A G Russell Sting

[PieterCoetzee]

Back in the 80s (wow that seems so long ago), I picked up a "Boot" knife from A G Russell. Its a 3 inch blade with a 6" OAL in a leather scabbard with a spring clip. He made several versions (all metal, wood, and stag). Of the all metal versions they could be had in polished sterling and black chrome. Happily the sheathe was also well made.

The blade design does not have a guard; but the "divots?" allow a good grip and nothing to snag when wearing or drawing. The spring clip provides a good hold for belt wear. Ive never worn mine in a boot so I cant advise about that.

Its a dagger shape with both edges sharpened, That may be a problem for some areas; but the 3" length may be permitted in others. Its not the knife you want to cut your sandwich, The use and intent is pretty much for one role. That being said its slim and easy to carry IWB, even for those of us whos pants have shrunk over the years.

A G Russell is sadly out of business; but CRKT picked up the design a few years ago. They only make a black version. Its not black chrome as far as I can tell; but it appears to be a nice semi matte colour. The CRKT sheathe is nylon over a hard plastic (kydex?). CRKT provides to leg straps and a "loop" on the back that allows the knife to be worn horizontally. The sheathe screams for a belt clip or better yet a loop to carry it vertically. To correct that I ordered a belt clip to wear it IWB in the traditional vertical position.

Original AG Russell Stings sell for $200 +/-, some over $300. The CRKT's sell for under $100, some venders for $50.

Its a cool design if not the most general design

CRKT on left with original Black Chrome and leather sheathe on right

 

[PieterCoetzee]

If any of you guys remember the "CIA Letter Opener" It was based on the AG Russell Sting made out of plastic (zytel maybe?) The story was you could tape it to you leg or.... and it would go undetected, 'not sure if the undetected part would pass 21st century checks

not the best pick; but notice the reinforcement rib along the plastic "blade"

 

[Winchester67]

We share a lot of the same taste in guns and blades...and letter openers. This is a simple, elegant design that is very balanced in the hand. And the letter opener got me into a NPE Auto Auction last year, so it is still relevant.

 

[PieterCoetzee]

We share a lot of the same taste in guns and blades...and letter openers. This is a simple, elegant design that is very balanced in the hand. And the letter opener got me into a NPE Auto Auction last year, so it is still relevant.

Thanks Brother. I think I first learned about the STING in a series of adventure novels by Jerry Ahern, "The Survivalist". The hero carried a Sting and I thought it sounded cool. Those books got me through a lot of crazy times. I think Ive read them 20+ times, joining the characters on their adventures.

I bought my first Sting in the early 80s, right after basic maybe. That one is long since traded for who knows what. I did wear a rosewood version as a Sqian-dubh with my kilt for my wedding, just incase the relatives got crazy... I almost lost it to the minister, who liked it so much; so I bought him one as a gift.

My daily knives change, and I will admit the Sting is perhaps the least practical for general use; but I wouldnt want to be on the sharp edge in a spicy encounter