CRKT AG Russell Sting vs Other CRKT and Other Brands

T

TennesseeVol18

Joined
Sep 15, 2012
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Im looking for a new utility knife to use up in the mountains in Tennessee, I'm looking for something tough, 4 inches or less, and preferably under 50 bucks, Ive really taken interest in the CRKT AG Russell Sting, but I also like it for its self-defense quality(I live near Memphis and venture into the city often) but its mainly for mountainous use. What are your recommendations?(
knife will most likely be bought from SMKW in Sevierville(my knife Mecca) thanks for all your contributions!
 
I have a CRKT Sting. It's certainly not a knife for the mountains, it's a cheap rendition of a classic 70's boot knife. It's a forged solid piece of 1050, so pretty tough. Mine came blunt as a biscuit. When I contacted the retailer, they told me all the CRKT Sting's they had in stock were the same. Since it was advertised as "razor sharp" I e-mailed CRKT to see if they had anything to say. They offered to sell me a sharpening device, which by all accounts is very poor. I can't say I was impressed by this, I know that CRKT knives are popular, but I don't think I'd buy another (except for perhaps a Polkowski-Kaspar Companion if one came up for sale). I sharpened the knife on a Sharpmaker, and the knife takes a reasonable edge.The sheath is absolutely awful, just not fit for purpose. I might get a kydex sheath for it sometime, but I don't know if it's worth the extra expense as I don't really like the knife that much. The original was a classic of its time, designed to be a quality alternative to a lot of the junk that was around when there was a fad for boot knives, but I regret buying the CRKT model.
 
CRKT knives, in general, I like. Probably own more of then I have of any other knives. Decent build, nice looks, and great customer service. I like the sting, but agree with the top 2 posters - it is NOT a utiity knife. It is a nice dagger, a little dull (nothing that any sharpener can't fix in a few minutes). I love the form, but always end up selling it again (3x). Look at the Counter Tac from CS, or the Gerber Guardian, though the sheath is crap. Benchmade makes a greaks a great push knife as well. For a utility knife, say no to double edge blades or say no to a thumb.
 
jimh0220 said:
It is a nice dagger, a little dull (nothing that any sharpener can't fix in a few minutes).
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I only have the standard Sharpmaker stones (as well as some Spyderco ceramic whetstones of similiar grades), and my Sting was so blunt, it took a lot longer than a few minutes to get a reasonable edge on it. I've seen a lot of complaints about how dull the CRKT model comes, and they didn't seem to care much when I contacted them, but it's still advertised as razor-sharp. There's nothing wrong with the steel, so I don't see why it can't come from CRKT as advertised.

jimh0220 said:
For a utility knife, say no to double edge blades or say no to a thumb.
Click to expand...

:D Absolutely!
 
My Sting came razor sharp but I am in total agreement about the sheath and non-use as a utility knife. There are tons of small fixed blade knives that will serve all your outdoor purposes with no problems. The guys over in the "great outdoors" section of the forums could recommend their favorites. When it comes to defense purposes I always have my .45 when venturing into Memphis.
 
I love the Original Sting!
I'd like to se A. G. make a Sting in an acid washed blade and G10.
What do you all think?
 
Lycosa said:
I love the Original Sting!
I'd like to se A. G. make a Sting in an acid washed blade and G10.
What do you all think?
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Sounds interesting :thumbup:

There's got to be an anniversary coming up sometime! :D
 
SOLEIL said:
Have you seen his newest Sting? Very nice piece.
http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-hollow-ground-sting-3-cocobolo/p/AGST-T3HCO/
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NICE! :)

AGST-T3HCO-t3hbr.jpg


"I have taken care to make the Sting™3 in such a way that the unscrupulous could not make one look like an original."
 
Second pretty much everything that Jack Black said about the CRKT version. Blunt to the point of hilarity, very difficult to reprofile and actually get sharp, and not terribly useful.

I'd like to see A.G. Russell make a Sting 3 in CPM 3V. 440C not my cup of tea.
 
I like the new Stings too.
A. G. needs to offer one in Coral, Red, Rucarta.
 
I'm a hillbilly from East Tenn, TennVol. There's no way I would tote a Sting to the mountains unless there was no other option.

You would be served well with a nice neck style knife, my favorite is the BK14. Small, stout, less than $50, can be found at SMKW, a place I have visited since I was a small child. Since I live about 45 mins from it, its not that difficult to understand. :D

The thing about smaller neck knives, is that they are almost all legal to carry, and here in Tennessee, you are limited to 4" or less, concealed or not. The design of the Sting, tends to appear more of a knife suited for "interpersonal" interactions. Whereas the neck knife, has a design that appears more "utilitarian".

Good luck, brother, sounds like you have a difficult choice ahead of you.

100_1675.jpg


Moose
 
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