This review is about four years in the making for various reasons. I wanted to have a lot of experience with the knife before I gave it a review mostly. Then I accumulated a nice collection (six in all) of the knives, and I wanted to test them all, you know, just in case there were any machining or other differences. I was going to write the review last year, but I decided not to because I figured "hey, it's a simple and inexpensive knife that a lot of people here already have; like reviewing a Buck 110". Well, the review actually got its turn. This is the A. G. Russell Woodswalker, and it's advertised as a knife intended for the casual hunter out for a morning walk in the woods. It excels at that, yes, but it's also a great EDC fixed blade. Cost is $20 with a leather sheath, $25 with a Kydex sheath, or $10 with no sheath. It's made in Japan. The version I'm reviewing now comes with the leather sheath. Weight is a super-light 1.2 ounce. As normal, all measurements are done from my ruler and not a website description.
Handle Details: The Woodswalker has a fully exposed tang; it's just a blade with handle slabs riveted on. Very much-preferred by myself and other outdoor people. The handle slabs are made of dark, almost black epoxy-impregnated wood. At least that's what they look and feel like; the website doesn't say. They're quite comfortable and rounded for ease of use, and are triple-riveted with stainless steel rivets. The handle is 3-10/16" long and 7/16" thick with a flared butt. There's no lanyard hole, but it would be easy enough to drill one if you want one. In my size XL hands, it's just barely a four-finger knife. The Woodswalker is very comfortable in use, and is one of those melts-in-your-hand knives. I've gotten everything from water to mud to molasses to blood on mine, and it all just wipes off with a little bit of rubbing alcohol with no ill effects. Everything is well-done and professional; the slabs are even and don't protrude from the blade (and the blade doesn't overlap the handles) and the rivets are flush. No rough spots and everything is sanded and rounded. That's why it "melts" into your hand. Way to go, Mr. Russell :thumbup:
In the Kydex sheath...
Blade Details: The Woodswalker has an AUS-8 blade at 58 on the rockwell scale. It's just a hair under 1/16" thick on all of mine, and provides 2-1/4" of cutting edge. The blade sports a full flat grind. This steel, this thinness, and this grind meet to make a wickedly sharp knife. The blade is slightly upswept and has a fine enough point for puncturing, although I use it mainly for slicing and yes, even skinning.
The left side of the blade has A.G.Russell lasered on (see the photo above), while the right side has JAPAN stamped on the tang.
There is no jimping, although that's not a problem for me. Yes it's nice, but it's not a deal-breaker in the least, especially at this price. The blade sweeps a bit below the handle so as to keep your fingers from sliding forward and giving yourself a few less tendons. Let me say again that this blade is very sharp and it's very easy to slice meaty things - including yourself. Thankfully, the handle and blade design make that a small chance.
By holding the tip in one hand and the handle in the other, I could make the blade bend, but just by a tiny bit. This had no purpose other than to see how stiff the thin blade is, but it was stiffer than I thought it would be (and that's a good thing). Again, thumbs up all around for the blade.
The Sheath: This section is covering the leather hip sheath only, just because I don't have my Kydex sheath models on me right now. The sheath is made of tan leather, which is just under 1/8" thick. It's soft and flexible, but just stiff enough. Think of a new work boot and you'll know what I mean. The sheath itself is well-done; double-stitched with heavy-duty baseball stitching, nice and thin, and is unnoticeable in your pocket. Yes, pocket. This sheath was designed to carry in your hip pocket, not on a belt. As such, there are no loops or slots for belt carry. You could easily cut slots into it as I've done for one of mine though. The sheath measures 5-10/16" long and 4" wide. This width makes the sheath lay in your pocket without worry of it turning or moving much. Thickness is 10/16", and that's with the knife in it. I can carry the sheath in the hip pocket of jeans, Dickies, or BDUs and still have room to grab my keys or change. With the knife inserted in the sheath, the handle sticks out 7/8". This way, it's readily-accessible yet out of the way. The knife fits into the sheath one way only; with the edge facing the flap (again, see the above photo). The sheath is made in the USA.
I'm not going to say that the A. G. Russell Woodswalker is a great knife for the price; it's a great knife period. But the price definitely helps; ignoring the sheaths, this is a $10 knife (the website even sells it for this price with no sheath) and I can't think of another $10 knife this compact, yet this well-made. It's sharp, portable, VERY comfortable, and inexpensive. No wonder I have six of them (about to be eight) now.
With a Mora Craftliner (same size as a Clipper) for size comparison...
Here's a link to the Woodswalker on A. G. Russell's website if you want to try one out... http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-woodswalker-in-leather-hip-pocket-sheath/p/AGPRS/
EDITED to add: I continue the review, including the Kydex sheath and uniformity, in post #16 below.
Handle Details: The Woodswalker has a fully exposed tang; it's just a blade with handle slabs riveted on. Very much-preferred by myself and other outdoor people. The handle slabs are made of dark, almost black epoxy-impregnated wood. At least that's what they look and feel like; the website doesn't say. They're quite comfortable and rounded for ease of use, and are triple-riveted with stainless steel rivets. The handle is 3-10/16" long and 7/16" thick with a flared butt. There's no lanyard hole, but it would be easy enough to drill one if you want one. In my size XL hands, it's just barely a four-finger knife. The Woodswalker is very comfortable in use, and is one of those melts-in-your-hand knives. I've gotten everything from water to mud to molasses to blood on mine, and it all just wipes off with a little bit of rubbing alcohol with no ill effects. Everything is well-done and professional; the slabs are even and don't protrude from the blade (and the blade doesn't overlap the handles) and the rivets are flush. No rough spots and everything is sanded and rounded. That's why it "melts" into your hand. Way to go, Mr. Russell :thumbup:
In the Kydex sheath...
Blade Details: The Woodswalker has an AUS-8 blade at 58 on the rockwell scale. It's just a hair under 1/16" thick on all of mine, and provides 2-1/4" of cutting edge. The blade sports a full flat grind. This steel, this thinness, and this grind meet to make a wickedly sharp knife. The blade is slightly upswept and has a fine enough point for puncturing, although I use it mainly for slicing and yes, even skinning.
The left side of the blade has A.G.Russell lasered on (see the photo above), while the right side has JAPAN stamped on the tang.
There is no jimping, although that's not a problem for me. Yes it's nice, but it's not a deal-breaker in the least, especially at this price. The blade sweeps a bit below the handle so as to keep your fingers from sliding forward and giving yourself a few less tendons. Let me say again that this blade is very sharp and it's very easy to slice meaty things - including yourself. Thankfully, the handle and blade design make that a small chance.
By holding the tip in one hand and the handle in the other, I could make the blade bend, but just by a tiny bit. This had no purpose other than to see how stiff the thin blade is, but it was stiffer than I thought it would be (and that's a good thing). Again, thumbs up all around for the blade.
The Sheath: This section is covering the leather hip sheath only, just because I don't have my Kydex sheath models on me right now. The sheath is made of tan leather, which is just under 1/8" thick. It's soft and flexible, but just stiff enough. Think of a new work boot and you'll know what I mean. The sheath itself is well-done; double-stitched with heavy-duty baseball stitching, nice and thin, and is unnoticeable in your pocket. Yes, pocket. This sheath was designed to carry in your hip pocket, not on a belt. As such, there are no loops or slots for belt carry. You could easily cut slots into it as I've done for one of mine though. The sheath measures 5-10/16" long and 4" wide. This width makes the sheath lay in your pocket without worry of it turning or moving much. Thickness is 10/16", and that's with the knife in it. I can carry the sheath in the hip pocket of jeans, Dickies, or BDUs and still have room to grab my keys or change. With the knife inserted in the sheath, the handle sticks out 7/8". This way, it's readily-accessible yet out of the way. The knife fits into the sheath one way only; with the edge facing the flap (again, see the above photo). The sheath is made in the USA.
I'm not going to say that the A. G. Russell Woodswalker is a great knife for the price; it's a great knife period. But the price definitely helps; ignoring the sheaths, this is a $10 knife (the website even sells it for this price with no sheath) and I can't think of another $10 knife this compact, yet this well-made. It's sharp, portable, VERY comfortable, and inexpensive. No wonder I have six of them (about to be eight) now.
With a Mora Craftliner (same size as a Clipper) for size comparison...
Here's a link to the Woodswalker on A. G. Russell's website if you want to try one out... http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-woodswalker-in-leather-hip-pocket-sheath/p/AGPRS/
EDITED to add: I continue the review, including the Kydex sheath and uniformity, in post #16 below.
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