A.G. Russell Knives

These knives are made using ATS-34, the steel that is used by most of today's top Custom Knifemakers. This steel is not used often in production knives for several reasons, the most important of which is cost. This steel cost several times as much as 440A or 8A and is more than twice the cost of 440C. The second most important reason is that this very high-carbon steel will wear out the dies that cut the blades to shape.

The reason I am using it here is because I think that everyone should be able to afford to try this steel without having to spend $300-$1300 for a high class hand made knife. The reason the knifemakers use this steel is that, while it is a Japanese copy of the American 154CM, the Japanese will roll it in sizes that the knifemakers can use, they still vacuum melt it and the cost for it vacuum melted is about 1/2 of the price charged for 154CM (when you can find it).

You can see in the fine photographs done for us by Jim Weyer the high quality bone scales on these knives are high priced. But think; nowhere else in the world can you have knives with this much handwork, with genuine bone scales (made from the shin bones of the huge Brazilian beef cattle), and with ATS-34 blade for these prices.

When bought as a set these knives are shipped in a lovely presentation box that is supplied at no cost. It also costs a bit less to buy the set than it would to buy the two knives separately. A presentation box is also included with each Premier or Excelsior grade knife at no extra cost.

CM-16 3-3/8" closed Muskrat pattern, Turkish Clip Skinning blade and a long Wharncliffe caping blade, both blades of ATS-34 high carbon stainless steel, brass liners, nickel silver bolsters and acorn inlay.

CM-16 Premier Cattaraugus Muskrat

Premier Grade (serial 1-25 Engraved by Ben Lane Jr. in a Germanic Leaf Pattern on all four bolsters and acorn inlay. (In presentation box)