All About Pocket Knives

Quick Steel wrote: ↑Sun Jun 04, 2023 9:29 pm An awesome looking knife. It radiates strength.

Thank you Garry. This is one of those knives that I would grab if I had to go into survival mode, along with a couple of others. It is stout and yet feels silky smooth in hand. I like how well centered that blade is and how smoothly it opens and closes too.

I commented in "Mail Call" already, Mark, so I'll just reiterate what I said there, congratulations on finally receiving a long desired "Grail" knife, I know how much you wanted one of these, not for how long but certainly how much!

Got in this A.G. Russell lockback made in 1998 in Seki Japan. This knife reminds me a lot of the Jess Horn lockback that was also made in Seki Japan. Both are linerless with Micarta handles and have ATS-34 blades with a Birds Eye main pin. I am very impressed with the run up on this. As you can see in the photos there is no gap between backspring and blade. In fact it’s very hard to see where these two meet. One of the best run ups in my collection.
And it’s hair shaving sharp like most Seki made knives.

That's my kindda knife, Mark, it's gorgeous.
Are you keeping it or selling it? Thx!

Keeping it for now. My A.G. Russell collection is starting to spill over into other cases so I’m going to need to whittle it down a bit. Most of it is Seki made but a few American made A.G. Russells in there. So when it comes time to choose which stays and which goes, you never know, comparing one knife with another makes me sometimes decide I can let it go. But I’m not there just yet on this piece.

With magnification, I finally found the runup...I think. An amazing production.

It is hard to see Garry. I know my cataracts are getting worse but I found this one nearly impossible to find. I have to wonder why all knives aren’t made this way?

Beautiful knife, loooooooooooooove the run up. I think the reason every knife maker can't do it like Moki does is the same reason every car company can't do it like Toyota. Edward Demming was sought after, believed, and followed to the T in Japan. He was scoffed at and ignored in Detroit. I think Moki probably followed that lead. IMHO they are the gold standard in knives because of the same reason Toyota now sells more cars than any other maker. The statistical analysis and quality control Demming introduced changed everything. I recall vividly when Japanese products were considered cheap, low quality, throw away in the early 70s. By the late 70s Toyota, Honda, Datsun, Mazda, Subaru etc. had become respected, preferred, and the leaders in quality. Now they rule the industry and same with Japanese makers in the TV and stereo industry. IMHO like Moki rules in the areas of build quality, precision manufacturing and product assembly in the knife industry. Or so my subjective thinking goes anyway, your results may vary.

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: ↑Tue Jun 13, 2023 11:38 pm Keeping it for now. My A.G. Russell collection is starting to spill over into other cases so I’m going to need to whittle it down a bit. Most of it is Seki made but a few American made A.G. Russells in there. So when it comes time to choose which stays and which goes, you never know, comparing one knife with another makes me sometimes decide I can let it go. But I’m not there just yet on this piece.

I don't blame you, I would too!

Bought this Gerber Silver Knight from our own Q in Hawaii. Black lip pearl handles and engraved bolsters. Not sure who made it or when but have a few guesses about all that. Has a very tight run up and great fit and finish.

That's one sweet knife, Mark.
You see so many of the standard plain-jane Silver Knight's that it's a pleasure to view one with such nice embellishments, such as the pearl and engraving.
It's another knife displaying a hidden run-up, very nice.

Thanks Mark. It is very different from the usual Silver Knights you see, I agree. This pearl is on fire!

Finally got a grail knife this past week. I have had over a dozen of these Cattaraugus sleeveboard whittlers made for A.G. Russell in Seki Japan. This is the first one of these that I have been able to acquire that is from the first 25 of these ever produced, serial number 14 on the spine. The first 25 of these were all hand engraved, most likely, by Ben Lane. The hand engraving is excellent. The owner of this bought this knife new in 1989 and never touched it again and just left it in the case. I had a good amount of cleaning to do to get it to look this good. Oxidation on the bolsters and the backsprings came right off. I cleaned off a little glue on the top side of the liners, a good sign this was truely an early knife. The color of the handles is a bit different from the others I have, but that’s probably just variances in the dying process. Can’t tell you how excited I am to get this.

Mark, Congratulations on acquiring a grail knife. A beautifully done piece. I find the bolsters and shield exceptionally tasteful.

Exceptional knife Ssk

Congratulations on receiving that one, Mark, I know that feeling well when you finally score one you've been coveting.
Your new knife isn't even my style, yet I really like the looks of it, especially the engraving and shield, like Garry stated.

Thank you Garry, Doglegg and Mark. Over the years I have really come to admire hand engravings on knives. Only have a few but hope to acquire more.

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: ↑Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:49 pm Finally got a grail knife this past week. I have had over a dozen of these Cattaraugus sleeveboard whittlers made for A.G. Russell in Seki Japan. This is the first one of these that I have been able to acquire that is from the first 25 of these ever produced, serial number 14 on the spine. The first 25 of these were all hand engraved, most likely, by Ben Lane. The hand engraving is excellent. The owner of this bought this knife new in 1989 and never touched it again and just left it in the case. I had a good amount of cleaning to do to get it to look this good. Oxidation on the bolsters and the backsprings came right off. I cleaned off a little glue on the top side of the liners, a good sign this was truely an early knife. The color of the handles is a bit different from the others I have, but that’s probably just variances in the dying process. Can’t tell you how excited I am to get this.

Mark, that is one of the most beautiful knives I've ever seen.

Thank you David. It went right to the display case.

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: ↑Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:49 pm Finally got a grail knife this past week.

Gorgeous knife ! Is it a split-spring, or .... ??
The acorn is most intriguing . . . .

Beauuuuuuuuuutttaaaaaaaaaay SSK. Nice to get a grail. Congrats.


G Sakai Bird and Trout LB

royal0014 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 12:14 pm

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: ↑Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:49 pm Finally got a grail knife this past week.

Gorgeous knife ! Is it a split-spring, or .... ??
The acorn is most intriguing . . . .

Royal, it’s a two spring no split or wedge. Everyone of these I’ve owned has been really nice and great fit and finish.

Iman, that is a beautiful b&t knife. Like the red bone.

Beautiful B + T, Iman!
My kindda knife!

Here are some Seki made knives I thought I'd add to this thread. These vintage Japanese knives are very nice. The maker is Compass Industries on two and they sure did a great job. Same goes for the Rigid. These are all new old stock and have never been used, sharpened or carried. Two have the original boxes.

Nice group!

Here's my RG-24. I got one new-old-stock for about $25 several years ago, and it's mostly seen use for cutting baler twine, rope, and brush as a work knife.

It is easily as good quality as a period Spyderco, yet not as stiff as the Harpy I used to have.
I noticed your clip is different. Mine only has three screw holes in the clip, yet yours has four. I'm wondering if there was a running change or something.