A.G. Russell Knives has introduced a trio of new Wharncliffe Swayback Jacks. These pocket knives are traditional, slip-joint folders. Each features a satin-finished M390 stainless Wharncliffe blade, nickel silver bolsters, liners and cartridge inlay. This should be welcome news to collectors as well as those who like to carry high-end traditional folding knives as choices can be somewhat limited these days. There are just a few manufacturers with the skilled workers it takes to make this type of knife still in existence.

Handle Options on These A.G. Russell Knives

These knives are made in Maniago, Italy. The three models to be introduced first include one with smooth white bone handle scales, one with stag handles and one with desert ironwood. The company sent its own stash of Desert Ironwood to Italy to ensure that those scales would have the character the company wanted.

The satin-finished flat ground Wharncliffe blade on each of these knives measures 2 7/8 inches. These knives measure 3 5/8 inches closed and weigh about 2.9 ounces depending on the handle material.

A.G. Russell Swayback Jack knives

These A.G. Russell Swayback Jack knives each feature a Wharncliffe 2 7/8-inch blade of M390 steel.

Designed by A.G. Russell Himself

A.G. Russell loved traditional pocketknives and designed them faster than the company could produce them. He was passionate about making this type of knife available to those who also love them. Looking through some of his designs yet to be produced, the company found a pencil drawing of an elegant Wharncliffe Swayback Jack that he drew in 2009. That was the inspiration for these new knives.

Tested to Ensure They Will Last

A.G. Russell always demanded quality. To this day, the company tests its slip-joint folders to ensure that the pivot and back spring will stand up to years of use. Phil Gibbs, the company’s knife engineer, remembers that the required government specifications for a slip-joint was to be able to open and close 3,000 times without problems. A.G. Russell slip-joint folders are tested to handle a minimum of 100,000 openings and closings. If a knife can handle that much in the testing phase, customers will not have problems with the spring or the pivot.

Available in June

These knives should be available beginning in June. The MSRP on these knives will be $99 for the smooth white bone model; $125 for the stag-handled model; and $135 for the model with desert ironwood scales. For more information on these Swayback Jacks and other A.G Russell knives, go to AGRussell.com.

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THE SPECS

Model: A.G. Russell Knives Swayback Jack

Type: Slip-joint folding knife

Blade Steel: Bohler M390

Blade Length: 2 7/8 inches

Configuration: Wharncliffe

Closed Length: 3 5/8 inches

Weight: 2.9 ounces

Handle Material: Smooth white bone, stag or desert ironwood

Origin: Maniago, Spain

MSRP: $99 (smooth white bone model); $125 (stag); $135 (desert ironwood)