Beware of purchasing knives form A.G. Russell (I don't know what I'm talking about)

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Just another vote of confidence for AG Russell; not that it is needed. I have purchased multiple knives & other items from his company and will do so in the future. One single return over the years had the refund in my account before I knew it. I would ordinarily not dignify this troll with a reply but I will not see a reputable and totally honest man and company maligned.

Tom
 
I would indeed be sooooo upset to receive a knife I believed to be 154cm only to get a better steel s30v. Oh the humanity.
 
Just to give OP, some context to what the problem here is - it sounds like the Engineer that inputs survey data. The survey data reads out in thousandths of a foot, but actual tolerances only matter to hundredths. The engineer has a hard time reconciling this because all they see is numbers, (the freelance writer taking measurements from a website - he probably doesn't even know how big 1/16 is) and don't see the actual measurement. They don't think that you'd have to be off several feet before you could even identify an error of where a fire hydrant is located on a 1"=500' map.

Although, I would suspect that a lot of people would see 1/2" as a huge error when talking about a 3" blade. Most people cannot hold an object that is 6 ounces though and tell you whether it's 6oz or 8oz. Displaying the wrong steel is a pretty big error, and I'm sure many of you would be heated if you bought a blade that was advertised as S30V and ended up with a blade that was 440c.

I suspect OP is a freelance writer, but probably doesn't own many knives (or have much in the way of mechanical aptitude at all). It is extremely hard to find subject matter experts that are also freelance writers, I would expect it's even harder when your subject is knives.

Everybody should give him a chance to respond before piling on him though. It's more than likely a misunderstanding, and he thought that he was actually doing a service. The evidence of his bias would be to continue his boycott even after people have explained to him how petty it truly is. People should be encouraged to report discrepancies and problems though, it makes everyone better. Manufacturers that care about their product quality wouldn't alienate someone reporting problems or discrepancies, they would thank them and try to fix it. Shouldn't this be in Feedback anyway?
 
If someone spits in the soup bowl, I don't think I am bound by ordinary courtesy to give him an opportunity to explain.
 
Doc Trout said:
Beware when purchasing knives from A.G. Russell because you may not get what you paid for!!!

As a professional freelance writer, I have written over 150 knife reviews and consequently, I normally use the A.G. Russell web site as a source of information but, on two occasions now I have noted major discrepancies in the information listed on their web site and the manufacturer's web site. The first time this happened was with the KA-BAR Dog's Head Coppersmith Lockback. In this case, the Russell web site lists the weight of this knife as 5 ounces but the KA-BAR web site lists it at 4 ounces. Also, the Russell web site lists the blade length as being 3 3/4" but the KA-BAR web site lists it at 3 5/8". Last, the Russell web site lists the Rockwell Hardness as being 58-60 but the KA-BAR web site lists it at 56-58.
Now, I have discovered another major discrepancy with the Buck Folding Alpha Hunter (#0277RWS1-B) in that the A.G. Russell web site states that the blade is made from 154CM but, the Buck web site and every other source I have consulted states that it is made from CPM-S30V which is a drastically different steel!

Therefore, I sent A.G. Russell an e-mail concerning the discrepancy with the KA-BAR knife but, I received no reply whatsoever. Now, I have sent them another e-mail concerning the discrepancy with the Buck Alpha and once again I have received no reply.

Consequently, I would suggest that you avoid purchasing knives from A.G. Russell since, not only are they dispensing misinformation on their web site, they apparently will not take the time to address these issues!
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This is a funny post. I'll continue to buy from Mr. Russell.
 
Dear Mr. Trout,

I am sorry about this public post, I tried to send a PM but was told I could not.

Please send me copies of your emails so I can find who got them and when. My email address is agr@agr3.com

A. G.
 
I like Mr. Russell, met him at Blade last year.
OP, are you more upset about 1 ounce and 1/8 inch or the fact that A.G. failed to reply to your email ?

ETA: well shucks ^^^^^ there is the man himself!
 
I just bought a Gerstner chest from AG Russell last week. Had a minor issue with the lock. Pauli in CS got me in touch with Gerstner, and the issue was resolved. Got a follow up call from Pauli making sure I was taken care of. My experience with AG Russell has been positive. Sorry the OP had a different experience...
 
kreole said:
Here is his knife reviews, for those interested

http://www.bestpocketknifereview.com/ (his site)
http://bestsurvivalknifereview.com/ (his site)
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Lists the Buck 110 as "$" and the Buck 301 as "$$" even though the Buck 110 is more expensive than the 301. I believe I'll boycott his writings from now on. ;)

---------------

AG,
My young son and Wife selected my holiday gifts from your store this year. Thank you for providing them such a selection of suitable gift ideas. :thumbup:
 
On the Griptilian:
I would even go so far as to say that the quality and innovative features of this knife are superior to the majority of custom knife smiths working today.
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The 710 McHenry Williams also offers an ambidextrous design with 420J stainless steel liners with black, Nyrol GTX grips and a reversible steel pocket clip.
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And from the 710 review itself
this knife features 420J stainless steel liners with black, Noryl GTX, grips (but is also available with Grivory grips)
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His highest rated knife has mystery steel:
While the particular steel used in manufacturing this knife is not listed, the large clip point blade and trailing point blade each hold a nice edge and are highly corrosion resistant similar to 420 and 440 series steel.
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154CM its Japanese equivalent ATS34, and 440C are the top of the line.
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upon examining the VG-10 steel, which is considered to be the “gold standard” of blade steels
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All I'm saying is everyone makes mistakes :)
 
Doc Trout said:
Beware when purchasing knives from A.G. Russell because you may not get what you paid for!!!

As a professional freelance writer, I have written over 150 knife reviews and consequently, I normally use the A.G. Russell web site as a source of information but, on two occasions now I have noted major discrepancies in the information listed on their web site and the manufacturer's web site. The first time this happened was with the KA-BAR Dog's Head Coppersmith Lockback. In this case, the Russell web site lists the weight of this knife as 5 ounces but the KA-BAR web site lists it at 4 ounces. Also, the Russell web site lists the blade length as being 3 3/4" but the KA-BAR web site lists it at 3 5/8". Last, the Russell web site lists the Rockwell Hardness as being 58-60 but the KA-BAR web site lists it at 56-58.
Now, I have discovered another major discrepancy with the Buck Folding Alpha Hunter (#0277RWS1-B) in that the A.G. Russell web site states that the blade is made from 154CM but, the Buck web site and every other source I have consulted states that it is made from CPM-S30V which is a drastically different steel!

Therefore, I sent A.G. Russell an e-mail concerning the discrepancy with the KA-BAR knife but, I received no reply whatsoever. Now, I have sent them another e-mail concerning the discrepancy with the Buck Alpha and once again I have received no reply.

Consequently, I would suggest that you avoid purchasing knives from A.G. Russell since, not only are they dispensing misinformation on their web site, they apparently will not take the time to address these issues!
Click to expand...

I'm thinking that this fine example of Journalistic Investigation may have a certain "Professional Freelance Writer" being contacted by the Pulitzer Committee.
 
The OP cites four "mistakes." Does he ever tell us WHICH reference is actually correct?
A change from a four-ounce knife to one weighing five IS a big difference to me. My lge Sebbie is 4.7 oz; my Zaan is 5.0. Of course, I can feel the difference.
However, noting the WRONG knife-steel is a rather humungous difference to me. It would likely result in my returning the knife for a refund. We all know why.

Next: A mistake in the measure of blade-length can mean the difference of whether you can legally carry that knife in your state. IMPORTANT.

So, okay, I agree that we are supposed to be able to RELY on the manufacturer's specs.

Now, I do have an A.G. Russell Acies II which I think is a great knife. So I thought I'd check this out...
A.G. Russell specs it as 1/8" ZDP blade-stock at just under 3" blade-length, and hardness of 64-66 Rockwell.

My micrometer caliper tells me that the ZDP-stamped blade thickness is 0.122"...close enuf.
Blade-length is indeed 2.934" as is stated (roughly) by A.G. Russell.
And when I "ding" my knife-blade on my half-emptied wine goblet, I hear an exact B-flat, as is expected for 65 Rockwell.
Hey, I'm hapy, even if I can't spel.
The OP did TRY; he had at least one or two good points. Let's cut him some slack. :)
Sonnydaze....
 
Big Mike said:
I've been buying knives from AG and Goldie for years,

...Never had any problems.

Big Mike
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Same here.

They also have a great return policy. If you do receive a knife you don't like or have issues with, it's very easy to return.

I'll be honest, it angers me to see someone make a rather damning blanket statement like this so nonchalantly (recommending not buying from A.G. Russell), when it is fairly obvious a bit more effort could have been put forth to address the "issues". Putting words on paper is easy. Taking the time to do thorough and responsible research so that they are meaningful is a bit more work. Search the A.G. Russell name and see what people say about him. How about a phone call? Or is that too scary? Every time I've called the A.G. Russell company, I've been able to speak with a real and knowledgeable person.

I've seen the "issues" you (the OP) site a number of times and with a number of different knife companies when looking into a knife that I'm interested in. Mistakes are sometimes made. Scales may not carry the same accuracy/precision. Measurements may be made differently. In my opinion, none of the many knife companies I've dealt with, including A.G. Russell, have ever been less than responsible in trying to deliver honest, reliable information. Mike

Then again, maybe this is just someone trolling to see what happens when an arguably, unjustified swat is taken at a long time, well known, well liked, figure in the knife world.
 
Before I switched to ABS Custom knives, I acquired both fixed blades and folders from him(A.G.) and was very satisfied with every one.
Recently picked up one of his stingray bifold wallets and couldn't be happier with it.
A.G. Russell actually led me to Bladeforums for which I'll be eternally grateful ! :)
Although I've never met him, I would have loved to have gone bird hunting with him sometime.

OP,

You sir are a TROLL, and not a very good one at that. :thumbdn:

Doug
 
When I read the thread tittle I was a bit worried. Come on, OP! Everyone is entitled to a little mistake now and then. I bet you can find tons of little errors on different on-line knife retailers. Sometimes manufacturers change materials but the old description is kept at the website, which could explain why the Buck Alpha Hunter is listed as 154-CM instead of S30V. Plus S30V is more expensive than 154-CM, so Mr. Russell wouldn't benefit at all from the change.

I'm not a big A.G. Russell customer because I can find most of the knives he stocks at other places which are more convenient to me. However, I've bought a few of his A.G. Russell brand knives, both quality and service were excellent and I will certainly buy more in the future. In fact, I had a little issue with a knife I got from him (not one from his own brand) and his customer service took great care of me.
 
You should have done your research in more depth. A.G. has too many happy customers around here for a grumpy review by a stranger to put us off buying from him.
 
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