Russell Green River Knives

[osoverride]

We need a thread on Green River Knives. How is it that these US made traditional knives have yet to have a place on The Porch? Show me yours and tell me about your experience with them!

 

[RickHuf]

I'm all for this thread! I love the Russell's and have a couple fixed blade knives but only one folder. I'm sure the pile will eventually grow but I've been pretty adamant about finding really nice ones, which has prevented me from buying any more folders after this knife.


This rope knife was make in the thirties for Russell, according to the tang stamp and information dug up on this forum. It is a very well made tool with half stops and a decently strong pull.

My most used fixed blade over the past 20 years is a Russell and I'll get some photos later tonight. I'm not sure who makes the newer ones or the nice green river blade blanks that they offer. Probably has something to do with Dexter in the "Dexter Russell" name.

 

[Hickory n steel]

This is a bare 2212 " sheath knife " blade that I bought from Jantz 2 years ago , slightly modified and handled in red oak.

 

[oldmanwilly]

I bought this as a blank and added the Buffalo horn handle, trying to go for an Ek style contouring. Clearly I need more practice.

That said, this fella is a mean slicer and holds a keen edge very well. I need to get another one or two.

 

[RickHuf]

This was given to me over 20 years ago. It's been rode hard and (unfortunately) put away wet. Blade etch is long gone.

Still has a couple million miles left on it. Pretty wood with crazy chatoyance but I'm not sure what it is.



Couple patch knife blanks. One just got some maple burl and one turned into a friction folder. Learned really quick that I dislike cutlers rivets. Won't use them again!

 

[Horsewright]

One I made up for a guide in Canada from a Green River blank:

Years ago I made a trade with a lady. She'd inherited a box of Green River blades from her father and I traded one of my knives for it and another box of handle materials. Although I still have quite a few left I've made up some through the years:

This one, with its sheath I sold to a local antique store:

Thats some of em.

 

[Old Engineer]

I was gifted this Russell Green River one by sunknife and have used it a couple of times . I use it as an outdoor knife and it has done everything that I have asked it to do . It came to me sharpened very well . It is a great knife to cut cabbage heads off of the root stalk . I do not know what wood was used to make the handle .

These are the older Russells :

Harry

 

[dsutton24]

https://imgur.com/6Msyxhv

 

[sunknife]

I was gifted this Russell Green River one by sunknife and have used it a couple of times . I use it as an outdoor knife and it has done everything that I have asked it to do . It came to me sharpened very well . It is a great knife to cut cabbage heads off of the root stalk . I do not know what wood was used to make the handle .

These are the older Russells :

Harry

I love the character in the handles and bolsters of those vintage Barlows of yours, Harry.
Glad you've found a use for the fixed blade Green River, the handle wood I used is osage, my friend.

 

[Spillproof]

This is the only one I've seen in stag but I keep looking. It was gifted to me by an older gentleman I did some pipe repair/restoration work for who has since passed away. It's both sentimental and well used.


This one I found on EBay and it's pretty much pristine.


I look at a lot of Barlows and I don't think these can be out-Barlowed.

 

[Old Engineer]

I love the character in the handles and bolsters of those vintage Barlows of yours, Harry.
Glad you've found a use for the fixed blade Green River, the handle wood I used is osage, my friend.

Thank you very much Greg . I suspected that it was Osage ( or Hedge Apple down home ) but I was not going to say that . It is a comfortable knife to use .
The top old Russell Barlow with the broken tip on the blade was found in 2014 and the guy wanted $9 . At that time I knew nothing about Russell Barlows . After researching them , I drove 60 miles back the next week end and got him down to #5 because of the broken blade . The Grand Daddy Barlow : I followed it for at least 2 years sitting in an antique shop and he was finally going out of business and I got it for half price . The one in the middle : I got it off of the flea bay and their photos did not show the Double Strike on the Pile Side Bolster . Did not get that good of a deal though . Until I saw the Double Strike .

Harry

 

[davek14]

Love me some Green River blades.

Edit: Why can I not delete this post. My images will not post and it's not worth it.

 

[chevyrulez1]

I really wish they would start making barlows again

 

[Blades of Glory]

This isn’t made in the USA but is under the Russell Green River name. Solingen made and great quality…

View attachment 2335992

 

[afishhunter]

This was given to me over 20 years ago. It's been rode hard and (unfortunately) put away wet. Blade etch is long gone.

Still has a couple million miles left on it. Pretty wood with crazy chatoyance but I'm not sure what it is.

Looks like their "Camp" model. (#4215) (not my knife. Picture from Track Of The Wolf)
View attachment 2336004
Very nice knife you have thar. Luv the patina.
Curly Maple slabs?

 

[EngrSorenson]

Good knives, cheap. What's not to love?
Been to the factory in Southbridge a couple times.
The knives are so inexpensive, it's hard not to buy something.

 

[Blues]

A couple I've given away to friends here and one I made from a kit...

 

[afishhunter]

These are the older Russells :

Russell GRW Barlows.
The quintessential Barlow all others are compared to, even today.
Gotta luv 'em.

Fantastic examples you have.
It appears all have been loved and used over the decades, yet still have years - if not decades - of use left.

 

[RickHuf]

Looks like their "Camp" model. (#4215) (not my knife. Picture from Track Of The Wolf)
View attachment 2336004
Very nice knife you have thar. Luv the patina.
Curly Maple slabs?

Thanks! lts been camp cook knife for a long time.

Curly maple is a pretty good idea methinks. Dyed I suppose.

 

[Henry Beige]

The 4215 paired with a sheath for a Kabar makes a nice utility rig. The handle has some raw edges the want softening if you are not going make your own scales. The Dadley looks like a Kephart precursor.