I've always liked the A.G. Russell titanium-handled slipjoints, and have been hoping for a locking version for quite some time now. One was released - the 2.5 - but I wanted one a little larger. Enter the 3.0, a locking titanium-handled folder with VG-10 steel, for a price of $35. Did it live up to the high expectations? Let's find out. The knife weighs in at 0.9 ounce and comes with a black leather slip pouch, which is embossed with the A.G Russell Knives logo.
The Handle: The 3.0 has a semi-subdued finish on the titanium handles, which I prefer to mirror finishes since titanium scratches easily and this will help hide any marks. The knife itself is 3" closed and a very slim 3/16" thick. Construction is simple; four small Phillips screws hold the handles together on the right side and four opposing bolts are on the left side. No liners; the titanium scales themselves are the liners. Everything looks great and works as it should. Fit and finish is excellent, with no gaps or unnevenness. The knife locks open via lockback, and it's positioned mid-way on the handle. Lock-up is tight; no blade play in any direction. The handles are smooth and sleek, and the ends are contoured for a nice fit in your hand. This is a three-finger knife for me, and it rides very flat and in a controlled manner (it's easy to handle I guess is what I'm trying to say). You lanyard guys will want to stick a fancy one on here, and you can with the lanyard hole. It's not huge, but you can get some fine cord in there.
With a SAK Cadet for size comparison...
Comparing thickness...
The Blade: The 3.0 has a nicely-made blade of VG-10 steel. If you want VG-10, you have to get it from Japan. The 3.0 is made in Japan then, as the left side of the blade has A.G.Russell overJAPAN in lasering. The right side oft he blade simply has VG-10 lasered on. The blade is 1/16" thick, and is in Mr. Russell's signature "general purpose" shape. See the photo for this, but I'd describe it as a drop point with less belly and more "drop". It makes quick work of many things daily, hence the "general purpose" name. The blade is 2-6/16" long with a 2-1/4" cutting edge. It's a full flat grind, and came extremely sharp. I didn't even need to strop this thing. The blade's finish is a tad bit shinier than the handle scales, and I think this gives it a better look. Opening is accomplished via nail nick; no studs or holes in this one. It just doesn't need them.
The Slip Pouch: I wasn't intending to include this in the review, but I decided to anyway because it does come with the knife and they will spend a lot of time together. The slip pouch is just a length of black leather folded in half and sewn together to make a pouch. That's as simple as I can put it. The left side is embossed with the A.G. Russell Knives logo. The stitching is well-done and it runs until about 1-1/4" to the top. Then the stiching ends and a split is cut into the other side to facilitate knife extraction. There's no belt attachment or anything; this was designed to go in your pocket, keeping the handles scratch-free from pocket change or keys.
Everything considered, this is another well-done design by A. G. Russell. The quality is great, the price is great, and the design itself is great. Titanium handles and a VG-10 blade for under $40? Great!
Buy one here... http://www.agrussell.com/product.asp?pn=RUShhhP73TI&bhcd2=1245320745
The Handle: The 3.0 has a semi-subdued finish on the titanium handles, which I prefer to mirror finishes since titanium scratches easily and this will help hide any marks. The knife itself is 3" closed and a very slim 3/16" thick. Construction is simple; four small Phillips screws hold the handles together on the right side and four opposing bolts are on the left side. No liners; the titanium scales themselves are the liners. Everything looks great and works as it should. Fit and finish is excellent, with no gaps or unnevenness. The knife locks open via lockback, and it's positioned mid-way on the handle. Lock-up is tight; no blade play in any direction. The handles are smooth and sleek, and the ends are contoured for a nice fit in your hand. This is a three-finger knife for me, and it rides very flat and in a controlled manner (it's easy to handle I guess is what I'm trying to say). You lanyard guys will want to stick a fancy one on here, and you can with the lanyard hole. It's not huge, but you can get some fine cord in there.
With a SAK Cadet for size comparison...
Comparing thickness...
The Blade: The 3.0 has a nicely-made blade of VG-10 steel. If you want VG-10, you have to get it from Japan. The 3.0 is made in Japan then, as the left side of the blade has A.G.Russell overJAPAN in lasering. The right side oft he blade simply has VG-10 lasered on. The blade is 1/16" thick, and is in Mr. Russell's signature "general purpose" shape. See the photo for this, but I'd describe it as a drop point with less belly and more "drop". It makes quick work of many things daily, hence the "general purpose" name. The blade is 2-6/16" long with a 2-1/4" cutting edge. It's a full flat grind, and came extremely sharp. I didn't even need to strop this thing. The blade's finish is a tad bit shinier than the handle scales, and I think this gives it a better look. Opening is accomplished via nail nick; no studs or holes in this one. It just doesn't need them.
The Slip Pouch: I wasn't intending to include this in the review, but I decided to anyway because it does come with the knife and they will spend a lot of time together. The slip pouch is just a length of black leather folded in half and sewn together to make a pouch. That's as simple as I can put it. The left side is embossed with the A.G. Russell Knives logo. The stitching is well-done and it runs until about 1-1/4" to the top. Then the stiching ends and a split is cut into the other side to facilitate knife extraction. There's no belt attachment or anything; this was designed to go in your pocket, keeping the handles scratch-free from pocket change or keys.
Everything considered, this is another well-done design by A. G. Russell. The quality is great, the price is great, and the design itself is great. Titanium handles and a VG-10 blade for under $40? Great!
Buy one here... http://www.agrussell.com/product.asp?pn=RUShhhP73TI&bhcd2=1245320745
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