Customer Testimonials
A.G. Russell Wharncliffe Lockback AGLB-CW13S - This is a beautiful knife design perfectly executed. The smoothness of the mechanism and the fit and finish are amazing, especially at this price. It is equally at home cutting a piece of line, whacking off a chunk of Jarlsburg cheese or slicing a pear at lunch. While this knife is made in China, I don't know what about this knife could have been nicer had it been made in a custom shop here in the U.S. I particularly like the Wharncliffe blade shape and how easily the knife opens with one hand without any annoyingly protruding thumb studs or holes in the blade. I would like to see this feature incorporated in more of your lockback designs. It saddens me that Mr. Russell has passed and is no longer able to give us such brilliant knife designs. Rating: 10/10
Robert D. Milford, CT
A.G. Russell Gentlemen’s Pen Knife - Build quality and fit and finish WAY better than anything I’ve seen from Case in recent years. Snap and walk and talk is great. Very well engineered. Stag is ok....one scale is flat with a bit of color. The other is convex and smooth, almost like whale bone. Happy to have snagged two copies! This knife would be beautiful in stabilized blue oak! Rating: 9/10
Robert G. Township of Washington , NJ
A.G. Russell Vest Pocket Semi-Skinner - This knife is a jewel! It is flawless in both its design and execution. While this is a small knife at a closed length of 3 1/8 inches and a weight of only 2 1/2 ounces, it is a LOT of knife in a little package. The blade is quite stout and locks up very solidly. The semi-skinner blade shape is one of my favorites. This blade is deep enough that it provide a belly for skinning across its entire cutting edge, yet it has a point fine enough for digging splinters out of your hand. There are not many tasks that you could reasonably expect a pocket knife to perform that this knife cannot do, and it can do them with aplomb. The knife opens and closes with silky smoothness. This is my first knife with a carbon fiber handle and my first with CPM S35VN blade steel, and neither material disappoints. It is rare that any knife as received does not require some sharpening or at least stropping to achieve its best edge, but this knife took the hair off my arm in one pass right out of the box. The carbon fiber handles are visually fascinating and provide an optical illusion of depth that changes with changes in ambient light. This knife is yet another example of an A.G. Russell knife made in China that I do not believe could have been made better anywhere in the world. Russell's catalog says that Mr. Russell completed the design of this knife shortly befor he passed. He could hardly have left the followers of his knife designs a better parting gift than this knife. It is a suitable tribute to his memory. Having known Mr. Russell only through his knives, had I been asked to write a one sentence epitaph for him, it would have been "He had a great eye for knife design and he will be sorely missed." Rating 10/10.
Robert D. Milford, CT
The A.G. Russell Medium Barlow Lockback is yet another example of A.G. Russell taking a classic knife design and improving upon it. This is my first Barlow knife because Barlows are traditionally slipjoints, and I have brittle fingernails with which slipjoints do not generally agree. Because it is a lockback that does not require a stiff spring to keep the knife open, this knife opens easily with no broken fingernails. The mechanism is extremely smooth and locks up very solidly. The Zulu Spearpoint blade is a very useful shape suited to a wide range of tasks, and is visually more interesting than traditional blade shapes on Barlow knives. When open it flows into the traditional Barlow handle complimenting it. When closed, the elongated nail pull and downward swooping swedge of the forward part of the blade give the impression of the head of a bird of prey peering over the knife handle. The addition of the deep pocket clip which Russell has perfectly integrated into the traditional Barlow design further increases the utility of this knife. There is no gainsaying the usefulness of a good pocket clip, so long as it does not detract from the appearance and handling of the knife, which this one does not. If fact, the clip actually compliments the appearance of the knife when viewed from the Reverise side when closed because the clip is visually balanced by the long bolster at the opposite end of the handle. This clip presents a further benefit to me in that I like to carry my clip pocket knives clipped between the buttons on my shirt over the breastbone. I do this for several reasons: I have lost a least a couple of clip knives that popped out of my pants pocket while climbing in and out of my truck; the knife is readily accessible while sitting; it avoids having the knives marred by car keys or detritus in the pockets; and, the knife is much less obtrusive when carried this way, as most people know that a clip showing on a pants pocket means a knife inside the pocket. This is not so with this knife when carried clipped to a shirt, as the deep pocket clip is designed such that the knife itself is not visible when inserted into clothing, and the clip is so stylish and well finished that it can pass for the clip on a pen. Further the clip has a lip open enough to slide over thick chamois shirts and yet it holds firmly to the thinnest dress shirt. Perhaps I should explain that one of the purposes of my knives is to partially fulfill the need for art in my life. For this reason, I am a believer in “the knife du jour.” I have many different knives that I like to carry so that they each get the opportunity to be admired and the virtues of their designs, choice of materials and Craftsmanship pondered over a cup of coffee with buddies at Starbucks (back in the pre-Covid era). Knives are a quintessential tool and, as such, a good knife should be a Work of Art that Works. That certainly describes this knife and A.G. Russell designs, generally. It is simultaneously utilitarian and elegant: utilitarian in its functionality yet elegant in its design. It is a remarkable value at this price and I believe it is destined to become one of my most often carried knives. Rating: 10/10
Robert D. Milford, CT
The A.G. Russell Woodswalker is possibly the greatest value among all A.G. Russell knives. I purchased 8 of these knives when I got married in 2004 for use as steak knives, and I bought another six for use as steak knives in my Airstream trailer in 2001. I vaguely recall paying $8.95 per knife back then. These knives have given great and frequent service since then. Eating a steak or chop should be like doing surgery where the flesh parts at the touch of the blade. One of my pet peeves has long been that most restaurants give you dull serrated "saws" with which to cut your meat. I vowed I would never do that to my dinner guests and my Woodwalkers have enabled me to keep that vow. It takes a good edge, and the Loveless semi-skinner blade shape provides a tip fine enough for removing all the meat from the bone of a loin lamb chop while providing enough belly to deal with a 22 ounce dry aged porterhouse steak. While the blade is relatively short, it has a long enough full tang handle to give complete and comfortable control of the blade. Dinner guests frequently comment on how much they, like these knives. Because many of my friends do not really understand knives, when cutting, they often and unnecessarily grind the blade against the plate. Since ceramic plates are harder than any blade steel, the knives have had to undergo frequent sharpening, which is easy. I am submitting this review at this late date because now, between retirement an Covid, I have had time to ponder my knife collection and recognize the standouts among my knives. This is one of them, despite the fact that it was the least expensive of my more than 80 knives. As a society we are too quick to criticize and too slow to praise. For my part, now that I have the time, I like to do what I can to change that. I have been dealing with A.G. Russell for at least 30 years and during that time they have done a lot of things right. The Woodswalker is just one of them. Rating: 10/10
Robert D. Milford, CT
A.G. Russell Serpentine Stockman with Stag Handles - This is one beautiful knife with impeccable fit and finish. I had a conventional Stockman that I carried in my youth, but somewhere along the way I lost it. Since then, I haven’t had much to do with slipjoint knives because I have brittle fingernails. But in old age I have come to value in my knives tradition and natural handle materials, and what could be more traditional than a Stockman with stag handle scales? I recently came to appreciate A.G. Russell’s twists on traditional knife designs that make them more interesting and useful, particularly his Lockback designs that open so smoothly and easily. So, I decided to take a chance on his Serpentine Stockman, and i’m glad I did. Even though it’s a slipjoint, it opens so smoothly and easily that it doesn’t break my nails. It is a most gratifying knife in that it’s serpentine shape makes it both visually and tactilely fascinating. It is truly eye catching with the clip joint blade open and its beautiful stag handle scales. Also, with this blade open, give your forefinger a treat by taking a tactile tour of the spine of the handle and clip point blade. Run your forefinger from the rear bolster along the spine of the knife to the tip of the blade with your eyes shut. The serpentine contours coupled with the smoothness of the surfaces give a wonderful tactile experience. If you have been looking for a Stockman, this is the one. I would note that this was originally offered in three handle materials and now only stag is available. It is my surmise that before long, it will be too late to get one because when you go looking for it, you will find the dreaded notation “Sold Out-Discontined.”
Robert D. Milford, CT
Changes: The expose tails of the two blades not in useable exposed and are very sharp. Perhaps you could employ a bolster at each end of the handle like the front bolster on you Vest Pocket Semi-Skinner that hides the knife tails. Perhaps you could call it the Swollen Bolster Serpentine Stockman. It would certainly make this knife absolutely unique.
Rating: 10/10
I read in the most recent email news letter that there was a public comment regarding your customer service. I just want to tell you that this sounds like a troll at work. From my perspective your customer service and support has always been first rate. I have always recommended AG Russell to any of my friends when they have an interest in knives and related subjects. Keep up the good work.
Randall A. Farmington Hills, MI
Rating: 10/10. I merely wanted to give you an "ataboy". After reading your Email, I thought you might one. I have dealt with AGRussell for many years and have always been satisfied. Just keep up the good work and ignore the trolls.
Carr B. Ishpeming, MI
i love your customer service. dont listen to the peanut gallery. today drama overrides basic science and facts. seems like the more drama created by loud noise and unscientific false news the larger audience attracted. always fight the good fight refute drama with science and you will be doing the right thing.
Brian z. new iberia, LA
I have been a customer for many years and your service has been outstanding. every contact has been answered promptly and with courteously and efficiently by a knowledge representative. Do not let You Tube concern you Someone is trying to woke you. I have not purchased a lot from you but I will look to you first from now on.
Henry R. Hudson, OH
In the decades that I have been shopping the various Russell catalogs, I have had to contact customer service two times that I can recall. In both instances the service provided was prompt, professional and very satisfactory. It would be a huge improvement to on-line shopping if every merchant provided similar customer service. I don't know what the on-line poster referred to, but sometimes customers ARE WRONG. "The customer is always right" is an urban legend that is based in fallacy.
CHARLES V. VENTURA, CA
I was a police officer for many years (I bought knives for work and personal). I told my friends to use you guys too. I lived in three different states (I never had a problem in any of the states (I was shopping online with you guys). I like to think in all this time I have bought a fair amount knives maybe not as many as others. Enough that when I pass away one day and my kids start digging through my drawers in my nightstand, desk, tool cabinets, glove boxes, my storage box with my old police gear in it. They are going to find a heck of a lot of knives and a lot of those knives say AG Russell on them or came from you guys. Some will have been well used some are just so beautiful I couldn't bear to use them so I bought multiples. The Sowbelly trapper, the Rancher (I think I have one called the Cowboy too?), the Medium Gunstock, the 3 5/8" Gunstock and ALOT of them yellow Delrin. A lot of those knives make me think of my grandfather and are familiar and comforting (strange as that may seem). So thank you for being you for being AG Russell. I only write this because I saw your email yesterday. I think you guys are awesome. I love your customer service. I have called you on the phone before and I was so impressed that I would do it again over using the convenient online store. You are not going to make everybody happy. You have made me happy and I have a feeling many more people like me. I am sure you have made some people mad too. I have a feeling those people are looking to pick a fight with anybody. You just happen to be the unlucky "person" that time. You keep being you and I will keep being knives (along with a lot of other people). Respectfully, Michael
Michael C. Omaha, NE
Love your company and what you stand for. Don't let the world change you to fir some crazy new mold. I buy stuff from you guys even when I don't need it to try and continue to support you. Keep being A.G Russell. Don't compromise. And thanks for the deals . I try and buy every chance . God bless.
David C. Starkville, MS
A.G. Russell Gentleman's Framelock - I love the blade on this knife. It is about perfect and holds an edge well. The size and weight are spot on for EDC. Changes: Two things. 1. I wish that the blade would fully open when using the flipper. Had I known that it was designed to not kick all the way open, I might have selected a different model. 2. the deep pocket clip should use flat screws and be countersunk to allow more room for the clip to slide down into your pocket. As it is designed the knife cannot fully seat. the thickness of your pocket material is too wide to slide past the heads of the screws. Rating: 8/10
James H. Eureka Springs, AR
I ordered a Bayonet from you folks and the shipping was timely and I had zero problems or complaints. Plan on ordering more of your unbelievably well made knives.. Thanks
Scott C. Tulsa, OK
I have been a customer of AG Russell for years. I have purchased many knives through the catalog and online. On the few occasions that I contacted customer service support the service has been outstanding, courteous, efficient and friendly. Nothing short of superior! They answered all of my questions in great detail. Whether it be anticipated delivery time, or hunting down a specific make and model of knife, they did so patiently, and thoroughly. I highly recommend AG Russell to all of my friends, and fellow collectors. Keep up the great work!
Gregory L. Carpentersville, IL
A.G. Russell Medium Gents Hunter - I did not use to believe in love at first sight. After all, it took me a year after I met my wife for me to propose to her (during which time we had a number of conversations which ended with her saying “What do you mean you don’t know how you feel?”). But, this knife has changed my mind. After having used this knife for two days and having savored it's design, it's utility and its art, I know to a moral certainty that if I could only have one pocket knife to do everything I do with a pocket knife (and I do not try to use my pocket knives as an axe, a saw or a machete), this is the knife. I need not describe all of the great features of this knife, as Jake and A.G. Russell have done a wonderful job of doing this in their video regarding this knife, which I highly recommend. Everything they say is absolutely true. My “one pocket knife” has to meet these criteria: 1) It has to have a fine enough point to dig splinters out of my hand, clean a trout, draw a bird, clean and skin small game, and have enough belly to skin a deer. 2) It has to have a smooth handle that won’t become hopelessly clogged with deer slime that can’t be cleaned off without hot soapy water and a scrub brush, and must be sufficiently contoured to prevent its slipping in my hand when covered with blood. 3) It must have a secure locking mechanism that permits the knife to be easily opened with one hand. 4) It must have a full flat grind blade, as my pocket knives frequently have to slice food (I am 6’3” and 240 pounds), and there is a reason kitchen knives are always flat ground. 5). It must have good blade steel that will take and hold a good edge and be rust resistant, and the knife’s construction must be strong enough to withstand hard use and the application of considerable force. 6). For the reasons set forth in my separate review of the A.G. Russell Medium Lockback Barlow, it must have a nicely finished deep pocket clip and also help to fulfill the need for art in my life. I am 74 years old and have been buying and using knives since I was a child. This is the first knife I have ever seen that meets all of my criteria. If there were any doubt as to the genius of A.G. Russell as a knife designer, this knife should certainly resolve that question. I truly lament that I did not come to recognize his genius until after his death, as I would have driven from CT to AR just to have a cup of coffee and talk knives with him.
Robert D. Milford, CT
Changes:
The deep pocket clip on this knife, while very similar to the one on the Medium Barlow Lockback, is much stiffer. It is very difficult to get it to slide onto thick garment edges. Please make a clip available with less tension. I would happily purchase one. This minor flaw is the only thing standing between this knife and perfection. I would have given this knife 20 out of 10 but your program does not allow that.
Rating: 10/10
I really love the CPM-S35VN steel in your Vest Pocket Semi-Skinner. Perhaps you could use this steel in the Medium Gents Lockback Hunter.
Leather & Canvas Knife or Tool Roll - This is an excellent and useful product. The waxed canvas is very durable and it looks really good with the brown suede leather pockets. It hold your knives securely, but you have to be careful how you position your knives so that no exposed bolsters or handles come into contact with one another when you roll it up. The single strip of rawhide does an excellent job of keeping it from unrolling. All that is required is that you wrap the rawhide around itself a couple of turns and it is secure. Because I do not show my knives at shows, I didn’t even know how useful I would find this item until I read A.G. Russell’s obituary. I found his obituary liberating because I learned that he never went forth without six knives on his person. I guess I have limited imagination because it had never occurred to me to carry more than one knife at a time. Because one of the purposes of my knives is to partially fulfill the need for art in my life, I had been a believer in “the knife du jour.” I have many different knives that I like to carry so that they each get the opportunity to be admired and the virtues of their designs, choice of materials and Craftsmanship pondered over a cup of coffee with buddies at Starbucks (back in the pre-Covid era). While opportunities are now more limited for discussions with friends about one’s knives, they still do at least occasionally occur. So, the day after I read Mr. Russell’s obituary, I headed up to my club for some pheasant hunting with seven knives on my person. While waiting on the deck of my clubhouse during pheasant stocking, I had the pleasure of discussing the virtues of these knives with one of the members whom I did not know collected knives. In fact, we ran out of knives to discuss. When I arrived at home later that day, the latest Russell catalog was waiting for me in the mailbox, and in it was this new product. The next time I headed up to my club, I had a dozen knives in this roll and had the pleasure of discussing all of them. What a useful product! Changes: It would be nice if it had a suede piece at the top that could be folded down before rolling the roll up, so as to protect expose bolsters or handles. But, I will simply get a chamois car wipe and cut it to size for this purpose. Rating: 10/10
Robert D. Milford, CT
Spyderco Tenacious - I couldn't be more pleased; It is a well made, easily deployed and even attractive piece; as good as my every day Benchmade, and at half the price. I love the 4 way clip, as I won't carry a blade unless the clip is in the proper position. Thanks for a great piece of kit. ps the service was pleasant and rapid. Rating: 10/10
Carl L. enterprise, OR
I purchased one hand knives for myself and my sons. One of them broke the tip off through misuse. I sent it back to AG Russell with that explanation and asked to pay for a replacement blade. To my great surprise I received a new one hand knife at no charge with the explanation ‘A G Russell guarantees its knives unconditionally’.
Richard T. Cincinnati , OH