AG Russell Peanut

O

oldrifleman

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When the latest AG Russell Catalog came in the mail I almost threw it out as I have recieved a few many toys in the mail lately. But I thumbed through it and saw that they had their own peanut, in Mammoth ivory no less. looking closer I noticed that instead of the traditional pen blade as a secondary they had a small Warncliff blade. That sort of sealed the deal. I must say I love this little knife! I do have other peanuts (who can have just one :D) but this is by far my fav! It is VG10, interior mammoth ivory, threaded (I think that is the correct term) pinched bolsters, brushed finish and both blades are swedged. It really looks more like a hand made, but with a couple of issues that are easy to overlook in a production knife (even a semi expensive one). the most noticable is that the back spring on the Clip sits a little proud, not much but maybe a 1/100th, just enough to be noticable, the blade tangs do not quite line up in the closed position (the Warny tang is about 1/50th closer to the end of the knife) and the pull is kind of wimpy, which is ok with me, but I would like a little more snap. Is any of this enough to get me to send it back, NO WAY! Here are a couple of picture (yeah the pros have nothing to fear from me :)). Steven

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I've been ogling those too, especially in the available stag. More than I'm willing to spend right now, but they do look first-rate. All the right 'stuff' built into 'em. The steel, handle material, detailing; it's got it all. These are Japanese-made, and remind me of the Moki knives in both materials and build quality. If Moki-produced, I'd think they'd be as near-perfect as a production knife could be (how's the fit between blade and backspring, when fully opened?).
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
I've been ogling those too, especially in the available stag. More than I'm willing to spend right now, but they do look first-rate. All the right 'stuff' built into 'em. The steel, handle material, detailing; it's got it all. These are Japanese-made, and remind me of the Moki knives in both materials and build quality. If Moki-produced, I'd think they'd be as near-perfect as a production knife could be (how's the fit between blade and backspring, when fully opened?).
Click to expand...
The fit when opened is excellent with the backsprings and blades being flush with each other and the liners. Between the tang and the backspring you see a line, with maybe a 1/500th gap. Yeah I looked at the stag ones as well as I love the look of it, but Ivory...... well, it just had to be done! Steven
 
oldrifleman said:
The fit when opened is excellent with the backsprings and blades being flush with each other and the liners. Between the tang and the backspring you see a line, with maybe a 1/500th gap. Yeah I looked at the stag ones as well as I love the look of it, but Ivory...... well, it just had to be done! Steven
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That's another part of the Moki-esque build quality I spoke of. The seam between blade & backspring/lockbar on the Moki knives is virtually invisible, at least on the one example I have. I think A.G. Russell has contracted them in the past, for other knives he's designed. They all seem to have that 'touch' in fit/finish. Also seen the same attributes in some older, Moki-made Kershaw folders, especially some 'interframe' lockbacks they sold back in the '90s or so (I have a couple of those too).

Whomever made it, you've got a very nice one there. Congrats! :thumbup:
 
Congrats Steven, that's a great lookin nut!! I picked up one in Quince earlier this year.

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Oh yeah, maybe I need another one, or two (no must resist, must resist). Nice Quince! Steven
 
In the words of our colorful British cousins; Bugger!!!

Here I was, floating along in blissful happyness with my damascus peanut, thinking I had found the one peanut to settle down with. Now I'm greeted to the sight of a very nice, almost custom quality peanut that is very alluring. A very nice little 'nut to work into the 'nut rotation. But not just a nice nut, but a warnie 'nut.

Bugger!

Carl.
 
Were the bolsters not pinched, I would probably have bought one of these, despite the somewhat high cost. I don't care much for a pen blade on peanuts, as the main blade is so small already, so having a wharncliffe blade instead is just perfect. And VG-10 is my all-time favorite "user" steel. But I can't get past the pinched bolsters. Something about them...just kills it for me.
 
If they just made it in a larger size, say 3-3/4" give or take an eighth, it would be the perfect EDC. Are you listening, A.G.? ;)
 
I was checking these out on the AG site. They must have the weights wrong. They list the mammoth one at 4.8 oz and the stag or quince at 3.6 oz. If true, those are darned heavy peanuts! I just weighed my full size Case Trapper and it is 4.1 oz.
 
Zuchus said:
I was checking these out on the AG site. They must have the weights wrong. They list the mammoth one at 4.8 oz and the stag or quince at 3.6 oz. If true, those are darned heavy peanuts! I just weighed my full size Case Trapper and it is 4.1 oz.
Click to expand...

All-stainless construction (liners & bolsters). Maybe thicker blades too (look like true flat grinds, as opposed to the thin hollow-ground Case blades). That could account for some extra weight, although I don't know how much. Does seem pretty heavy.
 
Wow, that is a sweet looking knife, I love the blade profiles, and those swedges!!
I am not too sure as to which knife I like better, Stevens Mammoth Ivory, or Trands..( Trand..is that some kind of Burl wood....very nice! )
Good show guys, thanks for the look.

Edit: Its interesting looking back at peoples different views on the knife - and different views I respect greatly, a knife is a personal choice of tool to carry, those pinched bolsters actually add to the knife for me!
I like the knife very much...guys, where is this AG Russell made?
 
Those look spectacular. Here we go again...thanks alot fellas! Now, which shall it be???
 
I do agree with Duncan, somehow I like the pinched bolsters, and I do love a wharncliff as secondary blade on peanuts, jacks and so on.
For pure aesthetic reason, I prefer Trand's knife too, but both look awesome, and very well made.
Fausto
:cool:
 
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