After learning of some long time authorized dealers that do not have a dealer special, it is evident that I am wrong in stating that certain criteria must be met (# of years, # of knives sold as mentioned earlier). So to Bill and any others that read my post and took it as fact, I apologize for the misleading information. These bits of trivia are passed around in the knife community and I picked it up somewhere without actually checking it out thoroughly. Once you start checking into it, you can see holes in that theory.

Also lets not forget the Randall shop did # the first Stanaback Specials on the left side. I mentioned the shop etches the #'s on the right side of the blades, and was referring to current protocol as it is done today to the best of my knowledge (when Bill asked about the other dealer specials and their #'s). I do know about the #'s on the AG Specials as Gary told me that info himself... as to the others, I pressume they are #'d at the shop but do not know that for a fact. I guess you would have to ask the respective dealer when ordering to know for sure.

Hope this helps,
~dale

This is my first AG Russel Special just acquired. This 4 1/2" blade reminds me of the Model 11 drop point but has a similar thinned out blade grind like a Model 22. This one is S/N 179 and has the small old style black face compass. This would make a very nice whitetail skinning knife.

Best,
Warren

Warren,
A beauty! You know how much I like orange and amber stag! Here's a "NON" A.G. Russell. No S/N, as I bought it out of the Randall shop's case! Obviously a long time ago. It came in a Model #11-4" sheath and I also got a brown-stitched AG sheath. Go figure?? I cannot explain why, but there were 6 of them in the showcase. Here's a photo or 2. Not as "amber as yours, but it was the neatest piece of stag in the case to choose from...and it is extremely functional.
Best, Capt. Chris

Here's the other side and brown stitched sheath.
Best, Capt. Chris

Warren,
VERY NICE!
Is that one of the new/latest 4.5s, which have come with the Ironwood,
or from an earlier run??
Tony

Captain,

That's a great story about that knife. Probably pre-production huh? Anyway I'm glad you posted the AG blade next to the Model 11. The profile is srikingly similar albeit the extended top grind. To me the blade is really thinned out like a 22 though.. Yours is really nice. Does that one have a compass or plain butt?

Best,
Warren

Tony,

In error I listed this knife as a 4 1/2" but is in fact a 4" blade. Using the start and stop dates at the beginning of this thread probably dates this knife somewhere 1999???

Best,
Warren

No, Warren:
I picked this up at the Randall shop in 2002 or 2003, just before the "internet" caught everybody up in the "craze"! It was definately not "pre" or "post" anything.
No butt cap...No compass...Just a nice knife...and, really a "non-A.G.Russell" Model A.G. Russell.
Best, Capt. Chris
P.S. I knew yours was a 4"...I just wasn't gonna say anything, what...with it bein' Easter and all...CCS

Great knives Capt. Chris and Warren.
Thanks for taking the time to post.

Kevin