Russell Green River knives?

T

The_Monkeyboy

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Jun 20, 2008
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Ok, I normally use a Russell Green River sheath knife for dressing game and general camp food prep tasks. I personally like them, and will probably continue to use them for the forseeable future. They hold an edge, are easy to sharpen, and usually come in good shapes for different tasks. The only down sides I have seen on them is that they stain, and they don't have a guard. But since they are not weapons, but tools, that doesn't really matter. What kind of experiences have you guys had with them? Does anybody else here use them for anything?

-Mb
 
I often use a Dexter-Russell (Green River) sheep skinner that is much like your knife. The one I use has a nice secure handle and a great semi-skinner blade design.
http://www.katom.com/135-06371.html
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I have friends that really like these in the commercial fishing industry or at least last time I talked with them they did. I've used them. They look unsightly after the first use and they will spot up and pit if left unattended and pretty quick actually. The one I had at my hunting cabin was accidentally left in the sink and rusted pretty bad in a matter of a few hours.

On edge keeping. They do alright. Rockwell at about 56 which is on par for that steel I think. I know the guys I mentioned above use super course diamonds on them to sharpen them and they go through blades pretty quick that way but that is part of why they like them. They are inexpensive. One blade is lucky to last them a week maybe slightly longer with the sharpening method they use but they do cut well. Like a fine toothed saw blade using that DMT extra course on them. :D Unfortunately they don't last too long that way though.

STR
 
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I wouldn't pick a carbon steel knife like this for commercial fishing. It takes a very fine edge and responds well to a steel for game cleaning purposes.
 
Jeff Clark said:
I wouldn't pick a carbon steel knife like this for commercial fishing.
Click to expand...

I have to agree with that. I remember reading an article Steven Dick wrote about Sodbusters, a few months back, where he made mention of some commercial fishermen, in Denmark I believe, who used nothing but carbon steel Soddies for cleaning fish.:confused: I don't understand why they wouldn't use stainless, since it was pretty much created for use around water, and especially since there are several Sodbuster models with stainless steel blades.

Regards,
3G
 
I like the green river blades. They are made of thicker stock than knives like Old Hickory, for example. I have purchased a few bare blades in the past and put handles on them. Good quality at a decent price.

Andy
 
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The_Monkeyboy said:
Ok, I normally use a Russell Green River sheath knife for dressing game and general camp food prep tasks. I personally like them, and will probably continue to use them for the forseeable future. They hold an edge, are easy to sharpen, and usually come in good shapes for different tasks. The only down sides I have seen on them is that they stain, and they don't have a guard. But since they are not weapons, but tools, that doesn't really matter. What kind of experiences have you guys had with them? Does anybody else here use them for anything?

-Mb
Click to expand...

About the same experience you've had! :D
 
I picked up a couple of Green River blanks from Texas Knifemaker Supply. A friend of mine put on micarta handles, and I use them daily in the kitchen. They hold an edge well, and I just keep a light coat of vegetable oil on them. No rust (so far), and the beginnings of patina. Bill
 
Hi all,

Bumping an "Oldie". Today, I purchase a "modified" J. Russell & Company (made is USA) Knife (which I suspect started life as a "Lamb Skinner") modified into a neat mid-size "NESMUK Knife" (five inch blade) and re-worked (original) handles. Holy Moly, what an AWESOME knife! Nice feel in hand, a Carbon blade that's neither too thin or thick and quite sharp! When I saw the price sticker on this modified Nesmuk (fifteen dollars) it was a no Brainer and I bought it on the spot at Freeport (Maine) Knives. Although this knife is "modified" I suspect that even the "stock" J. Russell/Green River/Dexter knives are a SCREAMING deal! I have always thought of Opinel, Mora, Svord, Swiss Army Knife, as the best BUDGET choices (which is pretty much true for a FOLDING knife) but, for anyone on a budget (especially for the Hunter on a budget) these knives are awesome! I'm now a fan and plan on buying other J. Russell knife sizes/designs/models. Heck, for the cost of one "overly hyped" knife, you could buy three-four-five different J. Russell Knives. I'm now a fan!

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
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I love Green River knives. They are very high quality in proportion to their price, and I really like old fashioned, traditional knives.

The "Sheep Skinner" is one of my favorite knives. I have two of 'em!
 
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Hi Wolf,

After today, I can see why you love the Green River Knives. I agree with you 100%, VERY high quality in proportion to their (bargain) price. I too like the traditional knives. The "Sheep Skinner" seems like a winner! Man, I just can't get over the wonderful quality of these knives especially considering the low cost. One could spend three to four time the cost of the Green River knives and not have any better knife. I can't stress enough.....one could buy three-four-five different model Green River Knives for LESS than the cost of many knives on the market today. As I said, I now a fan!

HARDBALL
 
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I was lucky enough to win this Green River skinner with custom Aluminum handle from fellow forum member Davek14. He made the handles and the Celtic weave pattern, it's pretty sweet and shoudl do good work skinning this years harvest.



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Pic with last years harvest:

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My son and I purchased a Green River boning knife blade as well as a sheep skinner a couple of years ago and put handles on them as a fun project. We have used these knives to clean and butcher several deer and wild hogs and we absolutely love them. I've had many inquiries on the sheep skinner because it works so well. They sharpen easily and stay sharp through the skinning and quartering of multiple animals. I personally don't think there is a better deal to be had than these knives.
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My Sheep Skinners:
BlackHawkKnives.jpg


One of my Dadleys:
TrailHawkDadley001.jpg


My first Green River knife:
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A Sheep Skinner and Ripper I put together for my mother to use in the kitchen:
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Hi all,

Ah! Nice Knives guys. Thanks for posting all the photos. The beauty of these Knives is that, not only are they GREAT knives (at a very reasonable cost) but that it's a knife that one is not afraid to use for fear of "messing it up/scratching the blade" etc.

HARDBALL
 
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