Need advice--which trapper?

[expwmbat]

I'm trying to decide whether I should go for an AG Russell Dogleg trapper now or wait for the 2013 Case/Bose collaboration. Obviously there are some differences--spey vs. wharncliffe, VG-10 vs. CPM 154. But which would you choose as the better overall EDC multi-blade? Which is better made? Are the sizes as close as the numbers indicate? The Case/Bose looks like it is a bit slimmer.

Thanks for the help. I've only got 2 traditionals--a KR Johnson Sodbuster and a Davison in burl--right now, but I'm hooked!

Cheers,
Daniel

 

[Peregrin]

They'll both be excellent knives. AG's will be quite a bit less expensive. The Case/Bose collaborations are pretty pricey, but worth the money. Also the Case/Bose have more handle material choices. If you want to go with the Case/Bose keep your eyes and ears open and strike the minute they hit the dealer sites. Better yet try and get on a waiting list when they are announced.

 

[expwmbat]

I've not had the chance to handle either the AG Russell or any of the Case/Bose collaborations. Is one nicer than the other? Will one be slimmer/lighter, more pocket friendly than the other? The price difference is substantial--worth it?

DJK

 

[bakerg2g]

Case/Bose all the way brother! You want find a production knife as close to a custom made knife out there! It's the best...imho!


Jason

 

[markpmc]

That's a very large spread in costs between those knives. I'd EDC the AG Russel and occasionally fondle the Case/Bose.

 

[mmarkh]

I've not had the chance to handle either the AG Russell or any of the Case/Bose collaborations. Is one nicer than the other? Will one be slimmer/lighter, more pocket friendly than the other? The price difference is substantial--worth it?

DJK

There won't even be a comparison. The Case/Bose knife will blow the AG away. The only Case/Bose I have is the Lanny's Clip and it is worth it. I'm not into the Chinese stuff.

 

[expwmbat]

There won't even be a comparison. The Case/Bose knife will blow the AG away. The only Case/Bose I have is the Lanny's Clip and it is worth it. I'm not into the Chinese stuff.

I'm not into the Chinese stuff either, but the AG Russell I'm referring to is the one made in Japan, with VG10 steel. It seems to make a proper account of itself, and the production standards are likely close to the Case/Bose (closer than the price indicates, anyway).

I use my knives--no point in having them otherwise--but I'm wondering whether the Case/Bose won't be a bit lighter and slimmer, and thus better for EDC.

DJK

 

[Peregrin]

I'm not into the Chinese stuff either, but the AG Russell I'm referring to is the one made in Japan, with VG10 steel. It seems to make a proper account of itself, and the production standards are likely close to the Case/Bose (closer than the price indicates, anyway).

I use my knives--no point in having them otherwise--but I'm wondering whether the Case/Bose won't be a bit lighter and slimmer, and thus better for EDC.

DJK

I'm only guessing here if one is slimmer etc, then the other. This years Case/Bose Wharncliffe Trapper is going to be a knife I'll want to carry. The custom that Tony makes is slim and very pocket friendly. From the images I've seen the collaboration knife is very close, if not that pattern.

I love AG's knives but I bet his trapper is chunkier.

 

[mmarkh]

I'm not into the Chinese stuff either, but the AG Russell I'm referring to is the one made in Japan, with VG10 steel. It seems to make a proper account of itself, and the production standards are likely close to the Case/Bose (closer than the price indicates, anyway).

I use my knives--no point in having them otherwise--but I'm wondering whether the Case/Bose won't be a bit lighter and slimmer, and thus better for EDC.

DJK

My bad, that looks very nice. I would think they would be very close but would give a slight edge to the Case/Bose 154cm vs VG10. I'm not sure which would be slimmer.

 

[zippofan]

This thread made me look at the AG Russell trapper again, and when I found a cocobolo handled version on the secondary market MIB I grabbed it. I figured the fit and finish would be similar to my Russell Pinched Peanut, and I was right. Out of all my knives, including 3 Case/Bose, GEC, Schatt & Morgan etc., it is probably the most well made folder in my collection. Perfect action, blade tangs square and flush with spring when open, sharp out of the box, blades dead center closed, springs even and flush in both open and closed position, and the cocobolo handles are beautiful. The spey blade is unusual, but also really cool. Since I don't have the opportunity to use it for its intended application I can't say if the shape is any more effective than the spey blades on Case, Queen etc., but I can say it's sharp.

I really wanted a leopardwood but this one was priced right. Every single AG Russell I've bought (Peanut, Trapper, Spire, 2.5" Pen knife, Curved regular jack) have been terrific.

The only thing I would mention is that the AGR is pretty chunky in the pocket, heavier than say a Case Mini Trapper, but about the same length. I've been EDC'ing it the last couple wooden Wednesdays, and I really love this knife, it's a keeper.

Cheers,
Griff

 

[TLARbb]

The Case/Bose will be a fantastic knife. If I get one, I kind of doubt I'll use it much if at all. Too, hard to scrape up the money and I'd sure hate to lose it.

I'm not familiar with the A.G. Russell knife specifically, but his knives generally are really good. Most are not so expensive that you would be afraid to use it. My favorite trapper is the Case wharncliffe mini trapper. Relatively inexpensive, just the right size (for me). The regular spey bladed models are fine as well, if you like spey blades (nothing wrong with them, I just like wharncliffe secondary in my trapper when I can get it).

Ed J