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AGR Rancher and Cowboy Folders?
- Thread starter Lycosa
- Start date
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- Aug 23, 2006
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- 481
I have a yellow Rancher. It is just about a perfect Sodbuster if you ask me. I like the blade profile and size quite a lot. Easy to pinch open, and the pointy tip is nice.
Also wanted to mention that I really appreciate the inclusion of a lanyard hole.
Also wanted to mention that I really appreciate the inclusion of a lanyard hole.
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- Joined
- Feb 7, 2000
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I've never held one, but I sure like the looks of them. There's only thing I wish they'd done a little differently: I sure wish they'd designed it so that, when closed, the sharp corner of the tang didn't stick up so high. Even at the low price, that's been a deal-breaker for me.
-- Mark
-- Mark
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- Mar 10, 2011
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I've never held one, but I sure like the looks of them. There's only thing I wish they'd done a little differently: I sure wish they'd designed it so that, when closed, the sharp corner of the tang didn't stick up so high. Even at the low price, that's been a deal-breaker for me.
-- Mark
I have one in yellow, and immediately softened the edges of the tang with a smal piece of 400 grit paper...this knife packs a lot of blade in a thin and comfortable package...
I love it!
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- Feb 7, 2000
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Sure, I reckon you could soften those corners a bit. But not compared to German Eye's version:
Or to GEC's Bull Nose work knife:
Or to the GEC 73:
Agreed. I hope I don't come off as someone complaining just for the sake of complaining. It's just that I hope someday AG and co. with update/improve their design and take this feedback into consideration.
-- Mark
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- Apr 12, 2009
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- 13,529
I've never held one, but I sure like the looks of them. There's only thing I wish they'd done a little differently: I sure wish they'd designed it so that, when closed, the sharp corner of the tang didn't stick up so high. Even at the low price, that's been a deal-breaker for me.
-- Mark
That's the key, and the trade-off. A.G. has a knack for putting some HUGE blades in relatively small handles. Here are a couple pics of my two Cowboy knives, alongside two of my large Case soddies (2138 SS, 3138 CV). The AGR blades are longer (at cutting edge), wider and thicker behind the edge, and the handles significantly smaller than on the Case models. I view that as a good thing, and can live with the taller exposed tang. Sanding the corner should be a good way to make that exposed tang a little easier to live with. These are great using knives, and they feel wonderful in-hand. As a slipjoint, the lockup is so solid and firm, I kept trying to 'disengage' the (non-existent) lock bar on closing, when I first bought these. Steel is excellent quality also (I've never expected or seen any less from AGR). :thumbup:
(Comparing handle length & thickness; Case soddies are 1st and 3rd from left, in the pic, compared to the AGR Cowboy models in 2nd and 4th)
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JPD1998
Gold Member
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- Oct 18, 2004
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- 3,572
I've got one of the yellow Rancher knives.
IMO the knife is perfect. I bought the smaller version for work carry. IMO AG hit a home run with the blade shape/size.
I'm one of those guys who examines every inch of a pocket knife and I can say I like everything about this knife. I'll eventually add the larger version too, maybe in a different color. I have one of the gunstock knives in Rucarta and it's a nice material.
IMO the knife is perfect. I bought the smaller version for work carry. IMO AG hit a home run with the blade shape/size.
I'm one of those guys who examines every inch of a pocket knife and I can say I like everything about this knife. I'll eventually add the larger version too, maybe in a different color. I have one of the gunstock knives in Rucarta and it's a nice material.
I've had the AGR Cowboy for about 2 years now, and its put my Case sodbusters to shame.
Good ergonomics, strong snap, evenly ground, and SHARP.
I also didn't like the pointy blade tang when closed, but it was easily filed down.
Great folder for the price.
Good ergonomics, strong snap, evenly ground, and SHARP.
I also didn't like the pointy blade tang when closed, but it was easily filed down.
Great folder for the price.
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- Mar 10, 2011
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- 7,893
Sure, I reckon you could soften those corners a bit. But not compared to German Eye's version:
Or to GEC's Bull Nose work knife:
Or to the GEC 73:
Agreed. I hope I don't come off as someone complaining just for the sake of complaining. It's just that I hope someday AG and co. with update/improve their design and take this feedback into consideration.
-- Mark
Good point! But one thing I'd like to add is that All present MFG's seem to leave the tang edge sharp...my 2 Case soddies, My GEC Bullnose, all had a sharp edge there...I wish MFG's would take the time to soften that edge...
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- Apr 12, 2009
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The blade tang on my large CV Case soddie is slightly smoothed off, I'm sure as a result of the tumbled (polished) finish on it. Just enough to take the bite out of the corner on the tang. This holds true of most/all of the polished blades I see from Case. On the other hand, the 'as ground' finish on the stainless Case soddie is quite hard-edged (spine, ricasso, blade tang).
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- Oct 16, 2003
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They look like great working knives. I just wish that there were a carbon steel version.
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- Feb 7, 2000
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One last clarification, then I'll stop hijacking this thread.
To be clear, my beef is not that the corners of the tang on the AG Russell models are sharp. My beef is that the tang sits so high above the handle. I agree, sharp corners are an easy fix, but what I'm talking about is a tweak that would have to be made at the design table.And again, in all other respects, I think they are GREAT looking knives. :thumbup: If I didn't, I wouldn't prattle on like this (in the hopes that someone at AG Russell takes this to heart).
-- Mark
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Mark,
I understood what you were getting at, regarding the height of the tang, and fully respect that. :thumbup:
I was also slightly taken aback when first looking at the height of the blade tang on the AGR. Once in hand though, I've found that all the other 'plus' factors of this knife make the issue of the exposed tang easier to live with (much easier, actually). Personally, I don't view your point as a sidetrack to the thread, as it's a valid factor to consider when deciding whether to buy one or not. That seems to me to be perfectly in line with the question posted in the OP. If I had asked the same question, I'd appreciate the input you gave.
My comment regarding the tang's sharp corner was just for comparison's sake between models, in general. Didn't mean to imply anything beyond that.
I understood what you were getting at, regarding the height of the tang, and fully respect that. :thumbup:
I was also slightly taken aback when first looking at the height of the blade tang on the AGR. Once in hand though, I've found that all the other 'plus' factors of this knife make the issue of the exposed tang easier to live with (much easier, actually). Personally, I don't view your point as a sidetrack to the thread, as it's a valid factor to consider when deciding whether to buy one or not. That seems to me to be perfectly in line with the question posted in the OP. If I had asked the same question, I'd appreciate the input you gave.
My comment regarding the tang's sharp corner was just for comparison's sake between models, in general. Didn't mean to imply anything beyond that.
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- Joined
- Aug 23, 2006
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- 481
My experience also. In carry / in pocket, I have not found the high tang to be noticeable.
I also wanted to mention that mine came with an excellent factory edge. Good enough that I have maintained it so far by stropping, which is unusual for me b/c I typically sharpen a new knife soon after getting it.
AG also chose an excellent shade of yellow for this knife, in my opinion.
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- Feb 7, 2000
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Idea: They should come out with versions of each where the frame comes up a bit at the tang end (ala the German Eye I posted above), and has a thinner blade profile (ala the modbuster) and call these new versions the "Rancher Slim" and "Cowboy Slim." Those names have a nice Western vibe AND then I could buy one! ;-)
-- Mark
-- Mark
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I have the Rancher in yellow and my same thoughts on the corner being so high when closed. But is is such a nice and well made made with a sharp factory edge I can overlook that one thing. Great knife and very reasonale price. A G just keeps making great knives!
RKH
RKH