AG Russell Cowboy home on the range

meako · Sep 2, 2016

Unkind people might call me stingy. Cruel people might call me tight with money.
I prefer the terms "careful" or "thrifty".
So my eldest who has lived and worked in New Zealand for nearly 2 years is venturing off on an Outward Bound course soon.
I thought I'd buy him a half decent knife for the event. Didn't want to fork out too much because it will more than likely get lost ,wrecked or stolen (did I mention that NZ is a land of thieving reprobates not to be trusted as far as they can be thrown?). I settled on the AGR Cowboy black rucarta scales.
Well here it is lined up next a few of the bigger guys in my pack-I say "bigger" but really I mean fatter blades.
The Cowboy does not disappoint. Large blade nice and sharp -the rucarta is very lightweight and seems to balance things out very nicely.
The Joker is a good bit heavier for the same size. Thats an Opinel#10 and a Northfield Missouri Trader #43 for size comparison .
Unfortunately I may have missed the boat because the NZ mail system is slower than a dead snail in a bucket of epoxy.
In summary -the AGR Cowboy gives a lot of bang for the bucks.
cheers.

Old Gupti · Sep 2, 2016

Nice set of knives and a lovely picture! The AGR Cowboy I think is a perfect gift for your eldest. What I understand from online research is that it is a strong and rugged knife for edc'ng...and looks great too! Thanks for sharing~

abbydaddy · Sep 2, 2016

I have liked the look of the Cowboy.

Also, I think that it is just good sense not to take super expensive knives on international travel. Even without worrying about illegal theft, there are a host of legitimate reasons that one might have to give up a knife. Best not to take too special of a knife.

screened porch · Sep 2, 2016

I have one; great knife in a very slim package.

mnblade · Sep 2, 2016

meako said:
So my eldest who has lived and worked in New Zealand for nearly 2 years is venturing off on an Outward Bound course soon.
I thought I'd buy him a half decent knife for the event. ... I settled on the AGR Cowboy black rucarta scales.

Great looking knife, and a handy, thoughtful gift. BTW, what is the model number on the Boker on the right? Also a good looking knife. :thumbup:

-- Mark

RobbW · Sep 2, 2016

Thanks for the comparison. It's nice to have the differences so well described. Love that heraldic shield!

btmccutcheon · Sep 2, 2016

I've been looking at the cowboy for a while now, and seeing as how I'll be in NW Arkansas this weekend, I may have to stop by the AG RUssell store and pick one up. Thanks Meako!

skyhorse · Sep 2, 2016

That AG Russell Cowboy is a good looking knife, congrats .

Daniel Dorn · Sep 2, 2016

Got one when they first came out. It's a handy knife with more blade than you would expect. The back-spring is quite strong, but not so much that it's a nail-breaker. It instills the proper amount of confidence. I'm also getting to be comfortable with the 8Cr13MoV steel, and would easily compare it to Aus-8 or 440C.

Elgin · Sep 2, 2016

I have a few of the Rancher modes (smaller version), and the quality is excellent. Might have to pick up a cowboy and give it a shot. Thanks for the comparison pic!

arizonaranchman · Sep 2, 2016

Very nice Meako - that should serve him well!

T. Erdelyi · Sep 2, 2016

I like the look of the Cowboy, I'd break/soften the edges a little on the scales so there's no hot spots but all in all looks like a great knife.

Remind me of the old Precise Deerslayer version from the 70s.

Bigfattyt · Sep 3, 2016

I have one of the large versions. I don't remember if it is the rancher or cowboy.

It is a solid work knife. And prettier than it ought to be for the cost!

meako · Sep 3, 2016

The Cowboy is larger than the Rancher.
Thanks for the comments and advice everyone.
Mark -I can't remember the model # of the Boker - it is a locking folder with drop point and "washboard bone" scales which are a tortoise shelly coloured colour. Really nice.
I remember they put out some green washboard bone as well.

JOELSM · Sep 3, 2016

Daniel Dorn said:
Got one when they first came out. It's a handy knife with more blade than you would expect. The back-spring is quite strong, but not so much that it's a nail-breaker. It instills the proper amount of confidence. I'm also getting to be comfortable with the 8Cr13MoV steel, and would easily compare it to Aus-8 or 440C.

I have a half dozen or so AGR knives and have been pleasantly surprised by the edge retention and ease of sharpening...and boy can the get sharp. Subjectively, I think your comparison is right on the money.