A.G. Russell Sandbox Dagger Overview - DM1 Tough

Knife engineer Phil Gibbs overviews the A.G. Russell Sandbox Dagger knife. This is an incredibly tough knife that can take a beating without becoming a screwdriver on you. A.G. designed this knife with a wider, less gradual grind with a firm spine. The edge is sharpened by a master sharpener with a variable edge angle, so you get an incredibly sharp 15 degree edge paired with an extremely tough, durable tip which will be closer to 45 degrees along the last inch or so of edge grind.
The steel is DM1, specially designed and heat treated to a 58-59 Rc. by metallurgist Dan Maragni himself. The blade is coated in a black, non-reflective tough DLC coating to protect the non-stainless steel from corrosion.
Grippy omni-directional Rucarta handles provide a secure grip. The entire knife, including screws, steel, and handle material is made in the USA.
Comes with an imported MOLLE compatible nylon sheath. It sells for $375.00.
Purchase here: bit.ly/3mU4erS
Sandbox Dagger Item Number: RU-U109BKOD

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

Watch us test the Sandbox Bowie on a cement block: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHW2gKqhjd2ffac

[@0326Ghost]

Great job you sold me on that knife.

[@0326Ghost]

I love this video. I plan on buying both of the sandbox knives. My wish is to see you make a full tang USMC Kabar for the sandbox collection.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

@@0326Ghost Great! A KABAR huh? I can add that to the suggestions list

[@johnlively8808]

It’s such a pleasant relief to watch a measured, reasoned explanation of the knife-design process from a fellow who so obviously knows his stuff. This sort of presentation-and the standard of “best practices” it establishes-should be the rule in knife-talk videos. Not the exception. It should be encouraged and rewarded.

[@Nuahsarthewolf]

Pill did an excellent job and we would enjoy seeing more of him.

[@ewakingwood]

More of Phil, he's a legend!

[@jimholliman2822]

This video about the Sandbox Dagger was very good. The narrator did a great job.

[@davidwarren719]

And Phil is spectacular! I must have watched the interview he did with Ethan Becker 10 or 20 times over. Can listen to him all day.

[@motaman8074]

Oh, that poor table! Awesome blade! Awesome Phil.

[@scottbehr5690]

I am thouroughly impressed !! I don't know about anyone else because I haven't read the comments...But I actually squinted and turned my head when you hammered it into the table!..I fully expected it to break! It beats the Gerber MK2 I carried in the Army.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

I won't lie I was getting worried toward the end of that test haha. -Jake

[@GrumpyOldGuy777]

Love the dagger and appreciate that you include a quality sheath. Can't wait to see mine arrive soon.

[@evanmorris1178]

Loved the calm measured approach and Phil’s accent. This one’s been on my list for awhile. Will order soon.

[@theengineer704]

Loved the review. I can instantly see the superior quality of the knife via the commentary. One just knows wisdom when seeing & hearing it. Keep the reviews coming.

[@JC-lh4em]

I too, like others, have watched Phil’s videos more than once. Knowing the how and why of the knife design, implementation, and testing is first class. Great video(s)from you guys. I would/will buy this dagger when it becomes available again.

[@donberry9279]

Phil should keep doing product videos. It is great to hear from someone who has been in the industry for a long time and really knows their stuff!

[@pinkiewerewolf]

Phil did a great job. I think I'm sold on the knife.

[@pinkiewerewolf]

I ordered a Sand Box Dagger last night. I'm looking forward to receiving the knife.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

@@pinkiewerewolf Great! We hope you love it!

[@realityfighting]

Phil was fantastic and has an excellent articulated voice/speech that is perfect for video media. I may have to pick one of these blades up. Looks like a fantastic custom version of the FS Knife.

[@kizunahenta.1759]

The testing was pretty cool, feel like him talking about the testing and design process really makes it feel like a higher quality knife

[@powerplay4real174]

I like what I'm hearing about this design. And the flex testing is phenomenal for a Dagger so it must be done exceptionally well.

[@WoolyJumper5]

Very cool to listen to an expert, thanks.

[@scottsyoutubeworld1824]

Yes, Phil did a great job! And I would love to see a lot of testing. I make my decisions on what I buy over the tests I see on KZbin.

[@dullahan7677]

Oh yeah, Phil is ready for prime time. With that level of knowledge presented with such an accent, I could imagine James Bond quipping back to him: "Yes, I see your point."

[@andrewh6034]

Love to hear more from Phil. Testing was would be interesting too.

[@dwaynegarrett8290]

I for one hope to see more videos about more knives from AG Russell Knives. Keep it up Phil!!

[@Grimm-14]

Phil was great! Would love to see more from AG Russel on the Tube, as a matter of fact might be smart business to lend some of the sandbox singledged knives to these knife makers/enthusiasts, & gear testers on here, I can think of more than a few ; ) Some with over a million subs, some half that! It's just that I really like & appreciate what y'all have done with the sandbox series, and would like to see more out there, in other areas.

[@powerplay4real174]

Phil your a natural and keep up the good reviewing of these quality items by A.J. Russell

[@bosstom8019]

Like these AG videos and really enjoy listening to Phil, very knowledgeable guy.

[@brucebarnes9138]

Going to have to stop by and check that one out

[@ald.5147]

Awesomeness in a combat design. Much thought was put in to this knife and the sheath system. 👍Would like to see AG get government contract for this one.🗡

[@Palmetto705]

Very good video. I didn’t realize the quality of this blade from reading the catalog. Thank you and keep up the vids.

[@bruceswearingen7718]

Wasn't thinking of this knife till video..now darn it, a 2021 purchase

[@davidwarren719]

I really have a thing for bowies and daggers! So happy to see y’all doing this knife

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

A.G. felt the same haha - he absolutely loved bowies and daggers. I can think of at least 3 more dagger designs from him that still haven't seen the sun yet.

[@lxemergency]

Love Phil, He should explain some of the cool machining and technical details on the knives you guys make. A lot of the technical stuff that only you guys do goes hidden behind scales/in lockbars and such and not everyone will see that unless it's pointed out. I'm talking about things like milling the backbar of a lockback so that you can have a wider blade, striker pins, coil springs on backlocks etc.

[@paulmudry9363]

very through explanation of the knife and its features. Great video, and made me wish to order the knife.

[@JW-oo6kh]

I like Phil, seems very knowledgeable. Would love to see more testing.

[@kelvinhyatt1314]

Phil did a phenomenal job!!!

[@kerberosWXIV]

Great presentation for a beautiful blade.

[@jameshuffaker9369]

Yes, Thanks!

[@priority2]

YES, YES, YES, more Phil, PLEASE

[@SlapShotRegatta22]

Beautiful piece. Keep the Made in the USA knives coming! Oh, and awesome work Phil! Would love to see more videos from you.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

Thanks, will do!

[@2010oldtimer]

Great job, Dr. Gibbs!

[@tybeejeffro]

Outstanding review of the knife and very informative!

[@CoenradJMorgan]

Phil is a keeper!

[@CoenradJMorgan]

probably the best and most informative knife walk around I have seen, very interesting and enjoyable.

[@DavidD6969]

Phil does a great job 👍

[@paoemantega8793]

Excellent Phil, lets see some more :)

[@tumblingdown8612]

Very good presentation.

[@Revelation1316]

Couldn't find your knife anywhere, and I'm glad. The guard is flawed.

[@michaelfindlay9072]

Hi thare is international shipping still only available if I spend $500 or more? This is a beautiful knife but verry expensive with a sheath that will have to be replaced. Phill did an excellent job 👍

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

$500 is still our minimum international order, unfortunately. We are, for the most part, backing out of international shipping. Thanks for watching!

[@kenc8945]

One of the best knife reviews

[@mikeboone4425]

Lets see and here more knife knowledge we are starving fpr it since A G left us he just had a way of making the simple thing important as it is . There is know one doing this that I know of .

[@johnmutton799]

The old boys used to round the end of the blade because they would get stuck in ribs, and break of trying to get them out. How much do these knives cost? I have been looking for a serious knife for my nephew in the Royal Marines. Very good looking knife. Thanks!

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

$375 Purchase here: bit.ly/3mU4erS​

[@jameshuffaker9369]

Cool job!

[@haveaknifeday]

He did great

[@jameshuffaker9369]

Mr. Gibbs. Good day sir, I hope this finds you and yours well. You seem pretty familiar with manipulating this knife. Would it be that you carry this knife? If not, what then? Are there any plans for a concealment sheath for this knife? Thanks for the review, a fine job.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

Hi James, This is Jake. I'll pass your message along to Phil. Phil certainly has experience holding knives! 40 years in the Cutlery industry. Typically Phil carries a large folding spear point dagger called the Madd Maxx made by Darrel Ralph. They are not in production anymore but he's been carrying that knife for some 20 years now I believe he said. There are not current plans for making a concealment sheath. It's a fairly large knife, and it would be difficult to conceal. You could use the MOLLE webbing on the back of the sheath to strap it to a leg if you wanted. Do you mean a kydex sheath? Phil did design a concealed sheath for our A.G. Russell Damascus and Sandalwood Stiletto. I'm working to get a picture of it on our site.

[@gunzbutta8707]

Awesome video I enjoyed it

[@DickGozinya-zl2bd]

I like it a lot but, as my wife would say, an extra inch would make it perfect. What was the blade length of the original Fairbairn Sykes?

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

7" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairbairn%E2%80%93Sykes_fighting_knife

[@davidsawmandave8731]

Please do a sheath kinda like the gerber strong arm , I want one of the daggers so bad , on the fence with spartan Co. But feel like your blade is better than s35

[@tomn1026]

Great video !!!

[@rickyburton4642]

Super cool 😎 👍👍

[@ShowemRight]

Can you make a version of this blade using 1095 Cro Van steel, that perhaps you can sell for around the same price as a KABAR EK 44. I just like options, and I don't mind keeping it diverse by going with different brands; but the price got to be attractive, and reasonable.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

While DM-1 is more expensive than 1095CV (especially with our special salt bath heat treatment), that's not the main driver on the price. KA-BAR has a factory, with a lot of automated processes (though there is still handwork involved). We are doing much more of this work by hand. Secondly the edge grind with 15 degrees on the side and a transition to a 45 ish degree at the tip requires an above average expert sharpener (perhaps master sharpener might be a better phrase). It takes a LOT of skill that most factories could not replicate. Even if they could get close, the cost would be well above average as well. A good thought though!

[@CalebNorthNorman]

👍 I enjoyed Phil

[@avatarion]

The Fairbairn Sykes style knives may have had their tips broken, but how many were used in actual fighting? I understand if they break when you try to open a crate or something, but they are fighting knives after all.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

I don't believe there are any hard statistics on that. Most of the evidence is anecdotal. I'm sure if you missed all the ribs and went right in between the tip was fine. Would the tip break upon hitting ribs? I'm not sure. It could make for an interesting research dive. -Jake

[@ivaniuk123]

Daggers were the preferred weapon in the mindievel times for close hand to hand fighting because of armor and now have once become the preferred weapon because of armor.

[@vaporz109]

Which country is the sheath imported from? I’m curious what countries are capable of creating a level of quality not possible in America at “any price”. Germany perhaps?

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

China. The American ones we were getting were mediocre at best. Junky at worst. We tried for years. The Chinese sheaths are just better. Maybe we'll find a better American company sometime and we'll switch, because having the knife and sheath 100% US-made is very appealing to us, especially since we went through the trouble of sourcing everything else for the knife from the US. The Ka-Bar Becker knives with upgraded sheaths come from the same manufacturer in China - and the quality difference for the ones with new sheath designs is noticeable. We had to buy them in bulk, much more than we'll probably sell in knives for the next several years, so we've made them available individually - though they are sized for our Sandbox knives. If a customer comes into the store with about the right-sized knife looking for a new sheath, it's the first one I point to. You can see them here: agrussell.com/knife/Sandbox-Dagger-Sheath--NYS-109TN

[@vito6298]

Great Dagger! Although in my opinion it is not correct to compare it with the F&S dagger, which was developed in the 40s. Perhaps a more correct comparison would be with Camillus Bayonet #CAM1... Anyway, I vote for Phil :)

[@darendisorda1173]

Osome

[@johnsullivan6560]

Phil did an excellent job. Get some wood test boards and leave the work benches alone!

[@frozenturtlefarts1025]

If only I could afford it as of now.

[@jerrydonquixote5927]

Now that's how to make a dagger that slices and stabs!

[@cordellrich]

The reason for the edge to move quickly to the point rather than slowly is specific to a dagger. It is designed to pierce up to several layers of closing even in winter gear in the deep with the first thrush. it is a dagger not a combat knife. Your knife looks great and i am sure it is. I would enjoy having one. But the comparison is not to the strength against a bending or shattering tip but to a piercing one. A dagger is not a knife for general use and it is not used for fighting it is used for stealth and efficiency. it is not the survival of the knife that matters. In my career I carried many knives at the same time and each suited a variety of purposes. The most common thing a knife was used for was opening MREs, but I would not use a bayonet or a dagger like knife to do that. A dagger is used for one purpose and that killing by stealth. Your presentation is great the knife is impressive, but it is less suited to use as a dagger than a fighting knife.

[@khaledakbar2125]

That's what I'm looking for abused but no damage seen

[@brucebarnes9138]

What is match the durability of the Applegate Fairbaim

[@brucebarnes9138]

Will it match the durability of the Fairbank spider

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

@@brucebarnes9138 I've not held a Fairbank Spider, so I won't make any claims against it. Our knife is incredibly strong though, as the tests demonstrate.

[@brucebarnes9138]

@@AGRussellKnivescompany sorry about that voice typing fix bladed fighter Applegate in Fairbanks

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

@@brucebarnes9138 I reckon it would exceed the durability of the Applegate-Fairbairn fixed blade and most variations thereof.

[@isabellam1936]

Everything is great accept why would you guys go with a fabric sheath, it just looks and feels cheap. And dangling button snap, really? There are so many knives I've passed up just because they didn't have a nice modern kydex or injection molder sheath. It's really unfortunate a lot of companies are stuck in the 90's with these cheap fabric sheaths.

[@davidsawmandave8731]

Ik , am about to pull the trigger , but the sheath is a the hangup, I love the style and Molle that the gerber strong arm , add this style and BOOOM , PERFECTION , want to hang this guy inverted on my ar mag vest

[@enjoypool4052]

So many companies seem to give 2 seconds of thought to the sheath

[@199diesel]

WHERE DO YOU BUY ONE .

[@199diesel]

Got it. Thanks Peter.

[@BigDaddySwingingMeat]

@@199diesel You're welcome, Peter.

[@johnmutton799]

The points didn't break. The lads re ground them because the tips got stuck in bone! Nice advert with all the camo and magazine! Be better with the handle scales going over the guard, to give more support for finger and thumb. Ramming your finger or thumb against a steel guard is not as good as a wide guard.

[@oliveradams9104]

Unfortunately, I just received mine and it won’t even cut paper. The tip cross section is so obtuse it’s diamond shaped. A little disappointing consider the cost.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

The point is supposed to be thick. The side edge cuts paper do they not?

[@oliveradams9104]

@@AGRussellKnivescompany unfortunately no, I’m debating between calling and returning it or fixing the edge myself. I essentially have a very expensive punch tool. The knife shown at the end of the video shows it cleanly slicing paper and this one bends it without cutting. The edge grind is too steep.

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

@@oliveradams9104 Hmmm, well send it in to us and we'll take a look at it and sharpen it up again if that's the problem. Include a note with what's wrong with it, along with your information inside the package. Send it in to us at Returns, ATTN Jake, 2900 S. 26th St, Rogers, AR 72758. Or return it, your prerogative.

[@oliveradams9104]

Don’t get me wrong I want to like the knife. I like the shape and design of it. It’s very light and fast in the hand but it’s a little rough around the edges literally, every edge on the tang and guard are sharp.

[@LegionTacticoolCutlery]

If only it was cheaper.

[@one2abuse]

The more testing you film and put out for public consumption (provided it is relevant testing and the blades can stand up to what I'm sure would be considered gross abuse ) the better I would think.

[@CharlesHenning]

Yum..🗡🤫

[@yankee23a]

Sounded a bit....stiff upper lip like ..🧐...☕...🇬🇧......but good that the knives made in the good old US of A....🇺🇲.....MURICA !!!

[@steveforrister5583]

Hate to say but it seems to just be a knockoff of Bokers Applegate-Fairbairn dagger..

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

The Boker version is itself is an iteration of the original WWII Applegate-Fairbairn dagger. We talk about design inspirations a bit in this video. We drew inspiration from the Fairbairn knife and the Marine Raider stiletto, but added additional design to it.

[@MickeyHerzog]

@@AGRussellKnivescompanyvery good job and Well built knife and. Phil did great. Sold

[@d.f.4511]

Like it much.