Second look at the RRR Barlow

[@Tracy81258]

As we’ve discussed before, I’ve really learned to respect the Barlow pattern in the years since my ignorant youth. They really are tough little working knives, easily slipped into a pocket and forgotten until needed.

[@RJsKnives]

I like this Barlow. I agree most of the designs don’t excite me and it seems that most of the designs revolve around Micarta and Wharncliffe blades where they weren’t before. You made a lot of good points in your revisit. We will see if SMKW hears the criticism and acts on it.

[@deniskozlowski9370]

I agree about the Rough Ryder Reserve knives. I haven't seen many that really caught my eye and appeared to be worth the price. But their new lock blade the Swish has peaked my interest. Nice video.

[@viking7560]

I think the first knife I bought for myself was an Imperial single blade Barlow. I think it was $1.59. I still like the pattern and have a few of them so I always enjoy seeing them on your channel.

[@gizmocarr3093]

I was excited to see Rough Rider Reserve coming out back in September 2020. I was not impressed seeing the first ones. I bought one, the Hedgehog 005. It was the only one I liked up until then. It was nicely made and the design was not over modified. That was the only one I bought until I saw the Barlow. I liked everything about it except the lanyard tube. I was on SMKW website looking at the reserve knives and I noticed there are as many pictures of the tin can it comes in as the knife model. Then after looking at the Barlow, I didn’t like it enough to buy one because of the lanyard tube. I went to Amazon and bought an RR-2103 Danny’s Clip and RR 2285 Rough Rider ATPA instead. I got two modern slip joint knives for a little more money. Because the Reserve series is nothing more than a modern slip joint, in a tin can. These two knives cost less and are what they are. Most of the reserve series are heavy over built knives with plenty of room to store pocket change in. If someone compares them to GEC they must have never saw one. There well made, but the designs are not.😅🤣

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

This one has at least gone through the slim down process so there is enough space to park your truck between the blade and liners. They did go back the drawing board and started making some changes. But I can’t argue with you about most of your points.

[@robbbbery]

Great review and great knife! I'd really love it if RR would make a version exactly as you suggested, that would be gorgeous

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

They have since made one in red jigged bone. But it is deserving of other handle materials.

[@deanP.]

Great video! I have this knife. I really like it. It's my 3rd RRR knife and my favorite of the 3.

[@davidkurle5418]

Thanks for the follow-up thoughts on this one. Have a great Sunday, buddy!

[@timrodriguez1]

I love this knife! I was pleasantly surprised when I got mine. The quality and feel was so spot on. 🤠👍

[@rustyknifelover4463]

My favorite Rough Ryder Reserve so far.

[@phononut]

The spear blade on the Reserve Barlow is what convinced me to get it but I would like to see some them offer bone covers. I'm getting tired of micarta, that's the reason I've stopped buying them.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

You know where I like to see Micarta. On modern Fixed blades such as ESEE. Same goes for G10. It works and looks better on modern fixed blades.

[@phononut]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias Totally agree.👍

[@williamstapleton5104]

I got mine about a week ago, along with the quillcliff. Both are excellent for the price.

[@wj4ckhamradio341]

I've carried mine everyday for the last couple of months. Great barlow

[@herbertsmith6416]

Thanks Tobias I enjoy your comments.

[@davids9549]

Good piece - I agree they should lose the shield and perhaps engrave its shape into the bolsters, which would make it look like a Northwoods Barlow! I too am disappointed RRR aren't offering us anything other than Micarta on their releases - maybe it's in the pipeline? Or perhaps SMKW doesn't want to compete too directly with their Case offerings?

[@gmanpomp]

Very cool Barlow! I prefer one-bladed versions, and that micarta seems fine. Roper is another fairly high quality inexpensive option. Love Case too!

[@jerseyknifeguy6382]

That’s 10 times better than the stockman that I just got and that was 63 bucks but yet I keep going back!!!! You know what it is I have such a big collection of case knives I can’t throw the towel in at this point!!!!! Be well Tobias

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

If only if it were in BLUE MICARTA! 🤣 😂 🤪

[@slick_slicers]

I like micarta, but more for modern knives than traditional. I prefer a squared bolster, but mainly because I really like closed ends. My experience of Brother knives has not been great and I’ve moved all of mine on. I’m never a big fan of shields, and especially with Barlows. Both the shape and material of the RRR do work for me. The one change I would see to traditional knife, is an improved steel. I like lanyards, but not so much on a Barlow. Yes, lose the shield and lanyard and replace the micarta with wood, bone, horn or even something exotic like MoP, and it would be a winner. I’m not so fussy about the blade shape, but I agree a clip point is more traditional.

[@permafroost]

i don't know why, but here in France Case knives are cheaper than RRR's ! I really love the rough ryder knives, and i have a beautiful collection of all their traditionnal styles, i'd love to afford some of their Reserve knives, but here, it's too much for me ! (And i really enjoy your channel !)

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

That's kind of goofy. Hopefully the Reserves will eventually get a lower price so you can enjoy them.

[@Cameron_OKG]

The Barlow and the Coperhead are both great knives. If you like small knives the Coperhead is really useful.

[@bdh3949]

Yes sir, a good curly burly part of a hardwood would make an excellent cover for a well made barlow any day.

[@marcdee4427]

I’m a victorinox sak user , and I find them to be fantastic, but I’ve heard guys on KZbin talking about the blade steel as , very soft and not holding an edge for long . What’s your opinion of victorinox steel?

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I like Victorinox Steel. We need clarify that they use different steels for different tools which makes perfect sense. You don't want your corkscrews, saws and other tools using the same steel as used in the blade. Steel for the scissors and cutting knife blades comes out of Solingen, Germany. It's essentially the same as 1.4116 Stainless. They dod different heat treatments for knife blades than that on the scissors. Will remain as sharp as 154CM or some super steel. Of course not but lets get real. If it gets a little dull, touch up the edge. Vics are easy to sharpen and the blade steel is pretty dang good, for the price you pay. Some folks these days just have to gripe.

[@richardmcginnis5344]

i bought a case smooth white bone barlow with the cross shield and it came unfinished, blade had never been stropped the thing was just as crappy as a "the ideal" knife co, camping knife i also bought a smooth white bone barlow from rough rider and i figured it was gonna come in about the same condition as the case, it was my first rough rider knife and i was more than impressed with it it came to me like i bought it from a case at a hardware store back when hardware stores were a thing it cost half what the case cost and it is at least as good as the case if not better. i have been buying from rough rider for around 2 years now and have no complaints at all yet for the quality or grade of workmanship. the only thing i don't like is the waiting for them to arrive after order

[@Nothingtoya]

I own a bunch of RR knives and my biggest problem with them is how thick they are. I wish they would thin up the width of everything and stop being worried about swedges

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

This is definitely a problem with the Rough Ryder Reserves. I think they are working hard to address the issue. Many of the olde, low cost, Rough Riders do not have this problem .

[@MrRugercat45]

I’ve never heard of Brother Knives, where are they made and can you tell me more?

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

All I know is they are made in China by a Chinese company and use modern building techniques. I'm not a big fan. I'm also skeptical of them as they seem to be big on Aliexpress which is notorious for counterfeits.

[@beaurex4756]

I don't mind the shield, I don't care for that blade shape. It needs a traditional clip point blade. And it should be $34.

[@mikecurtis2585]

Great looking knife! Love a nice Barlow!!

[@GenWivern2]

The pricing structure in the UK is really skew whiff, with these coming in at £55-60, compared to the usual RR models around £15-20 (and the VG10 range at £20-25}. I can see this one as a dependable long term user for sure, but there are design touches that really don't appeal and no shortage of good alternatives for the money. All that said, the rest of the RR Reserve range has been well and truly whupped with the ugly stick if you ask me, whereas this is just over-embellished in a competent manner. Incidentally, that blade shape reminds me of Richards' camp knives, which is a good thing.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I think that is absolutely fair assessment. The lanyard hole is definitely ranging on stupid. I mean it is well made but it just looks out of place.

[@MrPsiman]

SAK's are the best bang for the buck knives made with the best warranty. $20 for a Spartan or Tinker and the Alox Solo is about the same price. Just my 2 cents

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

You really can’t go wrong with a SAK.

[@michaelreasoner688]

I think granddaddy barlow no shield bone...with landyard hole 👍

[@TheStreamingEnderman]

Gah! Just when I thought I could keep putting it off! I may just have pull the trigger on this one...

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

It is probably the only Rough Ryder Reserve that I actually like and would carry. I also have the swell center whittler which is pretty wall made but just way too big for practical use in my opinion. Too many of them have a Wharncliffe blade that looks good, I guess but really add nothing to the usability of the knife.

[@alpine1600s]

I think he likes it.👍🤣

[@SpaceDave3000]

I'd love it in a more traditional rose wood. They've nailed the design otherwise.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Rose Wood would be nice. I'd also like olive wood and Bubinga wood.

[@jimmyj4811]

I bought them all until I stopped buying them.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I bought them all until I bought my first one and then said “Nope! I’m not buying them all.”

[@BladesRKing]

Then no way do Jack Wolf knife prices equal the product. IMHO.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I can’t make an opinion on Jack Wolf knives. Now with that said, Slick Slicers has purchased numerous knives in the price range of Jack Wolf Knives and I respect his opinion.

[@WoodsmanHobo777]

I like the RRR knives, except one thing, which is the steel choice. I am not a fan of D2. Wish they would do like GEC and use 1095 or even 1075. D2 is so hard to sharpen and it also doesn't take a fine edge like a carbon steel. I'm also not a big fan of micarta on a slip joint, not traditional at all.

[@alphadawg81]

Interesting fact: GEC are not completely made in the US. Which makes the hype and price even more ridiculous to me.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Assembled in the US, yes. But they definitely use imported products, especially when it comes to covers.

[@jeroenvoss6231]

Curly berch would be nice, as would ebony, iron wood or stag. Well at least they didn;t emboss a big R on the bolster. That really would destroy the looks. Thank you for the re review Tobias and Merry Christmas.

[@lewisgreenway5065]

I haven't bought any of the RRR line, this Barlow is the only one that tempted me apart from the brown micarta which puts me off, love the blade shape.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

No doubt about, the micarta is a definite eye roll. Same for the lanyard hole - and I’m a person who generally like lanyard holes and bales. But you know where I don’t like them? It’s odd as I have a Camillus Barlow with a Bale and I like it as it was unusual. So maybe if they leave it off of future RRR Barlows this will be nice curiosity in the future.

[@Rascal77s]

I'm a fan of micarta and that canvas micarta looks great. I prefer D2 over 420HC and definitely over 440A. I also really like that shield. The lanyard hole is a definite no. Looks like a winner to me. I'd like to see one in carbon fiber.

[@Rascal77s]

@@ericpitre4031 blame biden for putting their US manufacturer out of business.

[@propblast82nd]

I wish RRR used bone

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

You and me both. And by bone, I mean a better quality, treated bone for the higher priced reserve line. But then the RRR line is really an attempt to "modernize" the traditional knife. I think the idea was to make a traditional knife that would appeal to the modern knife guys. Unfortunately the main people who are lookng at them are traditional knife guys who were looking for a better quality traditional knife with better grades of stag, bone, wood, etc, better quality furniture and a higher level finish (mirror polish), and an upgrade in steel. Instead they gave us a modern folder that is stilled pinned instead torqued together.

[@propblast82nd]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias I agree , they should fill the demand of traditional slip joints that GEC can’t produce enough of at a reasonable price .

[@trynsurviven2440]

The RRR Barlow is a nice knife but I’m more into working knives on the less expensive end.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

At $40 this is a reasonably priced knife even for a worker.

[@TheMartialist]

I would pick some up, but I've sworn off Chinese knives. I may make an exception for the swish, though!

[@mikehamilton5927]

The shield looks cheap.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Nickel Silver. Its well seated by not pinned. About typical for the time. For me the shield is nice enough but out of place I've never been fond of shields on Barlow. The knife would look nicer without it.