Texas Ranger 2011; 188 Yrs. of Service/or Big Bad Boy #4

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rprocter

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Here is this years AGR branded Texas Ranger knife:

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What another Absolute 100% Home Run for this 4th annual knife of this current series. The fit and finish and in-hand feel and blade grinds and hair poppin sharpness along the entire edge make this knife outstanding. There is nothing that compares with it. This is The Best production knife making in the world.
If you have one(or more) of these 4 knives and/or the big 2 blade 'Sowbelly', you know it. If you've never handled one of these you have to to understand what i have just said.
Here's the fit at the front bolster, blade closed:

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The "sub-hilt" feature is very neat. Your index finger is very secure on the blade side of this for easy natural tip control.

Here's all 4 of the "Big Bad Boys":

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And, in case you've never seen it before, the big 2 blade "Sowbelly"ish folder. Not a "Texas Ranger" but obviously made by the same manufacturer.

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A Super Big Thanks to Mr. Russell. It is truly special time to be a knife lover and own one(or more) of these knives. They are a new and extremely high standard in the history of production knives.
We owe a great deal to Mr. Russell.
roland
 
Roland,

Thanks for your reminder on the new AGR Texas Ranger.

I do agree with you on the great AGR Fit & Finish. They definitely pay attention to the detail on anything they put their name on.

There is an older (2003) toothpick pattern Texas Ranger with a thin bellied blade, which is a great slicer.

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Mike H.
 
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I own last years rendition and I gotta agree, build quality and F&F are outstanding. A Chinese-made knife. :thumbup:

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Am I correct in thinking the 2011 model has no lock?
 
Phil, that's correct.
They really do look amazing, and are very tempting. I've been drawn to them for a while now.




(Just can't force myself to swallow the C-word... :o )
 
Nice and chunky looking knives Roland!! I do like that doglegish Sowbellyish pattern Jack.

Russell
 
A. G.'s got some "mad design skillz." Loving everything they have coming out of China. I'm a convert.

Someone needs to post a pic of the Beak knife, as well. I own that one and the 2009 TR. Excellent quality, and fun designs, both of them.
 
Quote DD: "A. G.'s got some "mad design skillz." "
He certainly does. Some might say these are not real Traditional knives because these designs are unique. But they are based on Traditional patterns and they certainly are not "Tactical" style knives.
He's also not bringing out these different designs just to be different. Every one of these is 100% well thought-out. They are totally ergonomic for the way our human arm, hand and fingers work, except for the Sunfish which is best suited to giants. These are knives to use and use as hard as you want. Their construction is very refined but they are very solid and obviously tough. My sense is that the action and blade won't change much even after years of outside use.
It would be a shame to just store them but having all 4 the only one that's seen any use yet is the first one out, the Gunstock. I'll never wear it down or out so at some point i have put it away and choose one of the others.
If you were only going to buy 1 of these big knives, the 2 blade Sowbellyish one probably is the most versatile for all situations because it has 2 blades.
roland
 
I've had one for a couple weeks now. Fit, finish and ergonomics are as good as any, better than most. However, I see two problems with the one I have. First, the backspring seems weak. I had expected something a bit more substantial in a knife this size. Second, the edge, while it does have a razor sharp burr, leaves a lot to be desired. The long thin blade should be a good slicer at least, but last years swell center with its big thick chunky blade cuts far better. I tried to slice up some vegetables with the new knife, it would barely cut a potato, whereas the swell center zipped right through that same potato. Its definitely going to need some work.
 
I'm a big fan. The 2010 one is amazing and I,m still kicking myself for not getting the 2008 and 2009 ones. Next month my parents will bring me this one when they're in the states.
 
Quote: "the backspring seems weak. I had expected something a bit more substantial in a knife this size."
I don't think "weak" properly expresses what the action is like. All of mine are easy to open and pinchable too. I've got arthritis in my hands now so i like them being easy to open.
What is important is that when open, it takes at least moderate force to push the blades off the open position. How 'they' got these knives to function in this way i don't understand but i doubt a "weak" spring is the full explanation.
There's no need to make a blade a bit hard to open. There is a need to make the blade a bit hard to move off the fully open position. So for all 5 of these big knives that i have, i think the action is "perfect", i.e. optimal, or just right.
roland
 
rprocter said:
Quote: "the backspring seems weak. I had expected something a bit more substantial in a knife this size."
I don't think "weak" properly expresses what the action is like. All of mine are easy to open and pinchable too. I've got arthritis in my hands now so i like them being easy to open.
What is important is that when open, it takes at least moderate force to push the blades off the open position. How 'they' got these knives to function in this way i don't understand but i doubt a "weak" spring is the full explanation.
There's no need to make a blade a bit hard to open. There is a need to make the blade a bit hard to move off the fully open position. So for all 5 of these big knives that i have, i think the action is "perfect", i.e. optimal, or just right.
roland
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Roland,

Thank you for saying so well, just what I am trying to do. Only the mind and expet skills of Phil Gibbs (The World's finest cutlery engineer) allow me to design as I want and get the knives to work as well as they do.
 
What is important is that when open, it takes at least moderate force to push the blades off the open position
Click to expand...

Yes that is true. However, not in this case. The one I have in my hand right now is just as easy to close as it is to open, maybe easier.
 
Arathol said:
Yes that is true. However, not in this case. The one I have in my hand right now is just as easy to close as it is to open, maybe easier.
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This sounds like a knife that we need to reinspect and maybe replace. Please return it to my attention, I will cover your costs. A. G.
 
A. G. Russell said:
This sounds like a knife that we need to reinspect and maybe replace. Please return it to my attention, I will cover your costs. A. G.
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This is just one more reason that I absolutely love AG Russell's knives.

I just ordered the Curved Regular Jack (Wharncliff), the Texas Ranger 2011, another Ranger (in black) and another Sowbelly Trapper (this time in yellow).
 
Hi Roland.
Fantastic Revue on A.G's knives, I own the big sowbelly/dogleg ( is this realy more of a sowbelly than a dogleg? ) clip/wharncliff knife, and I totally agree with everything you are saying. These are giants of knives, but I prefer bigger knives, I usually carry this one in my jacket pocket as I am not a fan on back pocket, and its a little too large for front pocket.
Factory sharp!! very sharp
The spring tension in mine is perfect, pinch open both blades, both open and close with the exact same tension.
I have yet to sharpen this knife, and would like to know what you think Roland on the steel, now please forgive me here the blade is marked 8Cr13MoV, I take this means chrome molly, but I am new to sharpening, and would love your opinion on the "hows", I may give this a good strop up soon.
Great thread Roland - thank you once again, and Mr Russell...thank you for your fantastic knives.
 
Arathol, which one ? i'll double-check mine
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Its the new 2011 toothpick model. I'm used to larger folders like the Case elephant toe and 6265 models. This one has nowhere near the spring tension of those two. Its more in line with a newer Case 54 trapper, or about the same as my GEC #89 whittler.

This sounds like a knife that we need to reinspect and maybe replace.
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Thank you AG. I'm not sure if there actually is anything wrong though. I just figured thats how it was supposed to be. It will go out as soon as I can get it to the PO.
 
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