I have both an aluminum Ridge and one of these. I find them to be pretty much the same as far as build quality goes. Both have had issues with the screws loosening, but that was as I expected as the repeated flexing/stretching inherent in use pretty much guarantees this. As others have said, a little loc-tite solves that issue. IMO, I likely spent too much for the ridge. It’s been a trooper, but obviously cost more than it needed to cost. No regrets with either one, and this one has been a sweet buy for <$20. As for this being a “knockoff” of the Ridge... Meh. Like saying that every trifold is a rip-off of whoever designed the original...