The AG Russell Knife Collectors Club was established in 1970. In 1971 Mr. Russell issued his first "Limited Edition Knife" rare and unusual knives to those collectors who like fine knives. This VERY Rare A.G. Russell HANDMADE Scagel Shopmade Skinner is one of the rarest of all of AG Russell's HANDMADE knives. There is so much to say about this knife I hardly know where to begin.
I guess the beginning is the best place to start. In 1993 Mr. Russell was very inspired by Scagel knives and he wanted to produce the finest handmade Scagel designed knife on the planet. Mr.Russell up until then made many high-end production knives and found he needed to make a new mark on the knife world for the knives which he hand-made in his own shop. That is when he had his first idea to produce this Handmade Damascus Scagel inspired Skinner. Up until now all AG Russell's Damascus steel was made from layering a solid core of high carbon tool steel between many outer layers of non-stainless steel and then etching the finished steel with acid.
Damascus steel is made from a fallen Star and it's steel has natural lines made from traveling thru the Universe NOT etched by acid and is almost impossiable to find and of course when found is VERY EXPENSIVE. Mr. Russell wanted "true" Damascus for this handmade Scagel knife so he contacted Mr. Daryl Meier a premier Damascus steel maker who is about the only steelmaker who still makes "TRUE" Damascus steel from Falling Stars, (no sandwiched carbon steel etched with acid here). It took AG Russell over six, (6), years to procure enough of this Damascus steel to start production of this amazing and historic knife. Mr. Russell then looked for the finest STAG WHITE TAIL CROWNS to top off the "stacked" leather handles. It took three, (3), years to collect enough and many more weeks to select enough to produce just 150 pieces with the quality that Mr. Russell desired for these "high-end" knives.
Limited to just 150 pieces these were sold just to the knife collectors club members only, and sold out in just a couple of days.
The only work that was done outside of AG Russells' shop on this fine instrument was the creation of the "true" Damascus steel by Mr. Meier and the laser cutting of the blades. This AG Russell handmade Scagel knife is only the second AG Russell knife to have the "Shopmade" Logo on the Ricasso. I tell you all this just to let you know just some, of the extremes Mr. Russell went through to make these completly hand-made knives. This Rare A.G. Russell Damascus HANDMADE Scagel Shopmade Skinner has a 3-3/4" upswept blade which measures 1" at its widest point. Overall length of this rare knife is 8 inches. Weighs approximately 7oz. Handles of leather with red, gold and blue spacers. The FINEST STAG WHITE TAIL CROWNS to top off the "stacked" leather handles.
Limited to just 150 Pieces it is estimated that just a "handful" of these knives still exist today.

I enclose a picture of my knife. It is slightly scratched and has no sheath. I will restore it.

With all the character that knife is showing at it's present time, I'd think twice about restoring it. It's nice just like it is. Just find a used sheath that shows the same patina. The hunt is where all the fun is.