Opinions on Rough Rider's Barlow knives.

[Captain O]

I have been looking at an RR for an EDC in "carry rotation" any experience about their Barlow knives?

Thanks, in advance, for everyone's opinion(s).

 

[Dschal]

I like mine. For short money, go for it.

 

[Bloefield]

There fine and the price is right.

 

[Captain O]

Any opinion concerning scale materials?

 

[5K Qs]

I've only had one RR Barlow, but I'm completely satisfied with it - solid, functional, looks good. :thumbup: Mine is amber jigged bone, a Rough Rider cover material that I like very much, but the "gunstock checked bone" on the top knife in Bloefield's post is also very nice. I haven't had a Barlow with that checkered bone, but I've had a canoe and a copperhead that looked and felt fantastic!

- GT

 

[serotina]

Any opinion concerning scale materials?

I have several RR's now with that checkered bone, one being the barlow like Bloefield has. They call it "gunstock" (not to be confused with the knife pattern). I like just about any jigged bone too though.

 

[afishhunter]

I only have 2 RR Barlows. One has immitation Abalone, the other smooth white bone.
Have not seen the smooth white bone yet. I ordered it in Feb., 2014, but by the time I was able to get home time in late December, it and the others I'd ordered were misplaced. I'll find them eventually, I KNOW they are in the house SOMEWHERE ...

Anyway, the immitation Abolone Barlow has no gaps, blades are centered, no blade rub, great walk n talk, and as normal for Rough Rider was quite sharp out of the box.
I've had it in my pocket this week. Decided to give the stockman a little time off.

 

[LastRodeo]

There fine and the price is right.

I have never seen that acorn shield RR barlow before. It's my new favorite, will have to track one down.

 

[tstaut]

I have a couple. They're good solid little knives.

What drives me nuts though is a design thing - shields on barlows? blech! Just doesn't look right! Look how much better that smooth white bone looks without one.

 

[r8shell]

I have a couple. They're good solid little knives.

What drives me nuts though is a design thing - shields on barlows? blech! Just doesn't look right! Look how much better that smooth white bone looks without one.

I agree, a barlow with a shield just doesn't look right to me. I like a nice deep stamped bolster, too.

 

[LaughingBones]

I have one of the jigged black bark bone barlows and the fit and finish is good, it's just real ugly. My wife said "hey you got a really ugly knife in the mail today" lol. Again good knife though.

 

[TsarBomba]

I have been looking at an RR for an EDC in "carry rotation" any experience about their Barlow knives?

Any opinion concerning scale materials?

In my somewhat limited experience, RR's Barlows are solidly made and overall pretty easy on the eyes. They use 440A -- take that for what it's worth (at the price point what else would you expect? ) -- but the bone models are all pretty nice (more or less true of all RRs), the steel is solid and thick on the Barlows and the two I have both came s-h-a-r-p. I almost effortlessly maimed myself on the pen of my yeller Barlow.

There fine and the price is right.

Nice collection! Seems your sawcut Barlow is nicer than mine, too.

What drives me nuts though is a design thing - shields on barlows? blech! Just doesn't look right! Look how much better that smooth white bone looks without one.

I agree, mostly. In certain situations it looks kinda "right" (check those Queen #69s with the understated little round "Q" shields) I generally prefer my Barlows shieldless. Gotta admit, though, the yeller Barlow looks good.

 

[Jack Black]

I have a couple, they're well-built knives. Shame they're not made in carbon steel :thumbup:

 

[davek14]

I have a couple, they're well-built knives. Shame they're not made in carbon steel :thumbup:

+100

 

[Rich S]

IMHO they are just excellent knives.
Rich

 

[Sayoc01]

I'd rather save & buy a GEC!
Jim

 

[btmccutcheon]

I have several, and really like them. Hard to beat for the price. Solid, sharp, and very nicely done.

 

[LastRodeo]

I'd rather save & buy a GEC!
Jim

If only GEC barlow knives were that readily available.

 

[Vinifera]

I have a couple. They're good solid little knives.

What drives me nuts though is a design thing - shields on barlows? blech! Just doesn't look right! Look how much better that smooth white bone looks without one.

I have an amber jigged bone and bark jigged bone Rough Rider barlow and really like them.

The shields don't bother me and I really like the shield on my KA-BAR.

 

[tstaut]

Agreed, works on some knives.