A.G. Russell BG-42 Slipjoints

Ed Gordon said:
BG-42 is an older super steel. I like this steel but it is out of vogue now. The older Sebenza's had it and it was a good steel. A bit harder to sharpen but held and edge. I prefer D-2 myself.
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It isn't out of vogue at all...it is a much beloved steel. What it IS....damned difficult to get. Latrobe-Timken produces it as a double vacuum melted martensitic stainless high speed steel designed for critical aerospace structural components and high performance bearings. The very good wear resistance and corrosion resistance result in knife blades which exhibit excellent edge retention and long life.

The reality is that getting any of it is hard as there are very high minimum order requirements and it doesn't come in easily made-into-blade thicknesses like 1/8", so it must be further processed in order to turn into knives.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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I have the Stag Stockman. I like the blade shape and material. The one thing I have a problem with is the spring tension on the two smaller blades, it will break my nails! I am currently working to break it in, but it is a killer. The clip blade is fine. I really am working on this as I like the knife, except the tension.
 
U.C.O.K. : CPM 154(as differentiated from 154CM) and BG-42 are both excellent knife steels. i have 2 custom folders with CPM 154 (Rusty Preston & Ken Erickson). in real life use, i don't think any of us would notice any difference. blade thickness, geometry and final edge grind are much more important.
in AGR's description he explains that much attention was given to these factors, so combined with the BG-42, these 2 knives should be truly awesome cutters. i'll find out for sure in a week or so.
roland
 
Size and useablity of the small Wharncliff

I have a Queen Dan Burke 3 1/8" Wharncliffe 1/2 Whittler in Sandvik 12C27.
A delightful small knife.
It is bigger than a Peanut, but in the same sphere of usablity.

I could not imagine whittling with it as it is too small to hold for long periods of time, and not stong enough to take the tensions of the heavy work involved in whittling

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Folks,

I never ended up purchasing this knife, but I can assure you it is the very next one on my list. I unfortunately happened upon a certain thread here with some Case Norfolks displayed and I found myself dangerously sidetracked. I ended up with two Norfolks and no AG Russell stockman.

I'd love to know how the fit and finish on this one would compare to one of the Bose collaborations. I have had good luck with those so far. I'm curious to hear anyone's impressions on the matter. I've also never owned a knife with BG-42 blades, so I'd be curious to see how they compare to other steels I am more familiar with. Regardless, the stockman is probably my favourite pattern (aside, perhaps, from the Norfolk) and judging by the comments here, I know I'll love this one. Now all I need is the money :(
 
Picked up my AGR Stag Medium Stockman today. it's a very nice knife for sure. nice Stag scales, just the right thickness (not the stupid "Fat Stag"), and nicely radiused for overall smooth look and feel.
spring tension on Sheepsfoot and baby Spey is stiffer than on the beautiful recurve Clip, but are not nail-breakers.
blades are sharp enough to push cut paper without any tearing, but do not readily shave arm hair. so that is my only and minor complaint; i could be sharper. many ultra low cost China folders come hair poppin' sharp. so should this $185 knife. but that is temporary as all knives once used some will need sharpening.
Overall it's a very attractive, very well designed and made folder and the 3 1/2" size feels 'just right'
i also have the Norfolk in Ebony and it's a very nice knife although scales should have been radiused and both blades have a right sided burr. once this is removed, i suspect it will be nice and sharp.
i'd say the comparison of the 2 comes down to which pattern you prefer. either steel is excellent and overall fit and finish equivalent.
so the AGR at nearly $100 less is probably the better deal, but who can resist the Norfolk pattern.
the knives are differnt enough that you really need both.
roland
 
Sir,

Thank you for your thoughts and your comparison, I really appreciate it. I happened to be thinking about this knife again on the way to work and I think I'll just have to give in and buy it. I just have to figure out which blades to unload in order to cover the cost of this one. Once again, thanks for taking the time to post your opinion! I appreciate it!
 
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