About A.G. Russell (The Maker & Company)
- A.G. Russell III (1933-2018): A.G. Russell was a highly influential figure in the modern knife industry. Born in Eudora, Arkansas, he began making knives as a child.
- Founding: He founded A.G. Russell Knives in 1964, initially selling Arkansas sharpening stones and later adding knives, establishing the oldest mail-order knife business in the
- Industry Pioneer:
- He co-founded the Knifemakers’ Guild (1970) and the Knife Collectors Club (1970), serving as Honorary President for the Guild.
- He created the first forum for selling aftermarket knives, “The Cutting Edge”.
- His mailing list was foundational for early knife magazines like Blade.
- He was inducted into the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame in 1988.
- Innovator & Designer: Russell was known for his innovative knife designs and for pushing manufacturing boundaries. Notable designs include:
- The first linerless pocket knife with all-plastic handles (1970).
- The “Sting” boot knife (1975).
- The “A.G. Russell One Hand Knife” (1987), an early production knife featuring a thumb stud for one-handed opening.
- The popular FeatherLite One-Hand Knife.
- Various Chute knives and Bowie knives.
- Legacy & Company Today:
- A.G. Russell passed away in October 2018 at the age of 85.
- His wife, Goldie Russell, joined the business in the 1980s and became President and CEO. She continues to run the company today and was inducted into the Cutlery Hall of Fame in 2014, making them the first couple to receive the honor.
- A.G. Russell Knives, Inc. is still in operation, based in Rogers, Arkansas. They maintain a retail store and a significant online/mail-order presence (AGRussell.com).
- The company sells knives under the A.G. Russell brand, as well as Morseth and War Eagle Blades, and carries many other brands. They are known for their customer satisfaction guarantee.
