A.G. Russell Gentleman's Framelock - Pics and review

[kilogolf65]

A.G. Russell Gentleman's Framelock. I came across this nice little knife last week and had to check it out. There have been a few threads here on BF and several people asking some questions about it. I thought I'd post some comparison pictures and note my first impressions of this titanium frame lock. Please note my comparison knife is a small Sebenza 21. Is that a fair comparison? Maybe, maybe not. But the A.G. is a titanium frame lock that is almost exactly the same size and seems squarely placed to either compete with or provide an alternative to something like a Sebenza or A.G.s Acies knives that are priced similar to the Sebenza.

Out of the box I could tell the edges were not as radiused as the Sebenza. Looking at it confirmed this. They're not sharp, but the back of the blade is very squared. Not a problem, but definitely different than the Seb. But it does feel nice in the hand. If feels thinner and it is. It is taller as well when folded, from the bottom to the top of the blade (if that makes sense). Folded length is almost identical. The feel of the titanium is very similar to the Sebenza and the color is very similar to mine. The pocket clip sticks out further (the one I have fitted is the deep pocket clip).



I've got more pics and info but can only post 5 at a time. Hopefully I won't get banned in continuing this in another post....

 

[kilogolf65]

After opening and closing the knife a bunch and just handling it I have some more observations. The jimping on the top of the blade does not protrude above the scales and so doesn't provide as sure of a thumb purchase as the Sebenza. it looks nice but I couldn't really "feel" it. The thumb studs to open it are very nice. They provide excellent grip when opening. I found I could use only the thumb stud but it was much easier to open when using the flipper tab and thumb stud together.

Closing is a different story. There is no radius cut out of the front side scale that allows you to easily find purchase on the frame lock to push it aside. There is some jimping on the frame lock to help provide grip but you really have to get used to it. When closing one handed I found that I'd push the frame lock out of the way with my thumb then begin folding it closed with forefinger and I could sorta pinch my thumb on the flipper tab as it began to close. Again, just have to get used to closing it. If I have a gripe about this knife, this design with no cut-out to access the frame lock would be it.

You'll note that while there is a deep pocket clip it has a bit of trouble seating all the way down. Check the picture detailing this. The screws stick up into the part of the clip that allow for deep pocket carry limiting that space and I found that they got in the way of really allowing the knife to sit low in the pocket. I could see them causing more wear on my pockets.

 

[kilogolf65]

I like the blade on this knife. No stonewash (nothing wrong with that) so it shows fingerprints more than the Sebenza. The shape is nice and I'm sure it'll be useful.

Overall impression: I like it. For a third the price of a Sebenza it's a very nice knife. It opens smoothly and locks up nice. It's a full titanium frame lock. Feels solid. Locks up tight provided the pivot screw is snug. I found on mine that if I loosened it enough to make it flickable then I felt a small amount of blade play. I adjusted mine so that I could flick it part way open, but I like using the flipper tab and thumb stud at the same time. That provided the best opening option...for me. Others may be able to adjust theirs differently. This is a very nice knife with excellent fit and finish. Some won't like the made in China aspect but that's not bothering me. It'll go into the EDC rotation. I like my Sebenza. But I like my Kershaw Damascus Skyline, ZT770CF, Benchmade AFCK and others too.

 

[jeffsenpai]

nice post, thanks for taking the time to write it.

 

[Laziizard]

Good comparison thanks

 

[Brules1]

Thanks for the review.