A Green River that isn't a Green River

Japanese Knives - by Tokushu Knife
Miura knives
Kitchen Knife Forums

Help Support Kitchen Knife Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Desert Rat

Desert Rat

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2019
Messages
639
Reaction score
977
Location
Idaho







Green River never made a knife like this and it took a little digging. It seems that it was likely made in Sheffield England and sold below cost in an effort to weaken the American cutlery industry.
Looks to be a fruit wood handle (?) and a tapered tang, they didn't skimp on quality. A fact I found really interesting.
 
Desert Rat said:







Green River never made a knife like this and it took a little digging. It seems that it was likely made in Sheffield England and sold below cost in an effort to weaken the American cutlery industry.
Looks to be a fruit wood handle (?) and a tapered tang, they didn't skimp on quality. A fact I found really interesting.
Click to expand...


Was Green River a company / manufacturer then? I thought it was just a style of knife (not that style!)...

You certainly get a lot of 'Green River' knives made by Sheffield producers.
 
cotedupy said:
Was Green River a company / manufacturer then? I thought it was just a style of knife (not that style!)...

You certainly get a lot of 'Green River' knives made by Sheffield producers.
Click to expand...
It was a style of knife but J Russell & Co, Green River Works was the leading American manufacturer of butcher, skinning knifes at the time this knife was made. This knife is much later than the fur trade era, late 1800's if I remember right. The steel rivets say as much.

Would a consumer at the time purchase this knife thinking it was the trusted Russell, Green River Works? I think so, heck I bought it at a yard sale thinking it was a Russell not really paying that much attention to it or really being that familiar the Russell's.

In hindsight the title is miss leading and so is my description.
Keep me straight Oli.
 
Desert Rat said:
It was a style of knife but J Russell & Co, Green River Works was the leading American manufacturer of butcher, skinning knifes at the time this knife was made. This knife is much later than the fur trade era, late 1800's if I remember right. The steel rivets say as much.

Would a consumer at the time purchase this knife thinking it was the trusted Russell, Green River Works? I think so, heck I bought it at a yard sale thinking it was a Russell not really paying that much attention to it or really being that familiar the Russell's.

In hindsight the title is miss leading and so is my description.
Keep me straight Oli.
Click to expand...
Russell certainly made boning knives of that pattern. Whether they stamped any of the handle Green River I don't know but it wouldn't surprise me if it didn't happen sometime in their long history.
 
Anything old could have had it’s profile altered dramatically over time with sharpening- I wouldn’t expect to see that shape in a catalogue
 
Astercook Knife Set, Kitchen Knife Set with Built-in Sharpener Block, Dishwasher Safe, 15 Pieces German Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Black
-20%
$39.99 $49.99
Astercook Knife Set, Kitchen Knife Set with Built-in Sharpener Block, Dishwasher Safe, 15 Pieces German Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Black Astercook
Piklohas Kitchen Knife Sets for Kitchen with Block, 17 Pieces with Magnetic Knife Holder, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Damascus Pattern Chef Knives Set with Sharpener, Steak Knives
-16%
$159.98 $189.99
Piklohas Kitchen Knife Sets for Kitchen with Block, 17 Pieces with Magnetic Knife Holder, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Damascus Pattern Chef Knives Set with Sharpener, Steak Knives Piklohas Kitchen
BRODARK Kitchen Knife Set with Block, Full Tang 15 Pcs Professional Chef Knife Set with Knife Sharpener, Food Grade German Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Christmas Gifts, Steel-king Series
-25%
$88.98 $118.00
BRODARK Kitchen Knife Set with Block, Full Tang 15 Pcs Professional Chef Knife Set with Knife Sharpener, Food Grade German Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Christmas Gifts, Steel-king Series Brodark Store
Knife Sharpening Stone Kit, KERYE Professional Japanese Whetstone Sharpener Stone Set, Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Water Stone, Flattening Stone, Angle Guide, Leather Strop, Anti Cut Gloves
$32.84
Knife Sharpening Stone Kit, KERYE Professional Japanese Whetstone Sharpener Stone Set, Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Water Stone, Flattening Stone, Angle Guide, Leather Strop, Anti Cut Gloves Sakai Heritage
THRWCLUB Axe Sharpener 400/1000 Grit - Hatchet/Axe Sharpening Stone, Axe Blade Sharpener, Sharpening Puck, Lansky Puck, Dual Grit Multi-Purpose Hatchet Sharpening Tool with Leather Sheath
$9.99
THRWCLUB Axe Sharpener 400/1000 Grit - Hatchet/Axe Sharpening Stone, Axe Blade Sharpener, Sharpening Puck, Lansky Puck, Dual Grit Multi-Purpose Hatchet Sharpening Tool with Leather Sheath IEXPO
Angerstone Portable Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone - Outdoor Hunting Knife Sharpener Stone Kit Dual Grit 400/1000 - Pocket Sharpening Stones for Knives with Cowhide Pouch for Bushcraft Camping Field
$13.99
Angerstone Portable Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone - Outdoor Hunting Knife Sharpener Stone Kit Dual Grit 400/1000 - Pocket Sharpening Stones for Knives with Cowhide Pouch for Bushcraft Camping Field Crazy Potato
Angerstone Axe Sharpener - 3.8”Oversized Axe/Hatchet Sharpening Stone - Whetstone Blade & Tool Sharpener, Dual Grit 180/320 Sharpening Puck with cowhide Sheath for Bushcraft, Camping and Field Use
$15.99
Angerstone Axe Sharpener - 3.8”Oversized Axe/Hatchet Sharpening Stone - Whetstone Blade & Tool Sharpener, Dual Grit 180/320 Sharpening Puck with cowhide Sheath for Bushcraft, Camping and Field Use Crazy Potato
MOSFiATA Kitchen Knife Set, 12 Pcs Japanese Stainless Steel Knife Sets for Kitchen with Oxford cloth storage bag with Knife Sharpening Rod, Dishwasher Safe, For Outdoor
$79.99
MOSFiATA Kitchen Knife Set, 12 Pcs Japanese Stainless Steel Knife Sets for Kitchen with Oxford cloth storage bag with Knife Sharpening Rod, Dishwasher Safe, For Outdoor iHome888
zongchuan 5 PCS Damascus Chef Knife Set, Ultra-Smooth Cutting Experience and Professional Grade Sharp, Kitchen Knife Set,Handle Ergonomic Design,9CR18MOV High Carbon Stainless Steel,Dishwasher Safe
-33%
$51.10 $76.79
zongchuan 5 PCS Damascus Chef Knife Set, Ultra-Smooth Cutting Experience and Professional Grade Sharp, Kitchen Knife Set,Handle Ergonomic Design,9CR18MOV High Carbon Stainless Steel,Dishwasher Safe ZongChuan Official Store
HiramWare Knife Sharpening Stone with Non-slip Rubber Base, 400/1000 Grit Premium Whetstone, Double-Sided Knife Sharpener for Kitchen, Waterstone for Honing Blades Manually
-10%
$8.99 $9.99
HiramWare Knife Sharpening Stone with Non-slip Rubber Base, 400/1000 Grit Premium Whetstone, Double-Sided Knife Sharpener for Kitchen, Waterstone for Honing Blades Manually Hiram Deals
HENCKELS Razor-Sharp 20-Piece Statement Knife Set with Block, With Bonus Sharpener, German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Masterful Knife Making
$199.95
HENCKELS Razor-Sharp 20-Piece Statement Knife Set with Block, With Bonus Sharpener, German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Masterful Knife Making Knife Aid, Inc.
Intelitopia Complete Knife Sharpening Stone Set – Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000 Knife Sharpener with Leather Strop, Flattening Stone, Bamboo Base, 3 Non-slip Rubber Bases & Angle Guide
-21%
$26.99 $33.99
Intelitopia Complete Knife Sharpening Stone Set – Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000 Knife Sharpener with Leather Strop, Flattening Stone, Bamboo Base, 3 Non-slip Rubber Bases & Angle Guide keepooon
Knife Set, 15 Pieces Kitchen Knife Set with Built in Sharpener, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Dishwasher Safe, Black
$79.99
Knife Set, 15 Pieces Kitchen Knife Set with Built in Sharpener, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Dishwasher Safe, Black Amorston Offical
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 1000/6000 Waterstone- Whetstone Knife Sharpener- NonSlip Bamboo Base & Angle Guide
-28%
$42.99 $59.99
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 1000/6000 Waterstone- Whetstone Knife Sharpener- NonSlip Bamboo Base & Angle Guide MIGHTY DREAMS
Knife Set with Block for Kitchen - 7Pcs Hand-Forged Kitchen Knife and Magnetic Holder with Ergonomic Handle-Perfect for Novice to Professional Chefs.
-19%
$129.99 $159.99
Knife Set with Block for Kitchen - 7Pcs Hand-Forged Kitchen Knife and Magnetic Holder with Ergonomic Handle-Perfect for Novice to Professional Chefs. LXSEREY STORE
MIDO PROFESSIONAL ABRASIVE Knife Sharpening Stone 400/1000 Whetstone Sharpening Stone with Non-Slip Rubber Base for Kitchen, Hunting, and Pocket Knives or Blades
$9.99
MIDO PROFESSIONAL ABRASIVE Knife Sharpening Stone 400/1000 Whetstone Sharpening Stone with Non-Slip Rubber Base for Kitchen, Hunting, and Pocket Knives or Blades miduguoji
Dfito Chef Knife Sets with Roll Bag, 9 Pieces Professional Knife Set, High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Chef Knife Set, Red Pakkawood Handle, Dishwasher Safe
$99.99
Dfito Chef Knife Sets with Roll Bag, 9 Pieces Professional Knife Set, High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Chef Knife Set, Red Pakkawood Handle, Dishwasher Safe Dfito Direct
Knife Set with Block, N NOBLE FAMILY 16Pcs Kitchen Knives Drawer Organizer Set with Sharpener, Cutting Board, Anti-Slip Chef Knives Set with 6Pcs Steak Knives, Black
-23%
$99.99 $129.99
Knife Set with Block, N NOBLE FAMILY 16Pcs Kitchen Knives Drawer Organizer Set with Sharpener, Cutting Board, Anti-Slip Chef Knives Set with 6Pcs Steak Knives, Black Jianyamei
YeopAsda Knife Sharpening Stone Set - Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Whetstone Sharpener Kit - Non-Slip Bamboo Base,Cut Resistant Gloves, Angle Guide,Flatting Stone,Honing Guide,Leather Strop
$39.99
YeopAsda Knife Sharpening Stone Set - Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Whetstone Sharpener Kit - Non-Slip Bamboo Base,Cut Resistant Gloves, Angle Guide,Flatting Stone,Honing Guide,Leather Strop Dember
Knife Sharpening Stone - Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000, Knife Sharpening Stone Set, Tpstone Knife Sharpener Tool,Easy to Use
$25.99
Knife Sharpening Stone - Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000, Knife Sharpening Stone Set, Tpstone Knife Sharpener Tool,Easy to Use TPstone choice
Desert Rat said:
It was a style of knife but J Russell & Co, Green River Works was the leading American manufacturer of butcher, skinning knifes at the time this knife was made. This knife is much later than the fur trade era, late 1800's if I remember right. The steel rivets say as much.

Would a consumer at the time purchase this knife thinking it was the trusted Russell, Green River Works? I think so, heck I bought it at a yard sale thinking it was a Russell not really paying that much attention to it or really being that familiar the Russell's.

In hindsight the title is miss leading and so is my description.
Keep me straight Oli.
Click to expand...


Haha!

I didn't know that about the company - interesting. I imagine a original old one made by them back in the day is probably rather expensive now...
 
Noodle Soup said:
Russell certainly made boning knives of that pattern. Whether they stamped any of the handle Green River I don't know but it wouldn't surprise me if it didn't happen sometime in their long history.
Click to expand...
I dug into it pretty good when I got some years ago, talked to some collectors ect, and it isn't a match to Green River Works. It also lacks the the blade stamp.
 
cotedupy said:
Haha!

I didn't know that about the company - interesting. I imagine a original old one made by them back in the day is probably rather expensive now...
Click to expand...
I really have know idea what the early ones would bring probably a lot.

I'm not a collector but I do have an old spatula and scrapping knife that has the J Russel Green River Works stamp. Well made tools.
 
Desert Rat said:
I dug into it pretty good when I got some years ago, talked to some collectors ect, and it isn't a match to Green River Works. It also lacks the the blade stamp.
Click to expand...
Why wasn't it a match to Russell? I sold the brand back in the 80's and that was one of the patterns I offered. I don't think any of the handles were stamped like that but the etching on the blade didn't always last during serious use.
 
Noodle Soup said:
Why wasn't it a match to Russell? I sold the brand back in the 80's and that was one of the patterns I offered. I don't think any of the handles were stamped like that but the etching on the blade didn't always last during serious use.
Click to expand...
Can you match this knife to J Russel Green River Works in any way? Do you think this knife was made in the 80's? What do you got?
 
Anything indicated on the blade?
Does it say "Sheffield" anywhere on the blade? Looks like the US requirements to mark country of origin began in 1890-1 (then, the "Made in [country of origin]" began in 1914).
 
Model No. 6315 in the 1920's Russell catalog. Lots of other handle options. Things like that change constantly in the industry. I'm looking for my own product catalog from the 80's but I'm pretty sure I still have a box of those knives around with beech handles. On the other hand, I've seen lots of the Green River etched English knives but none of them were of that boning pattern.
 
Last edited:
McMan said:
Anything indicated on the blade?
Does it say "Sheffield" anywhere on the blade? Looks like the US requirements to mark country of origin began in 1890-1 (then, the "Made in [country of origin]" began in 1914).
Click to expand...
Nothing is on the blade. I have seen another example a different pattern with brass rivets so a later knife. Pictures only so I don't know for sure.
 
Noodle Soup said:
Found my 1982's Russell dealers catalog. That would be one of the 2315 series then. Beech handles only.
Click to expand...
Boning knife, 8 1/2" blade, 13 1/2" over all, tapered tang hand forged?
When did Russell use steel rivets?
 
I must have missed the blade length. 7 1/2-inch could be either a trimming or heading knife. Different blade thickness. The Dexter line made a 8-inch boning in 82. There are also 8-inch filet knives of that general pattern. Handle wood and rivets changed many time over the years.
 
Desert Rat said:
Nothing is on the blade. I have seen another example a different pattern with brass rivets so a later knife. Pictures only so I don't know for sure.
Click to expand...
I would be surprised if this was from Sheffield. Most Sheffield stuff--knives, tools, saws--was stamped, and this was part of a earlier practices that pre-date export stamping. AFAIK, British patterns for old boning knives were also slight different (though hopefully someone who knows more about old British knives can chime in).
Regardless, if US-made, I think the tapered tang is a good clue as to dating...
 
McMan said:
I would be surprised if this was from Sheffield. Most Sheffield stuff--knives, tools, saws--was stamped, and this was part of a earlier practices that pre-date export stamping. AFAIK, British patterns for old boning knives were also slight different (though hopefully someone who knows more about old British knives can chime in).
Regardless, if US-made, I think the tapered tang is a good clue as to dating...
Click to expand...
Very well could be an American maker, I don't know.
 
Noodle Soup said:
Going back to the 1920's Russell catalog I found a steaking knife and a boning knife with the same cocobolo handle, nickle silver rivets. They have the Green River handle stamp with the same spacing.
Click to expand...
Is that catalog on line?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top