A.G. Russell Acies

Ballenxj said:
Found it. http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-acies-titanium-frame-lock/p/RUS-UF12ZDP/
It does look good. :cool:
-Bruce
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I have a ton of cardboard boxes to cut/break down each week and when I use some of my other favorite Ti framelocks (or smaller fixed blades) they start to bind before too long cutting the double wall boxes but the Acies has worked incredibly well.

You can see the blade shape in that video and full flat grind, that along with the ZDP-189 make for a tremendously good cutter. I look forward to seeing how it holds up over time but this is the best cutting/slicing knife I own. The Acies also carries very nicely in your front jeans/pants pocket which is why it is now my favorite EDC.
 
Buffalohump said:
Actually I was enquiring about the regular Acies currently for sale. I sent mail to a couple of the addresses on your site. One from my gmail acct and one from my regular email cos sometimes the gmail ones get snagged by filters. Sorry to hear about your injury. This knife business can be hazardous to your health! :D
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Buffalo,
Did you get all the information that you were inquiring about?
 
Ballenxj said:
You guys want to post any images of these knives? I'd love to see what we're talking about. :)
-Bruce
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Hi Bruce -

Sure -

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best regards -

mqqn
 
Very nice looking knife with what appears to be a flat grind and of course a higher-end steel. Add titanium and whats not to like. Were not my knife projects so far behind I'd scarf one up.
 
Gunny Bob said:
Very nice looking knife with what appears to be a flat grind and of course a higher-end steel. Add titanium and whats not to like. Were not my knife projects so far behind I'd scarf one up.
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It is a FFG and I was late to the party on this knife as well, once I put the clip a the other end for tip up carry its become the perfect EDC for me. It's the best slicing/cutting blade I own. So far the ZDP-189 is holding up great for me and is wicked sharp, I look forward to seeing how it performs over the long haul.

Great pictures! (meant to say that first but got distracted)
 
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Thanks for the review.I'll be looking forward to the 3" version.
 
vwb563 said:
Got me an Acies today and I must say I'm impressed! I have had several Sebenzas which were all very smooth but this thing is even smoother! And I like the handle finish better! I like the blade steel better too! I wish Chris Reeve would start using ZDP189, S110V or something. So far I'm very happy with the Acies. All but that ugly pocket clip! Lol!
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I wasn't a big fan of the clip either until I moved it for tip up carry as I do with all my knives and now I really don't notice it anymore, if anything it makes the handle feel a tad fuller in the hand. I've also noticed that when set for tip up the clip gives your fingers a place to grip while opening the Acies rather than pushing against the lockbar.

The more I've carried the Acies the more I like it, it feels tremendous in the hand, very smooth and comfortable but you still get great grip/purchase due to the handle shape. Mr. Russell did a great job designing this knife, you're going to love the blade shape and the ZDP.

My son has a large Sebenza 21 (loves it) and my next big purchase with be a Umnumzaan so I'm just grateful that there are so many stellar knives to choose from.
Congratulations on your new knife!
 
I have just recently come across Acies. Not having handled it, I'm trying not to get too enthusiastic, but it's actually the first titanium framelock which looks I like. Before I pay that much for a production knife, I'd like to be sure it will handle hard use. Have you encountered any abuse tests, or reviews after one year of regular heavy use, any failure reports? I'm especially interested in performance of ZDP-189, not having used it before; the ridiculous hardness makes me wonder how brittle it is. I know it's a cutting knife, not a hatchet, but with that much $$$ in my hand I'd rather know what it will stand before putting it to a particular task.
 
turin.turambar said:
I have just recently come across Acies. Not having handled it, I'm trying not to get too enthusiastic, but it's actually the first titanium framelock which looks I like. Before I pay that much for a production knife, I'd like to be sure it will handle hard use. Have you encountered any abuse tests, or reviews after one year of regular heavy use, any failure reports? I'm especially interested in performance of ZDP-189, not having used it before; the ridiculous hardness makes me wonder how brittle it is. I know it's a cutting knife, not a hatchet, but with that much $$$ in my hand I'd rather know what it will stand before putting it to a particular task.
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I've used ZDP-189 on a Caly 3 for a while, and a blue Stretch for a few weeks. All around I'd give it higher marks than S30V except for it's corrosion resistance. ZDP is going to take a bit more care than S30V--don't leave onion juice on the knife overnight, unless you are going to expect some rust spots on the blade. A member here recently did an excellent comparison of S30V and ZDP-189:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/839795-ZDP-189-edge-chipping-test?highlight=zdp
 
I think that many of us have "heard" that ZDP-189 can be brittle but so far I've had no troubles at all and I'm using it daily as my EDC. This is the best slicer/cutting blade I've ever owned. If I do chip the blade I'll be sure to post the info and what material I was cutting at the time.

I remember when I bought a Spyderco Native and rumors were that the new (at that time) S30V was prone to chipping yet I still have and use that Native to this day and it's never chipped nor have any of my MANY other S30V blades.

I haven't experienced any staining on the blade of Acies yet but I have heard that ZDP is not as resistant to staining as S30V. I'll be sure to rinse and wipe the blade well when using it to slice any fruit or veggies.

What stands out most to me aside from how well it slices is how comfortable the Acies carries and how nice it feels in my hand. The more I use it the more I love it, it reminds me of a smooth river stone in the hand but with real good grip/purchase.
 
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I have a ZDP-189 Stretch and it did sustain some light staining after being used on some kind of foodstuff. Probably fruit. Its pretty light though. It holds an edge tremendously well. I have not had any chipping occur. However its not a hard use folder so I'm not saying it couldnt happen.
 
I don't really care about stain resistance on knives not intended solely for kitchen use. I do have surface red dots both on S30V and D2, but just wash them off when resharpening. I wouldn't expect chipping when cutting food or boxes etc, but hard wood and batoning is a completely different kettle of fish.
 
I know that A.G. Russell said he's cut oak with his and trimmed branches with no problems, on this page Cynic2701 posted a link to some great test he's run using both S30V and ZDP-189. Keep in mine that this is an 1/8" thick blade that is meant to be a great slicer (and it is) but I'm not sure that this thickness of blade would be the best choice to baton wood. It may work perfectly fine but I haven't tired it myself.

Happy 4th of July everyone!
 
turin.turambar said:
I don't really care about stain resistance on knives not intended solely for kitchen use. I do have surface red dots both on S30V and D2, but just wash them off when resharpening. I wouldn't expect chipping when cutting food or boxes etc, but hard wood and batoning is a completely different kettle of fish.
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I carry one every day and after the much lighter K93 Featherlite it gets more use than any other knife I carry. I have, several times, used it for chopping small branches from the trunks of oak trees without damage of any kind.

Someone else has asked about care of the blade. I have found it to be very stainless without any special care. I am sure that acid fryuts and hot meat would make it seem like any other good stainless knife steel.
 
A question for Mr. Russell - Will you ever make this knife for us southpaws?

Thanks,

Dave
 
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