A.G. Russell Texas Rangers

[LX_Emergency]

The only "series" of knives I kind of collect. I still regret not buying the 2008 and 2009 versions. (So....if you wanna get rid of yours let me know)

But I thought it'd be fun to show the 2010, '11 and '12 version off here.

I've only been carrying one of them every now and then...can you guess which one?


First off in the sheaths they're supplied with:

Closed in comparison to a Queen Gunstock

Opened next to the same gunstock

The spines

The blades

2010

2011

2012

Another group photo

So does anyone else have these beasts? Show them off!

Also.....mr. Russell showed me the plans for the 2013 version....without revealing anything much....it's gonna be a BEAST!

 

[kamagong]

Nice collection. I have some bad news to tell you, A.G. Russell started the Texas Ranger series before 2008. I don't know when exactly, but I do know that it was far enough back that Camillus made some knives for him.

Here's a Texas Ranger toothpick with stag covers.

Looks like you have some work to do to round out your collection.

- Christian

 

[Daniel Dorn]

Nice knives! I have the 2009, and only that one. It's even longer than the others. It's one of the only folders I own that I am not able to close one-handed, due to the extremely long handle, and position of the lock.

The 2012 looks like a great knife, though. I will definitely have to check that out next time I'm in NW Arkansas.

As Christian stated, there have been several knives made in the past with the Texas Ranger theme, but this new series has been an annual one, as the others had been off and on over several years. These new ones are all essentially the same, as far as materials and place of manufacture, where the others were made here and there, out of a variety of materials.

Maybe this can be called the New Texas Ranger Series, and you can avoid having to search for the old ones, though I suggest you at least check out the history of A. G.'s TR knives.

 

[LX_Emergency]

Christian that is a NICE piece. Is it yours?

I'd love to get my hands on some of the older ones. I know there have been some before. But they're not exactly easily available either. Nevertheless I'll be keeping my eyes open. For now I'll just keep on buying this cool yearly edition though.

 

[kamagong]

It is mine. You're right, they can be a bit hard to find. I think I looked for this particular piece for five years or so. I hadn't seen any for a long time, and then in the space of a couple of months I found three. Most of these were made with red bone, but having a thing for stag I grabbed this one.

- Christian

 

[rockgolfer]

what is the pattern name of the 2011? Is it simply a choiled toothpick or guarded toothpick? Never seen that before but I like it nice collection


Edit: Its a subhilt with barrong blade, very nice. Just wish it was made in America.

 

[LX_Emergency]

what is the pattern name of the 2011? Is it simply a choiled toothpick or guarded toothpick? Never seen that before but I like it nice collection


Edit: Its a subhilt with barrong blade, very nice. Just wish it was made in America.

That's an often heard sentiment by BF users.....but A.G. told me that if they were US made they'd probably be 3x the price or more and most likely not as good as they are coming from this plant in China....

And that he wouldn't sell as many of them as well. Buisiness is all a matter of choices.

 

[rprocter]

As I've shown in another thread here, i have all 5 of this AGR Texas Ranger series. Without doubt they are the finest production knives available anywhere by any manufacturer from any country. If you find this hard to believe, you haven't handled and spent any time with one of them. These beasts will never die and i'm sure their smooth action and rock solid lockup will be just the same in 100 years time.
If you are looking for a big folder, get one of these. The prices are very reasonable and you will be awed by the quality.
roland

 

[rockgolfer]

I am not knocking china or their quality or any other country or their quality for that matter. I understand business and what it takes to make money. My comment was purely based on a stand point of, if I can find a product(knife) made by my fellow countrymen in our struggling economy, thats what I do. A sale is made or not made based on many factors for each of us. I take advice I read on here somewhere that goes something like......If you buy all the ones you think look good, you will be broke very soon.......I need reasons to not buy a knife, plenty I can find made right here in my back yard. Sure it would cost more but we all have our caveats to what or how we buy.

 

[LX_Emergency]

No offense taken or anything. I just wanted to share what mr. Russell told me at the time.

And I know how you feel about needing an excuse to NOT buy a knife. I use the "not lefthand friendly" excuse to not buy something.

 

[knarfeng]

So,
Meanwhile back at the ranch...
Let us return to our heroes of yesteryear...
and not discuss where they are made.

 

[rockgolfer]

Steering back on course.....

LX, I am going to wager a guess that the toenail is your favorite? That holster has some nice wear marks . It looks like you could use it in the garden as a shovel, multi use points :thumbup:

 

[LX_Emergency]

You'd win that wager. I really enjoy that knife. It's different which automatically wins it points in my book. And the flat grind on the WIDE blade makes it a slicer like nobodies business. Plus the sheath is quite nice on the belt when I'm not wearing Jeans.

And you KNOW I'm not carrying that beast in the pockets of my slacks at the office.

 

[rockgolfer]

Oh come on LX, it looks perfectly pocketable to me . I never would have guessed the slicing ability of it was that good had you not pointed it out. I knew I should have left this thread alone, now I am tempted to break my rules.....very nice and thanks for sharing.

 

[LX_Emergency]

In Jeans it works just fine in the pocket. In my dress slacks it's a bit heavy.

Yeah it cuts like a mother though. The Texas ranger version isn't available anymore. But there I'd a nice version with micarta, wood wood or delrin (evil grin).

 

[WIL TERRY]

I HAD to go look. Mine is a 2008 model and quite nicely made too.

 

[rprocter]

Where these AGR Texas Ranger folders are made is significant. Not the country, the factory. The manufacturer surely makes other SFO's and maybe knives with their own branding (whatever that is). I would like to get other knives by the same manufacturer and see if this ultra high level of fit and finish is present in those as well.
However i think the ID of the manufacturer is an AGR secret for business reasons.
roland

 

[LX_Emergency]

I'm not sure who does. But I do know A.G. is VERY strict in checking the knives that come in and go out. He showed me some of the ones that were rejected for the 2012 batch. He was right they were not up to his usual standards.....

Many other sellers wouldn't have noticed though and simply sold them anyway. Even the "seconds" knives that he sells are in most ways better than the prime knives that many others sell. His standards are VERY high and I suppose that's why he's successfull.

 

[rprocter]

Here are all 5 of the AGR Texas Ranger folders. The light was poor so the knives are more attractive than seen here.

2008; 4 1/4"

2009; 5 5/8"

2010; 4 11/16"

2011; 5"

2012; 5"

Group picture:

All of these are as well made, well finished as a custom folder from a top knifemaker. The sheaths are of a matching quality.
None have half stops. All but 2011 have a lanyard hole. My 2009 did not come with a lanyard but likely that was an oversight as there is a hole for it.
I cannot over-state what fine knives these are. If you don't have any of these, maybe make the current 2012 one your next knife purchase. You will be most impressed.
roland

 

[LX_Emergency]

Just grabbed me a 2009 Texas Ranger on E-bay. Now all I need is the 2008 version and I'll have the "China" series complete!