Rough Ryder Cotton Samplers

[@jjcahill8934]

It's certainly an unusual blade shape that makes for an interesting conversation piece. I've seen old catalog images dating back to 1907 where they are also described as both a cotton sampler and a skinner; probably trying to expand the use potential. Thanks for another interesting and historical video, Tobias!

[@garyhouston113]

The shape looks like a naturalfor a skinner

[@jjcahill8934]

@@garyhouston113 Definitely!

[@davidkurle5418]

Every time I watch one of your videos, I learn something. Many thanks for all of the effort that you put into your channel.

[@rickpowell2075]

Ideal for cutting twist or plug tobacco 👍

[@shaneclark4532]

It's an interesting pattern I'll have to try one. I liked all the Rough Rider knives I've tried out so far.

[@tntanto]

Great review. Like many, I was attracted to this pattern for its history, especially because I once lived in Arkansas where Cotton is still produced. Over the years, I met a number of older people who recalled what it was like to pick cotton as children. I also once toured a museum that focused on the history of the American cotton industry, which was more interesting than I would have thought before going there.

[@MonolithMike]

Another great review of a very interesting piece! Thank you!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@garyhouston113]

You should consider writing a book on pocket knives.Youhave such an extensive knowledge.I had no idea about these knives and their history till i started watching your channel.

[@richardweilandt3315]

Interesting history on the pattern. I never understood the need for a blade pattern like this or what it would be used for. Thanks.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I still think it is somewhat funky. It doesn't seem to have been that popular even in the cotton industry.

[@jamesgallagher7462]

I love my Cotton Sampler. I;ve had my green micarta model for about six months and i just got a second in buckshot bone.. Cant believe they were only $15, Enjoyed the history of the knife. Thanks.

[@felinebline7154]

I can see..dinner blade. Really. Good spreader too. I like it. Tough to strop.. Great review. Thanks.

[@davids9549]

I agree with you. I got the Ram's Horn Bone version, and I can't figure out what to do with it! Probably move it on... Amazed to learn GEC made one!

[@Mr_Santo5]

Great review. I've been wanting to try one of these. The blade seems like it might also work as a skinner. Glad you explained what that notch was for too...I kept thinking it was a finger choil to help choke up on the blade.

[@slick_slicers]

I’ve three of these, two large (Stag Bone & Buckshot Bone), one small (smooth tobacco bone). They’re oddities, there’s no doubt, but I like them. For one thing, the large ones have a decent sized handle with a relatively small, unthreatening blade. It addresses the contradictions between UK carry law and my XL hands! The small one is cute, especially in the smooth tobacco bone. Great actions and the build quality is between very good and perfect! I’ll be doing a video on them in the next few weeks, as soon a I have time.

[@lewisward4359]

Thanks for the explanation nohow the cotton sampler was used.

[@rhino5419]

Hello again. I like all traditional knives but i agree i don't see a modern use for that blade as you said. (Perhaps a squirrel skinner, lol). It has an interesting history though. All the best.

[@Evan-gz3cf]

Very nice video and good detail - much appreciated

[@jamieryall8341]

As a pipe smoker, the knife could be useful to scrape smoked tobacco from the bowl. With the point ground off slightly, the shape would pretty much match the shape of the inside of the bowl. You wouldn't be slicing, but rather scraping perpendicularly. The RR pipe smoker has a sharp & pointed blade which is exactly what you don't want as it will dig into the briar bowl. Also, the other rod on the knife is useless to clean out the pipe stem. There are pipe cleaners for that. The cotton sampler blade's edge would dull shortly with use & that's perfect as you don't need it to be sharp, just to do the scraping. The inside surface of the bowl develops what we call the cake & it's formed by smoking & is an important & preferred part of the pipe's smoking ability to keep the bowl from acquiring any burnt hot spots. The pipe knife is used to control the thickness of the cake. The stoutness of the cotton sampler blade is much better than the flimsy pipe knife blade. There, how's that for knowing more than you need to? LOL. Thank you for the video giving the info on history & use of the cotton sampler. I want to get the smaller one, as I like the scales that come with it.

[@BigRedEDC]

Definitely not the most practical for EDC but a great pattern to have in the collection for its historical significance. I carry mine from time to time!! Thanks for sharing Tobias!!

[@jerseyknifeguy6382]

BigRedEDC hey JB why wouldn’t it be good for a EDC?

[@BigRedEDC]

@@jerseyknifeguy6382 I didnt say it wasnt good...just not the most practical. The shape of the blade limits its capability as it was made for a specific purpose not general cutting!

[@jelkel25]

Definitely an interesting looking thing and you partly want to see if you can find a use for it but partly think I know of several RRs that could be bought instead of this I definitely have a use for.

[@ihopetowin]

I think it was around 2005, I bought a cotton sampler from Queen (Titusville). It has brown bone chequered covers and the blade is more of a big broad coping or rope blade, very different from the Tidioute or RR. I think they're great.

[@jesterskull38]

Thanks for the chat

[@Kyoko12345678]

Tobias, I have the current version with stag covers and a T10 carbon blade, it’s really nice!

[@haveaknifeday6253]

Don’t think I will start collecting this pattern but I did pick up a small cotton sampler for the historical significance

[@KnifeDetector]

I agree with your comment on practicality. The shape of the blade leaves me wondering how practical it would be for me to carry it. It just isn't the best blade for my purposes. I don't work with cotton, although my family worked with cotton before I was born. As for me, I need something that would cut rope, open boxes and the occasional steak :) Thanks for sharing!

[@thesakguy3852]

Thanks for the info on how this knife pattern was used did not know it. Enjoy your videos always get new info from you. Also I am a fan of the RR knives you get more bang for the buck with them.👍😎

[@richardmcginnis5344]

just found one at my favorite pawn shop for 10 bucks in the appaloosa bone and its beautiful i been wanting one since i watched this video 4 years ago

[@ramblers69]

Can see having one in the collection, just for the history if nothing else, really like the RR shield, thats awesome, :}

[@bionicbaer]

I have the Appaloosa and it is beautiful.

[@jerseyknifeguy6382]

Hey Tobias I have to put one of them on the list......... why wouldn’t it be good as a EDC knife....... I thought it would be good because all that belly!!!!!! Thanks

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Did you pick it up? Have you used it as an EDC yet? I just thought the odd shaped blade would be less effective at many day to day chores. I can't imagine cutting an apple with it.

[@powerplay4real174]

They both look good with the dyed bone scales, and I could use that to dice garlic with that big blade belly plus the RR shield is classy I MHO ,I like that also. But not a EDC for me.

[@felinebline7154]

With out a doubt food prep in a pinch a spreader and what a concersation at the dinner table.

[@paddyspotatopeelers2154]

I have the small version and I often carry it as a secondary knife. But it's certainly no sodbuster. Lol. Atb paddy 👍☘️☕

[@skcamerican]

Interesting knife. The blade looks like it could be modded to do some jobs… spoon carving? I’d like to see a nice spear point on that handle. It’s pretty cool that an historic knife without much EDC potential is still being made and sold.

[@Kyoko12345678]

I’ve heard some people like them as skinners, would love to hear from a hunter using one

[@felinebline7154]

Great for butter spreader..peanut butter etc.

[@Ty_The_Bonsai_Guy]

Splotchitude...I like it. 😂👍

[@lewisgreenway5065]

I have the bone one lovely looking knife.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

No doubt they've got the looks. The functionality is still suspect but they definitely can cut like a scalpel.

[@traditionallarry5378]

Nice knife but I wouldn’t get one because I couldn’t really use it for anything.

[@brianc9374]

If I found one of these when I was in the army,, I would have bought one for cutting open sandbags. The sand ruins the finish on blades.

[@rustyknifelover4463]

I still like these, but agree on the lack of EDC usefulness.

[@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723]

This type of blade seems very multi-utilitarian, cutting, spreading, skinning perhaps,

[@myimorata7678]

Blackie Thomas, who is a fixture on KZbin, suggests a possible practical use for the CS: processing game. Check it out.

[@WilliamMancel]

I started buying Rough Rider's to reintroduce myself to traditional knives. I've been buying different blade shapes & handles, but I've never been drawn to the cotton sampler pattern. The equestrian knives are also ones I probably will not get.

[@umat321]

I felt the same way about the equestrian until I got one. I've found on the multi-bladed patterns I only ever really end up using the main blade so I started opting for tools. The hook is neat in that it can work to de-tangle knots, pick up undesirable things, open doors with lever handles after you've washed your hands like in a gross public restroom etc.

[@janetowens7288]

I bought this for its historical value as well. Imo this blade is not very useful for day to day job. Its the space between the edge and the heel that limits it use. It is much better looking than the original cotton samplers that people used. Those things tended to look like putty knives or spatulas.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

It sort of reminds me of a modern scalpel. Very much a one trick pony.

[@field.palmer]

I was never a fan of the slant R. I think RRs are a little too "busy" looking now with their bolsters, shields, match-strike nail nicks, swedges, and blade etchings. I wish they'd tone it down a bit.

[@Evan-gz3cf]

SplotchiTUDE !

[@felinebline7154]

Cant determine why they would coat a blade with titanium???

[@JustineWiniker]

Nutella knife?

[@TheMartialist]

It’s definitely not a great edc. But it’s sort of fun. I guess. Not for me.

[@peterpuleo2904]

Interesting to look at, but otherwise --???

[@PETENEMEC]

The blade looks pregnant.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

LOL!. Reminds me of an oversized scalpel.