All About Pocket Knives

I purchased a couple of Case Russlock knives ,one spear and a clip blade.
It takes a lot of effort to open the Case knives one handed.
I decided to purchase a few Rough Ryder knives. In the Rough Rider I decided to purchase a couple of one hand trappers, mainly because they had set screw and I did not have any knives with set screws.
I was surprised how easy it was to open the clip blade on the Rough Ryder one handed. Just pull a little with you index finger an it fires open. I don't know how long the Rough Ryder will last. I am not saying the Rough Ryder is better finish than the Case but I know which one I would rather carry.
Before any one complains about a knife made in China. I purchased the Rough Ryders of a USA seller who made money to spend in the USA.
Grant

no comparison
That’s just me

The Case Russlock looks great but isn’t a very practical knife. That extension on the blade to open it is not real friendly to pockets. It’s Case’s version of a Higonokami, which is not very pocket friendly either. Case puts some really nice handle materials on the Russlock and that’s a plus, but if I were carrying a knife like this, I would choose the Rough Rider also. Or I would just go back to the original version and carry a Higonokami knife.

I have a few clip Russlocks but like the looks of the one spear Russlock I have better. That RR looks like it's a flipper, didn't know they made one like that. Thanks for posting.

In my humble, yet worthless, opinion; combining modern flippers, with classic patterns, does not work in this "case", pun not intended.

If you want to carry a one handed opener, buy a modern folder. If you want to carry a something similar to these, yet 100x better; than like bro Mark says, just get a Higonokami.

Russlocks are for show, the blade shape is not user friendly @ all.

JMTB

Grant, IMHO you’re comparing apples and oranges. A more appropriate comparison would be a Case Kickstart trapper, which is a flipper more similar to the RR design.

As for the Russlock, it’s an older “pre-flipper” design. I’ve never owned one and don’t care for them (that’s an understatement ). I guess if you want a hole in your pocket they’re useful. Others have said they need to be “broken in” or take a little practice before they become easily opened with one hand. I have no desire to find out.

Ken

Just make a slip with a slit where the handle pops into this is hoe I carry my higonokami

When I first saw the Case Russlock I was fascinated with it. Finally got one & what a let down. Ended up giving it away. Even my "one of everything" approach to accumulating couldn't convince me to keep it. To each his own.

I'm a fan of the Russlock. I own three and while not as conventional as most classic patterns it is really meant to be carried in a pocket sheath or slip. I keep saying that if Case included a slip with the knife, more people would love them. All of the Russlock's I have handled have come from the factory with tight tolerances and yes they are stiff to open. I had to oil mine and deploy several dozen times (open/close) until eventually they were able to be deployed one handed.

Who designed the Russlock?
It must sell well or they wouldn't keep making them.
I started to buy one,but after handling it I changed my mind.
I went with the Case kickstart trapperlock, it's very well made.

Beavertail wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 3:44 pm Who designed the Russlock?
It must sell well or they wouldn't keep making them.
I started to buy one,but after handling it I changed my mind.
I went with the Case kickstart trapperlock, it's very well made.

The Russlock was designed by longtime Case employee and knife designer Tommy Hart, and named in honor of W.R. Case company founder Russell Case (he named the company for his father and chief financial backer). It was introduced in 2000. The design appears to have been inspired by the opening mechanism on straight razors. It seems people either love it or hate it, but you’re right, they keep making them so they must sell well.

Ken

Case kickstart trapperlock might be a nice knife at over one hundred dollars ( US ) compared to twenty three dollars ( US ) for the Rough Ryder.
Delivered here in Australia the Rough Ryder cost fifty dollars ( Aust ) the Case kickstart trapperlock sell for over two hundred dollars ( Aust )
The Rough Ryder is just sold as a one hand opening knife. I would say in time the Rough Ryder will just open like a the average one handed knife. My Case Russlocks will still be like new.

Grant

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 4:44 pm

Beavertail wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 3:44 pm Who designed the Russlock?
It must sell well or they wouldn't keep making them.
I started to buy one,but after handling it I changed my mind.
I went with the Case kickstart trapperlock, it's very well made.

The Russlock was designed by longtime Case employee and knife designer Tommy Hart, and named in honor of W.R. Case company founder Russell Case (he named the company for his father and chief financial backer). It was introduced in 2000. The design appears to have been inspired by the opening mechanism on straight razors. It seems people either love it or hate it, but you’re right, they keep making them so they must sell well.

Ken

To add to what Ken has said, the 1953 found in the pattern number is the year Russ Case passed away. jwwood

I have a blue bone clip blade Russlock that I got for my birthday years ago. Not a real fan, but do carry it occasionally.

I'm not much on newer knives and although the Russlock has been around for some time now I've never cared for the design. As mentioned, not something I would want wering a hole in my pocket.