New A.G. Russell Gentleman's Frame Lock -- impressive baby brother to the Acies2

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flash900

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I thought this new folder should have its own thread:

For those who may not care for the shiny clip on the Acies2 -- wait 'till you see the clip on the new A.G. Russell Gentleman's Frame Lock.

Actually, the Gentleman's Frame Lock comes with TWO clips -- regular and deep-pocket, and they match the folder's bead-blasted Ti handles. The deep-pocket version is thinner than the excellent Acies2 deep-pocket clip.

The Gentleman is roughly the same size, shape and light weight (3 oz) as the Acies2, with dual, angled thumb studs; Hinderer stabilizer; and a nifty, 3-inch, drop point blade that is just a bit wider than its older stable mate.

There are three major differences:

The Gentleman's Frame Lock opens with either studs or flipper! Like my Acies and Acies2, the Gentleman was a bit rough before break in and I gave it a shot of Tuf Glide. The flipper now is super smooth but requires just a bit of wrist flick.

While the Gentleman is made in China, like most of A.G. Russell's new models, it uses Japanese VG10 steel. Mine is super sharp!

The third major difference is the price: at $165, it's just over half that of the Acies2.

This has knocked everything else out of my pocket. It is a wonderful EDC folder. A.G. is to be congratulated (again) for raising the bar while lowering the price.
 
Very nice. I've been waiting on a lefthanded compatible Acies...I guess this is a close as we're going to get. Shame that the ZDP couldn't be managed though.

Still, the price is good.
 
Good point -- I should have mentioned that lefties will applaud the Gentleman Frame Lock's choice of right or left-handed clips.

As for premium ZDP steel, I don't see how, with the Gentleman selling for just over half the price of the top-of-the-line Acies2.

My understanding is that A.G. eventually plans to offer three models at three price points:

-- The American-made Acies2 with ZDP blade at $295.

-- The recently-released Gentleman's Frame Lock, made in China with Japanese VG-10 and selling for $165.

-- And A.G.'s sometime in the future Skorpion designs (a large and small model), to be made in China of Chinese steel and priced at about one-half the Gentleman Frame Lock.

A.G. has said that he expects his Skorpions to revolutionize the industry in terms of light weight.

Sounds like some pretty interesting design work is going on at A.G.'s headquarters in Rogers, Arkansas.
 
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I would have been just fine with an Acies2 that was drilled to be left hand compatible. Since that (I guess) isn't coming though the Gentleman's Framelock will do just fine as a substitute. I like VG-10 I really do.

ZDP would have been even nicer though.

And you're right. There IS some interesting design work coming out of Rogers. A.G. and Phil Gibbs are doing some awesome stuff over there.
 
I know that some are not a fan of the shiny, deep carry clip on the Acies I & II but keep in mind that it may actually help your case if you were ever accused of carrying the knife in a concealed manner. I could be wrong but I believe that was Mr. Russell's intent. Also when moved for the tip-up position the clip does a great job of giving you something to grab onto with your pinky when opening the knife so that your fingers aren't applying pressure on the lockbar....which can be a problem on some framelock folders and can lead the customer to think that a knife is difficult to open.
 
KLJTech said:
I know that some are not a fan of the shiny, deep carry clip on the Acies I & II but keep in mind that it may actually help your case if you were ever accused of carrying the knife in a concealed manner. I could be wrong but I believe that was Mr. Russell's intent. Also when moved for the tip-up position the clip does a great job of giving you something to grab onto with your pinky when opening the knife so that your fingers aren't applying pressure on the lockbar....which can be a problem on some framelock folders and can lead the customer to think that a knife is difficult to open.
Click to expand...
I have given in to the wide dis-satisfaction and bead blasted the clips on all of the newer knives.

A. G.
 
This knife screams buy to me but I would like a real review of it before I ordered it. I've seen some pretty spotty QC come out of China and I would hate to have a knife with VG10 and Titanium be ruined by burrs, scratches, uneven grind, etc.

Have you actually seen or used the knife in person?
 
D1omedes said:
This knife screams buy to me but I would like a real review of it before I ordered it. I've seen some pretty spotty QC come out of China and I would hate to have a knife with VG10 and Titanium be ruined by burrs, scratches, uneven grind, etc.

Have you actually seen or used the knife in person?
Click to expand...

A.G.'s Gentleman's Frame Lock kicked my Acies2 out of my pocket. And I like my Acies2 as much as my small Sebs.

No burrs, scratches or uneven grinds.

Final QC is done in Rogers, Arkansas.

The result: F&f on mine is perfect.

Do you like flippers? This folder is fun to play with!
 
I just bought the Gentleman's Frame Lock and really like this knife and I own an Acies 2 I had for several months and love this one as well. I am not able to open the Gentleman's Frame Lock by the thumb stud as it want budge but it opens fine with the flipper. I noticed the very audible click the knife made when I closed it. I thought it may have been hitting on of the frame screws when closing with strength of the ball detent but there is no ding on the blade. I then noticed when closed the thumb studs were resting on the handle frame. On the picture in A G's catalogued I noticed the thumb studs were not resting on the frame when closed and was wondering if any one else noticed this. A fine knife even if the thumb stud is not workable.

RKH
 
flash900 said:
A.G.'s Gentleman's Frame Lock kicked my Acies2 out of my pocket. And I like my Acies2 as much as my small Sebs.

No burrs, scratches or uneven grinds.

Final QC is done in Rogers, Arkansas.

The result: F&f on mine is perfect.

Do you like flippers? This folder is fun to play with!
Click to expand...

Do you think you could upload some pictures? :)
 
RKH,

The thumb studs are closer to the frame than those on the Acies2, but are not directly on the frame.

The studs are longer and easier to use than those on the Acies2.

This is a sweet, trouble-free folder with top-notch ergos. You absolutely should be able to open easily with either studs or flipper. It's fun to play with either way.

Sorry, I know you want photos with the Gentleman and Acies2; I only have crappy cell. Can anyone else oblige?
 
Sorry I am not able to post pictures as I am pretty ignorant on technical side. BTW, the thumb studs do rest completely on the frame. I noticed when I first closed the knife that it seem a little loud with it's click on closing. And it cannot be opened with the thumb studs. I will try to contact A G and company Monday about this issue.. My experience with this company on warranty problems has been excellent. Mr. Russell is a fine gentleman and that is why I buy from him.

RKH
 
RKH said:
Sorry I am not able to post pictures as I am pretty ignorant on technical side. BTW, the thumb studs do rest completely on the frame. I noticed when I first closed the knife that it seem a little loud with it's click on closing. And it cannot be opened with the thumb studs. I will try to contact A G and company Monday about this issue.. My experience with this company on warranty problems has been excellent. Mr. Russell is a fine gentleman and that is why I buy from him.

RKH
Click to expand...

Send the knife to Polly at A. G. Russell 2900 S 25th St, Rogers AR 72758 in the note explain the problem and ask Polly to show to me and we will solve.

A. G.
 
A.G. Russell has vids on most of its new models but not yet on the Gentleman.

If no else volunteers, I will see whether I can improve my photo posting skills.
 
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The vid will probably pop up sometime. Looking forward to you photo's. I might nab one of these next month. I pretty much blew my budget for now of knifemaking materials.
 
Bumping this back up to see if anyone has any real life pictures or a video yet. I ordered it so I guess I can just wait and see for myself, but I wanted to wet my appetite with some cool pics. I wonder if "made in China" or "China" is very big and obvious on the blade or anything else that would make this any worse looking. From the pics on Russell's sight it looks very good and even better than some more expensive options IMHO.
 
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