The history of the john russell cutlery company, 18331936. John russell is well known as one of the most important innovators of the american system of manufacturing and is frequently mentioned in many of the bibliographic citations in. A favorite among the mountain men, green river knives were made in greenfield, massachusetts by j. They feature a proprietary high carbon steel that is made specifically for these blades.
At the helm of the new knife division is wally gardiner, ceoowner of canal street cutlery. A new englander, john russell founded his green river works on march 1, 1834. Green river sheath knife kit includes 1 set of curly maple scales. Dexter russellgreen river knives nantahala trading post. John nowills version of the green river dadley has a slim, full tang carbon blade and arrived with a good edge that needed just a light touch up with a diamond rod for it to whittle timber. Because the bookstore is institutionally owned and all. Russell green river works cutlery usa 18 high carbon steel full tang butchers cimeter breaking knife chefs knife hog splitter uneekitemz 5 out of 5. I personally like them, and will probably continue to use them for the forseeable future. The most popular of all the green river series blades. They hold an edge like no ones business and the beech wood handles provide an understated elegance. Russell green river knife blade, carbon steel blade blanks. Close to 60,000 russell green river knives per year were shipped to the west for several years.
Antique green river works butcher knife by russell old. Russell cutlery 1834 the original green river works. My next knife will be another custom knife by green mountain knives ellis any need you have ray can resolve. His knives rivaled the quality of those manufactured in sheffield, england, and as settlers moved west in the 1840s russells green river knives moved with them. In the early 1840s the beginning of the great westward movement of settlers, goldseekers, trappers, traders to oregon and california. See more ideas about green river knives, green river and knife patterns.
Green river knives were ubiquitous in the early american west, and the phrase up to green river. Alamo era blade measures 1414 inches long and overall 2014. Cool and unusual things to do in green river atlas obscura. John russell began manufacturing tools and cutlery in 1834 and established a new factory on the green river in massachusetts in 1836. We have spent years researching and manufacturing the finest line of furtrade era knives. Mountain man, early american, the book, social studies, north america. Antique green river works butcher knife by russell old west cutlery hunting, status. The southwestern birdbeak style is a also a trailing point. The gold colored plate on the handle has j russell co.
Cs green river tactical by canal street cutlery cs green river tactical is a new knife division of dexterrussell, inc. Any pure meat dressing chore on game big enough for the blade size could be done. I just bought this knife, and have no clue what it is. The green river knife was a favorite of the emigrant, gold seeker, buffalo hunter, miner, indian, settler, and yes, those tenacious men who continued trapping long after the glory years had ended. They hold an edge, are easy to sharpen, and usually come in good shapes for different tasks. Get a useful, historic survival knifethe mountain mans. It became one of the indispensable items of those who headed west, and a favorite of the fur trappers and mountain men.
John russell an ingenious yankee founded the original green river works on the green river in massachusetts on march 01, 1834. Green river knives these knives have been in production for nearly two hundred years, and for good reason. Green river knife national museum of american history. It has been made by russell harrington cutlery since the early 1800s and feature proven designs used as working knives for almost 200 years. Wilderness survival handbook at your local independent book store. Green river knives were made in greenfield, massachusetts by j. At age 37, he built his waterpowered factory on the banks of the river near greenfield, where he handcrafted chisels, axe heads and trade knives. It is in beautiful condition with thick patina and has had no recent sharpening. Features proprietary dexsteel stainfree, highcarbon steel blade, with an individually ground and honed edge. Between 1840 to 1860 it is estimated that 60,000 dozen green river knives were sent west. Create a good general purpose knife with this attractive belt blade. Green river knife buffalo skinner what is its value answers. Antiquity in american manufacturing history and an honorable name are synonymous with a mention of the john russell mfg.
It looks like a really big carving knife and has a hole in the end, which looks like it was put there after manufacturing. The catalog section at the back of the book showed the rifles offered by green river rifle works grrw in 1974 along with their prices on page 199. Apr 15, 2015 antique green river works butcher knife by russell old west cutlery hunting stay safe and healthy. Unfollow green river knife to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. The green river knife became the source for various sayings and phrases related to quality and or doing a job right. The steels good, it can take an edge, and the wood scales come rough, but they can be sanded, reshaped slightly if necessary, finished with linseed or similar. Heavy duty old bowie knife measures 1512 inches long. Green river knives, cutlery, hunting knives, history, bowie, swords, pocket, knives. Collectible vintage fixed bowie knives for sale ebay.
Green river knives were also the most widely traded of all knives to the american indian tribes. Since the first incarnation, the bowie knife has come to incorporate several recognizable and characteristic. The factory was started in 183234 to make butcher and kitchen knives. The blade is just over 5, and the knife is about 9 overall. Green river works limited bicentennial knives 18841976 this knife is 10 12 total length, the blade is 6 the blade has j. Authentic russell green river trade scalping knife excellent indian collectibles and more.
Green river works, but it doesnt have any of the diamond markings as have been described in this post. The green river knife became the source for various sayings and phrases related to. But other green river knives i found that are supposed to be from the same time. Get a useful, historic survival knifethe mountain mans russell. Worked that blade harder than any other knife i have ever owned. The bookstore also offers a variety of products and services, such as faxing, movie rentals, ups delivery, special orders, educational software, id cards, gift cards, balloon bouquets and more. Beginning the the early part of the last century, case knives were the yardstick all other cutlery was measured. Among the most popular is the green river scalper, skinner and variations used by the american mountain man then. Although case has had some stumbles near the end of the century, they are still the most collected knife brand in traditional pocket knives. There were numerous other pictures and mention of green river rifle works and its version of the hawken rifle such as on pages 24 and 25. Apr 16, 2018 explore tsazyalboors board russell green river knivesrelatedetc.
Although case has had some stumbles near the end of the century, they are still the most collected knife brand in traditional pocket. The green river knife became a favorite of emigrants, buffalo hunters, indians, miners and settlers. Antiquity in american manufacturing history and an honorable name are synonymous with a mention. The history of the john russell cutlery company, 18331936 robert l. Russell green river carbon steel texas knifemakers supply. Sheffield knives seamens knives green river knife deck knife green river knife deck knife 5 inch carbon or stainless steel blade rosewood handle. A little beeswax brought out the colour of the hardwood scales. Lee ray, the knife works well and seems to stay sharp even after gutting and skinning the deer stan. The book contained eloquent, almost poetic descriptions of cutlery manufacture in sheffield, england. Long after the west was tamed, the country still has a fascination with the men and women who lived on the frontier. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. The paper tree bookstore provides the necessary books and supplies to meet your academic needs. Case knives have been the most collected and appreciated traditional knife since the early 1900s.
The harrington cutlery company was established in 1818, in southbridge, massachusetts by henry harrington, a new england craftsman. Discover hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in green river, utah from goblin valley state park to john wesley powell river history museum. The green river knives he turned out there quickly became a favorite of emigrants, buffalo hunters, indians, miners and settlers. They have remarkable ability to hold their edge and are stain resistant. A new old nos russell green river works daddy barlow. It would make a good all around utility and butcher knife.
Russell green river blades, from americas oldest maker. Our russell knive blanks are made from high quality carbon steel and carry the green river trademark. Ok, i normally use a russell green river sheath knife for dressing game and general camp food prep tasks. Jun 21, 2012 i used a larger 1012 blade green river as a bushknife short matchete for clearing brush and elephant grass in florida as well as cutting back our pine trees. Antique green river works butcher knife by russell old west.
Blade only this high carbon steel blade is identical to the ones used by our forefathers. Back then, as purely a hunting knife, the little green river 4215 would have done the job on a deer. Although the legend of the green river knives as exploited. It is estimated that between 1840 and 1860, 60,000 green river knives were shipped west. The green river knife helped tame the west the american west still grabs the imagination of many readers and movie watchers. Close to 60,000 russell green river knives per year were shipped to.
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