All About Pocket Knives

Thanks to all who replied to this post.
That A&F fishing knife is almost identical to one I have stamped Lamson & Goodnow who are part of the Dexter-Harrington Co. that purchased the John Russell Co. years ago. I also have a John Russell Green River Works sticker that I believe was a re-issue in the 1970's.The etch looks too modern to be an original 1870's knife.
Speaking of Abercrombie & Fitch(the outfitters;not the clothing idiots)I have an old Joseph Rodgers folder that has checkered horn handles;a built-in scale and other fishing related blades that was made for them.
Also I have a John Russell thistle handled knife that was made for Iver Johnson Sporting Goods of Boston(another outfitter that also made firearms).
That farmer's jack would have probably thrown me for a loop as well.Although it looks good at first glance and could probably be authentic the bar shield and fluted bolsters would have raised red flags with me.I've never seen any Russells with either of those features.
That cattle knife is still a beautiful knife and I agree there should be a law against "incompetent use of a grinder"

Nice cattle knife Jerry ... great point - I no doubt think grinders/dremels should be illegal and outlawed for knife blades

I agree with you Lyle - something does look clunky about it for a Russell.. and though I can't get pics right now of a Russell Green River Hawkbill that I own the swedges are much more squared off - I am guessing that FJ got a good cleaning?? Anyway the spey blade style looks abit strange to me but that just may be me Attached below is the same stamp from no doubt a good knife but not sure if that is what you were looking at as well...

Ray - lots of nice knives ... But that Rodgers Fishing Knife is awesome - that is just exactly what I would be looking for to add to the pile someday That kind of knife brings together my two halves Is that checkered gutta percha handles on the Rodgers?

Lee, really like that fish knife, I find the large checkered handles very interesting. I have a Russell pruner that has checkered ebony handles with the same large diamonds.

LongBlade wrote:
Ray - lots of nice knives ... But that Rodgers Fishing Knife is awesome - that is just exactly what I would be looking for to add to the pile someday That kind of knife brings together my two halves Is that checkered gutta percha handles on the Rodgers?

Thanks for the kind words. The handles appear to be checkered horn.Usually if you rub gutta percha briskly with a dry cloth you will get a distinct odor and this is not the case with this knife. I got this knife from a friend of mine many years ago and have yet to see another one like it.

Thanks Ray ...

John - Thanks - and nice knife with cool and unique handles for a hawkbill ...

Picked this one up this week!!

Nice equal-end Russell jack Bill ....

Thanks Lee!

BWT wrote:Picked this one up this week!!

Bill, love that one. I have a fondness for these Russell’s. I don’t have any this old. This motivates me to keep looking for them. That’s a beauty.
SSk

That's a great looking knife, Bill.

Thanks Joe it’s my first one with that tang stamp. Thanks Mark, I’m not really sure of its age? I have a straight line Russell jack and a Barlow with the straight line markings. Thanks for your comments.

Bill that's a great knife! I got an old ebony cattle knif with that same stamp. All three blades stamped. I'm not sure how to date these but I'm guessing they are pretty old, pre WWII anyway.

Thanks Greg for the comments

Picked up this 3 3/4" swayback jack. The Russell barlows are fairly common but I don't see many of the jacks, the bone looks like it was hand jigged.

That's a good looking knife, JohnR!

Beautiful knife John Great find, beautiful bone and blades look good as well!!!

Doc B wrote:That's a good looking knife, JohnR!

Thank you, I've been trying to do some research on Russell tang stamps, definite information is hard to find on Russell tang stamps but I found a reference that states this tang stamp dates from 1874 to 1895, the knife has the appearance of being that old.

Great looking knives, Bill and John!! The tang stamps appear to be the same on both of them.

Thanks Dan, I had forgotten about posting on this thread, I was just responding to Johns post

Almost 2 years later, can't believe I'm just seeing this thread. Great looking knives guys!

Here is a nice little Russell boys knife.
A straight line stamp. Goin's gives a date of 1884 - 1933. 3" closed.

Oh, ohh, ohhhhh, that is nice! Knife Lore has been a little quiet lately, thataway to rattle the cage, Joe.

Very nice Joe,you’re on a roll!!

Thank you, Ike.

Thank you, Bill.

I think I have the same knife. Not as clean as yours.

Harold