AGRussell Fancy Bolster Lockback - needed work...

J

Jason Cutter

Joined
Oct 9, 2002
Messages
1,419
Thought I'd share some pics of a recent purchase. Got this Fancy bolstered lockback folder with Chinese Quincewood handles from AGRussell.

There were some problems with fit and finish - the top and bottom of the handles were very much off-square and the top of the lockbar was significantly bigger than the back of the blade itself, in the locked open position. One side of the handles was also much thicker than the other. The edge had several flat spots on it.

However, the lockup and operation of the knife was superb. The blade grinds and edge thickness etc. allows very clean, fine cutting once I'd reground an edge on it. Really very nice wood for the handles.

With a bit of time on the grinder, squaring things up and refinishing with hand sanding and reprofiling, I got things up to my expectations. Its works very well and The end result can be seen in the link below.

http://www.fototime.com/21D1507393CCA5E/orig.jpg

I'm not sure what other people think. Are my expectations too high ? I wouldn't think of this knife as a custom or anything like that. For $59, I thought it was a good buy, even with an extra hour or so or personal touch ups thrown in ... Thanks for looking. Jason.
 
Seriously, I would have sent it back. A.G. Russell is known for standing by their products, and they would have made it right. I guess it was one of the few that sneak by their QC. As it is, you seem to have solved the problems, at the expense of your own time and effort, but that can also help you bond with the knife and make it yours. It looks great BTW.

DD
 
I've been looking at that knife myself. Does the tang stick up above the handle when closed?

I would have sent the knife back. That's just too many problems. I'm sure they would have made it right. Everyone let's a lemon slip by now and then.

Paul
 
Paul, the blade tang actually was "sunken" into the handle when locked open. It was significantly smaller than the lockbar. Or the lockbar was too large, whichever way you look at it.

Living in Australia, shipments and organising repairs / etc. can be a hassle when dealing with international mail. Besides, I was wanting something to do - not being able to do REAL knifemaking work while recovering from an injury. Not very labour intensive at all, but it did take a little trial and error to grind everything flush, straight and square.

I am aware that AGRussell has good QC, but I also suspect my expectations are a little high. Thats why I've bought mainly custom and handmade knives the last couple of years. Its about the "life" energy that goes into a single knife rather than looking at QC, which relates to average expectations for a BATCH of knives.

I also need to say again - the lockup, opening and functioning was faultless. And now I've made things a little "prettier", there is no doubt its indeed a fine knife. Jason.
 
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