He has used lots of large blades in the bushcraft series, machetes, goloks and parangs. I have not used the A. G. Russell, but have many from HI and they are solid heavy wood working blades. Valiant makes another option, similar in goal but on a different path.
One thing which is interesting about Mears is how violent he is with his knives. He definately doesn't baby the puukko he normally carries. For example when batoning he doesn't lightly hold the handle, he presses down hard enough to keep it vertical, he will often pry and twist with the blade to split woods.
None of this is abusive in any sense, those types of blades are typically carbon steels and since there is no primary grind they are very strong, it was interesting however to see someone with a "bushcraft" perspective not treat the blades like glass and show how prying has its uses for efficient wood working.
I wish he would show a bit more detail on occasions though as often it isn't clear how he achieves some of his goals, the TV episodes might be condensed in this manner though over the DVD's.
-Cliff
