- Joined
- Aug 24, 2006
- Messages
- 491
I present two special peanuts from my collection. One is a Case Devin Thomas Raindrop damascus which has interior cut mammoth ivory scales. The other is the "Pinched Peanut" with mammoth ivory from A. G. Russell. The Case Raindrop 'nut was a limited production item with only 1,000 being produced, the run having long been finished. It is very difficult to find these days, even on the secondary market such as E-bay. In my hunt for the elusive Thomas Damascus Peanut I ran across a company called Ancient Ivories which just happened to offer the Case Raindrop in a choice of either mammoth or fossilized walrus ivory. Mammoth ivory is one of my favorite materials for knife scales so I took a chance and pulled the trigger.
The A.G. Russell "Pinched Peanut" is a more recent acquisition. The quality of A.G. Russell knives is well known, and the mammoth ivory version (these are also available in European Stag and Chinese Quince burl) was on my short list of "must haves". I am certainly glad I bought one!
The Case is 2-7/8" closed with a 2-1/8" main clip-point blade and a secondary pen blade which measures 1-5/8". Both blades are constructed with square tangs which feature a half stop. Both blades have a swedge but it is very subtle. The back spring is sturdy, the pull is what I'd describe as being medium: not a nail-breaker, but not super easy either; in fact, the pen blade is a bit difficult to open, but not overly so. The blades open and close with good snap, sharp right out of the box. The overall fit and finish is very good, with brass liners, and highly polished nickle silver bolsters and back spring. The mammoth scales have been attached without pins. It is interior cut, very creamy in color and texture with very little in the way of mottling or pattern, in fact it could almost be mistaken for very old elephant ivory; highly polished to match the overall finish of the knife.
The A.G. Russell "Pinched Peanut" shares the same dimensions as the Case (and I do mean the exact dimensions) in the closed size, the main blade and secondary blade, even the thickness (both knives feature blades that are 3/32"). The Pinched Peanut has a clip point main blade and a wharncliffe in VG-10 steel. The main and secondary blades both feature a well defined and well executed swedge. The fit and finish on this little knife is excellent with a brushed satin finish on all parts, including the liners and back spring. The liners are stainless, and they are thicker than the Case's brass liners. Additionally, the pull is also easier on the Pinched Peanut than it is on the Case. The tangs are not squared and there is no half stop, which is Mr. Russell's preference ("I have a personal preference for tangs that offer walk and talk without stopping in the middle." taken from the description of A.G. Russell's Dogleg Trapper, A.G. Russell website). Both blades open and close with good snap and were very sharp out of the box. The mammoth ivory scales are held by three pins, perfectly flush to the surface. The ivory on the Pinched Peanut is also interior cut and highly polished, with an interesting mottled pattern, well matched on both mark and reverse sides.
These are both wonderful knives, very distinctive and beautiful. The Case has already seen quite a bit of pocket time and the Pinched Peanut will definitely be getting an equal share of carry. These are knives that are versatile, equally at home in every day usage whether dressed up or casual, office or camp.
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Thanks! 
