A.G. Russell's Grandad's Lockback and Grandad's Toothpick and

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FullerH

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Nov 25, 1998
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For those who like the appearance of the older styles of knife, here are two beauties from long-time knife maker and seller, A.G. Russell. The first one that he introduced was the Grandad's Lockback and then he brought out the Grandad's Toothpick. As one who really loves the Toothpick design, both of these knives appeal to me but the Toothpick obviously apeals more. The funny thing is that it would probably be seen as less intimidating than many more modern designs, but that is only to those who do not know its history. This was the knife of preference for the young men throughout the South in the first half of the 20th Century and it was THE fighting knife supreme for these men. The Kingston Trio song. "Everglades" talks of a "jealous fight and a flashing blade sent him on the run to the Everglades." The "flashing blade" was, according to what I have read, a Toothpick.

In any case, I thingk that the price on the India Stag version of the Toothpick is rather pricey, but, damn, it is beautiful.

http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_...ng_knives/a_g_russell_granddads_lockback.html

http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_...ls_grandads_toothpick_genuine_india_stag.html
 
Less intimidating, yet a 4" blade. I'm liking it!

Thanks for the heads up because I never think to check Russell's site. As I am migrating more and more to "gent's Knives" this may be next.
 
I like Russell's toothpicks. A good, classy(ical) design with a bit of a difference in the blade profile.

Russell's quality has proven to be very good in my experience.
 
He recently had a toothpick handle with a leaf-shaped blade. It looked good. These are all real working knives.
 
One of the worst cuts I have ever had came from a Toothpick. Queen CSB, Christmas '04. Got it, opened it, and my thumb worked its way free of the nick. Sliced my right social finger to the bone.
 
For those who like toothpicks, compare the French Laguiole. They are very similar in both blade and handle shape, only they have a tendency toward thicker handles.
 
Actually, I noticed similarity to the Laguiole. Result: I bought a few of the French knives and an appreciation of Sandvic 12C27.

A good handle (thick or thin) shape for a general use knife.
 
I have been eyeing both of these up for a while now.

I wish the toothpick style had a lock.
 
That's the point of the Grandad's Lockback, or so I thought. No, it isn't quite a Toothpick handle shape, but the blade certainly is right.
 
FullerH said:
That's the point of the Grandad's Lockback, or so I thought. No, it isn't quite a Toothpick handle shape, but the blade certainly is right.
Click to expand...

I see that that is probably the point, I just think the toothpick hadle looks so much cooler, and looks as though it would be much more comfortable in your hand. I wish that they would have one with that handle and a lock of some sort.
 
According the A.G., he was offered a batch of old handles that had been sitting around on a warehouse shelf, and designed and installed that long clip blade for them. He liked it so much, he added it to his toothpick handle. The old handles were already lockbacks.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
He recently had a toothpick handle with a leaf-shaped blade. It looked good. These are all real working knives.
Click to expand...
That would be the Texas Rangers Commemorative,they are very nice.:D
 
I've also got his Texas Rangers commemorative mountain man lockback. Good strong folding hunter. He sells a version of it without the TR shield, identical except the handle is yellow Delrin instead of jigged bone.
 
Toothpicks are also known as Ticklers and when paired with a scaler, Fishknives. From the little I can tell, there's nothing unique about AG's design, other than possibly the placement of the nail nick. He just put the tickler blade into a different, but standard handle. He makes a point about getting full use of the handle, but Queen and Schatt and Morgan do the same.

If you like big toothpicks, look at Queen's line. They're a great buy, excellent construction and slim with D2 steel. Schatt and Morgan put out one in 2000 in ATS34 that's a real beauty and can sometimes still be found. I don't think Case makes anything other than a fishknife and smaller toothpicks. Not sure about cammilus, but I believe that maybe Bulldog has some also. Their's maybe in carbon steel
 
I've been looking at toothpicks as well lately, and there's one by Russell, not A.G. Russell, with a carbon steel blade. Jigged Delrin handle scales, but that's OK by me for a worker. I've bid on one on eBay, so we'll see if I get a good deal.

There's also a Henckels toothpick on the 'bay right now, lemme see if I can find the auction again.

Peace.

Edit: Found it. Seller's name is sharp_edgeknives, item number is 6600704565. It's not me, so don't get your undies in a bunch. Just thought some might like to look. :)
 
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