Really helpful video. I just picked up my first Rough Ryder Black Reserve knife. I bought the Trapper and have been really impressed with it so far. Thanks for the great review!
I am glad it helped! This series is made extremely well. Like I said in the video it would be icing on the cake if they used an upgraded steel. VG10 would have been perfect.
Very well put together video. Nice looking knives. And nice looking slips as well. Thank you for the show and tell. Your speaking voice and explanations are top notch.
Take a look at the follow-up video. In it, I point out some things that I don't like after carrying them for a week and a half. First impressions do not always tell the whole story!
The steel should defiantly be better and they are to thick and blocky. I'll probably make another video later this week showing some of the issues I have with these knives. Now that I have had them for a couple of weeks the issue are popping up!
They look great and the fit and finish is great, but there are a few things about them that are starting to really bug me. They will be covered in another video soon.
They are well made with near perfect fir and finish, but now that I have had them longer I am finding a few things that could be better. There will be a follow-up video.
The bent one is only a $12 knife, so the fit and finish is hit and miss. You can get an absolutely stunning knife followed by a dud. It is like a craps shoot!
@jasonbeecher509 I do agree. This series seems to be made more for collectors than users. If they were for users they would have given us either D2 or VG10. I would be very happy with one of those two. The two knives in the video are the only ones I bought from the series for that reason. I gave the Trapper away and still have the lockback.
Thanks for showing us these, I'd not heard of the black reserve series, yep, VG10 would have made these even better,,.. Just found your channel and subbed on the strength of this video,, all the best from across the pond,, 👍
Thanks for the sub! I went back and started playing with the Wasp series again. I couldn't stand the color so I died a few of them. The how to video is now up. I think they are a great value and best of all the blades are VG10!
These are of the same fit and finish as the RRR's maybe even better, A few nagging issues are starting to surface now that I have had some time with them.
@@LastChanceKnives My main issue really is the 25 on the shield. It just bugs me. RR is on year 29. 2024 is the 30 year anniversary, which they’re printing on the Spades Black Appaloosa series currently. They used an old shield design from the 25 year anniversary for these Black Reserves, but didn’t bother to remove the 25 before sending the designs to OEM. That’s just poor in my opinion.
Great video, totally agree on the steel. I like my Wasp Trapper. I just ordered 3 of the Black Reserve Basket Weave Trappers. 2 for my upcoming giveaway and one for myself.
Those were the only two I bought from the series, and I gave the Trapper away. The lockback is really nice and well worth picking up. The fit and finish it excellent even better than the RRR series. That is why it is a shame that they stuck with 440a.
I'll probably get the Lockback eventually. I like Trappers and to be honest they were cheaper since I was buying 2 of them and another knife for the giveaway.
I like that last one you showed. I think you called it a wasp? The others are fine too. Is the metal the same as far as strength goes? Only difference is how they sharpen?
The difference is not a strength issue. Both steels are more than strong enough for a folding knife. The better steel stays sharp longer, plus it sharpens easier.
That is correct, but in a fixed blade it can matter depending on what the knife is used for. Folders are not pressed so hard and the strength of the steel usually isn't a factor.@@acid6urns
Thanks! I will be making a follow-up video soon. After having them for a couple of weeks, there are a few things about them that I do not like. The issues are personal preference and not related to the fit and finish or the quality of the knives.
Very nice 2 for Tuesday on monday evening Ken!!!! Im so lucky to get these videos early on the west coast. I agree with you being a reserve they should have put vg10 or at least T10 carbon on these for the price they are asking. At least the fit and finish is good. I prefer red liners that are coming on the black smooth bone. That copperlock is real nice. Considering Case is asking around $80 for one. And im sure 440A isnt too much different than tru sharp ss. Thanks for sharing!
See you are SPECIAL! You get to see the videos before anyone else does 🤣😂🤣 440A and Trusharp are about the same. I doubt that you could tell any difference in use. It could be that these blades are run a little harder than normal which would help. I will not know until I test them with hardness files. The video was made a week in advance. Now that I have had these knives in hand for some time a few things that I don't like are starting to surface. Expect a follow-up video soon.
These are beautiful pieces. Even having a bit of vertical blade play on lockbacks is a normal thing. It might arrive after some use. I wouldn't mind tbh.
To be honest with you I sent mine back….. something about them I wasn’t impressed I’m glad your happy with yours I was curious about your review thanks as always Ken stay well out there!!!!😊
Actually I am not entirely happy with them, however I am very happy with the fit and finish. It's spot on! These knives will make another appearance, maybe by the end of this week. In my opinion the steel should be upgraded and the knives are to blocky, thick, and have sharp corners. The thickness means I would not pocket carry on of these. It would have to be belt carry. The basket weave is pretty but adds next to no traction, jigging is much better. They missed the mark with these and for no extra cost could have had a spectacular knife. Just as I said in the conclusion of the video these knives seem to be made for collectors rather than users which is a shame! Have a great day Pete!
The Black reserve line is a Fantastic value. I have the copperhead and trapper and the f&f is fantastic for the price. The only thing missing from the traditional Reserve line is the D2 steel.
That is exactly how I feel about them. They went to the trouble of having an outstanding F&F and it should have been accompanied by an upgraded blade steel. I still think VG10 would be perfect for these!
Thanks for the review, I’ve been looking at these. I have about 15 of the regular Rough Ryders, and have run into the crooked blade / centering issue you mention on a few, but have no idea how to correct them as you can’t take the blade apart, so thanks for any insight on how to do that. (?) By the way, don’t discount 440A as a decent knife steel. If it’s heat treated correctly it’s fine. I have a bunch of original Seki City SOG fixed blades from 20 years ago, and they are all 440A. Don’t forget Randall Knives has also used it, and those aren’t exactly cheap knives. I’m a bit of a knife steel snob, and in these blades that steel doesn’t bother me. In fact my sole complaint is the ugly “China” branding on the right side of the blade. I hope to add both these to my collection if they’re still available later this month. Thanks for the first look! 👍
The Black Reserve line has an upgrade everywhere except where it counts the most , Still the same cheap 440 stainless steel . How much would it have cost to at least used 440 C or Vg-10 probably no more than a couple of dollars per blade .
Take a look at my follow-up video on these knives. There are a few more things that I don't like. There is no reason for using 440a on a knife built this well. I have a few RR Wasps using vg10 and they only cost $15!
30th anniversary year for Rough Ryder and they have a 25 year anniversary badge designed by Andy Armstrong before he left SMKW , only reason I have passed on them and will continue to pass on them.
Yep, I’ve been turned off by the price on some recent RRs. New designs are cool, but no steel upgrade for double the price? Not for me. VG10 would have been great. Centering doesn’t matter to me as long as the blade doesn’t hit the liners.
I don't have to have a perfectly centered blade either. What is more important to me that when the blade is open that it is straight with the handle. This is something that really bugs me on a lot of knives. The Black Reserves are both centered and straight, which is excellent! Where they fail is the steel type and the thickness, they are unnecessarily bulky. See my follow-up to this review.
Just bought a Case Sod Buster Jr in mahogany bone. That blade is bent more than that marlinspike. It even hits the liner. Buy American sounds great but if QC is that bad I’ll spend my money on other brands. Bye Case👋
Case can be hit and miss. The good ones are really nice. I only buy Case from places that have a really good return policy. Amazon is good because it is easy to get a replacement with free return shipping for the bad one.
Really helpful video. I just picked up my first Rough Ryder Black Reserve knife. I bought the Trapper and have been really impressed with it so far. Thanks for the great review!
I am glad it helped! This series is made extremely well. Like I said in the video it would be icing on the cake if they used an upgraded steel. VG10 would have been perfect.
Very good looking knives!!! Thanks for showing them off, buddy!
I'll be making one more video on these knives. I am finding a few things that bother me after having them a while.
Very well put together video. Nice looking knives. And nice looking slips as well. Thank you for the show and tell. Your speaking voice and explanations are top notch.
Take a look at the follow-up video. In it, I point out some things that I don't like after carrying them for a week and a half. First impressions do not always tell the whole story!
Those are great knives. I like the series a lot but not happy with the price of the box lol . I'd like a nicer steel as well. Great video brother!!
The steel should defiantly be better and they are to thick and blocky. I'll probably make another video later this week showing some of the issues I have with these knives. Now that I have had them for a couple of weeks the issue are popping up!
ROUGH RYDER RESERVE HEDGEHOG D2 BLACK MICARTA FOLDING KNIFE.
Rough Ryder Black Reserve are D2 steel.
I think You have the models confused.
Rough Ryder Black Reserve are 440a steel.
Rough Ryder Reserve are D2 steel.@@ClementSmith-yn1ld
A great look at those knives! Thanks for participating in Two for Tuesday, LCK. Keep charging, my friend.
Thanks! Stay tuned for the follow-up video. Now that I have had them in my possession for a week and a half there are a few nit picks to go over.
Nice those are a great series! I like those!!
They look great and the fit and finish is great, but there are a few things about them that are starting to really bug me. They will be covered in another video soon.
great review , learned a lot about RR , thanks man ,
Take a look at the follow-up video. It shows a few issues that turned up after the first impressions.
Beautiful knives.
They are well made with near perfect fir and finish, but now that I have had them longer I am finding a few things that could be better. There will be a follow-up video.
I think the blade itself is warped, and that would be why it goes to the other direction when opened
The bent one is only a $12 knife, so the fit and finish is hit and miss. You can get an absolutely stunning knife followed by a dud. It is like a craps shoot!
Very nice knives.
Thanks! Rough Rider did a great job fit and finish wise on the series!
@@LastChanceKnives absolutely. I'm very impressed by them. I think they are intended to be displayed not carried
@jasonbeecher509 I do agree. This series seems to be made more for collectors than users. If they were for users they would have given us either D2 or VG10. I would be very happy with one of those two. The two knives in the video are the only ones I bought from the series for that reason. I gave the Trapper away and still have the lockback.
Nice design and box. I agree that the steel needs to be upgraded. Thanks. I ended up watching the update before this one.
Better steel and a little thinner build and they would be perfect. I think RR is trying to capture the collector market with some of their new models.
Thanks for showing us these, I'd not heard of the black reserve series, yep, VG10 would have made these even better,,.. Just found your channel and subbed on the strength of this video,, all the best from across the pond,, 👍
Thanks for the sub! I went back and started playing with the Wasp series again. I couldn't stand the color so I died a few of them. The how to video is now up. I think they are a great value and best of all the blades are VG10!
Rough Ryder Black Reserve are D2 steel.
I think You have the models confused.
Rough Ryder Black Reserve are 440a steel.
Rough Ryder Reserve are D2 steel.@@ClementSmith-yn1ld
The 1st blade was sweet
They are good looking knives with excellent fit and finish.
They’re great!
I have all three that are out so far and they’re great.
Good stuff as always, brother👊🏻
These are of the same fit and finish as the RRR's maybe even better, A few nagging issues are starting to surface now that I have had some time with them.
@@LastChanceKnives
There’s a couple issues.
Still pretty darn good for the price.
They sure are nice for the money! The issues are personal preference not actual problems.@@TimsSchoolOfFish
@@LastChanceKnives
My main issue really is the 25 on the shield.
It just bugs me.
RR is on year 29.
2024 is the 30 year anniversary, which they’re printing on the Spades Black Appaloosa series currently.
They used an old shield design from the 25 year anniversary for these Black Reserves, but didn’t bother to remove the 25 before sending the designs to OEM.
That’s just poor in my opinion.
Great video, totally agree on the steel. I like my Wasp Trapper. I just ordered 3 of the Black Reserve Basket Weave Trappers. 2 for my upcoming giveaway and one for myself.
Those were the only two I bought from the series, and I gave the Trapper away. The lockback is really nice and well worth picking up. The fit and finish it excellent even better than the RRR series. That is why it is a shame that they stuck with 440a.
I'll probably get the Lockback eventually. I like Trappers and to be honest they were cheaper since I was buying 2 of them and another knife for the giveaway.
I like that last one you showed. I think you called it a wasp? The others are fine too. Is the metal the same as far as strength goes? Only difference is how they sharpen?
The difference is not a strength issue. Both steels are more than strong enough for a folding knife. The better steel stays sharp longer, plus it sharpens easier.
strength in knife steel is not a property one should worry about
That is correct, but in a fixed blade it can matter depending on what the knife is used for. Folders are not pressed so hard and the strength of the steel usually isn't a factor.@@acid6urns
Wonderful review, my friend 😊
Thanks! I will be making a follow-up video soon. After having them for a couple of weeks, there are a few things about them that I do not like. The issues are personal preference and not related to the fit and finish or the quality of the knives.
Very nice 2 for Tuesday on monday evening Ken!!!! Im so lucky to get these videos early on the west coast. I agree with you being a reserve they should have put vg10 or at least T10 carbon on these for the price they are asking. At least the fit and finish is good. I prefer red liners that are coming on the black smooth bone. That copperlock is real nice. Considering Case is asking around $80 for one. And im sure 440A isnt too much different than tru sharp ss. Thanks for sharing!
See you are SPECIAL! You get to see the videos before anyone else does 🤣😂🤣 440A and Trusharp are about the same. I doubt that you could tell any difference in use. It could be that these blades are run a little harder than normal which would help. I will not know until I test them with hardness files. The video was made a week in advance. Now that I have had these knives in hand for some time a few things that I don't like are starting to surface. Expect a follow-up video soon.
These are beautiful pieces. Even having a bit of vertical blade play on lockbacks is a normal thing. It might arrive after some use. I wouldn't mind tbh.
They do have an amazing build quality and are very good looking!
Love case
Overall I like Case better than RR, but some of the RR stuff is really nice!
To be honest with you I sent mine back….. something about them I wasn’t impressed I’m glad your happy with yours I was curious about your review thanks as always Ken stay well out there!!!!😊
Actually I am not entirely happy with them, however I am very happy with the fit and finish. It's spot on! These knives will make another appearance, maybe by the end of this week. In my opinion the steel should be upgraded and the knives are to blocky, thick, and have sharp corners. The thickness means I would not pocket carry on of these. It would have to be belt carry. The basket weave is pretty but adds next to no traction, jigging is much better. They missed the mark with these and for no extra cost could have had a spectacular knife. Just as I said in the conclusion of the video these knives seem to be made for collectors rather than users which is a shame! Have a great day Pete!
The Black reserve line is a Fantastic value. I have the copperhead and trapper and the f&f is fantastic for the price. The only thing missing from the traditional Reserve line is the D2 steel.
That is exactly how I feel about them. They went to the trouble of having an outstanding F&F and it should have been accompanied by an upgraded blade steel. I still think VG10 would be perfect for these!
Thanks for the review, I’ve been looking at these. I have about 15 of the regular Rough Ryders, and have run into the crooked blade / centering issue you mention on a few, but have no idea how to correct them as you can’t take the blade apart, so thanks for any insight on how to do that. (?)
By the way, don’t discount 440A as a decent knife steel. If it’s heat treated correctly it’s fine. I have a bunch of original Seki City SOG fixed blades from 20 years ago, and they are all 440A. Don’t forget Randall Knives has also used it, and those aren’t exactly cheap knives. I’m a bit of a knife steel snob, and in these blades that steel doesn’t bother me. In fact my sole complaint is the ugly “China” branding on the right side of the blade.
I hope to add both these to my collection if they’re still available later this month.
Thanks for the first look! 👍
Stay tuned! I will have a Saturday Stockman Stampede up soon that will include adjusting a few blades.
with the centering on that marlinspike knife, i’m also in agreement that their pivot pins must not be straight.
It's ashame because with just a little more care they could turn out a fantastic knife!
The Black Reserve line has an upgrade everywhere except where it counts the most , Still the same cheap 440 stainless steel .
How much would it have cost to at least used 440 C or Vg-10
probably no more than a couple of dollars per blade .
Take a look at my follow-up video on these knives. There are a few more things that I don't like. There is no reason for using 440a on a knife built this well. I have a few RR Wasps using vg10 and they only cost $15!
Will Do pal .
30th anniversary year for Rough Ryder and they have a 25 year anniversary badge designed by Andy Armstrong before he left SMKW , only reason I have passed on them and will continue to pass on them.
They would have been better off not including the numbers. They are not needed.
Very nice. I like the recent releases of the Appaloosa however much better.
I have only seen the Appaloosa's in videos. They very well may be better! A few issues with the Black Reserves are cropping up.
Yep, I’ve been turned off by the price on some recent RRs. New designs are cool, but no steel upgrade for double the price? Not for me. VG10 would have been great. Centering doesn’t matter to me as long as the blade doesn’t hit the liners.
I don't have to have a perfectly centered blade either. What is more important to me that when the blade is open that it is straight with the handle. This is something that really bugs me on a lot of knives. The Black Reserves are both centered and straight, which is excellent! Where they fail is the steel type and the thickness, they are unnecessarily bulky. See my follow-up to this review.
Check out my new videos on dying the Wasp Series, they are VG10. Changing the color makes me want to carry them now!
@@LastChanceKnives Thanks, I will! I had a wasp copperhead, but hated the color. Your dyed ones look excellent!
Just bought a Case Sod Buster Jr in mahogany bone. That blade is bent more than that marlinspike. It even hits the liner. Buy American sounds great but if QC is that bad I’ll spend my money on other brands. Bye Case👋
Case can be hit and miss. The good ones are really nice. I only buy Case from places that have a really good return policy. Amazon is good because it is easy to get a replacement with free return shipping for the bad one.
Not surprised to see the range cheapened with the 440a.
Especially when explain with the wasp series. Nice knives otherwise.
I think k they really missed the mark with this series. There is no excuse for using 440a!
Love rr
They do make some pretty neat knives!
Rough Ryder Black Reserve are D2 steel.
I think You have the models confused.
Rough Ryder Black Reserve are 440a steel.
Rough Ryder Reserve are D2 steel.
It's Monday! 🙄
LOL It is Monday...but the video was posted over 4 months ago on a Monday! 🤣🤣
Are these made in China?
Yes, they are made in China
Chineseium?
Unfortunately they are made in China :(
440A sucks. A traditional knife doesn't need a super steel, D2 or VG10 will do just fine. But, I see 440A and it's a hard pass.
VG10 is the perfect steel for these knives. It's a big step up yet still inexpensive.