Russel Green River ID

[Ridgegrass]

Wondering if anyone knows the function of this bulged edge Russell? The blade is 4" +. Single edged on the bulge side. Thanks. J.O'.

[wlf]

It looks like a spud , used to open bark for inserting a bud in grafting ?

Just guessing.

[Ridgegrass]

Thanks. It does resemble that. Awfully big, maybe for small tree scions ??

[ea42]

Very strange that the edge is on the bulge side. Is the bulge edged or blunt? If blunt I'd imagine the knife would be used for cutting something with the edge facing up where you don't want to damage what's beneath it.

Eric

[Gunsil]

JO', why not contact Russell and ask them? They are still in business and the knife doesn't appear very old. I bet they tell you exactly what it's purpose is. Lyle, that is one cool knife!!

[wlf]

JO', why not contact Russell and ask them? They are still in business and the knife doesn't appear very old. I bet they tell you exactly what it's purpose is. Lyle, that is one cool knife!!

Yeah Eric , I wondered if it was dull too.

Thanks Gene, you've got the best idea.
I had looked for that version of Wostenholm since seeing this catalog page here 12 years ago.

[Mason]

(Removed the incorrect usage)

[wlf]

https://dr.lib.iastate.edu/entities/pub ... 42c8203422

No it's not a spud, but is it horticultural ?

Topping corn is a pollination control .

[ea42]

Used for cutting corn off the cob.

Awesome! Thanks for clearing it up Mason!!

Eric

[peanut740]

https://dr.lib.iastate.edu/entities/pub ... 42c8203422

No it's not a spud, but is it horticultural ?

Topping corn is a pollination control .

Yes.

[Mumbleypeg]

“Topping” means removing the tassels from the tops of a corn plant. Today machines can do it but they miss a lot of tassels so the remainder have to be removed by hand. See here for a better explanation, and why it’s done. https://farmergrows.com/why-do-they-cut ... rn-stalks/

Ken

Oops. I see Lyle already posted a link to an explanation.

[Ridgegrass]

Thanks all. It slipped my mind to call Russell. A very nice lady helped me with the tobacco knife. At $.35 a piece they might not be that recent.
The bulge is very sharp. J.O'.

[Ridgegrass]

The tobacco knife conversation was about two months ago. Sorry if that was not clear. Anyway, the woman was very helpful. O'.

[wlf]

That's a very cool knife JO.

[Ridgegrass]

You're welcome to it Lyle. I paid $1.50 just to save it from a non-collector fate and for conversation purposes. O'.

[winst]

“Topping” means removing the tassels from the tops of a corn plant. Today machines can do it but they miss a lot of tassels so the remainder have to be removed by hand. See here for a better explanation, and why it’s done. https://farmergrows.com/why-do-they-cut ... rn-stalks/

Ken

Oops. I see Lyle already posted a link to an explanation.
Really Ken...topping corn means to cut the stalk just above the year with the intent that nutrients that would normally go to the upper stalk would now go to the year.

[winst]

“Topping” means removing the tassels from the tops of a corn plant. Today machines can do it but they miss a lot of tassels so the remainder have to be removed by hand. See here for a better explanation, and why it’s done. https://farmergrows.com/why-do-they-cut ... rn-stalks/

Ken

Oops. I see Lyle already posted a link to an explanation.
Really Ken...topping corn means to cut the stalk just above the ear with the intent that nutrients that would normally go to the upper stalk would now go to the ear.

[winst]

“Topping” means removing the tassels from the tops of a corn plant. Today machines can do it but they miss a lot of tassels so the remainder have to be removed by hand. See here for a better explanation, and why it’s done. https://farmergrows.com/why-do-they-cut ... rn-stalks/

Ken

Oops. I see Lyle already posted a link to an explanation.

[winst]

"ear" my bad..I suppose at 82 "years" the years and ears both become somewhat of a problem.

[Mumbleypeg]

I don’t doubt your explanation is true, after pollination of the ears. It’s just one of the several reasons for “topping” corn. Prior to pollination the plants can be de-tassled, thereby controlling pollination including creation of hybrid varieties, and other reasons as described in the referenced article. As Lyle said, it's a method of pollination control.

Ken