A.G. Russell Offers Exquisite
Knives of Yesteryear

Five decades ago, if you wanted to keep abreast of the cutlery world, you got your hands on an early A.G. Russell catalog. By 2004, his talented wife, Goldie, was running the company, and the pair built it into the mail-order juggernaut it is today. The cutlery legend passed away in October of 2018, but the A.G. Russell company and catalog are strong as ever under Goldie’s watchful eye, still pleasing knife lovers by the masses.

A.G. Russell was a walking encyclopedia on all types of knives, and, growing up in the age of the traditional slip-joint pocketknife, it’s not surprising he was very knowledgeable on the subject. When Goldie took over the company business, he was able to spend much of his time designing new products, and a nice parcel was spent on traditional folders. A.G. wasn’t bashful about adding his own touches to the old patterns — and fixed-blades as well. We thought it would be interesting to look back on some of his contemporary takes on these historical subjects, and we bring them to you here.

An Eye For Patterns

A.G. Russell had an eye for unique pocketknife patterns that he knew traditionalists would like, and often, he would make slightly larger versions to make them bigger than life. He always overbuilt them to last a lifetime and more. His Sowbelly Trapper is one such knife. Big and bold at 41/4″ closed, it’s built like a tank with a long stainless-steel Barlow-style top bolster for added strength. This is a slipjoint sporting 33/8″ Clip Point and 31/2″ Wharncliffe blades in 8Cr13MoV stainless steel. The handle scales on the version shown are of dense Cocobolo wood with a shield escutcheon and lanyard hole, with lanyard, in the bottom bolster. The Sowbelly Trapper tips the scales at 5.7 oz., and you can also have it in Brown Rucarta or Yellow Delrin covers. Warning: A beast lurks here.

The Gunstock pattern — designed with firearms aficionados in mind — is well over a hundred years old and A.G. Russell’s addition of a lockback mechanism adds an added level of safety. Once again, A.G.’s Gunstock Lockback leans to the large side — the folder is 4¼” closed and stretches out to 75/8″ in the open position. The 33/8 blade is a full-bellied, recurved 8Cr13MoV stainless steel Clip Point with a swedge grind for improved penetration. The handle has durable Yellow Delrin scales capped off with a lengthened stainless steel top bolster and a bottom bolster fitted with a braided leather lanyard. The blade release is located just above the bottom bolster.

A.G. Russell’s Wharncliffe Lockback is a svelte, light carry EDC 313/16″ closed and a mere 3.0 oz. in weight. The satin-finished 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade is a 31/8″ Wharncliffe — known as the workhorse of blade styles. The blade spine has a lengthy swedge grind with an oversized long pull for easy opening. The tapered handle has front and rear 410 stainless steel bolsters, a shield escutcheon, and a blade lock at the lower rear — all satin finished to match the blade. We’ve pictured the White Bone version here, but you can also get the Wharncliffe Lockback in Deer Stag or Black G10 scales.

The Swayback Jack is an A.G. Russell Gents folder design at its finest. The way the 27/8″ Wharncliffe blade flows off of its gently curved slip-joint handle is pure poetry. Don’t let its artistry, however, fool you — it has some tough guy traits built in. The 27/8″ Wharncliffe has a premium Austrian-made Bohler Uddeholm M390 stainless steel blade that will cut like a house afire and a lengthy Barlow-esque bolster on the handle to give it strength. The handle bolsters, as well as the bullet escutcheon, are Nickel Silver just like the old-time pocketknives and the dense Desert Ironwood scales are built to last. You can also get the Swayback Jack in Deer Stag, or White bone covers.

Fine Tribute Fare

A.G. Russell has offered tribute knives for years and their Premium Scout Knife is a prime example. This is the Scout Knife of old and, for many, their very first knife. The 25/8″ Spear Point main blade is high quality VG-10 stainless steel with “Premium Scout” etched on the front. The gang’s all here — many will recognize the can opener, combination screwdriver/cap lifter, and leather punch. The handle is 3¾” overall true to form with Nickel Silver bolsters with brass liners, an acorn shield and the familiar lanyard bail at the base. The Premium Scout comes in two scale options: the premium Deer Stag version shown here and a more affordable Red Jigged Bone adaptation. The Premium Scout Knife is a great way to relive the past or start your child on a new one.

The Gold Field Bowie is typical fare in A.G. Russell’s Shopmade line produced in their Rogers, Ark. home base. The Gold Field model is a smaller version of the California Bowie designed by noted bowie maker D.E. “Ed” Henry in the 1960s and produced by the company as well. This smaller version — made to be more comfortably scaled for today’s user — is 9¼” overall with a full-tang 5¾” blade of 154CM stainless steel with a stainless guard. Our version has Deer Stag scales, but you can also have it in Desert Ironwood or Norway Spruce Cone trappings. The Gold Field Bowie comes delivered with a handsome brown leather sheath.

Traditional Values

The advent of the first Gulf War brought about the meteoric rise of the modern-day tactical folder and changed the face of the cutlery industry. As a result, many of the famed, decades-old American companies making traditional knives fell by the wayside. There are still many knife users and aficionados among us who appreciate the time-honored folders and fixed blades of yesteryear. Some even prefer them to modern-day fare as their everyday carry, working blade, outdoor companion — or just to collect and reminisce. For those of you who appreciate traditional knives, A.G. Russell has got you covered!

For more info: AGRussell.com

Purchase A PDF Download Of The American Handgunner March/April 2025 Issue Now!