AG Russell store visit

comoha said:
Chief,
What was the closed length on that prototype gunstock?
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Didn't measure it but if my memory serves correct it was about the same size as the Curved Regular Jack I bought, which is 3 5/8" closed.
 
It is great that you got the oportunity to visit with the man! Yeah the peanut is a little expensive, but mine has not left my pocket! good job AG. Steven
 
Wow... seems to be a great place to spend sparetime :D


Thanks for the post... If I´ll ever be in the US, I´m trying to visit any one of the Manufacturer´s place. I´ve already been in Solingen, Germany. Maybe it´s nearly the same...

Kind regards
Andi
 
A. G. Russell said:
If I could buy MY designs in the US, Germany or Japan for double, or even triple the cost of using the GREAT makers I have developed in China I would be doing so.

I sent a trapper design to Germany and got a quote of $50,000 in tooling and $75 cost per knife, that kwould mean an investment of $125,000 to order the first 1,000 knives. How long would it take to sell those knives at $250?, at $199???? Think Sowbelly.

Yes you can buy knives made in the U. S. for less than $100, but they are the same designs your granddaddy was buying. Yes the predjudice some folks have against China keeps our sales lower than I think they should be, but the designs and prices bring us more business than you might think.

Thanks to all of you for your comments. Blade forums keeps me learning.

A. G.
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A few questions if you don't mind A. G.,

Did you end up getting that $125 (cost from Germany) Trapper built in China? How much less was it, or would it be?

It appears to me that about the only thing China is lacking in their "low cost" traditional (slipjoint) knives is the quality of the materials they are using, or at least the perceived quality. Would you generally agree with that?
 
Well, there you go: it's why BladeForums.com is the place to be. Answers come straight from the horse's mouth. Thank you, A.G.
It was the cost of tooling up a new design that threw it into quadruple the price. Didn't think of that, but original and improved designs are worth more.
 
Jeff, I was thinking the same thing...I love the fact that here on BF (at least in the traditional subforum) there is great communication between the buyers/users and the makers/retailers.
This can only benefit the knife market, both sides.
I do agree with Esav about the (wished) goals for production knives made in China, as in any other place. Of course, I'm not American, so I assume my point of view is different from the majority of users here: still, I think any buyer will eventually recognize quality and design, no matter if it's made in the US, China, Switzerland or Sweden or wherever. And, from what I've seen and heard, it seems that AG Russell is one of the (probably, and unfortunately few) companies who are working for that. I have no idea of costs in the knifemaking business; I just know that there is a way to produce good quality items (this is not just for knives) at a reasonable price, and there are many examples in production knives as well.
As for design...personally, I find that the Sowbelly Trapper is one of the best designs I have ever seen in a traditional knife...and here comes the question to Mr. Russell: do you plan to produce a smaller version of the same knife? Cause I've heard more than one knife buyer (even here in Italy) wishing for it, and sure I'm on that list too. :D

Fausto
:cool:
 
This little beauty has been giving me the eye ever since she came on the scene. When I finnaly picked mine up the quality was as advertised. You can't find knives like this outside the custom world and that's why I'm forever a fan of AG.

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Furious, if A.G. made that pattern in a 3-3/4" size (give or take an eighth) I would probably have one in every handle material, and seldom carry anything else.

Perfect blade combo for EDC, IMO.
 
Jeff, be patient...maybe I can convince Mr. Russell :D to make the Sowbelly trapper at the length you wish for (and I wish for); same blade combo, just slightly more recurve handle...
I agree that clip/wharncliff (or clip/sheepsfoot) is as close as it can get to being the best blade combo for general use.
Sure the pinched peanut looks very nice.

Fausto
:cool:
 
black mamba said:
Furious, if A.G. made that pattern in a 3-3/4" size (give or take an eighth) I would probably have one in every handle material, and seldom carry anything else.

Perfect blade combo for EDC, IMO.
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Too bad that's a peanut (2 7/8"). :D I agree though, it'd make a great knife at any size, and I'd own one already if it weren't so expensive for so small a knife.
 
Seems like a great place, hope i will be able to make it out there someday.

Thanks for sharing
 
FuriousPace said:
This little beauty has been giving me the eye ever since she came on the scene. When I finnaly picked mine up the quality was as advertised. You can't find knives like this outside the custom world and that's why I'm forever a fan of AG.

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Much better pictures than mine. I agree this is a fantastic knife. For those who lament paying this much for a small knife, I would say that you pay for quality not quantity. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine! Steven
 
I too carry an Acies as my primary EDC. I reprofiled the edge on a Wicked Edge and the knife is literally shaving sharp (bloody fingers remind me too often) Own many A.G. Russell knives as well as others. The Acies just finds my pocket to the point I remind myself that I may need another as a back-up.
I cofess to the "China aversion" as well. Call it an age thing I dunno. I have a hard time supporting a person/company or country that I do not trust and admire. China just does not stand for anything I admire or trust.
Great write-up on A.G.'s place.
 
rubiconss said:
I too carry an Acies as my primary EDC. I reprofiled the edge on a Wicked Edge and the knife is literally shaving sharp (bloody fingers remind me too often) Own many A.G. Russell knives as well as others. The Acies just finds my pocket to the point I remind myself that I may need another as a back-up.
I cofess to the "China aversion" as well. Call it an age thing I dunno. I have a hard time supporting a person/company or country that I do not trust and admire. China just does not stand for anything I admire or trust.
Great write-up on A.G.'s place.
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Rubiconss,

Please send me an email to agr@agr3.com

A. G.
 
I have only owned one A.G Russell knife, and it was the China made double bladed sowbelly, I can honestly say that the quality was right up there with any other production knife that I own ( in the comparable price range ), and I personally think that the quality is right on the doorstep of a custom made knife, for the money that the knife cost, there was really no comparison in the price bracket.
In a recent thread, I compared the quality of AG's knife being very similar to the Case T/B Dogleg that I have, and thats a fairly big statement, but I stand by that.
With this knife alone, I can only make my judgement, and I think the knife is extremely well made, and extremely good value for the money.
I would have loved to seen inside shots of the store!...Thank you Chief.
 
The company that my truck is leased to is based a couple of miles from A.G.s place. One day I really need to visit.
 
how funny. I was actually in the store while you were there Chief. Wife and I were going to Eureka springs and stopped in. I snagged a stag one-hander and love it.

Brett
OKC
 
Hello gentlemen - New here, but have followed this post with interest. I lived a bit north in Joplin, MO and will say that the highlight of every trip I made down 71 into AR and LA included a stop at the Russell outlet. Not that big of a sales area, but the knives they kept on display would make you drool with desire. Great folks to deal with.
 
bdws1975 said:
how funny. I was actually in the store while you were there Chief. Wife and I were going to Eureka springs and stopped in. I snagged a stag one-hander and love it.

Brett
OKC
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Hey Neighbor! Was that you with the rugrats? My wife remembered a couple with some kids but my nose was buried in knives and taking photos. I live on the north side of OKC.
 
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