A.G. Russell Knives

Blade Magazine's Most Innovative Imported Design - 2004

In late 1956, while browsing one of the two great cutlery stores in San Francisco, I found a small straight knife with a marlin spike in the sheath. This knife, made by Case®, had a drop point blade. At that time, I had only seen one other. I really liked that blade and had the store replace the wood scales with elephant ivory. When I began to use the knife, the quality of stainless steels available in the 1950s became evident. It would sharpen easily and dull even more easily. I don't think I used that knife more than once. It was almost 10 years before stainless steels that would hold a decent edge, like 440C, became available.

Over the years I have seen many sailors knives, including the one made for us in Japan. We have sold thousands of that one with Rucarta and with boiled bone, both plain and with scrimshaw. Year after year, those knives have proved to be both durable and dependable, but I have long felt that a new, modern design was needed. I have had requests from sailors for a knife with current materials and technical features. Those sailors often asked for a folder with locking mechanisms for both the marlin spike and the blade, and serrations on the front end of the blade. They insisted that this would make cutting rope easier. In testing, I found that indeed it was true.

The A. G. Russell SeaMaster has a 3-1/4" flat ground blade of ATS-34 high carbon stainless at 59-61 Rc. with serrations on the front half of the blade instead of the back half. The 2-3/4" marlin spike is 303 stainless and is not hardened. Both are coated with a special coating composed of both Titanium and Aluminum. This is a very tough coating, with a hardness of 80 Rc. and great rust resistance. As a part of the 4-1/8" Titanium handle are two Frame-Locks, derived from Michael Walker's Liner-Lock®, that lock both the blade and the spike in the open position for convenience and safety. With a black blade and spike, and colorful Titanium handles, this is a striking knife. The SeaMaster was awarded "The Most Innovative Imported Design®" at the 2004 Blade® Show held in Atlanta in June 2004. Made in Italy.

A. G. Russell SeaMaster