What is with A.G. Russel?

I didn't read all of this thread, but I did want to chime in.

I really like the A.G. Russell catalog. He has interesting items, and I like reading the history of various products. The ability to return an item with no questions asked is rare in today's world.

In addition to the knives, where else can you get a King James Version Bible with a bison cover?

I will continue to buy from A.G.

John
 
The best place to shop is AG Russell
There you buy what you want, there's no internet hustle
SOME may complain and moan that their prices are high
There are SOME who feel they can ask AG why
But those who shop AG and those that buy
Do it for several reasons, who cares if their high
A more honorable man you may never see
and he's a man who contributes to the knife industry
So just double click your mouse, you'll be a customer for life
And so the drama ends, it's the days of our knives
 
I was a customer servicerep & then customer service manager for a hardware wholesaler for seven+ years. I know more than a little bit about customer service. There are a lot of places out there that deal with honesty and integrity, many of whom are present on these forums. I like and respect, and do business with, many of them.

That being said, Russell is pretty much at the top of my list of sellers I'll buy from.

After all the nonsense I've dealt with over the years from various sellers - who, while I'd love to roast 'em, will remain unnamed - I'll pay a premium for the kind of service A.G. & his folks provide. And his catalogs make for some right pretty eye-candy, too. :D

Thanks A.G.

thx - cpr
 
A.G. Russell was one of the first places I bought knives from when I first started collecting knives. I have never had any problems ordering from him and I learned a lot about knives from his site and catalogs.
This thread prompted me to shop at his website and I am looking forward to receiving my order. I can't wait to see the latest catalog.
It's a pleasure doing business with you, A.G.

Dan
 
I too am an AG customer. I don't buy everything from them but I do check out what they have. I get their email specials every week. I've never had a problem with their operation. Service is tops, even after they have your money. Now thats worth something aint it?
 
A. G. Russell said:
Dave,

I will now have to put staff to comparing prices of all of the commodity knives on the web site. I think that maybe your estimate of "20% or more on most" may be a slight bit over the mark.

When we price an item, we have in the past checked the price with two or three of the leading net dealers and then we put our prices a dollar or two above there, based on our belief that our service and guarantee should be worth that small amount. I am not interested in being the low price leader, I leave that to SMKW and to the kids who try to work on tiny margins, not understanding until too late what that leads to.

When an item is both on the site and in the catalog you can expect the price to be high, the POSTAGE and paper are expensive, last year we got hit with a 33% increase in the cost of mailing catalogs, if you have not bought in the last couple of years you will not get another.

We promise to do our best to be at least as low as we have been and better if we can.
Click to expand...


Not to forget you are a 'brick and mortar' dealer which is getting quite rare these days and something that in and of itself makes any extra $ worth it just to have a place that actually has the knives handy and in stock in most cases when you order one. A sales person can actually pull one out to answer questions if they don't know the answers off the top of their head when asked. This is something that has occurred for me on more than one occasion when dealing with your store. Its also nice for me being somewhat local to still have at least one really good knife store within a reasonable drive.

Lets not forget A.G. also designs folders and has exclusives of his own brand name as well as production models in exclusive patterns or handle materials if not blade steels more often than not that one can only get from Russell's and no where else.

To the OP. You ever see a knife on paper in a catalog you just knew you loved only to get it and find out you were wrong and that your hand didn't like it? Other dealers may price some things less but you get labeled pretty quick as a 'problem buyer' if you return more than a couple knives even if rarely. A.G. has always been more than fair regarding this and if thats not worth a few extra dollars now and then I don't know what is.


STR
 
I used to work for AG Russell.
I was a customer for a couple of years, lucked out, and got a job. I went a different direction several years ago (I'm in Corrections/drug rehabilitation now), and I am still a customer.

Have the nay sayers here actually shopped there? Bought online or through a catalog?
I fail to see how anyone can be critical if they have not. The first knife I bought there was a CRKT KISS more than 8 years ago, my most recent was a folding hunter by the late Bob Ogg built back in 1992. I've bought a lot of knives (And other gadgets) from the company and have had to return a couple. Never had a problem either getting a replacement or getting it fixed.

I once bought a Dozier fixed blade and carried it for some time. I broke the belt clip on the sheath once and was wanting to contact Bob to buy a replacement. Goldie took the knife from me herself and I had a new sheath in a few days. I broke it, mind you. No design flaw, no defect in quality. I did something stupid and broke it. AG got it fixed. No charge.

On top of that, AG Russell is the local brick and mortar shop here in NWA. I can walk in, snoop around, ask questions, and get up close and personal with knives I am interested in. Can't do that through any website. I can go in and buy a knife out of the Used/Discontinued cabinet and still have customer service get my back if there is a problem. Try that anywhere else.

The people there are great, too. Especially AG. The knife industry is known for having friendly people that will bend over backwards for you, and AG is definitely one of those people. Two more examples were Amy and Paul. I learned more from all of them than I could have from any amount of forum surfing.

If you are on a bulletin board complaining about the price of knives being sold by a company, then you probably aren't going to shop their anyway. That's fine. I'll keep shopping there along with many, many others who 'get it'.
 
Nice, Wolfmann!

AG Russell is tops! Sometimes value means more than the lowest price.
 
Wow. 15 pages of comments in 5 days. Well here's mine:

I have been buying from AG for about 10 years. Almost exclusively folders. Probably 30-40 knives. Great service. Always in stock. Fast, fixed rate shipping. Most were knives exclusive to him. A few were production knives that in retrospect I could have gotten cheaper over the net with a little seaching. But, I would never have known about that knife if it did not appear in his catelog that comes quite often. I don't mind a few extra dollars for that catelog.
 
It's true that items purchased from A.G. Russell can usually be purchased cheaper on other websites, except for their exclusive issues.... That being said, I have always appreciated Russel's level of service, integrity and the fact that their catalogs come frequently at a substantial cost for them to produce and mail.... Most internet retailers don't shoulder those costs because they don't produce catalogs or any other type of non-internet promotional items.... Also, as others have said, A.G. is a legend and has done a great deal to promote knives and knife collecting.... I've always appreciated his efforts and think that those of us who love knives should support people who have helped make the industry what it is today.... It's sort of the same reason I like to collect Case Knives that are made in the U.S.... They may be a little more expensive than foreigh imports, but if we aren't willing to pay a little more, Case may not be able to succeed in the long run.... I've been around a lot of years and learned a long time ago that there are considerations that are more important than price alone.... For those who don't feel the same, shop elsewhere, but don't be surprised by A.G. Russell's success and the tens of thousands of customers that have supported them for years...
 
i have bought knives from ag for many years and many of them while in europe. Customer for a total of over 40years. never had the smallest problem - also when i just didn't like the handle material and had it exchanged ! can't imagine most dealers doing that.

ag has even responded personally when i had specific questions.

here in germany a company advertises with cheap prices with the motto: 'Geitz ist Geil' or 'Having a stingy attitude is sexy'. I don't think so.
and interestingly enough, ag is still less expensive than most german companies selling knives over here.

furthermore, i think integrity and honesty should be rewarded especially to keep these virtues from 'going away' - old fashioned i guess.
 
I bought my first knife from AG over 20 years ago, and he and his staff are first rate by any measure.
They're part of the reason for knives being what they are today & I'll continue to support them any way I can.
 
No complaints here. Admire A.G., his company, the service and the decades of promoting knives. Shop around all you like, you always come back to the best.

- Joe
 
I have purchased several hundred dollars of knives through Mr. Russell and his company. I would not have gone back for more if I was not comfortable with his quality, value, and service. To me that says it all. I am going to buy another knife from him today.
 
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I can't add much that hasn't already been said other than that I have only had the best of service from AG Russell and usually keep a small running list of item to get once I get an order together. Thanks AG for the service and commitment to the industry.
 
A. G. Russell FeatherLite - Gen Purpose "In the more than 40 years that I have been making, designing, and collecting knives, I have never seen a knife that excites me more than this one does! There ya go. I just picked up 2 of them, one for a good friend and one for myself. Thanks A G for the great products.
 
Of course there are always better prices, but AG Russell provides great knives, catalogs, and information. I have purchased several of AG's Mini-Lockbacks along with his leather pocket sheaths. They make the finest gifts a man can give. I have received much joy from the reaction to giving these knives to friends and business collegues. While there has been much dicussion about warranty/service, I have never had reason for either because the knives are so well made.

Now AG, just when I was ready to buy your Gent's Hunter, it dissappeared from your shelves, any news on when this item will return in any of the handle materials ... ?
 
Thomas_35 said:
Of course there are always better prices, but AG Russell provides great knives, catalogs, and information. I have purchased several of AG's Mini-Lockbacks along with his leather pocket sheaths. They make the finest gifts a man can give. I have received much joy from the reaction to giving these knives to friends and business collegues. While there has been much dicussion about warranty/service, I have never had reason for either because the knives are so well made.

Now AG, just when I was ready to buy your Gent's Hunter, it dissappeared from your shelves, any news on when this item will return in any of the handle materials ... ?
Click to expand...

early in the new year, I might be able to fine one, email me at agr@agr3.com
 
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