Rough Rider Scout Knives Rant

I really do wish Rough Ryder would bring back the old RR533 style Scout knife and ditch this new Kamp King Scout and the Jumbo Scout. The older Scout knives had a certain style had a cleaner build and that old style can opener has more uses for today's EDC than the safety can opener. Plus it has a cap lifter that actually works! It not only needs to return but it needs to be expanded and used in numerous other Rough Ryder Series. I mean seriously, Do people really like the lady leg knife more than a Scout knife?
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[@user-pn2io7ip8x]

Tobias I would normally agree with you however I have recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and the jumbo scout pattern is the only knife that I can comfortably hold on and use safely. The can opener is also really easy for me to use. Without this pattern I wouldn’t be able to carry a knife, and that would unthinkable for me as I have carried a traditional knife every day for 34 yrs now

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks for you thoughts. I have quite a bite of RA ut not nearly as profound as what you seem to have. Yes, I can see how the oversized tools could be useful for a person with dexterity issues. I'm going to pin your comment to bring it to the top of the comments.

[@Tracy81258]

The Scout knife has been a trusted companion to accompany boys into the great outdoors for well over 100 years. It’s my favorite knife pattern and a beloved old friend.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Many people have offered other options but this time it feels like Rough Ryder was too busy thinking of how to change it but they seemed to have gotten lost along the way.

[@thevineclimber]

Somebody ate a bowl of Grumpy-Os for breakfast!! LOL Glad to hear your thoughts. I want one of those old can openers now.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just frustrating that they were making a good knife and came out with two that I feel are step backward.

[@thevineclimber]

@KnifeChatswithTobias Oh you're right, and I thought the video was really entertaining!!

[@Elphoenix1]

A white smooth bone camp knife would be awesome

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Tell me about it.

[@jeffreykennedy5191]

I have the red bone Rough Ryder and love it. I ground the cap lifter to work better and adjusted the lanyard ring. The can opener is best used right handed with the edge pushing down into the can. I’m left handed and have no trouble. My favorite pocket knife. I also carry a reproduction British 1940s military knife on my belt. I feel they are the perfect combination.

[@danedwards8535]

I appreciate when one “calls a spade a spade” . Need more of it ! Thank you Tobias. I don’t have this problem …. I don’t buy Chinese knives .

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks. The folks at SMKW are kind of used to me calling them out. I really like Rough Ryder Knives but I'm not about to give RR or SMKW a free pass when it comes to quality or design flaws.

[@GlockNinja]

I totally agree. Also, I hope you make a rant video to Case to make the camp or scout knife again.

[@dm1523]

My favorite scout knife from SMKW is the Marbles one with the fifth small Philips blade in red jig bone and no bail.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Those are actually quite nice. I have one in orange G-10. Build quality is excellent. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZaydZewadqbZtksi=ycPKJpunJ2dj7j6q

[@WilliamsKnifeLife]

I have the older RR Kamp King. I never got around to getting the bigger versions.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I tend to buy anything scout knife and I really am having a hard time justify buying the third jumbo offered by RR. I'll probably get it but It'll be a wall hanger. Very ho-hum.

[@artawhirler]

Thanks for doing this video, Tobias! I like Rough Ryders in general, and I was thinking about getting one of their scout knives - so you just saved me from making an unnecessary mistake!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

These amber jigged one is still out there even at SMKW. If you're getting one get the RR533 with the funky can opener. That one is quality Scout knife!

[@montedodge341]

Totally agree!!! This past weekend I picked up a 1960's Camillus Cub Scout Knife. ( one like I once had ) Honestly fell in love with it both in size and function. It weighed in at 2.6 ozs 🙂👍

[@Stans_Collectors_Universe]

Hopefully SMKW watches and listens to this video. Thanks for sharing and God Bless.

[@elliotdryden7560]

Preach on, Preach on, Pastor TOBIAS. I want the RR533 in either white smooth bone,white micarta like the arctic fox series, or better still, black stag bone like Marble's does on the cattlemans whittler.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

These definitely deserve to be in stag!

[@WoodsmanHobo777]

I agree with you Tobias, but I got to say I love the Red and amber jigged bone, wish they made more patterns in the red and amber jigged bone. I hope they keep it forever. All the other things you covered I totally agree with

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

The later Red Jigged bone from Rough Riders is much better that some of the earlier ones that looked liked dried up tomato paste. I do agree with you, by the way. I wished Rough Rider made every pattern they made in these to handle materials as well as White Smooth Bone and their earlier Sawcut Brown bone. They do a good job with the amber and red jigged bone these days.

[@beaurex4756]

Thanks for another informative yet interesting video.

[@MrPsiman]

I see there are Rough Rider Camp King's online with black scales and the Camp King shield and carbon blades for less than $20. the best looking ones I have seen online and the price is really good. I think I saw them for $17 somewhere. Nothing is replacing my 60's Alox Soldier for a camp knife but I'm tempted to get one of those Rough Riders in carbon steel for that price

[@Orlosthedruid]

Here is my grief about the knives. The awl. The awl has a nail knick that is cut so deeply into an already thin blade, that when/if you use the awl to actually drill a hole into say, a piece of a branch; to make a toggle, the torsion force will snap the awl blade, right at the nail knick. I now have 3 knives, 1 Rough Ryder and 2 MARBLES made by rough ryder and all 3 have had the awl snap off right at the same place, the nail knick. Other than that, I love the Cinnamon Bone Stag line, the Classic Carbon II, and I love the Marbles DEMO knife. I just want a awl that I can count on to be able to do the job it was made to do. Now, SMKW will gladly replace a broken knife, they have great CS, but...I dont want another knife, I want this knife in my hand to not fail me.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I have to admit, I have not used the awls on these knives for drilling into wood. I drill quite a few holes in pine wood using a n awl but I've always used one of my older Camillus Demo knives. The one on the Marbles is definitely thinner. than the older Camillus knives. Thanks for the info.

[@kellydiver]

I completely agree. The Canterbury scout knife is clownishly big - and I’ve never seen Dave use one. I don’t own one of the jigged bone RR scout knives, but I own a number of old scout knives by Camillus, Ulster, Utica, and Kutmaster, and they are my favorites, especially the Camillus Boy Scout and military issue knives. I also have a special fondness for the Imperial Cub Scout pattern. I wish someone would bring that one back - it’s an excellent scout knife. I don’t like the current RR scout knife offerings and don’t own one. They just don’t have the right “feel” to me for the reasons you described.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I have to agree with you. When it comes to Scout knives, The Cub Scout knife is probably the most overlooked knife pattern out there! My first scout pattern knife was a Camillus Mil-K 818 and it remains one of my favorite. I carried one for many years. The old Camillus, Ulster, and Imperial Scout knives are by far better than anything coming of China these days.

[@bdh3949]

Good rant Tobias, I would like to see it in the Gunstock jigged covers too...and bring back that series.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

That would be both cool and appropriate!

[@propblast82nd]

I saw a video from SMKW where they had said the camp knife was a top selling pattern

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Yeah, but not this one because they rarely have this one in stock.

[@flitdek]

I'm with you on this one Amber jogged bone with the box cutting can opener is the best one for my money.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

When I first boutght the knife I liked the can opener for the novelty of it. But it quickly became the most used cutting blade on the knife because of boxes, clamshell packages, scoring drywall, etc.

[@LarsRibe]

Agree! The old scout knife, but with wood scales ❤

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Wood would be nice and not something you see to often! Same for Delrin or even imitation tortoise shell.

[@LarsRibe]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias oh yes! Tortoise 🐢

[@lordree2949]

I was looking over my old red jigged bone rough ryder scout knife just last night having this same rant in my head hah! I keep wanting to buy that remade kamp king by rough rider because of the beautiful black bone, but the lack of brass and unnecessary chonk bothers me to no end.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Exactly! Once again, I think someone over thought hat needed to be done to improve what was already perfect. You want to improve a scout knife. Add locks to the blade. At least then you could justify the knife possibly being a little chunkier.

[@lordree2949]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias something like a scaled up version of the BSA cub scout pocket knife would be cool.

[@RJsKnives]

You said it very well. I have dipped my toe into the scout knife pattern and find the old Kamp King knives to be superior to the modern day offerings by RR/Marbles. I agree, they should be a lot better than they are. I hope that RR takes note.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I fell for a good sales pitch when I bought the RR Kamp King. They really need to go back to the older Scout knife and just update the can opener. The old Hammer Brand Scout Kings put the RR one to shame and those things were as budget as you get!

[@kathleensmith370]

thanks for sharing

[@n8ram413]

I agree with your complaints and would like to see the knife your describing in the buckshot bone series.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Buck shot bone would also be a natural for the scout knife.

[@mangojack1]

Your rant is 100% right on in my view too. I much prefer the old scout knife from RR the new ones are just too big. The cap lifter needs fixed and wish they would make the old frame with a regular can opener, couldn’t agree more. I would definitely be buying several of each if they made those changes. Hope they hear You 👍 Thanks Tobias Make one in the Outdoorsman series way overdue

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Glad to see another like minded soul. when it comes to these knives. Thanks for your support!

[@dlrmon1]

In a world were everything seems to be going “Mini”...We get a Jumbo Scout knife? Not that I like the “Mini craze” but I would like the smaller Case Scout...

[@dlrmon1]

Bring back the Jr. Scout!

[@ericstarr9399]

Excellent points Tobias! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this! Do you happen to know why SMKW is releasing Rough Ryder knives so slowly lately?

[@gizmocarr3093]

I was influenced by your channel and Hobie on KZbin to delve into camp knives and Swiss Army Knives for fun. I have a few of the same knives you talked about using. The can openers on all of them work if you figure out how to use them. I had fun just trying them out. I might think Rough Rider passes over making camp knives for time and cost making them. That big one is an overbuilt monstrosity, I do like the official Boy Scout knife made in China out of any of the others to carry and use. I also bought a Remington Camp Bullet knife made by Camillus and it is a bigger than all of them. However, it is one I like for that reason. The awl drills in wood like no other can. The one on Swiss Army knives is good but that Remington one has no equals so far.I do not use it for collection reasons but tried it out enough to see how it worked. I would like to see Rough Rider copy a Remington Trail Hand camp knife, the one only made one year in 1996.👍

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

A Trailhand would be a fantastic addition to RR line up. The Camp Bullet knife is the right way to make a large scout knife. It is definitely a pocket full but the design is slim and the two layer frame is not dramatically thicker and wider that the "Jumbos" made by Rough Ryder. I have that knife. You are spot on when it comes to the awl!

[@Zen_Ali_123]

I cannot, in fact, think of a knife that's more outdoorsy. 😊

[@NorthStarKnifeReviews]

Tell us how you really feel Tobias. 😂 🔪

[@deniskozlowski9370]

Im probably off base on this but i was wondering if they used a different type of bottle cap fifty or sixty years sgo when the pattern was established. Or do they use a different type of cap in mainland China. I just thought it might be a reason why when the Chinese gets complaints about this they try on their own bottles and see that it works fine.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Nope a totally legitimate question. Different countries have come out with different style can openers. I believe that triangular style can opener first came out of Sheffield, England and was one of the earliest "tin Cutters. The Safety Can Opener came about 50-70 years later around 1944 during WWII. I have a video that discusses the topic as can openers on knives fascinate me. Check out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4vdlpWIaaZ6sLssi=G4mcqOYULnpiUFOz

[@davidkurle5418]

You made some great points in this one, buddy!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks. Those Kamp Kings have some serious issues and they really need to think twice about them.

[@kgriggs8]

I’m willing to bet the Rough Ryder camp knives are 100x better than the Kamp King I had. I think it was Imperial brand but don’t remember for certain.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

The imperial Ireland ones were pretty bad! I can tell you that much for sure.

[@charlesphillips6421]

I’m a Rough Ryder fan, but the slab size camp knives seem antithetical to the purpose of carrying a do it all style knife. My Alox SAK #7 is my EDC for that reason, still love the camp knives.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Hard to compete with a SAK Alox when it comes to camp knives.

[@charlesphillips6421]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias I’d love to see Rough Ryder do a Jr. Scout knife type pattern sometime in the future.

[@lawrenceragnarok1186]

I haven't gotten one rough ryder with halfway decent fit and finish. Always a bent blade or giant gaps. Smkw will always send you another one for free and then it still sucks lol. I gave up. Glad that they're available for the people that love them but they're not for me.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Nope, apparently not for you. What is your preferred knife choice, if you don't mind me asking?

[@JoelPerri7777]

I too was disappointed in the classic carbon 2 scout knife, it’s just too wide to be comfy in the pocket. And the stainless liners, I mean come on, what’s the point, it’s not WW2. The only good thing about it, is the carbon steel blades. I’d actually prefer a second cutting blade on a scout knife, like some old imperials had, a pen blade and spear master.

[@slick_slicers]

Newer isn’t necessarily better!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

You can say that again!

[@felinebline7154]

Uncle Henry 23uh.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I have that one. It’s a proper scout knife. Much better than the new fangled RR Kamp King. And light years better than the jumbo monstrosity!

[@kgriggs8]

My very first knife was a Kamp King camp knife. My mom took me to K-Mart and bought it since it was only about $4. That was back in the 1980s. The black came off the covers and eventually I could barely open it because the action was so terrible. I don’t know what happened to it but I never missed it and never wanted another one in the last 40 years. Still don’t. I still like your videos Tobias even when I think your tastes are a little wacky.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

To tell the truth if my first scout knife was a Kamp King I might not have bought another. My first scout type knife was a Camillus Mil-K knife (Demo Knife). My only reason to have so many Kamp King style knives is their historical significance to 20th Century American made knives.

[@peterhighley281]

Smoky Mountain, please, we're begging you!!! Tobias' opinion is shared by the scout pattern enthusiast community! The 533's frame, implements, and quality control are vastly superior to the newer model (upon which, unfortunately, all sub-models are now based). I own one or two of every 'new-frame' sub-model, and I'm frankly so disappointed with them I won't buy another (I'm boycotting them like we did the 'Big-R' bolsters). The stock on my Rough Ryder 533s is as thick as my Case 6445R, and yet they feel so thin and sleek in the hand and the pocket (like the Case), as where the new-frame is unnecessarily bulky, to go along with the inferior awl, inferior lifter/driver, less desirable opener, and abysmal quality control. I would buy at least 2 of every sub-model based on the 533 (one for the collection and one to carry), and I would still buy for the collection 1 of every 533 sub-model that had a safety can opener.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks for your excellent and well thought out review of the current state of affairs with Rough Ryder Scouts.

[@The-Armed-Pacifist]

Relax, relax, relax. Trash that stuff and go enjoy your other 1600 knives.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Squeaky wheel hopefully gets the oil.

[@rasputinscastle]

Yeah, it's like they developed a knife that was purposely designed not to work 🙄

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Yep!

[@kgriggs8]

Camp knives and Swiss Army knives are obsolete now we have multi tools. I love traditional knives but these Camp knives were always a terrible option.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I'm sure you're not alone but I'm in the opposite camp. Folding pliers are useful paperweights but pretty much useless to me.

[@happykt]

I own over 100 Rough Ryders and don't own one camp knife. Why buy a Rough Ryder camp knife when you have a much more superior Victorinox Swiss Army Knife?

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

The difference is and Pioneer is about four times the price. I probably have as many SAKs as I do my entire Rough Ryder Collection. Actually probably quite a few more. But I still like the old scout knives.

[@Island.Badger]

Agreed. Also, of the 7 RR I bought in the last month only 3 are aOK. Rest have major defects and the 2-4 week return sucks. Buy a SA and it’s always nearly perfect. Still worth it to buy RR , maybe two at a time and return one.

[@hleeky]

the jumbo ones are annoying

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

You can say that again.

[@n8ram413]

I only like the large one for that big fat spear point blade. It’s almost like an elephant toe knife blade on a camp knife.