This review is for A. G. russell's new Brute, which is model number AG-BRUT in their catalog. The knife sells for $195. The knife I'm reviewing is a First Production knife that I got from a friend, so some small details might be a bit off (blade markings, etc.) The knife is made in the U.S.A.
Handle Specifications and Impressions: The handle is made of a dark orange Rucarta (another term for Micarta). It's 4" long, and has a lanyard hole drilled into the butt. There is a nickel silver liner in the lanyard hole. The pins are stainless steel. The lockback is .13" in thickness, and is made of the same ATS-34 as the blade. The handle looks really nice, and fits the hand very well. The lockback design hasn't changed much throughout the years, but it's still very smooth to open and close. Everything A. G. says on the website. After working with the Brute for a bit, my hand doesn't get as tired as it does with my smaller Buck Ranger. It definitely feels good.
Blade Specifications and Impressions: The Brute's blade is made of ATS-34 stainless steel, and is Rockwell rated at 60-61. It's a 3" long drop point blade, no serrations, and is .13" thick. It appears to be hollow ground. There is a slight nail catch on the left side of the blade, which really isn't necessary because this knife opens very smoothly without it. The blade came very sharp, almost hair-shaving sharp. It cut everything I could think to use for a knife of this purpose, including cardboard, zip ties, plastic tubing, paper, and packaging materials. After almost 60 cuts through cardboard, it started to dull. Very easy to resharpen. The lock is solid, and it really is nice to have a knife that behaves like a smaller Buck 110 with better steel.
In a word, the price is what hurts this knife. It's nice, but it's not worth the $195 to me. I wouldn't spend any more than maybe $75 on this knife. I mean, for almost $200 you can get something with a much better blade material and better handle materials. You can also get a pocket clip or belt holster. Don't get me wrong; this is a great knife, just not $195 great. If the price were lowered to around $75 or so, I could see a lot more people buying them.
You can check out the Brute here... http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_...ives/folding_knives/a_g_russell_brute__1.html
Handle Specifications and Impressions: The handle is made of a dark orange Rucarta (another term for Micarta). It's 4" long, and has a lanyard hole drilled into the butt. There is a nickel silver liner in the lanyard hole. The pins are stainless steel. The lockback is .13" in thickness, and is made of the same ATS-34 as the blade. The handle looks really nice, and fits the hand very well. The lockback design hasn't changed much throughout the years, but it's still very smooth to open and close. Everything A. G. says on the website. After working with the Brute for a bit, my hand doesn't get as tired as it does with my smaller Buck Ranger. It definitely feels good.
Blade Specifications and Impressions: The Brute's blade is made of ATS-34 stainless steel, and is Rockwell rated at 60-61. It's a 3" long drop point blade, no serrations, and is .13" thick. It appears to be hollow ground. There is a slight nail catch on the left side of the blade, which really isn't necessary because this knife opens very smoothly without it. The blade came very sharp, almost hair-shaving sharp. It cut everything I could think to use for a knife of this purpose, including cardboard, zip ties, plastic tubing, paper, and packaging materials. After almost 60 cuts through cardboard, it started to dull. Very easy to resharpen. The lock is solid, and it really is nice to have a knife that behaves like a smaller Buck 110 with better steel.
In a word, the price is what hurts this knife. It's nice, but it's not worth the $195 to me. I wouldn't spend any more than maybe $75 on this knife. I mean, for almost $200 you can get something with a much better blade material and better handle materials. You can also get a pocket clip or belt holster. Don't get me wrong; this is a great knife, just not $195 great. If the price were lowered to around $75 or so, I could see a lot more people buying them.
You can check out the Brute here... http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_...ives/folding_knives/a_g_russell_brute__1.html
