Rough Ryder Canoe Folding Knife 18

With their Smooth White Bone series, Rough Rider have reached a level of quality that only a few years ago would have been considered unthinkable for a pocket knife made in China. The brand has from its inception represented surprisingly good quality and value for money. While it is true that a faulty or lacklustre pocket knife can be produced by any manufacturer, it has been my personal experience that the quality and consistency of Rough Rider models has been as good as any other make, and invariably at a fraction of the price of a comparable example. The Smooth White Bone series, if anything, only improves on the quality. Comparing the one recently ordered from Heinnie's to an earlier Brown Jigged Bone RR, the spring tension is improved, especially noticeable on the main spear blade, the polish on both blades is to a higher level, the action is smoother, and the bolsters have a nicer finish. Adding to the old fashioned charm of the very popular Canoe pattern, the white bone scales have some small mottled areas of light brown, with a few dark flecks here and there. This variance is actually an attractive feature. At first glance, this classic pocket knife could easily be mistaken for an heirloom passed down through generations. In terms of performance, the time tested design is comfortable and ergonomic in use and carry. The 440A steel sharpens easily, responds quickly to stropping, and offers excellent corrosion resistance. The size of blades are ideal for day to day tasks that one would normally expect of their pocket knife. For someone coping with arthritis, the Canoe pattern is a sensible choice, for a traditional slipjoint; easier to operate and maintain, in my opinion, than many other patterns where the blades may be smaller or more difficult to open due to strong backsprings. The Canoe pattern is UK friendly, and very easy on one's pockets, with smooth contouring and minimal thickness. The weight is a nice blend of comfort and reassuringly hefty presence. Ideal for picnic duties or an apple when one fancies a quick snack. The comfortable handle design makes for a good whittler, too. Overall, this white bone Canoe is one of my favourites from Rough Rider. It looks classy enough to suit fancy or formal occasions, and has the inherent dependable quality to serve any daily tasks within its capabilities. Very well recommended! Service from HH was superb, as ever!

This knife is a lovely size, feels really nice when you pick it up and has a smooth clean action. It wasn't sharp out of the box but then for the price... The pocket feel is excellent. But the blades bear no resemblance to the pictures. Both blades have what I can only describe as cocked eyebrows over the nail pick - in other words they have been poorly finished. They rise to a dull point over the nail pick and there is effectively no tip to the big blade. Unlike the Canoe Carbon there is no light between the scales and the spring but the blades look like seconds. It is sad I want very much to like this brand but the quality of finish needs serious attention. Once again two stars for the excellent potential.

I needed a new knife to replace a SAK that had too many bells & whistles. I chose the white bone version of the Rough Rider Canoe (RRC) & I think it looks very stylish. Expecting it would need sharpening, as lots of knives do when you get them, I prepared my sharpening kit but surprisingly didn't need it; both blades were razor sharp & didn't need any work. The RRC was bigger than I expected but sits comfortably in the hand & I know will last me a long time. With regards to Heinne & their delivery .....what can I say? I ordered the RRC at about 15:30hrs on the 30th November & it arrived at 09:50hrs on the 1st December & I'd only chosen the normal delivery option (cheapest of course).

Surprised how small this knife was. Blade a wee bit thin for my liking.. but that said for the money very nice knife..

Very good EDC. Comfy in hand or pocket. Convenient in shirt pocket since it's reasonably thin. Affordable and nice and sharp. Zips through cardboard. I prefer to snip the tip off HT milk cartons. Makes a small precise spout that way and helps minimise spills if you accidentally drop your litre of moo juice! Less mess to clean up in an "Oh, dear!" situation than with the gaping hole (milk geyser) left by those plastic contraptions built into the top of the carton. Found that out the hard way! These make nice gifts as well. A nice classy alternative to the ever-popular SAK. Main blade on mine has a soft back spring. Surprisingly common on a Canoe, from any maker. Not necessarily a bad thing because the main blade can easily, if not rapidly, be pinch-opened with one hand. If the average SAK main spear blade is a 3 out of 5 for pull strength, I rate my RR Canoe at a 2 for effort needed to open. Again, not a bad thing. The RR Canoe. Get one, give one, be safe, have fun!

I always thought that rough riders knives were not worth considering because they are Chinese produced and low cost. It seems I was mistaken. I bought this as an additional purchase as I lked the bone handle and though for the price I would give it a go as an everyday pocket knife. Having received it it is a classy looking knife, is a nice traditional style, it was very sharp out the box, the bone handle gives it a very traditional feel and it seems to be very well put together. Of course you can buy other knives which will have superior steel and made by companies with richer tradition and history but you will pay much more for a knife that essentially does the same tasks and will look very similar. Overall a nice old school knife and amazing value.

First off, this rating is based on the knife I now have. The first one I got arrived with quite a bend in the small blade and was returned. Heinnie service was excellent and it's replacement arrived quickly. The new knife is nicely finished, although all the polishing seems to have been done after assembly. This has left some of the edges (of the springs for example) quite rough compared to, say, a SAK. The knife feels nicely weighty in the hand, the blades open and close smoothly and easily but the smaller one is lacking "snap" on opening. That being said, I really like the knife and I think it represents excellent value for money. For those reasons it gets five stars.

This was a second choice as the knife i ordered was out of stock, when i read email i asked to change my order and choose this with a white bone handle, change my order friday morning got the knife next day! hows that for service!! as for the knife, great quality, very well made for such a cheap knife, well pleased.

I got the brown jigged bone handle. It is sharp, well finished and has a nice snap to it. How do they manage to sell something this nice for such a low price ?