipped. Be here next week.

Not sure about the congress.  I like a fat congress but RR tends to make skinny ones.  I really like their  large Sodbuster, however.  The Tortoise Soddy is really nice.

They also made the "Clasp" in tortoise! 

Ineed to keep my eyes open for that one.  I was unaware!

All 3 of the Toad Stickers are here, Blue/black swirl, Midnight blue swirl & Smooth White bone.

The Cell handled ones have hard snap and zero blade play. The Bone has snap, but not as crisp and there is a little wobble. I don't know if this is due to the extra care during assembly, but it doesn't affect the way I intend to use them. I look forward to the Tortoise cell knives now.

I did find that the middle knife's tip was bent on arrival. If the seller does not remedy this issue i will file a claim with ebay and place a warning on every forum i peruse.

As I said the Toad Stickers are not the best judge of Rough Riders.  As for quality guarentee, the best you'll find is SMKW.  If you bought these from them, they'd send you a replacement free of charge and because the back and forth shipping would be more than the knife is worth, they'd just tell you to dispose of the bad knife however you choose.

Brad, How do you intend to use the toad stickers?

Food cutting, letter opening & Toad sticking.

Correction to the description of the middle defective knife (RR1204) is "Purple Swirl" Celluloid. I really like that handle because you can see the brass liner through the swirl, which gives it Purple and gold appearance. 

Tobias, I didn't expect a stout knife in this pattern, my only disappointment is in the seller who sold me a knife with a bent tip. Otherwise I am satisfied with the purchase of these knives. Am truly excited to receive the Tortoise Soddy and Congress next week.

the work knife has arrived. I am impressed with the stoutness of this knife. Strong pull, solid lock and a solid snap on closing. The congress is a little thin and the closing snap is weak on the Sheepfoot blades, but the blades are tight.

Nice ones Brad! I like imitation tortoise. I wish more companies used it!

Okay, I'm fairly certain of it now.   The RR that are numbered:

RR 13XX = 2013 releases

RR12XX = 2012 Releases

RR11XX = 2011 releases

RR10XX = 2010 releases

Not sure about the ones before that. RR 9XX, RR 8XX, etc. but they could be 2009, 2008, and so on.  Can anyone confirm my suspicion?

Hmmm, interesting. What about RR4XX, RR5XX and RR6XX. One of my mini-Trappers with the old original tang stamp is RR493.

It would be nice if SMKW would just tell someone what is going on. I tried contacting them a year or so ago.....they never answered me. 

Graig, I wrote a letter to one of the high profile members of their crew, about a small problem I had and he took care of the problem, plus wrote me back with an explanation. You may try writing them a personal letter, like I did.