On packin a Russlock

Amos Iron Wolf · Sep 12, 2006

Folks have questioned and commented on carrying a Russlock in the pocket due to the extension on the blade. I've wondered the same thing. I picked up a couple of Russlocks a few weeks ago and had one of them sharpened up and sitting on the desk here since then. I finally decided today was the day to try it out for an all day carry.

I gotta tell you, I was really surprised at how good a carry this thing is. Like my three favorite carry knives, I didn't even notice this one in the pocket of the dress slacks we wear as part of our uniform. Not until you get a buck and a halfs worth of quarters and some other change in there do you even feel it in your pocket. The tang extenstion isn't even noticiable. Not bad at all.

I may have to try and score one of the red bone or yellow handles in CV. I still need to see if I can get a wee bit more edge on this one, though to be honest it is cutting just fine as it is now. Of the two I got, both in Autumn bone (one says Autumn peachseed, but I can't see any difference) the one I'm carrying has a little lateral blade wobble, but after oiling and working it a little it also opens much easier than the other one. It still locks up tight. The colors aren't quite as nice as the one I left NIB either. No problem, this is still a nice looking knife and makes a darn good carry. I'm still gettting used to the blade shape though. It has some different characteristics than most blades I usually use.

So for anyone starting to look at Russlocks or anyone who is still wondering about how that "lever" carries, it carries just fine. For me, it's another one of those pat your pockets to make sure it's still there knives. Just be careful you don't forget where you are and scare the sheeples by absent-mindedly pulling it out and flicking it opened and closed. You know, just to wear it in.

Amos Iron Wolf · Sep 12, 2006

Yipes! I got so carried away I ended up getting this one on the infamous bay a little bit ago. I'll have to post a few of the pics from the auction as it ended just a little over an hour ago. Btw, it's a 6.5 Bone Stag barehead.

And now the waiting.

okBookGuy · Sep 13, 2006

How does the lock on the Rus-lock work? Is it something you have to hold on to with your thumb or does it lock by itself?

What is the motivation behind this design?

johnwaynesandw · Sep 13, 2006

okBookGuy said:
How does the lock on the Rus-lock work? Is it something you have to hold on to with your thumb or does it lock by itself?

What is the motivation behind this design?

The Russlock is s liner lock. John

kapt kopter · Sep 13, 2006

I carry my Russlocks in a Case Russlock sheath,I really like the drop point models if you can find them.......I have the Midnight Black xx tested and another coming.......so I can make on of them a user.
My Russlock user so far has been the CV Yellow and its a great cutter but that droppoint looks really cool.

Kap

waynorth · Sep 13, 2006

Can someone post a picture of the blade variants, please?? I thought they were all clip blades, but someone mentioned a drop point!

Amos Iron Wolf · Sep 13, 2006

Of course, with lock blades being illegal in San Antonio, I can't "legally" carry a Russlock. When you consider a Russlock or say a liner locking Schrade trapper, you really have to shake your head at the stupidity of such a law. If you listen you can hear sensible people mumbling something about "up to the Green River" and politicians under their breath.

I was going back to my Queen teardrop single jack for EDC, but I think I'll toss the Russlock in another pocket out of sheer obstinance and civil disobediance.

On another note, I've seen the drop points, but the image of a Russlock with the clip is so engrained the DPs look odd to me, though I think it would be a great blade.

okBookGuy · Sep 13, 2006

johnwaynesandw said:
The Russlock is s liner lock. John

I"m still not gettin it. I've got liner locks but they don't need the big thumb spur. That's what I'm missing. What is that big thumb spur for
since a liner lock per se doesn't require it?

Spydiefan04 · Sep 14, 2006

okBookGuy said:
I"m still not gettin it. I've got liner locks but they don't need the big thumb spur. That's what I'm missing. What is that big thumb spur for
since a liner lock per se doesn't require it?

The big spur is like an early thumbstud, it allows for one-hand opening. You can either press on it with you thumb or index finger and it will open but you do have to use a fair amount of pressure because it is a knife with a backspring, it will not really rapidly open like a "tactical" knife but can be easily opened one-handed. I have several and really like them.

Grateful · Sep 14, 2006

I have a yellow handled russlock with the cv blade. I also bought the sheath for it. I like it alot. I usually carry mine in the sheath but sometimes slip it in my pocket and it rides easy their. I have a friend that carries a blue handled russlock in his pocket everyday.

stevekt · Sep 14, 2006

By the way, the actual handle length of the Russlock is about 3 5/8". Most sites list the closed length over 4", which includes the length of the opening lever.

Does anyone wish the liner lock did not stick out so much? It seems to cut into my finger during use.

Amos Iron Wolf · Sep 15, 2006

I got the 6.5 Bonestag Barehead in the mail today. Sweet! It not only looks great, but opens smoothly and shaves hair on both arms, right out of the box. All I had to do was put it in my pocket! It's the best Russlock of the three that I now have. It ought to skin some cukes and slice some 'maters just fine.

I just also happened to get my .45 Colt stainless Blackhawk out of layaway today. Now to get some nice grips for it to go with my knives.

waynorth · Sep 15, 2006

Guns and knives! Is there anything better????

(now put down that rolling pin honey. I meant Women, guns and knives- -in that order; NO WAIT! WIVES, guns and knives; yeah, that's it! That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!)
BTW, is there any hair left on your arms, Amos?? You've been testing a lot of knives lately!! Just don't test the Blackhawk that way!! (drum kick, cymbal strike!) OOOOH yeah!

O.K, O.K! I'm leaving now...................................................................bye!

jackknife · Sep 15, 2006

Amos Iron Wolf said:
I got the 6.5 Bonestag Barehead in the mail today. Sweet! It not only looks great, but opens smoothly and shaves hair on both arms, right out of the box. All I had to do was put it in my pocket! It's the best Russlock of the three that I now have. It ought to skin some cukes and slice some 'maters just fine.

I just also happened to get my .45 Colt stainless Blackhawk out of layaway today. Now to get some nice grips for it to go with my knives.

A single action revolver needs stag grips.

Its got to be stag.

Stag was good enough for Matt Dillon!

Amos Iron Wolf · Sep 15, 2006

Naw, Jackknife, I was thinking maybe some Bubble Gum Pearls to go with those pink Case knives. NOT!

I'll probably start with some inexspensive ivory polymers for now. But, yeah, the goal is to eventually find and finance some genuine stags for it. (That'll probably double the cost of the gun.) Then I'll be able to tote some of my few stag folders or even a stag fixed blade or two, when I get them. Maybe a Russell Stag Cowboy Bowie, or one of the Bokers, maybe even a Marbles woodcraft in Stag. Boker has one that looks a lot like the Loveless drop point hunter. I think it's the 545 HH, IIRC. I like the look of that.

Stag addiction (I never could get addicted to anything cheap!) took over again tonight. I picked up a small Bulldog, Stag, Wharncliffe Whittler on ebay tonight. It's a seahorse style. This will make my first Bulldog (current generation it is) and my first Wharnie whittler. It should fit in with my Boker stag folders nicely.

Just to stay on topic, did I mention I really like this Bone Stag Russlock? Looks good, opens smooth, razor sharp out of the box. It's a 2006 model and Case was spot on the day they made this one. Fit and finish is also fantastic.

Steve, I know what you mean about the tab on the liner lock. It does kind of dig in a bit if taking a good grip on the frame for strong cutting. I'd see about cutting this one down some, but it is such a nice knife I don't want to mess it up. Maybe I'll try it on my Autumn bone Russlock sometime.

P.S. JK, I just won a set of synthetic ivories that will go on the hogleg for now. After I get the leather for it, I'll start saving up for some real stag grips. It gets worse. My favorite gun dealer in SA has a clean old Uberti made Iver Johnson, Cattleman, nice color case hardening, and with adjustable sights (the eyes ain't what they used to be) in .45 Colt he just took in and the price is right. I may have to lay that one away. Can't have too many knives or to many .45s.