Let’s just shoot straight. There is one name out there in classic pocket knife patterns that you simply need to know about if you don’t yet: Rough Rider Knife Company.

Sometimes also spelled Rough Ryder Knife Company, Rough Rider is a producer of classic pocket knife patterns that come in at what can only be called an unbelievably low price point.

They say you get what you pay for. Well, not with Rough Rider pocket knives. You get far more than you pay for.

Unlike a Case, a Rough Rider will be a small fraction of the cost, but still sport construction from top-quality steels and scale materials.

There is no equal. Here are the best things you’ll love about a Rough Rider pocket knife.

Available Patterns

The first thing you’ll notice about a Rough Rider knife is the sheer breadth of the product offering. And whereas most knife manufacturers are trending away from traditional pocket knife patterns like multi-blade barlow and stockman patterns in favor of single bladed locking patterns, Rough Ryder still embraces the roots of traditional pocket knives.

Among the many patterns that are available in Rough Rider’s catalog are:

• Stockman
• Sowbelly
• Trapper
• Barlow
• Congress
• Canoe
• Dogleg
• Moose
• Whittler
• Toothpick
• Hawkbill
• Cotton samplers
• Doctor’s knives
• Pruning knives

And many others in addition to these. If you love unique pocket knife patterns but don’t want to shell out the money for a Case, there’s a really good chance you can find what you’re looking for in Rough Rider’s catalog.

Fit, Finish and Quality of Construction

A Rough Rider knife is not going to be rivaled by any other producer of traditional pocket knives. Case and GEC might be as good, but no better.

Rough Rider knives feature a flawless fit and finish and as always, the devil is lurking in the details. The fit between the scales and frame is flawless, and there are no rough marks around the edges, or where the pins are set. The bolsters are flush, smooth and sometimes even mirror polished, as are the blades.

When new, the action of these knives is crisp as can be and many feature half stops, too. There is little to no play in the blade or action when new, although this will limber up with time. Many Rough Rider knives even sport attractive filework along the spine or spring bar.

All in all, considering the price point, the quality as exemplified by the fit, finish and quality of construction of these pocket knives simply can’t be overstated.

Blade Steels Available

Here’s a mark about Case. Most of their pocket knives are made with what they call “Tru-Sharp Surgical Stainless Steel.” Not to knock a legendary American brand, but what does that even mean?

It’s a marketing term that enables the company to hide behind a nebulous blade steel alloy. Granted, Case knives are made with decent steel, but what is actually in it and how it is treated is anyone’s guess.

As for Rough Ryder, they won’t blow you away with the steel they use in most of their knives, but at least you’ll know what it is. For most patterns, they utilize 440 and 440A stainless steels. These alloys are nothing to go crazy about, but they are relatively easy to resharpen and serviceably good at resisting corrosion.

But here’s the thing. With a Rough Rider knife, it isn’t a take it or leave it sort of deal. In addition to the 440 alloys from which most of their blades are made, they also offer patterns in Damascus steel, high-carbon steels like T10 and D2, and even VG-10.

So whatever you’re looking for in a Rough Rider pocket knife, you can get it. There’s a lot of variety in the steels they offer.

Scale Materials

This right here is more than any other reason why you should love a Rough Rider knife. There are Rough Ryder knives made with high-quality scale materials, just like Case.

Take your pick - red jigged bone, blue smooth bone, green jigged bone or natural white, they have it all. They also produce horn scales, mother of pearl scales, synthetic scales made with G10 and Micarta, wood scales and even scales made of or inlaid with semi-precious stones and metals like turquoise, malachite and copper.

All in all, a Rough Ryder knife is a work of art made with high-quality materials (most of them natural) and exhibiting impressive craftsmanship.

Price Point

We’ve saved the best reason to love a Rough Ryder knife for last, although you could have seen this coming: it’s price.

A Case knife could easily cost you 10 times what an equivalent Rough Rider will cost, and that is sadly not an exaggeration.

There are Case knives that cost well over $100, but the vast majority of Rough Rider models cost somewhere around $10, and some cost even less - and you still get quality steels and bone handles.

Now, there is one thing we need to mention here, and it’s that Case knives are made in the United States, whereas Rough Ryders are made in China. But the quality between the two is negligible, which is impressive.

It’s Not Just About Pocket Knives

One more thing to note about this brand is that, although the bread and butter of its business model is in traditional pocket knife patterns, Rough Ryder also makes fixed blades and a smattering of other pocket knives in more modern patterns, including some locking blades. So regardless of what you’re looking for, you can get it here.

Without a doubt, though, the best quality knives from their catalog are those that follow traditional pocket knife patterns like stockman and trapper patterns.

Where Can You Get a Rough Rider Knife?

Looking for a Rough Rider pocket knife? You’re in the right place. We carry a wide range of them. Take a look through our full collection via the previous link and if you have any questions, get in touch with us directly and we will help you find what you’re looking for.