A.G. Russell Hunter, Gunstock, Sowbelly Trapper

Does anyone here have AGR's 2010 Texas Ranger knife ? It's a single blade lockback Jumbo Sunfish, 4 5/8", made by the same company that made the Folding Hunter, Gunstock and Sowbelly Trapper. It weighs 10 ounces ! that's nearly double the Sowbelly Trapper.
I'm thinking of getting one but it would be neat to hear from someone who already has this knife.
roland
 
Check Youtube for videos of that sunfish. I saw a short one showing the one hand opening and I think there are couple of others. The thickness of the stock and broadness of the blade was what really made an impression. Just a real big chunk of steel.
 
I handled the "Sunfish" at A. G.'s knife event last summer, and it just felt too huge to be of much practical use, and I own the Large Hunter, which is no slouch. You need to use the sheath it comes with, and that's pretty bulky, as well.

It's a heck of a quality piece, and will definitely get some wows, but it seems more of a collector piece, and I'm just not into that. I either carry it, or get rid of it.

Either way, as soon as my tax return is here, I'm getting a Cocobolo Sowbelly trapper.
 
Railsplitter said:
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There's the money shot! Just the one I was looking for. Thanks for this image, as that is the blade I was most interested in.

Quite unique, and worthy of a compliment.
 
A. G. Russell said:
Steven,

I am afraid that they will be able to get the hunter part way open.

A. G.
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The Large Hunter arrived today, Customs didn't even open this one. I'm sure it would have been safe if they did though, I could only just barely get it to pop open a little way using all my power.

It was very slightly gritty at first but I used Tuf Glide as I do with all knives, blasted with compressed air and open and close a few dozen times, now it's good and smooth.

I can make it pop open now but not with a wrist flick, more like a full upper body flick!

The cocobolo on this piece is top shelf, some of the nicest I've seen and it deserves better pics on the AGR website IMO.

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There are a couple tiny sanding marks visible in the right light but I didn't even notice at first, doesn't bother me at all.

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The fit with the bolsters is excellent, 1 pin is the slightest bit proud but still feels smooth enough and I don't consider it a defect.

It's very easy to open with 1 hand but slightly more difficult to close one handed, you have to turn it around into a reverse grip and depress the lockbutton with your thumb then press the spine of the blade against your forearm to start it closing, then back to a normal grip to close the rest of the way. I prefer slip joints myself.

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It came sharpened 90% of the way, very good but not perfect near the heel. Easy to touch up.

There is no choil/guard at all so I wouldn't go stabbing anything with it.

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The lanyard feels fine, I like them.

The pouch is not bad, thick stiff leather but will soften up and I think it will last well.

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It's a big knife and I love it but I think the Sowbelly will get more carry time.

I love this blade:

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I love these knives, thanks AG!
 
I'm still waiting for the yellow sowbelly I ordered. They're on backorder.
I might have to order the Rucarta Sowbelly or maybe the yellow gunstock.:)
 
Great pictures Steven. Seems like the dogs are in to the knives as well. ;)

I do have a few questions regarding the sheaths. How is it to manipulate the flap on and off the peg? Does it stay put pretty well when closed?
 
Got my Rucarta gunstock today. As many others have said, these things are beauties. Really well made and solid. Thanks AG!

Chris.
 
Sheaths are right on as far as closure goes. I have sheaths specific to the Sowbelly and Sunfish. It's a very snug fit at present and you have to pull fairly hard on the flap to get the hole over the stud to close it. When worn in some, likely it will close with less of a pull needed, but will still be snug enough to stay put.
The lanyard allows you to pull the knife out of the snug sheath with ease. Without a lanyard you would not get the knife out.
I have been using another AGR sheath with same closure desugn for 3-4 years. It's great. Infact i'd say it's The Best sheath closure system of all.
roland
 
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Stormdrane said:
Great looking traditional folders, and it's cool to see lanyard holes in them!:D:thumbup:
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+1 :thumbup:

Absolutely. I love that feature. I wish a lot more knives featured lanyard holes. I don't always use or need a lanyard, but it's nice to have something to tie 'em to, if I decide I need it. Especially so, with a 'Folding Hunter' style knife. The modern versions of Case & Queen Hunters are nice, but I really miss the lanyard hole on those (Case used to have it on some vintages, but not anymore).
 
Just a thought.

It occurred to me, I'd really like to see a similarly designed & constructed Sodbuster pattern from A.G. Same choices in handle materials too, with the shield. AND with a lanyard hole, too (per my earlier post).

That'd be quite nice, I think. :)
 
Not the best pics. but my intention is to show the relative size.

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In their sheaths:

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Texas Ranger in hand:

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As you can see this big locking Sunfish is quite a handful, especially if your hand is only 5 years old. My hands are on the smaller side and the in-hand feel is comfortable.
AS with the 3 other knives of this group, everything about the Sunfish is excellent and i'm pleased i bought it. I'm sure all these knives will likely outlast all of us and still be in fine working order. You won't break it !
roland
 
hey Roland
nice pics and knives, I like them very much really

what is the sunfish? a AG one? never seen it before I think, maybe heard of?
howwide is it, 1,5/2"? seems really huge
thanks
maxx
 
Great pictures Roland. When I look at the sowbelly alongside the sunfish I think of a linebacker in football standing next to a nosetackle - one of them is big but the other one is HUGE.

Thanks for the comments on the sheaths too.
 
A note on the Sowbelly. I have been carrying it in my backpocket since I received it and it rides so fine that I sometimes have to remind myself that I am carrying a knife. You forget that it is even there.
Greg
 
Well, I'm a bit intrigued by these three A. G. Russell knives.
I collect old Robesons, but I almost never carry one.
My EDC lately has been a Ron Lake designed C.R.K.T. PAL. I like the knife, but it's an open frame construction and is constantly loading itself with pocket change.
So, today I ordered the cocabolo handled gunstock. I'm quite sure I'm going to like it.
 
jujigatame said:
Great pictures Steven. Seems like the dogs are in to the knives as well. ;)

I do have a few questions regarding the sheaths. How is it to manipulate the flap on and off the peg? Does it stay put pretty well when closed?
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Thanks :). Those dogs are in to everything!

The sheath is great as Roland says, they work perfectly, secure and simple, easy to open and close.
 
Charlie, that's like going from a fine old Hudson or Studebaker to the big Lexus 4x4 !
You will definitely like your new Gunstock and be impressed by very tight tolerances, very smooth action and powerful sharp blade, and it won't ever break down on you. The 'ambience' or 'presence' is very different from vintage quality USA knives, but both are easy to appreciate.

M.M. same retail source for all these knives. Width of frame is 3.7cm, and to spine of blade 4.7cm ( 1 13/16" in cumbersome Imperial).
roland
 
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