A.G. Russell Gunstock

[Forensic Jim]

Just received my A.G. Russell gunstock knife with brown rucarta handles. I have to honestly say I have never been so impressed with a knife right out of the box as this. This is not a pocket knife, it is beefy and heavy at 4.6 oz. The 3 3/8" 8cr13MoV steel blade is made from 3/16" stock and has a beautiful swedge to it. A blade width of 3/16" is commonly seen on most fixed blades, not pocket knives. Absolutely the stoutest blade I've ever seen and a unique nail nick that I really like. No wobble with the blade what so ever. Fit and finish on this knife is top notch, I couldn't find a single gap no matter how hard I looked. Bolsters, liners and backspring are machined 400 series stainless steel. This knife came sharp out of the box unlike a lot of knives I've received lately. This is the first A.G. Russell knife I've bought but I know it won't be the last. I plan on using this in my edc rotation and luckily I have a Chris Reeves sheath that it fits in perfectly. I've got my eyes set on that sowbelly now.

[theblindog]

that's huge!
interesting nail nick there, can you open it with one hand Jim?

[Forensic Jim]

Yes Falah it can be opened with one hand. With a little bit of practice you could probably be able to flick it open.

[jmh58]

Thats a nice handfull you got there!! John

[theblindog]

very nice, congrat on the new knife sir, just checking his site, I like AG Leopardwood Dogleg Trapper,

[RobesonsRme.com]

Jim and everybody else; I was equally impressed with the AGR cocobolo gunstock jack that I purchased. I echo everything Jim said.

This knife looks as well made as some of the custom traditionals that are regularly posted over at BladeForums. I am fully aware that it is not as good. But, the fit and finish, the locking mechanism and the acute sharpness and heftiness of the blade are very impressive. This knife locks up like a bank vault. The locking bar rides on a coil spring at the bottom bolster. The blade is very solidly locked in the open position.

There is no way I'd ever be able to afford a custom folder from any maker. This knife is as close to that kind of quality as I'll ever get. I devote my knife money to collectible Robeson and Terrier knives, not an EDC.

I've never purchased a foreign made knife before. I saw the three patterns being offered by AGR over at BladeForums and was duly impressed. I went to Russell's website and chose one and bought it.

Interestingly, there are about six pages of comments on these knives at BladeForums and I don't think I read a single negative statement about the knives, (other than their size) their country of origin or A. G. Russell. I find that perplexing.

Like Jim, I'm now thinking about one of those sowbelly trappers. "In for a penny, in for a pound", as the old expression goes. Thinking, however, is not the same as buying.

Charlie Noyes

[zed6309]

That is a great looking knife, love the lanyard as well really finnish's it off

[bladeguy58]

A few years ago there as an article on knives being made abroad in Blade magazine. It's been awhile since I've read it but I think the gist of the story was that Chinese made knives are here to stay and although the quality is not there now compared to U.S. and some other countries knives it may be someday. I don't want to quote the company name but the article focused on a major U.S. knife company that also has an import line and how with good engineering and the proper oversight the factory was turning out some pretty nice knives as demonstrated by the AGR knife. Face it, not everyone out there who wants or needs a knife is going to be able to afford a good quality knife. The other issue is that companies need to find a way to get the cost down on their products in order to expand their customer base.
Now I don't know if anyone else besides me out there collects flashlights but Surefire is one of the best flashlights out there hands down and has been at the top of their game for many years. Long story short they just came out with a 200 lumen flashlight with a high/low setting for about $70. So for anyone that doesn't know their line the same flashlight at that level was I think $200+ before. It's still made in the U.S. and this thing is incredible but somehow they knew that if they didn't find a way to appeal to a larger audience that they were going to lose market share because other companies like Coast makes some really great lights also but they are foreign made. Sorry for the rant but my point is I think this AGR knife is just a preview of things to come from China in design and quality and I think that AGR just like Surefire is trying to appeal to a broader audience but they may also be testing the waters. That said there is something for everyone out there, it just depends on how much you want to spend and if you are willing to pay more for quality.
Richard

[philco]

Jim that sure looks like one heck of a knife to me.

I like the design. Looks very well made.

Phil

[Luckypaul777]

Jim nice looking knife; when I got the Russell catalog; I knew I wanted one. My only Chinese knife is a Russell Texas Ranger swell-center toenail; and these look to be of the same quality. I am ordering the folding hunter and sowbelly trapper. Had my eye on a Case "Backpocket" but AG's folding hunter; seems to be a much better made knife; for around the same money.

Paul

[bonehead]

Hey Guys,

This one is for real Thanks to Charlie's post, I went right over and bought a cocbola wood one as well. The fit and finish is equal to any of the US knive's I own. The knife's walk and talk is better than most knives I own.

Lucky Paul, You will not be dissappointed, I have (2) Swell center Sunfish as well and the quality is exactly the same......

AG Russell has some really nice knives, this is my 3rd, but not my last



Bonehead

[Forensic Jim]

That cocobolo is sweet!

[RobesonsRme.com]

You may think this strange. My wife says I'm obsessive compulsive. My son with a master's in psychology says I'm obsessive compulsive. But, it's not a "disorder". I just like things dressed right dressed and covered down, so to speak.

But, I wish they had put the shields on perpendicular to the long axis of the knife, instead of following that little swoop.

The shields are pinned through the frame, BTW. I've looked.

BTW, Forensic Jim said something about the knives being sharp. Yesterday, I received a DVD from Amazon in the mail. It was inside an orange manila envelope with bubble wrap lining. As I was walkin up the driveway, I took the gunstock out of my pocket, opened it with one hand (I've been practicing), stuck the point of the knife all the way through both sides of the envelope and just pushed down toward the ground. The knife slit all four layers of the envelope and the tri-folded bill of sale like they were butter. This knife is very sharp.

Charlie Noyes

[Miller Bro's]

Nobody has mentioned how much they cost yet

[bonehead]

I believe it was a Whopping $68.00 to the door for the Cocobola Gunstock.

BH

[Forensic Jim]

The brown rucarta was $63.00 delivered. Now I wish I'd had gotten the cocobolo handles.

[RobesonsRme.com]

$68.00 for the cocobolo gunstock. It was delivered three days after I placed the order. Sarah and I had dinner one evening at Red Lobster in Dalton, Georgia during the knife show and it cost more than that.
Charlie Noyes

[Earl]

heres a couple shots of the sowbelly and hunter for size comparison,thats a GEC model 23.

[jmh58]

That sowbelly is cool.. John

[Absintheur]

These are reissues of the Texas Ranger commemoratives, I did reviews on all of them. I think for the money they cannot be beat.



My reviews can be read here...

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 39&t=18570

[Owd Wullie]

I believe it was a Whopping $68.00 to the door for the Cocobola Gunstock.

BH

Not too far off from a US made product.

Then again, I have to wonder just how much AGR is taking for their name.

Nice looking knives.

[Absintheur]

Then again, I have to wonder just how much AGR is taking for their name.

What's wrong with AG making money on it? The one's I own show workmanship I would expect from a custom, much less a mass produced factory knife. I just got the new AG Russell Cowboy Pocketknife and for 30 bucks it is as well made a knife as some of my customs costing 10 times as much.

[sextonknifeworks]

I am not a fan of China made knives but this knife seems impressive. I just went to AG Russell and mine is now on the way.

[Owd Wullie]

Then again, I have to wonder just how much AGR is taking for their name.

What's wrong with AG making money on it? The one's I own show workmanship I would expect from a custom, much less a mass produced factory knife. I just got the new AG Russell Cowboy Pocketknife and for 30 bucks it is as well made a knife as some of my customs costing 10 times as much.

What's wrong with AG making money on it?

Not a damn thing.

I just got the new AG Russell Cowboy Pocketknife and for 30 bucks it is as well made a knife as some of my customs costing 10 times as much.

What's wrong with that picture?

I do own an A.G Russel trapper. It wasn't made in China. It was made by BOKER.

What you WON'T see, is me in this discussion forum again.

Enjoy.

[Absintheur]

I do own an A.G Russel trapper. It wasn't made in China. It was made by BOKER.

Okay....that means what? You feel knives made in one foreign country are automatically better than those made in another country? You do realize Boker is selling knives like this trapper, http://www.boker.de/us/pocket-knife/mag ... SC102.html , made in China don't you.

Back to the Cowboy Pocketknife...

This fits very snugly in one of my small DM Bullard belt sheaths. I hit the knife a few licks on my razor strop and it is hair popping sharp...everyone that has handled it loves the size and feel. It walks and talks with authority but isn't a nailbreaker.