Looking for something like the A.G. Russell 3in Carbon Fiber Lockback

[ocnLogan]

UPDATE At bottom of post:

I've been looking for a good 2.5in formal-ish EDC (in the office) for quite some time now, and have been having an incredibly hard time finding anything that I like, that I can also afford.

I've been looking at the 3in Carbon Fiber Lockback recently, even though it doesn't fit some of the things that I'm really wanting in a knife. Its missing a pocket clip (huge downer, I hate things at the bottom of my pockets) and one hand opening, but it IS nice and small, non-threatening, and also has good blade steel (VG10). So I might be able to handle carrying one for that setting, and getting myself something different for jeans and t-shirt type events.

The problem I've been having, is that I can't find ANY reviews or thoughts about the blade. Heck, I when I google it, I can't even find photos of the knife that aren't from the catalog. Have any of you ever: owned one, used one, held one, seen one or know someone that has done one of those? I just want opinions about the knife, and there seems to be very little info out there about them.

Here is the knife for any of you that don't know what I'm talking about. Its the bottom knife.

Thanks for the help.

-Logan

EDIT: To help clear up confusion, and this is the easiest post to find.

I am now looking for suggestions of blades that are 2.5in, really slim and light, and have other pattern handles though. As long as they are $30-50 and locking.

also

I'm not saying that I want thumbstuds on this knife. I was saying that my original desire was for a knife that was one hand opening, but I could live without it for this specific type of carry and use.

Again, the reason I like pocket clips, is because it keeps the knife out of the bottom of my pocket and having to fish around to get it. The reason I hate stuff in the bottom of my pockets is purely personal. It drives me nuts. I might be willing to live without one though if the blade is thin and light enough though, hence the carbon fiber handled blade.

Hopefully this helps everyone else out there help me out .

 

[flash900]

I've looked at that knife in the catalogue and feel exactly the same way -- put a clip and thumb studs on that puppy.

 

[Bill1170]

You could make or have made for you a pocket sheath. This is a more traditional design, so if you want one hand opening, you need a different knife, IMO. There are plenty of good choices out there in sub-3" locking folders.

 

[ocnLogan]

I can live without the one hand opening, but the pocket clip is a bigger deal.

I've looked at many different knives in the sub 3in range, but nothing that seems perfect. The problem is that most knives in this size range are either almost 3in (2.9in or so), or 2.25in. I'm looking for something about 2.5in. In that size range, the only ones I've seen that fit there are the Buck Lux, and the Buck Vantage Small. The lux that I can afford has bad steel, and the vantage is a tip up carry knife that is thicker through the handle than what I want. The SOG Flash 1 is about the right size, but is AO, with tip up carry.

Like I said, I've looked for quite a while for something that is just right, but I just haven't found it yet. I'm hoping to find someone with experience with this blade to let me know if this will work well as a EDC for a business casual environment.

 

[Mike157]

I have what I think is the titanium version of these. They are in the catalog also. Plain titanium frame, no additional scales or bolsters. It comes with a nice little leather sheath. You might check to see if these do also. Though the sheath is close fitting and fairly light, you may be able to attach a pocket clip to it. I think they are nice little well made convenient knives to carry. The VG10 blades come very sharp. Mostly for the heck of it, I often carry one (in its sheath) along with a larger knife with a pocket clip. I do like the all carbon fiber model and was thinking about one in the near future. Mike

 

[Gadgetman7]

If you can find it a Spyderco Carbon Fiber Walker is 2.5 inches, has a pocket clip and is one hand opening. What is your budget?

 

[ocnLogan]

I have what I think is the titanium version of these. They are in the catalog also. Plain titanium frame, no additional scales or bolsters. It comes with a nice little leather sheath. You might check to see if these do also. Though the sheath is close fitting and fairly light, you may be able to attach a pocket clip to it. I think they are nice little well made convenient knives to carry. The VG10 blades come very sharp. Mostly for the heck of it, I often carry one (in its sheath) along with a larger knife with a pocket clip. I do like the all carbon fiber model and was thinking about one in the near future. Mike

I've looked at that model (Its a 2.25in bladed version in the same style as this one). Do you know if the larger version comes with a leather sheath as well? And its good to hear that you like yours, I actually haven't been able to find like anyone that actually owns any of them, so its good to hear your thoughts.

Also, my budget is technically like $40-50 (small, I know, but I'm a poor married grad student so thats all I can swing right now). So it looks like that sypderco is out of reach.

 

[Chris "Anagarika"]

Sanrenmu 763 is quite good as little pocket knife. Or 723, 710, these have longer blades. All with ocket clip.
723 is more gentleman in style.

 

[Phydeaux]

One of the great things about ordering from AG Russell is their guarantee. If you order one and it's not what you wanted, you can send it back or exchange it. Although I have never sent anything back, it's nice to know that I can.

Ric

 

[Tostig]

Gentlemen..... First off the pictured knife is not a tactical zombie slayer , it is a thin Gents knife that needs no pocket clip or thumbstuds or any of the mentioned accoutrements to function. It is a slim , almost wieghtless tool that you will not notice until you need it. You will not baton , hack down stands of Fir , slay bears or hordes of home intruders with it but when it comes to needing a non-threatening knife for any little chore you can imagine you will have a very sufficient tool. The mentioned SOG Flash is a piece of junk compared to these Ti & VG10 little gems.

I own the 2.5 Ti lockback which is just a hair slimmer than the ones in the pic and a little smaller. Trust me ! You will adore that little knife.

Tostig

 

[ocnLogan]

Thanks for that info about their guarantee. I had no idea about that.

Still, it seems like there should be at least someone out there with experience with this knife. Otherwise they wouldn't be selling them anymore.

It sounds like I might be looking around for a pocket sheath with a clip. How much do those cost generally? Also, it seems like they would take away one of the nice things about this knife (the slimness). Any thoughts on that?

 

[Tostig]

Thanks for that info about their guarantee. I had no idea about that.

Still, it seems like there should be at least someone out there with experience with this knife. Otherwise they wouldn't be selling them anymore.

It sounds like I might be looking around for a pocket sheath with a clip. How much do those cost generally? Also, it seems like they would take away one of the nice things about this knife (the slimness). Any thoughts on that?

You will not need a sheath unless you just have to have one. That knife is ridiculously lightweight , it will ride like a paper clip in your pocket. Take a chance and get one if you want ! You will not regret it.

Tostig

 

[Morrow]

Putting thumbstuds or a clip on this knife would defeat the purpose of this knife model. I have several of these and you don't even know they are in your pocket. I think the pictures are misleading in regards to size. These knives are much smaller in hand than you might think.

 

[ocnLogan]

The reason I want a pocket clip is just because I really hate things sliding down to the bottom of my pockets, and usually like to carry my knife in the right rear pocket. Without a clip, it might make it hard to do that.

I do like how ridiculously light it is (.9oz I think), and how thin it is. Does anyone know HOW thin it is? Maybe I'm worried so much about it because most knives are pretty thick.

 

[Mike157]

Here are a few terrible pictures of this nice little knife (AG Russell RUS-P73TI, this is the three inch knife-three inch handle). It is about three inches long closed, 5.23" long open, sharpened blade is about 2.15" long. The knife is about .17" thick, or about .22" if you measure screw head to screw head. It is about .66" wide at the middle of the handle. Shown, is the sheath that comes with it. It is fairly thin and flexible and sits in the pocket nicely. You might be able to attach some sort of a clip to it. William Henry (just slightly more expensive (tried to put a smiley here but I guess I still have to figure it out) sells a number of knives that comehttp://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=233668&d=1317145626&thumb=1&stc=1 with leather slip sheaths with clips on them. Mike

 

[ocnLogan]

Thank you for the photos and the measurements mike, I really appreciate that (especially the photo of it in hand). I wonder how similar these knives are in thickness.

I love the william henry knives, but most of them cost significantly more than what my monthly rent, utilities, and food bill are combined (and then multiplied). If you know someone letting one go for $50, then I'll certainly jump on it. Short of that though, I'm stuck in the lower price bracket looking for something similar .

 

[Mike157]

You're welcome ocnLogan. I just mentioned the William Henry's in reference to their sheaths. Drop the hint that someone needs to get you one when you graduate. I would guess that the knives you have pictured above are at least twice as thick as the plain ones just because they appear to have an inner liner as well as the bolster and outer handle material. The carbon fiber model may be thinner just because it is all carbon fiber with no liner (I believe). You can always call AG Russell. I've done a fair amount of business with them and found them to be very helpful when I've called. Mike

 

[harkamus]

Seriously, why oh why would you want to have thumbstuds on that? Those knives are almost paper thin too, so no need for a pocket clip. I gave my dad the titanium version. It rides on his keychain.

 

[ocnLogan]

I'm not saying that I want thumbstuds on this knife. I was saying that my original desire was for a knife that was one hand opening, but I could live without it for this specific type of carry and use. I DO however still want a pocket clip. I don't use pocket clips because the knives are too large and bulky. I use it for keeping the knife out of the bottom of my pocket where all of the other junk ends up. I also hate things on my keys, so while the keychain option is interesting, I'm pretty sure it would drive me crazy. Its a good idea though, that I hadn't considered yet.

It seems like the smaller titanium version is much more popular than the slightly larger version. Any reason for that?

Also, I might end up calling them about the specifics, since that is likely a bit easier on everyone.

Thanks for the help everyone .

 

[harkamus]

I think the 3 inch version is about as small as I'd go for something practical. I've actually asked AG Russell himself if he'd release a larger version. This was about 1.5 years ago. He said he would release one eventually.