All About Pocket Knives

Question - does SMKW own both Rough Ryder and Marbles? Are the two brands made in the same factory? Just trying to figure out if there’s really anything that distinguishes one from the other beside the name on the knife.

Tim, I have wondered the same thing. I’ve owned and handled both brands and they seem to come from the same place. I use to think that Marbles were better made than RR, but since they have come out with the RR Reserve knives, I no longer think that. Apples to apples on similar patterns there isn’t much difference. I do think there are some patterns that are made for Marbles that aren’t made for RR, but I don’t keep up on these like I use to.

SMKW used to sell Colt knives and the suddenly, there were no more Colts but suddenly identical Rough Riders (later "Rough Ryders") came on the scene. And yes, I believe you're correct in your assumption that Marbles are also made in the same factory. And now, I've seen a couple Queen's that came from the same place.

There was some over lap in Colt and almost identical RRs but that could have been the time it took SMKW to get all the Colts sold. For example, brown stag bone Texas 4 7/8" Stockman RRs were $15 while Colts were $17. I presumed the xtra $2 went to pay for the cost of using the Colt name including some xtra profit for the trouble. Similarly, The Winchester Collector Series was recently superseded by a more sigmificantly less expensive RR series. The patterns that have only been sold as RR or Marbles eventually get made with the other brand. For example, Safety Folders, a choice original Marbles collector pattern, SMKW has only sold as (Chinese) Marbles. On SMKW website they are "comming soon" branded RR. However, Brown Bone Stag RR Safety Folders are still at their year end $17.53 sale price and the newly anounced plastic sided RRs will be $26.99, approximately the Marbles' original price.

I’m almost certain that RR and Marbles are the same company. I can’t say I’ve been able to determine any definitive quality differences. I’ve gotten really nice knives from both companies and a few disappointing examples from each company. In my personal experience, Rough Ryder might have slightly better quality control but that’s just from my subjective experience buying knives and I don’t think it’s accurate. I’m sure some people feel the opposite and that would go to show that there probably isn’t any real difference between them.

SMKW owns RR and Marbles and Queen and a few other brands. I’ve seen overlap in model designs between all three companies and you can tell that certain models are made in the same factory across brands.

Yes. Somewhere around here, I have a RR stamped electrician's knife--with an erroneous Marbles etch.