Comment by Alexander Noot 

Shlomo, do you have a source for this? Or is this all assumptions. Because from speaking to  people who actually do buisiness with the Chinese they claim that this is not true.

Just because you live in the US doesn't make you a democrat, just because I live in the Netherlands doesn't make me a socialist, just because someone lives in China doesn't make them a communist. It only makes them compliant with local laws.

The only sources that I have are my doctor, my oncologist, two neighbours, a niece's husband, a couple dozen friends, about half of my wife's university class that she teaches all who have fled China (mainly Hong Kong) and for the most part still have relatives remaining.

There is private ownership, per se, in China--they had to grant some to the Hong Kong and Macau citizens who had been dealing with the occidentals for over a hundred years, B U T, and it's a huge but, any business can be taken away from a "subversive element(s)" (their words not mine) and "given or allocated" to someone else at any time.

You're a Low Lander, a Netherlander because you're in Holland, I'm a Canuck since I live in Canada and a citizen living in the USA is a Yankee...In Holland you have the right to choose whether you wish to be PvdA (Social Democrat), D66, CDA, VVD or anything else...In Canada I can be a Liberal, a Conservative or a New Democrat (Social Democrat), which I am, or another party if I so choose just as in the USA you're either a Democrat or a Republican or something else and in all of them you have the choice of being a Communist as well, not so in China though, where there is but one party (of different factions [mostly degree of hard line/right wing] but all still Communist)...Same as what was in the former Soviet Union and still remains in North Korea and Vietnam for the most part.

See: Wiki--List of political parties in the People's Republic of China

The dominance over the political system is such that China is effectively a single party state.  This means that only one political party, the CPC, holds effective power at the national level. Eight minor parties also participate in the political system under the leadership of the major party. The PRC political system allows for the participation of some non-party members and minor parties in the National People's Congress (NPC) but they are vetted by the CPC.

The same thing will happen there as did in the USSR when capitalism finally wins out and it will...I give it at best five more years and at worst ten more years until the "Maphia" takes over, starts selling off all their military equipment since they will need foreign hard currency to prosper and business brokers, will enough bribe connections will take over the business world...I'll bet you five gilder on it or a kilo of Douwe Egberts ground coffee!

A.G. Russell™ Texas Ranger® 2011

Limited to 1,000 Pieces.

For the 2011 Texas Ranger Commemorative, I chose to combine elements from several traditional folders, creating a Sub-Hilt Toothpick with a Barong blade. Locking knives were almost entirely unknown in Texas during the 1840s. Remaining true to that fact, this model is a slipjoint. The unusual 4-1/8" blade is leaf shaped and almost a full inch wide of 8Cr13MoV at 57-59 Rc. and is etched with "188 yrs. of service" in a furled banner. The Toothpick style handle has stainless steel liners, bolsters and caps, and a nickel silver inlay of a Texas Ranger Badge with the words Texas Rangers - 1823-2011. The handle scales are Ebony Rucarta™. Measures 5" closed and weighs 5.5 oz. Includes a black leather belt pouch. Made in China.

This is an outstanding knife, every bit as fine as the 2008, 2009, and 2010 Texas Ranger Knives. Limited to a total quantity of 1,000, each of the previous three models have completely sold out. We expect this one to sell quickly as well.

http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-2011-texas-ranger/p/RUShhhCTR6ER/

Comment by Alexander Noot 

Just because someone doesn't have a coice doesn't mean they're automatically a communist. Under your reasoning everyone living in German occupied territory during the secind wirkd war was a nazi.

Sorry man, but that flag doesn't fly with me.

You of all people should know your own history during the German occupation of WW2…What did you do to the collaborators after the Canadians liberated you?  Being in a captured country is a lot different then being in one that has gone a certain direction.

There is a huge difference in Nazi Fascism to Communism even though a lot of the practices are the same—mass murders, mass interments, abolition of rights and freedoms, etc.

Remember, that if you wanted to get ahead in Germany proper then you had to be a good little Nazi, a card carrying member of the National Socialist Party, had your children in the Hitler Youth and be spouting all the propaganda that Joseph Goebbels put out or you suddenly found yourself out of a job, out of a home, maybe arrested and maybe even sent to a work camp.

Same thing with Communist China, you may not believe in the doctrine and many—make that most—from Macao and Hong Kong don’t BUT you had better be in the good graces of the “commissars” and party officials or the same thing happens to you as did to the German.

When there is but ONE party in the race it’s hard not to be labelled being that now isn’t it, especially if you voted (or were told for whom to vote). 

A little political? I'd say a lot. I'll pass on it for now. I've plenty of opinion on the subject and plenty of reasoning to share if asked. But I'll not do it here and now.

Regardless, the "China is the devil" thing is getting a bit old to me. Bottom line here is I'm excited about the knives mr Russell has produced in China. And I'll probably continue to buy them 

No hard feelings personally to anyone who thinks otherwise. Thei're all entitled to their own opinions.

Hello all just joined the ag russell forum and i also just purchased my first ag russell knife the large folding hunter with brown rucarta handles. i am blown away by the quality of this knife for the money

Hello Robert, they're great aren't they. Every time I tell myself I shouldn't buy any more knives....and every time it's the A.G. Russell ones that I end up getting anyway.

The folding Hunter is the one that's been tempting me for a while now. How are you liking it? I'd love it if you could write a review for the "a sharper review" group here on IKC. You can find it in the forum I believe. There's already at least 1 A.G. Russell knife in there.

Robert, glad you like it, does it have a lockback? Post a picture if you can. I have always been pleased with the knives and merchandise from AG Russell.

Hello all, Robert yes it is a lockback,a very large lockback i am sorry i am unable to post a picture but i will tell you that it is everything that AG says it is on their website the fit and finish is very close to custom quality.the knife is well worth the price,It came razor sharp with no blade play at all a couple of freinds of mine thought it was a custom. From what i understand Mr. Russell is a perfectionist when it comes to the the knives he has made for his company and it shows in this one. Alexander it was the same for me the folding hunter tempted me for almost a year before i ordered it go ahead and order one you will not be dissapointed.Thinking about the AG sowbelly trapper next

You should get that trapper. I own the one in Cocobolo, it's excellent. If you prefer them with a single blade, if you hold out a little bit longer A.G. is bringing out the single bladed versions!

Alex, what's the size of that single blade version?

when the funds allow it i will go ahead and order the sowbelly trapper.

I don't know if it's Mr. AG or one of his employees that designed those new knives of theirs but they are really neat.

Anyone have a pic?

Thank you Robert,  The design is about all that remains for me to do now that Goldie runs the company

Bless your heart, you're still hanging in there and I really like your designs. Miss Goldie is your boss know?

Bless your heart, you're still hanging in there and I really like your designs. Miss Goldie is your boss know?

Has been for 18-20 yearss

That's great Mr. AG, I have said for a long time know that " this is a mans world, run by women",...lol. I really appreciate all you have done for the cutlery world.

Mr. A.G., I just bought a little barlow Hen and Rooster from Betram Germany. I'll post a picture when it arrives. I'm all excited, I might have to get another one after this one.

Robert, at the moment there are only two brands that I seem to care about as far as production knives go.

As of a couple of weeks 1 is GEC. I really like what they're doing.

The other is A.G. Russell. His knives (I think) seem to be the perfect blend of traditional styling and modern materials and innovation. In fact....it's the only brand that I have multiple knives of....5 pieces at the moment to be exact. (And I have a very small collection of knives)

Finally did another A.G. Russell review:

http://www.iknifecollector.com/forum/topics/a-g-russell-curved-regu...

Alex, I'm an old fan of A.G. Russell and have bought numerous knives from him. You will not be disapointed spending your knife money with him. He has drifted over toward selling alot more tactical knives lately and that's not my favorite but he has done what it takes to stay in buisiness.

My little Bertram Hen and Rooster is a small barlow 1970-80's 241ds in stag and stainless. It's in mint condition and I think I'm gonna like it when I get my hands on it. I'll post a picture at that time. If anyone knows anything about it please let me know. Thanks.

I picked up this Hen & Rooster CM-6 from A.G. a couple weeks ago.  Made around 1976 when A.G. owned H&R.

That's great! I have seen a CM-6 before but not with that sheild.

Robert,

The CM6 never had any other shield.

Yeah the shield thing kind of threw me off at first but I think I understand it now.  As far as I can tell, Hen & Rooster knives that were made prior to 1980 were made without shields.  The exception to that rule is the knives that A.G. Russell made during  for The Knife Collectors Club during his ownership.  Most of those had some type of bullet shield but A.G. opted for the arrowhead on this one.

I am still in the learning stage with H&R knives so if I am incorrect, someone please feel free to set me straight.  I am willing to learn as much as I can about them.

There were a few for importers like Voss that were ordered with shields. before WWII

Thanks A. G.

I see now the knife I was talking about was a CM-8 with a bullet or .219 Zipper cartridge. Yep Railsplitter I have alot to learn also. Thanks guys.

Here's a picture of my Bertram Hen & Rooster baby Barlow. Sweet!

Robert,

That is a fine looking knife indeed!

The picture doen't show the true beauty of this little jewel!

Robert,

I do not mean to be rude, but, it would be a great kindness if you would post pictures of Jim Frost's knives on his forum, rather than mine.  It is very painful to be reminded that he has owned the mark since 1980.

thanks,

A. G.

WHAT! This is supposed to be one of yours. It's a Bertram. That's the reason I bought it, I thought it was one of yours. I'm lost, Mr. AG. This knife was aged to be from the 70's to the 80's. The tang stamp is "Bertram..cutlery..Rostifrei..241DS. You are not being rude, but very helpful for a beginner like me. Please tell me where I went wrong.

yes mr.russell please tell us more all these knives since 1980 is frost knives?i don't understand...

Robert,

I don't know if I can help but I will try.  My knowledge is limited so please take this with a grain of salt.

Any Hen & Rooster knife with "Rostifrei" and/or a model number along the spine of the blade near the tang is a post-1980 knife.  I believe "Solingen" on the tang is also a sign of post-1980.  The shield with the hen and the rooster on it also depicts post-1980.

Your knife might very well be from the 80's but it is from later than 1980.  Most likely 1983 or newer.

A.G. owned Hen & Rooster from 1975 to 1980.  Before then they were owned by Mr. Bertram and his family members.  After 1980 they were owned by Frost and some other guy who's name I don't remember.

I thought that if it had Bertran on the tang stamp it was when Mr. AG. owned it and they had to change the stamp after it went through the courts. This is what I read in one of Mr. AG's catalogs. I still don't understand. I think I have been taken advantage of. Well, it won't be the first time....so sad.

Fellows,  any Hen & Rooster knife with a model number or with a Hen & Rooster inlay was made for Jim Frost after the Summer of 1980, first by Klaas and then by Boker and now in Spain.  If it says Bertram Cutlery then it is Frost.  An email with a photo to agr@agr3.com will always get you an answer sooner or later.

A. G.

Sorry, I did not see Railsplitter's post until I had already written the above

Thanks Mr. AG. I am so disapointed, it's not what I thought I was buying. It's got to go and I'll start over. Thanks so much for your time and help.

Robert,

I am really sorry, you misunderstood.  We used Bertram GmbR and they call theirs Bertram Cutlery.

Robert, if you paid $60 or 70 for the knife you got a good deal, if you paid $300 or $400 then you were robbed.