Rigid Knives

[Papa]

I was browsing Ebay knives and saw some Rigid knives. Some go for good $$$ {USA} and there are some that look like the new China Schrade Knife. I saw on a web site that Rigid was hand made in USA. I presume we are talking two separate Companies ???? It looks like the people that make New Schrade may be making Rigid. Can someone tell explain this to me...

[Hukk]

I believe Canal Street Cutlery made some Rigid knives. I don't know about Taylor (Chinese made Schrades - seems a sin to say it that way) making any Rigid knives. I do know that Rigid is a brand of power tools that are made in China and imported to the USA.

[knife7knut]

Hukk:I think you may be referring to RIDGID tools.As for the Rigid brand;they were originally made in Santee California in the 1970's.I have a couple of the earlier ones(an Apache folder I paid $60 for new and a Bowie that someone did a horrible engraving job on)and they are top quality knives.I also have a later model liner lock folder that I believe was made in Japan.Still good quality but not like the earlier knives.
I have seen later ones and they look like typical Chinese made knives.

Here is a picture of the Apache and the Bowie(Bowie is the top knife)

[Hukk]

I have a couple Ridgid tools, but the first contract knives Canal Street Cutlery did were for Rigid, owned by United Cutlery at the time (I think). The high end knives were by CSC around the time CSC started and the lower end were Chinese made - maybe Taylor?

I saw it in one of knifeswapper's posts some time ago - he has some CSC made Rigid knives on his website.

Here is the post: http://allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_f ... gid#p56792

[Owd Wullie]

I had a Rigid "kit knife" I got back in the late 70's. It was a drop point skinner and HELL for stout. Well tempered 440C blade that was about 1/8th thick. Swapped it off for a good fillet knife.

[RobesonsRme.com]

I was offered two Rigid stag handled, round bolstered, congress (four blade) knives by an older gentleman that lived in the small town where my in-laws had retired. They were both well made knives. I would swear they were German made.
He wanted fifty dollars each. That was sometime in the early nineties. Should have bought them. He died of MS two years later.
Charlie Noyes

[Miller Bro's]

Here`s a real pretty one.

Stainless steel with a gold inlaid design, comes in a velvet lined box.

Could never bring myself to use it!

It is around 25 years old.



M.B.

[jrlw1969]

Here is a German made Rigid.this knife appears to be made by Bulldog to me ,It is equal to the first gen Bulldogs in fit finish etc. I have also seen a sowbelly,and I believe a trapper made in Germany.Rigid i assume had these made in germany by someone,Bulldog or ? Anybody have the rest of the story?

[RobesonsRme.com]

That German made congress is exactly like the two I was offered for fifty dollars each in the early 90's.
Someone posted a Bulldog like that in the German Knife thread a while back.
Man, I wish I'd bought those two knives. I was suffering from Robeson blindness at the time.
Charlie Noyes

[Hukk]

Well, here is a couple Bulldog congress from the First Generation for comparison. First is a BKC 73 (3-7/8) and the bolsters look the same, blade shape is a bit different. The master blades on the Old Chum (3-5/8) look more similar to the Rigid congress. I don't know if Bulldog did anything with Rigid though. Maybe someone else would know.

[logman09]

I have this Rigid Bowie I got back in the 70's, I think and it say's Japan. It's a very nice knife. Ed

[icemilk]

Hey All, Queen and Canal Street Cutlery made some- Most Excellent- Rigid pocket knives afew years ago. Check them out from our friend at " CollectorKnives.net ". I bought two of the 4 1/2" Wildcat Drillers at a must have price of $69.00 each.

[elbertson]

Does anyone recognize if this is a Rigid? It's unmarked and at least 30 years old...

[Sanders Knives]

I have some of the German Made Rigids on Sanders Knives. I think they were made in the 1980's. Great quality.

Steve

[leotheknife]

I found this:

United Cutlery has decided to upgrade the Rigid® trademark. They have chosen Rigid® from many trademarks they own to debut their new U.S. made, very high quality traditional pocketknives. Using the finest source of experienced craftsmen and the most up-to-date technology, they have outdone themselves on this first move into the field. -A.G. Russell

[IMBand]

Looks like Canal Street built some of the new ones that CK has for sale.


IM

[Johnj]

My brother gave me this one.