AG Russell S30V Acies New Made In Taiwan.

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Mdog45

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Dec 20, 2016
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Can't find any reviews online on this new offering from AG Russell replacing the previously highly rated Acies knifes. Anyone know anything about this new offering?
 
JamesofArc said:
I was under the impression that Mr. Russell passed away a few months back.
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That's true unfortunately but his wife, Goldie mentioned that he had already drawn up dozens of blueprints for new designs before he passed. This was most likely one of them.
 
I haven't handle that one, but I can say that every A.G. Russell branded knife I've ever handed has been very well made. Plus, if you buy one and are not satisfied with it, you can return it.
 
popedandy said:
I haven't handle that one, but I can say that every A.G. Russell branded knife I've ever handed has been very well made. Plus, if you buy one and are not satisfied with it, you can return it.
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I generally agree, but my pet peeve is that on Chinese made A.G. Russell knives I've had several with very soft hardware, thread-locker and soft screws leads to stripping in a hurry.
 
evilgreg said:
I generally agree, but my pet peeve is that on Chinese made A.G. Russell knives I've had several with very soft hardware, thread-locker and soft screws leads to stripping in a hurry.
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That seems to just be a bit of a disturbing trend in Chinese knives in general. Overuse of threadlocker and soft screws. Chinese Kershaws are REALLY bad about that.
 
I just received the AG Russell Acies S30v today. I've never seen the previous version, but based on what I've read, these seem to be features of the new (S30V, made in Taiwan) version that differ from the older (ZDP 189, made by Kershaw in the US):
1) the pocket clip appears to be bead blasted -- it's light gray, not polished SS.
2) the pocket clip has 4 options for mounting positions - tip up or down, and left or right handed.
3) instead of the Hinder (?) device to prevent over-pushing the locking bar, this model uses a hardened steel insert at the contact end of the locking bar, located on the inner surface of the bar, which extends just past the bar, and which "catches" on a milled out portion of the frame near the pivot once the lock bar is flush with the rest of the frame.
4) to reduce weight to 4.0 oz, the interior surfaces of the titanium slabs and the locking bar have areas that are milled thinner.
5) it has a ball bearing pivot.
6) the jimping on the spine of the blade is closer-spaced but much shallower than the previous Acies.
Too soon to go into actual use experience, as I've only had it for a few hours. Hope this helps...
 
Slight update. Regarding the mechanism that prevents over-pushing the lock bar: the hardened steel insert at the end of the bar is actually L-shaped. The other end of the "L", which faces the top of the handle (perpendicular to the lock bar), engages a milled out portion of the handle slab and prevents the lock bar from moving past flush with the handle slab. So it appears that both ends of the "L" engage the handle slab, but this perpendicular one protrudes farther past the border of the lock bar on which it is mounted.
BTW, the knife was sharp, but not shaving sharp, out of the box. And at the present time there's a fair amount of resistance to opening. So there is little concern about unintended opening of the blade in the pocket, but it requires a lot more effort than I am accustomed to (my old Spyderco Delica lockback, or a Benchmade Axis lock). I suspect it may become easier over time. We'll see.
 
The Taiwan made AG Russell Acies is the real deal. I was skeptical about the cost ($375 initially but now $325) but it is by far the most satisfying knife I own. I have no regrets and no complaints. And it's a bargain compared to the new Sebenza 25.
 
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Gotta be honest, it may be great, but it just looks a little too busy. May be a "bargain" compared to a Sebenza, but a Sebenza looks 100x cleaner imo..
 
I have the original Acies -- the USA-made, with ZDP steel -- in both the large and small version.

These are two of the first really-good folders I acquired. More than a decade and several hundred knives later (including several dozen CRKs), these Acies remain two of my all-time favorites.

In shape, size and ergos, A.G. hit the Acies out of the ballpark.

Glad to know his company brought it back and I hope they will do the same with the smaller version.
 
Taiwan is not communist China. Spyderco among other makers has some of their knives made in Taiwan, and all that I have from Taiwan are top quality. I don't buy anything from economist China if I can help it.
 
The Acies is a sweeet design! I got mine (the original version) directly from Thomas W of Kershaw when they were coming out. The original was made by Kershaw/ZT in the US with that sweet ZDP-189 blade. It's a knife that I'll forever keep for sure, one of my favorites. I'd imagine that the new version is very nice as well.
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Corton93 said:
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Gotta be honest, it may be great, but it just looks a little too busy. May be a "bargain" compared to a Sebenza, but a Sebenza looks 100x cleaner imo..
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Not sure what you find “busy”. The various holes in the handle permit mounting the 4 ways and there is no Hinderer overtravel disc. The ratio of blade to handle length is also unusual and welcome. The Sebenza 21:and 25 are great knives but the Taiwan Acies is a contender.
 
Not saying that it isn't a contender. I'm just saying that, for ME, the Sebenza looks way cleaner.

I know what all the holes are for, but I basically only ever carry right side tip up. So 4 way clip position doesn't mean much, as it clutters up the knife, so I'd just prefer a cleaner looking knife that comes one way carry only, such as a Sebenza..
 
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