Just got my first A. G. Russell knife

[Starfish]

I bought a "seconds" knife, an A. G. Russell Cattaragus sleeveboard whittler with a dark brown jigged bone handle. Blades made out of CM-14 steel (AUS-8?). The only thing that appears to make this a "seconds" is the lateral play in the two pen blades, one more so than the other. It looks exactly like the top knife in this picture:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=35136

This is a great looking knife though, and I really like the large main blade. All I can say is that if this is the quality of the "seconds", I can only imagine how nice the "firsts" are

Question 1: this does not seem to be the typical whittler pattern, since it has a large spear point blade and two identical small pen blades. Is this really a whittler pattern?

Question 2: What does the sleeveboard in "sleeveboard" whittler refer to?

Thanks,

Matthew

 

[Bobwhite]

I have always been happy with A.G. knives. I have had a couple firsts and seconds and they have all been great. The seconds are better than some companies firsts. Is the backspring split, both springs supporting the main blade and one each for the other two?

 

[Bastid]

Personally I think you did very well.

I wish my choices were as nice the first time I purchased one.

Some answers.
Yup that is a whittler. They can have coping, pen, manicure or other blades, but those first three are pretty common.

A whittler is usually known by having a master blade at one bolster and 2 blades on the other end. In the old days it also had to have a "split and tapered backspring", but since that is pretty tough to manufacture correctly, now days some companies are tossing two backprings in them without the "tapered divider" or "spline".

Sleeveboard - generally a handle shape (larger at one end than the other) rounded at both ends. I will have to check Levin's when I get home for the origin of the name.

Enjoy Starfish. I think you will enjoy them.

 

[El Lobo]

I believe the "Sleeveboard" pattern was so named because of it's likeness to the particular ironing board used by drycleaners to iron/press shirtsleeves.

Nice knife.

Bill

 

[Danbo]

Hey, nice pic!

I believe the steel on your knife is AUS 8A. CM 14 is the model of knife. Use it, you will be happy with it. A.G. don't put his name on junk.

 

[Starfish]

I have always been happy with A.G. knives. I have had a couple firsts and seconds and they have all been great. The seconds are better than some companies firsts. Is the backspring split, both springs supporting the main blade and one each for the other two?

Hi Bobwhite - yep, split backspring (thanks for telling me how to check

Hey, nice pic!

I believe the steel on your knife is AUS 8A. CM 14 is the model of knife. Use it, you will be happy with it. A.G. don't put his name on junk.

Thanks go to Danbo for that pic in the FS forum Haven't used it yet, but I am carrying it. I really like the heft of the knife, plus that large blade - all in a small package

Thanks to Bastid and El Lobo for the answers!

Matthew

 

[Bob W]

I too bought an AG Russell Second several years ago. I still can't figure out what made it a Second...

-Bob

 

[A. G. Russell]

I too bought an AG Russell Second several years ago. I still can't figure out what made it a Second...

-Bob

nit picking ladies who check the knives in hope of keeping the customers thrilled with the "Firsts"

A. G.

 

[Sword and Shield]

AG, mind if I ask something?

I got a bone Premium Scout for Christmas, and it's a good knife, but there's some wiggle in the awl. Is this normal?

 

[Dijos]

I believe the "Sleeveboard" pattern was so named because of it's likeness to the particular ironing board used by drycleaners to iron/press shirtsleeves.

Nice knife.

Bill

You can still buy sleeveboards to iron your shirtsleeves-this is indeed the shape and the origin of the name.

 

[A. G. Russell]

AG, mind if I ask something?

I got a bone Premium Scout for Christmas, and it's a good knife, but there's some wiggle in the awl. Is this normal?

It can happen with anyone's knife. BUT, it if it is not acceptable then return the knife and we will pick one that will suit you!

A. G.