J RUSSEL green river works

[0078]

Can anyone tell me anything about this knife

[Beechtree]

An old pruner knife made by John Russell in Turners Falls, Massachusetts. Goins' has that mark listed 1884-1941. By the looks of it, that knife is on the earlier end of that range. Its got rat tail bolsters, and probably ebony handles. Neat old knife 0078.

[knife-nut]

Could you show a picture with the blade open, where you can see the whole blade? Nice looking old knife.

[0078]

Thanks for the help

[bonehead]

An old pruner knife made by John Russell in Turners Falls, Massachusetts. Goins' has that mark listed 1884-1941. By the looks of it, that knife is on the earlier end of that range. Its got rat tail bolsters, and probably ebony handles. Neat old knife 0078.

Is this the same J Russell & co. at a different location? BH

[knife7knut]

An old pruner knife made by John Russell in Turners Falls, Massachusetts. Goins' has that mark listed 1884-1941. By the looks of it, that knife is on the earlier end of that range. Its got rat tail bolsters, and probably ebony handles. Neat old knife 0078.

Is this the same J Russell & co. at a different location? BH

At first I thought NO when I saw the heading(painter's supplies)as most of the names in there were makers of paint brushes(Davoe and Reynolds being two who later merged.I have a lot of their old brushes)but looking at the logo caused me to change my mind.
Although not primarily dealing in painter's supplies,J.Russell did make folding palette knives(and fixed ones as well;I have both).My guess is that the New York address was likely a wholesale outlet.A lot of the older knife manufacturers had New York distributors that were company stores.Here are pics of a folding palette knife by Russell(bottom of 1st pic)and an unusual fixed blade whose handle looks like it was transplanted from a small Japanese dagger(bottom of 2nd pic)

[bonehead]

Is this the same J Russell & co. at a different location? BH[/quote]

At first I thought NO when I saw the heading(painter's supplies)as most of the names in there were makers of paint brushes(Davoe and Reynolds being two who later merged.I have a lot of their old brushes)but looking at the logo caused me to change my mind.
Although not primarily dealing in painter's supplies,J.Russell did make folding palette knives(and fixed ones as well;I have both).My guess is that the New York address was likely a wholesale outlet.A lot of the older knife manufacturers had New York distributors that were company stores.Here are pics of a folding palette knife by Russell(bottom of 1st pic)and an unusual fixed blade whose handle looks like it was transplanted from a small Japanese dagger(bottom of 2nd pic)[/quote]

Very Cool knife7knut,

A Sweet gem for sure

I would say you are spot on regarding your comment, NY would be a fine location of distribution in the day, fits in rather well, and not too far from Mass. What I did not show in the pic is that it is signed. John Russell & Co. which is very much aligned with your thoughts. Very Cool BH

[Beechtree]

I agree, I dont remember where I read it but I do seem to remember reading that they had a distribution center in New York. As for the painting supplies, I have seem paint scrappers, linoleum knives, ect. Basically, most type of knife tool. K7K that is a beautiful mother of pearl collection. Is what you call a palette knife the same as a physicians knife or pill buster? It sure has a beautiful mother of pearl handle. I especially like when it is mother of pearl with a shield.

[Miller Bro's]

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 3&start=15

[knife7knut]

K7K that is a beautiful mother of pearl collection. Is what you call a palette knife the same as a physicians knife or pill buster? It sure has a beautiful mother of pearl handle. I especially like when it is mother of pearl with a shield.

It is different from the pill buster in that the back end is as a normal knife rather than the flat end normally associated with physician's knives.I was really fortunate to get this particular knife.Purchased at an antique shop that was having a 40% discount on items that day so I wound up buying it for $6! Absolutely new condition and beautiful pearl to boot.This was about 30 years ago and in Levine's Guide at the time mint examples of a Russell were estimated at over $200.

[Ripster]

Picked up this Painters Pallette knife for my Wife . J.Russell& CO. over Green River Works is lightly stamped on blade . Would this have been made in Mass? And approximately what time period ?
Artists that still use oil paint are fussy when it comes to mixing there oils . My Wife has a number of these but thought it time to get her one with a bit more character. This 7 inch overall pallette paint mixer has a interesting handle . It sure looks to be Stag ? And would venture out on a limb to say it wasn’t carved at the factory . The blade is thin and flexible like a old feeler gauge . It’s pretty neat watching a seasoned Artist use this tool of there trade . Heidi flings it around so fast the yellow and blue was green almost instantly before my eyes . Then adds a touch of white, a blur again ,then she’s painting away .

[Papa Bones]

Picked up this Painters Pallette knife for my Wife . J.Russell& CO. over Green River Works is lightly stamped on blade . Would this have been made in Mass? And approximately what time period ?
Artists that still use oil paint are fussy when it comes to mixing there oils . My Wife has a number of these but thought it time to get her one with a bit more character. This 7 inch overall pallette paint mixer has a interesting handle . It sure looks to be Stag ? And would venture out on a limb to say it wasn’t carved at the factory . The blade is thin and flexible like a old feeler gauge . It’s pretty neat watching a seasoned Artist use this tool of there trade . Heidi flings it around so fast the yellow and blue was green almost instantly before my eyes . Then adds a touch of white, a blur again ,then she’s painting away .

Wow JP. That is a very unique Palette knife. The handle is a work of art in it's self.

[doglegg]

A fine knife for a wonderful artist