AG Russell Acies

[donstarr67]

Great review swmp4l, very informative. I've been looking at the reviews on this knife for sometime since it came out. I'm wondering if anybody who owns this have done any mods like swapping the handle with textured g10 or cf slabs? IMO it would look great and at the same time more grippy since i've read that some owners report that the ti side is slippery, just my 2 cents.

 

[Thomas W]

I like Kershaw too, but there is no reason to defend them to the death every time a person has an opinion that isn't direct praise. I have had multiple small issues with many of their knives, but still like and respect the brand.

I respect your opinion and comments, but in this case, our opinions and perceived value differ. No harm, no foul.

The Acies isn't a Kershaw knife.

 

[2bkc]

Off the shelf - I was refering to off the Kershaw shelf....kind of like the Shelby Series 1 "supercar" of years past. Super high quality parts mixed with a so-so engine and gauges pulled off of the GM shelf. Ho hum.

The Series 1 is the only car ever produced by Carroll Shelby from a clean sheet of paper, and built from the ground up.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_Series_1

I like Kershaw too, but there is no reason to defend them to the death every time a person has an opinion that isn't direct praise. I have had multiple small issues with many of their knives, but still like and respect the brand.

Direct from the AG Russell website...
http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-acies-titanium-frame-lock/p/RUS-UF12ZDP/

It is not a defense against your opinion. It is a about your incorrect facts.

 

[Tripton]

The Acies isn't a Kershaw knife.

I was under the impression that Kershaw manufactured them. I am fully aware that they are not marketed as Kershaws.

The Series 1 is the only car ever produced by Carroll Shelby from a clean sheet of paper, and built from the ground up.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_Series_1

Indeed. With many GM factory parts...

Direct from the AG Russell website...
http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-acies-titanium-frame-lock/p/RUS-UF12ZDP/

It is not a defense against your opinion. It is a about your incorrect facts.

Which incorrect facts would those be? Who made the folder?

 

[Josh K]

Kershaw made the Acies. They're "off the shelf parts" because they're made in Tualatin Oregon, in house, and used to construct the Acies. Kershaw, FWIW, is the only US company to have it's own stocks of ZDP as I remember. So yes, every "off the shelf part", is off the shelf because that's where Kershaw stores them after they make them.

vs.

The Acies isn't a Kershaw knife.

I'll take the latter for $100.

The Acies doesn't appeal to me like the Sebenza does. To each his own, I'm sure it's a nice knife.

 

[A_Blade_Afficionado]

Kershaw made the Acies to AG's specs, AG priced it. Don't jump down Kershaw's throat if you feel the price is out of line. AG priced it according to what he thought it was worth, Kershaw didn't set the price.

 

[Josh K]

Kershaw made the Acies to AG's specs, AG priced it. Don't jump down Kershaw's throat if you feel the price is out of line. AG priced it according to what he thought it was worth, Kershaw didn't set the price.

I thought Thomas just said it wasn't a Kershaw knife?

I don't care about the pricing, $375 for Ti and ZDP sounds reasonable if the F&F is up there, which I have no reason to doubt it isn't.

 

[RevDevil]

Despite the direction the discussion has taken on the last page, the more I look at that knife, the more I think I really would like to try one.

 

[A_Blade_Afficionado]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7747846&postcount=126
Edited out the parts irrelevant to the Acies.

[...]

OEM projects like these will always bring a premium price tag, and I'm unsure why this needs explaining. This isn't a Kershaw or ZT knife, it's an OEM project. These projects are not necessarily efficient for us as a an organization, as they disrupt the flow of everyday business. Projects like these bring on premium floor space from the factory, and the upscale materials used are difficult to work with along with being very expensive. ZDP is a bear, and a Ti framelock, is a challenge.
We did this particular knife due to the relationship we have with A.G. A.G. is very strict when it comes to the details and tolerances when putting his name on a knife, and we're focusing on meeting his demands.

*There's no two step distribution, or deep discounting dealers involved here. You can't even compare this piece to a Kai USA branded knife, and for not one person to post on this is kind of odd to me. As others have said, we all want the deal of the day, but I thought I would throw some reasoning why into the discussion.*
What there is here, is an investment from all parties involved to create one sweet knife that brings forth materials everyone felt would be desired. Oh, I should mentioned I checked the hardness on the ZDP last week, and it came in at 65.5 Rc.*

As to the pattern itself, I'll leave that for all you to put under the microscope. I personally don't understand where there's an issue, at all. If there was an issue in our eyes, we would have passed on producing the piece.

[...]

 

[Josh K]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7747846&postcount=126
Edited out the parts irrelevant to the Acies.

Ah, much thanks for that. :thumbup:

 

[A_Blade_Afficionado]

No problem, just trying to keep the facts straight.

 

[JNewell]

vs.



I'll take the latter for $100.

The Acies doesn't appeal to me like the Sebenza does. To each his own, I'm sure it's a nice knife.

I had followed this since it was first announced. I recently bought one, mostly because I would like more ZDP-189 blades. Contrary to the sentiments trolled out in that huge hate thread a few months ago, it is not a Sebenza wannabe - unless every titanium framelock is. However, I understand (as the owner of three Sebs) that comparisons are inevitable. In any case, for me, it was mostly about the blade. I am still on the fence about this knife, based on its if-fy ergos for left hand use, but that's a different question.

 

[JNewell]

Despite the direction the discussion has taken on the last page, the more I look at that knife, the more I think I really would like to try one.

I have to say that I was very impressed. It is more impressive in the hand than on a webpage. Both of my sons (22 and 19 yo) have been impressed as well. It may not be a "Kershaw" knife, but ThomasW need not (and I don't interpret his post that way) apologize for or defend this excellent knife.

 

[Thomas W]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7747846&postcount=126
Edited out the parts irrelevant to the Acies.

Originally Posted by Thomas W View Post

OEM projects like these will always bring a premium price tag, and I'm unsure why this needs explaining. This isn't a Kershaw or ZT knife, it's an OEM project. These projects are not necessarily efficient for us as a an organization, as they disrupt the flow of everyday business. Projects like these bring on premium floor space from the factory, and the upscale materials used are difficult to work with along with being very expensive. ZDP is a bear, and a Ti framelock, is a challenge.
We did this particular knife due to the relationship we have with A.G. A.G. is very strict when it comes to the details and tolerances when putting his name on a knife, and we're focusing on meeting his demands.

*There's no two step distribution, or deep discounting dealers involved here. You can't even compare this piece to a Kai USA branded knife, and for not one person to post on this is kind of odd to me. As others have said, we all want the deal of the day, but I thought I would throw some reasoning why into the discussion.*
What there is here, is an investment from all parties involved to create one sweet knife that brings forth materials everyone felt would be desired. Oh, I should mentioned I checked the hardness on the ZDP last week, and it came in at 65.5 Rc.*

As to the pattern itself, I'll leave that for all you to put under the microscope. I personally don't understand where there's an issue, at all. If there was an issue in our eyes, we would have passed on producing the piece.

+1

To add:

I was under the impression that Kershaw manufactured them. I am fully aware that they are not marketed as Kershaws

We have manufactured a few OEM projects like the Acies in the past. From concept to finished product, the details and specs of the knife are to the customers wants and desires, not ours. It's their files we work from, it's their requests we we meet. The completed piece is not always how we would have designed it should it been brandished Kershaw or ZT, but again, we're filling the request of the customer.

If screws, a pivot, and studs are the only "off the shelf" parts used in the Acies, it's pretty unique in its nature, and far from one of our products. Could we have done more/less with the Acies, certainly, but it wasn't our call.

Certainly we have no control over MSRP or street pricing, as again that falls into the realm of the customer. OEM's wil bring a premium with regards to cost, and typically will be more monies than a Kai branded product. I would think this should be expected, and the norm in every case.

Sometimes a little understanding goes a long way, but to be clear, the Acies is not a Kershaw or ZT, it's an A.G. Russell knife.

I've talked with A.G. a few times about the Acies, and he is quite happy with how it turned out, and is carrying one every time we talk. I couldn't be more happy hearing his words of satisfaction.

 

[RevDevil]

I have to say that I was very impressed. It is more impressive in the hand than on a webpage. Both of my sons (22 and 19 yo) have been impressed as well. It may not be a "Kershaw" knife, but ThomasW need not (and I don't interpret his post that way) apologize for or defend this excellent knife.

It does look impressive indeed, the lines are great as well as the steel used. I agree with your assessment as well.

+1

To add:
We have manufactured a few OEM projects like the Acies in the past. From concept to finished product, the details and specs of the knife are to the customers wants and desires, not ours. It's their files we work from, it's their requests we we meet. The completed piece is not always how we would have designed it should it been brandished Kershaw or ZT, but again, we're filling the request of the customer.

If screws, a pivot, and studs are the only "off the shelf" parts used in the Acies, it's pretty unique in its nature, and far from one of our products. Could we have done more/less with the Acies, certainly, but it wasn't our call.

Certainly we have no control over MSRP or street pricing, as again that falls into the realm of the customer. OEM's wil bring a premium with regards to cost, and typically will be more monies than a Kai branded product. I would think this should be expected, and the norm in every case.

Sometimes a little understanding goes a long way, but to be clear, the Acies is not a Kershaw or ZT, it's an A.G. Russell knife.

I've talked with A.G. a few times about the Acies, and he is quite happy with how it turned out, and is carrying one every time we talk. I couldn't be more happy hearing his words of satisfaction.

That is exactly what I've understood since it was initially brought up, it's a non-issue (comparing apples to oranges). Just like the starting knife collectors. Sometimes people want a specific knife based on needs, you can suggest things that will fall right in line with what their request is, ultimately it's their call, their money, their choice. Nothing wrong with that.:thumbup:

 

[Tripton]

+1

To add:
We have manufactured a few OEM projects like the Acies in the past. From concept to finished product, the details and specs of the knife are to the customers wants and desires, not ours. It's their files we work from, it's their requests we we meet. The completed piece is not always how we would have designed it should it been brandished Kershaw or ZT, but again, we're filling the request of the customer.

If screws, a pivot, and studs are the only "off the shelf" parts used in the Acies, it's pretty unique in its nature, and far from one of our products. Could we have done more/less with the Acies, certainly, but it wasn't our call.

Certainly we have no control over MSRP or street pricing, as again that falls into the realm of the customer. OEM's wil bring a premium with regards to cost, and typically will be more monies than a Kai branded product. I would think this should be expected, and the norm in every case.

Sometimes a little understanding goes a long way, but to be clear, the Acies is not a Kershaw or ZT, it's an A.G. Russell knife.

I've talked with A.G. a few times about the Acies, and he is quite happy with how it turned out, and is carrying one every time we talk. I couldn't be more happy hearing his words of satisfaction.

Gotcha.

Thank you for your explanation.

I have confidence in KAI's ability for quality, and really did not mean for this to go the way that it did. I wish all parties the best, with no hard feelings harbored.

 

[A. G. Russell]

I thought Thomas just said it wasn't a Kershaw knife?

I don't care about the pricing, $375 for Ti and ZDP sounds reasonable if the F&F is up there, which I have no reason to doubt it isn't.

Thomas was correct, it is not a Kershaw knife. I designed it, my staff engineered it and I had Kershaw make it exactly as I designed it. It is an A. G. Russell knife.

When Queen makes a knife with water jet BG-42 blades to my design and puts my name on it, it is not a Queen knife, it is an A. G. Russell knife.

 

[A. G. Russell]

I came in on page three and posted before reading those posts following the one I answered. I have now read all of the thread,

I would like to thank everyone who read and/or posted to this thread. This is the largest knife I have ever carried every day, I agree with the folks who have bought and carry the knife. I carry it in my waist band in front of my right hip and find the clip a great aid at getting it into my hand.

Blade Forums is a great aid to the entire knife industry.
.

 

[A_Blade_Afficionado]

Good to hear it from you AG. I know $375 is a lot to pay for a production knife and I'm surprised at all the hate towards the Acies because of it considering it's made of all premium materials.
Anybody have a link to a long term EDC review to see how it's held up? I'd be curious to see it.

 

[tiguy7]

Don't eschew ZDP-189 if you perceive that it is prone to rusting. I have some William Henry laminated blade folders that have a ZDP-189 core surrounded by 410 stainless. The stainless bread in the sandwich corrodes more readily than the ZDP bologna. The 410 was developed for its corrosion resistance. The surface rust that develops is easily removed with a wire brush.