Review Request: AG Russell Hunters Scalpel

CD Fleischer

CD Fleischer

Joined
Oct 12, 1998
Messages
2,036
Anyone have any thoughts on this one?

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Clay Fleischer
cdfleischer@yahoo.com

"10,000 Lemmings Can't Be Wrong!"
 
Clay,
I've had two of them in ATS-34 for about five years. They are handy little suckers! The very, very thin flat ground blade is a real nice all around cutter. The Blackie Collins designed locking sheath is secure and a nice touch and comes with a clip for attaching it to clothes, etc. It's basically a miniature Russell "Bird and Trout", which is a small version of their great "Deerhunter" model. It's so small it can be carried virtually anywhere.
 
It is a very cute and handy knife. You will fall in love with it. I have had mine (in ATS-34) for about ten years and use it constantly. Its 1 3/4” blade is a little too thick (not tapered well enough) for my taste, but (because of this) is very sturdy for a knife of its size. (I even threw it on occasion. Sorry, A.G..)

What sets it apart is its thumb bolt sheath and its handiness: pushing the bolt with your thumb will spring (literally) the blade to instant action. It gives very pleasing sensation. You can either wear it around your neck or clip it on your clothes unobtrusively, and it will stay with you wherever you go. It is an ideal knife for opening mails and boxes, cleaning nails, and sharpening pencils.

A few cons: its thick blade requires reprofiling of blade geometry to give it a hair-popping edge (since the blade is small, it is not a big deal). Its point is not too pointy enough to pick splinters. I would love to see A.G. making it in a thinly tapered blade a la Deer Hunter and Bird & Trout (neither of which I have, but the catalog description indicates it as such). If he does this, I promise I will not throw it.

P.S. I just read Gene's comment after writing the above. The newer one that he has may have a thinner ground blade than mine.

Slowjocrow
 
I bought one for the wife to carry in her purse and, yipes, she actually does ! I got the lesser steel (can't remember which) but it is plenty sharp for her and is easy to re-do. She really likes the thumb-bolt release, I'm actually thinking about getting one for myself as well, nice small non-intimidating fixed blade. A.G. Russell has a lot of very nice pieces at reasonable prices, IMHO.
 
I am surprised to read that these knives have been available in ATS34 for 10 years......or even, 5 years.
No mistake ???

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Brian W E
ICQ #21525343


 
Brian WE:

You got me curious, and I went back to check my old receits. I was dead wrong about me carrying it for about ten years. I bought mine on Sept 19, 1994 (paid $29.75 + $1.25 SH). Sorry about the miss info, and thanks for keeping me on my toes. O, well. It seems like ten years carrying it...

sj eating crow
 
Thanks for the replies, guys!
smile.gif


So, do you think it is worth the extra $15 for ATS-34 in this small a knife? I love ATS-34, but then you have almost doubled the cost and (dare I says it) 8A is pretty decent stuff for most uses.

Agree on the cool thumbolt sheath. Had a Bird and Trout briefly, but I gave it away as it was a little small for my hands but a little big for some small chores. Anyways, I gave it to a friend who is both a vegan and a leftie -- it was perfect! Ambidextrous + no animal products.

Been meaning to get a Deer Hunter...

Thanks for your input.

Clay

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Clay Fleischer
cdfleischer@yahoo.com

"10,000 Lemmings Can't Be Wrong!"
 
'crow and gene

No worries......but I am surprised that ATS34 Scalpels have been around even that long. The Deerhunter seems to have only been upgraded from AUS8A in the past year and I thought the Scalpel and Bird and Trout would have followed the DH.
Been wrong before, though.
Isn't it funny......the only AG Russell catalogue I can find (Spring 98) does not have any of them.

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Brian W E
ICQ #21525343


 
Brian-Yes, they have been around that long. I purchased both of mine a little OVER five years ago. They were available several years before the Deer Hunter or Bird & Trout models, (which were originally offered only in AUS8A). They have always been available in 6A, 8A, and ATS34. Also Brian, they are listed in Russell's Christmas catalog. It's an item they always stock whether it's listed in the catalog or not.

slojocrow-I don't understand about yours being thick bladed. Both of mine are very flat ground, tapering to an extremely sharp edge. Probably just batch differences. Like you say though, easy to regrind.

Clay-You're right. 8A is a fine steel. Just won't hold an edge as long as ATS34. Sharpens up very easily though. Is it worth the extra $15.00? Probably not. Depends on what you like. If you're just going to use it for occasional utility, 8A will do just fine. Now it WOULD be worth the extra $15.00 for a 420V or 440V version.
 
Gene: AGREED. 440V/420V would be worth $15.

Thanks for the input guys. I think I may go with an 8A model and see how much I use it and how well it performs. Then I may upgrade and give the other one away (though I am running out of friends that don't have knives already)

Thanks again and take care,

Clay

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Clay Fleischer
cdfleischer@yahoo.com

"10,000 Lemmings Can't Be Wrong!"
 
I emailed AG Russell a few days ago asking the info on ATS34 scalpel. I just received a reply from a customer service personnel saying that Hunter's Scalpel was first made in 1991. She (a gal named Sara) didn't say specifically about the ATS34 version, however.

In their web site, it says that the ATS34 version is sold out. Clay, this may make your decision simpler.

sjc
 
Thanks once more for all the replies, gents.

I ordered an 8A one yesterday (along with a Woodswalker). The ATS-34 one is still sold out. Didn't ask when it would be back; just fogured 8A would do fine in this small a knife.

Anyways, thanks for the input. I may review it after I get it.

Take care,

Clay

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Clay Fleischer
cdfleischer@yahoo.com

"10,000 Lemmings Can't Be Wrong!"
 
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