Original Mtn Man's "Green River" Knife- Still made after all these years... Bushcraft / Survival
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- This same knife was carried by mountain men, trappers, settlers, and Indians. It worked then, and it works now. In fact "Green River" came to mean the highest quality. Yet this knife is much different from modern bushcraft or survival knives. What did they know that has been forgotten? What made this pattern of knife so good?
This Dexter Russel 4215 Green River Knife is sold by www.trackofthewolf.com , www.crazycrow.com , www.dixiegunworks.com , katom.com (and other restaurant supply companies)
This Dexter Russel 4215 Green River Knife is sold by www.trackofthewolf.com , www.crazycrow.com , www.dixiegunworks.com , katom.com (and other restaurant supply companies)
Fellow green river knife lover here, great job! Such an underrated blade
Thank you very much. Nice to hear from you. I have watched a lot of your videos, and subbed some time ago.... Nice content there....
Great video. Thank you. I've owned four different Green River knives. I still own two of them. I plum browned them, made beaded deerskin sheaths for them, and gave two of them to family members. Funny, but when you mentioned Track of the Wolf, I was on their website checking my recent order of three different Green River knife kits, complete with brass rivets and Curly Maple scales, to replace the ones I gave away. My greatest keepsake is a Hueters Improved Bowie knife my father bought in the 1950s. We cleaned many trout with his knife in the 1960s and 1970s. I actually make knives as a hobby since I retired. The carbon steel Green River knives are very functional and fairly priced. The modern super particle steels are great, but way overpriced.
that is a fine knife, i have used an old hickory many times
Thank you for the review. I brought one some time ago. Its sitting right beside me now, as there is somthing to be said about a natural handle. Its smells and feels so nice compared to my synthetic knives. My handle is a dark hard walnut and its beautiful. The supplier let me choose from 8 or so he had there. I swear by walnut. My grand-parents had steak knives and forks that have lasted 50 years with regular use in walnut and are still all going and unlike mine were not oiled! I oiled mine with natural linseed oil giving it 8 coats - and it did not lose colour. Tired of awkward, heavy thick blades, I looked for a knife like this with a 2mm thick spine for along time. It does what a knife's mean to do. Its knife first, fighting knife last, if that makes sense, which what I wanted - not the other way around as is so common nowadays! If anyone is interested, the small USMC KABAR Sheath fits it and there are 5" blade sheaths on Ebay as well. God Bless.
I have a bunch of Russell Green River knives. About 50 years ago in I believe Popular Mechanics in their index they had a variety of Green River blanks. I bought the brass rivets and made my handles out of over 100 year old oak flooring boards. So my handles are about 150 years old today. I also made some of my own sheaths. The bad thing is on many of my knives they weren’t stamped they were etched and from use it became hard to read their brand. I have the skinner, small Bowie, and the fisherman with scaler on the spine all in Buffalo Lester sheaths. I also have huge butcher knives . I love them, because I made the handles, but I use a lot of Moras today. I put pictures of some of my Green River knives on the internet about 20, 25? Years ago. Probably still out there if a person searched for them.
That's amazing. Thank you for the thought out and well written comment. Very interesting.
Yeah, what most people now dont realize, Is that knives we take for granted in our kitchens, were originally general purpose knives going back thousands of years in the early iron age. Butcher knives, paring knives, were hunting knives and work knives, and even meat carving knife and fork set used at holidays were originally Hunters tools for cutting camp meat and roasting hunks or slices.
Everybody now thinks they have to be trendy. And buy Trendy-Spendy knives and other tools and gear. But in fact little of that stuff is historically accurate, or even affordable. For instance, I use stainless paring knives as part of my survival kits, a $10 Chicago Cuttlery from Walmart makes a very nice camp work knife. Why pay $400 for something that doesnt work any better? And I grew up before stainless knives were popular, because early stainless was so soft. so I know carbon steel habits, you wash and dry them, and then wipe with veggie oil etc.
I see people now with carbon blades that are etched from being put away dirty or wet. I know its an amature...
Nobody would treat a high carbon steel knife like that 60 years ago.
Nor would anybody think a new knife was sharp without spending several hours on it with stones.
My favourite green river knife I own is the dadley model, and it was a difficult decision to make between the two knife models. Both beautiful knives where you can decide what scales you want on your knife!🗡️👍
Nice. Yes I agree they are beautiful knives
Sir, I purchased one of these knives after watching this video and all that needs to be said is "Thank you for showing us this knife"! This is an awesome knife!
That is nice to hear. I'm happy I was able to help you. God bless.
God bless you too sir!
@@caseyroberts918 Thank you. You can call me Doug.
Great video. Thank you.
When Green River came along, they did compete heavily with the Sheffield Co. of Great Britain. Sheffield dominated the knife market then.
I built my first Green River (Hunter) in 1986. I was low on money and it was Christmas. Walked into an antique store that had a bunch of Green River knife kits on a shelf. I bought a handful of them for making inexpensive Christmas gifts. They were a hit! Been making them, using them, selling them, giving them away for over thirty years.
I like putting leather scales on them and making my own sheaths.
The great thing is they are so great AND INEXPENSIVE! Anyone can afford to have a handful of these tough knives. Lose one, break one, one gets stolen--who cares?! Just grab another and keep on!
Not a big fan of batoning wood with a knife, except sometimes my Bowie. That's what a hatchet is for.
Buy them by the dozen. Have fun!
Thank you for the carefully thought out and detailed comment. God bless
Would love to see one of your Green River's with leather scales
@Coyote Ridge I've got a few laying around. I should make a video. Not a bad idea. Some are leather, some cellulose acetate, some wood, some paracord, some a mixture of materials.
@@TheMNBlackBear That would be cool man
@@TheMNBlackBear Gave ya a sub to watch for it
I purchased my first to Green River knives 54 years ago and use them for both camping and trapping. We use them in the kitchen every day. One, in particular is my go to for carving poultry. I've used my Green River knives to butcher deer, hogs, goats, sheep and steer. I expect them to outlast me! Everything said here about their quality is true. I suspect the Green River Knife is the most underrated knife around.
Tried and true and very reasonably priced. I use mine daily and have for almost 30 years.
30 years is quite a test.
Up to the “Green River” meant sticking it in to someone up to where the Green River trade mark was at the base of the blade at the beginning of the handle. I have carried one for 33 years, obviously I love the thing. Lol
Cool. and 33 years is quite a test.
Doug Shoe Bushcraft, yes it was one of the three knives that I started carrying as a young airborne Long Range Surveillance troop. A Bowen model 12 fighting knife on my LBE, a green river hunter on my belt under my BDU top, and a locking Swiss Army knife with a saw in my E&E pocket. I still carry the Green River and my SAK. lol lots of miles on those two.
@@168Diplomat Wow. You have my respect. Was that Vietnam era?
Doug Shoe Bushcraft, thank you. No, that was in the 80’s right after they put Long Range Recon back on the books as a “permanent “ unit.
I been carrying them since 1990 myself straight out of basic training I went to Fort Irwin NTC where I ordered mine from Dixie gun works and my old pocket folding Barlow from home where my field knives. Lost my green river a few years back got another but haven't put it to much use lately. You ever watch that show dude your screwed they had a older guy on named Thomas Moore that ole boy used a green river called it old butch, he had a blog called the thirsty steer check it out.
KaTom was where I got mine.
Super 👍🖐🤠 ai laik to💯👌 Bushkraft
Thanks for the video! I’ve been wanting one of these
You are welcome. I would recommend getting one. They are not much money as compared to other bushcraft or hunting knives. And I think you will like it....
Just seen a blade blank for one of these here in Finland. You have convinced me, I am buying it. Fabulous video buddy very interesting stuff.
I hope you like it. I'm still using mine every day, basically.
I liked the history lesson! 😎
Thank you. I'm glad you liked it.
Just wanted to say hello Doug and I have recently became a subscriber. Love your video content. Thanks for your video on the green river knife. I was fortunate enough to go to their outlet store in Southbridge, MA this weekend. I purchased the knife in this video. Really like it. Thanks for doing a video on their knife. Looking forward to more of your videos. Take care Doug.
Wow! I didn't even know there was an outlet store in Southbridge MA. Now I am so jealous! That's great news to hear. I'm glad you liked the videos. It even seems that they are brightening your days a little. That's great. It's nice to meet you, and have you as a friend. God bless.
The Sheffield made Green River knives are easy to tell from the American ones, they have a spear point blade and some have a fish descaler on the back of the blade. Same thin blade stock and plain wooden handle, the Sheffield stamp is usually a giveaway too. I've used one for years and they're good knives.
Nice. Thanks for the comment.
You still can find old Skinners cheap. Cant beat em. 👍
I don't have one of those but do have a clod steel red river made of carbon V steel. I love that pattern. Best general purpose blade shape. When I need a narrower blade I use one of many pocket knives/folders.
The phrase "Up to the Green River " meant to stab an adversary to the handle . Good review and an excellent knife.
Nice video. Thank you for sharing it. You have my support. 😊
Thank you! & I will check out your channel as well...
Bought one from Crazy Crow supply back in 1979. Still using it. Keep it in my camping kitchen box. Have a 2nd one I use daily in my kitchen. I believe it’s 1075 not 1095? Sharpens well but doesn’t hold an edge very long. Needs to be sharpened often. As long as you keep it sharp & maintained it’s a good knife.
nice. Thank you
You can cold blue carbon steel. I recommended using the paste vice the liquid; less messy. The controlled rusting procedure will help protect your blade from rust (I'm in southern TX), and it looks good.
nice
Very good video on a fine knife. I have enjoyed the same knife for several years. Enjoy your simple and easy approach to reviews . New subscriber here.
That's great. It's so nice to have you as a new friend.
I bought a butcher knife set 50 years ago..still do all game with them.ontario i belive..great vidio.
Thank you. Yes, Ontario has knives that are very similar to the Russell "Green River" line. It is also an old company.
Not a collector..that knife replaced my shrade old timer deer slayer i bought in 1971.
Nice.
Oh man, the Deerslayer was nice. I had a Sharpfinger and various Old Timer slipjoints. Loved them
I have an Old Hickory (I think Ontario now or maybe not ) brand butcher knife like that and I ordered a kabar knife sheath bc all I heard was how well they fit the knife...it has a pinky size area that is exposed. But ehh it does the trick I suppose. Thanks for sharing brother! God bless.🙏🏻🇺🇸
Yes the Old Hickory is a similar knife- Thin blade (as compared to modern hunting knives), carbon steel, etc. It's not quite as old as the Green River but does have history behind it.
@@DougShoeBushcraft Thin knives are awesome for what i consider "knife jobs" basicly slicing stuff. This looks like excellent all around knife although might not be the strongest, but just paring this with axe in the woods, and it would do pretty much everything knife should do. As bonus i think this would be excellent kitchen knife too while home
👍 We shouldn’t be amazed that knives that worked well for folks who depended on these tools 150 years ago still work well today. I agree with you that Russell Green River knives are excellent products. My only problem is that the handles are too small for my XL glove sized hands. I have ordered a blank and will try to make my own handle, will not be full tang, but I am alright with that.
The old generations here were smaller people. I take after them.
@@DougShoeBushcraft A good example how old efficient tools should be updated. The vintage Marbles knives have the same issue. But as you suggest if one has medium to small hands these knives are as useful today as they were when originally made. Unfortunately for me I was “blessed” with bear paw sized hands. 😂😂😂
The Original Bush Craft knife!
nice. Thanks for watching & commenting
One problem that i've ran into with bushcraft knives: they are excellent for bushcraft and decent for everything else. I'd prefer a knife thats excellent for everything else and decent for bushcraft.
I'm about to pick one of these fish/hunter knives to put on some canvas micarta scales, knock down the hump on the back, and give it a gentle drop point. I prefer this more reasonable thickness for just about everything.
Wow. Sounds like a fun project
Just a good reason to have more knives...Can you have too many?
@@sopwithcamelus That depends if you ask me or the wife. LOLOLOLOL
@@sopwithcamelus Nope! Prior to 2017 (house fire) I had.. plenty. Honestly too much stuff.. My methods while restocking after that event kinda shifted. I'm trying to have less stuff but really like the stuff I get. I know what I like/need in a knife now. No point in just filling boxes and closets. I'm going to give green river a try hopefully soon. I rarely carried my super thick blades. Yeah they split wood better but 98% of the time I don't need a hatchet, I need a knife. When I'm the woods I almost always have some kind of hatchet/knife anyways. I may also try the smaller "fish" knife and/or the good looking parking knife. Talk about a good every day knife. I don't know how I spent so many years with survival/ bushcraft/hunting and not hearing about them.
Hunter model . I have a number of them, so I guess that I like them. HOWEVER. The hunter model is not a beaver trapper era design.
It IS a Russell Green River knife, just produced later in history, say in the mid 19th Century. Very popular among Buffalo hunters.
More likely a beaver trapper would have a butcher design in the sheath, tucked inside his belt. I have an authentic 19th Century Green River butcher in my collection.
As for the Russell Green River knives, in general, they WERE traded at Rendezvous, but were introduced rather late in the beaver trapping era, before the prices collapsed and trapping them,"weren't worth the effort"... ...as an 'old timer'might say.
It ought to be in a museum somewhere, but as it is, it goes to rendezvous with me stuck in my belt, ( sheathed, of course ).
Doug would you have a tutorial on how to make the sheath?
No. But others have asked, so I should make a video and post it here. Soon I'll also be making a matching bag to go on my belt and hold a small fire kit.
Thank you so much for this video. I just ordered my, this, knife. $25 with shipping, Katom. Good camping.
Nice! & you are welcome. I am pretty sure you will love the knife. I think Katom is a good company. If you get the chance, I'd appreciate it if you could let me know how they treat you.
@@DougShoeBushcraft The company shipped right away. No problems. Got the knife yesterday. My latest video shows me unpacking the knife. Sheath is supposed to be here tomorrow.
@@rainbowhiker Nice! Also, thanks for the heads up about your video. I will check it out.
Great video. I love the history and the scripture reading too!
I assume they practically lived and died by their tools back then. It might be refined to its most advantageous design. There’s so many amazing knives out there. The best materials and over built. Exquisite in almost every way. But maybe this might be all you really need. And a hatchet (I have a Khukuri myself). And a small blade. This would be a good companion.
good points. Thank you
Whereabouts in NH, friend?
We'll have to talk in email or on the phone. Are you in NH as well? God bless.
Actually Green River knives where made in at least 4 different styles. I have three different ones myself. Also the new made ones, are made of better steel.
I know there are different types. This one in the video is a model 4215. As far as the steel- I think the new ones are 1095? Is that true? Some time has gone by since I made this video. I think I am correct in saying the older ones were a similar carbon steel. But now I'm forgetting where I heard that, or if it was an assumption I made. I'd like to know what you know about the older steel. -if you get a notification of my reply, and if you have the time. Thanks for leaving this comment.
@@DougShoeBushcraft Unfortunately, I have no clue. The one I have came as a kit, and I got it way back in the 70's, but it is still a great knife I use in the kitchen most of the time. Yes, new made ones are made out of 1095 high carbon steel. Still one if not the best camp knife out there.
Historical outdoorsmans knife? High carbon steel? Cheap? I need to get one to compare it to my Kephart!!!
Nice
I'm going to buy one just dont tell my wife she would kill me if I bought another knife
Prefer the Heters Improved Bowie
Striking the flint, chert, or quarts to the steel will send the sparks downward instead of upwards.
Much better control and alot more sparks where you want them, down into your charred matetials.
that's the method I used in this video....