OT: J. Russell & Co. Green River Works 1834 (carving set)

[cshold]

I picked up this 3 piece meat carving set for $30.00 today at a
local flea market. Anyone know anything about what I have here?
They each have beaded sterling silver ferrules.

[Dave]

That is a very nice set! The Green River knives are well made. I had one when I was a kid and can not remember what happened to it. Now that I am entering my second childhood I bought myself another. They aren't fancy but they work very well. At $30 for that set I think you stole them.

[mack]

Dave has got it right, very nice set, and a steal at $30. Carbon steel in the knife blade, 1095 maybe, will take and hold an edge like nothing you can find today, but it will stain. I have my fathers set, almost identical, the stag is lighter colored but well matched, as is yours. I think these were made from the '20s into the '50s.

[cshold]

Thanks guys...

“will take and hold an edge like nothing you can find today”
Mack you got that right, wow!! I spent about an hour on the blade with
a wet-stone then a leather strop. I now have an edge on the full length of
the blade I could shave with. (I have a bald back left hand to prove it )

“I think these were made from the '20s into the '50s”
I was under the impression the John Russell Cutlery Company went out of business in 1936.
I am going to try and find more info. on this co.

[mack]

I think the Turner Falls site was flooded out in '36. They may have become Harrington-Russel after that, there was also a Russel Tool Co. that may have been connected. I need to do some research. Dexter-Russel came later

[KirkD]

Beautiful set, thanks for sharing.

[kimwcook]

Very nice set. I would suspect they're worth a chunk of money. Not saying I wouldn't use them.

[Griff]

In case you're wonderin' just how good a deal you got: http://buffalo.craigslist.org/atq/2546285377.html

Russell Green River Works Carving Set - $125 (Springville)

Set Includes: Knife 12.5", Fork 10.25", and Sharpener 12 3/8", all pieces are in excellent condition. Does include original box although the box is pretty worn. Set has been in my family for over 75 years. Buyer pays shipping and insurance. Price is firm

[gamekeeper]

Doubt I will ever find J.Russell, Green River, carving sets over here but I'm going to start looking.

[kimwcook]

In case you're wonderin' just how good a deal you got: http://buffalo.craigslist.org/atq/2546285377.html

Russell Green River Works Carving Set - $125 (Springville)

Set Includes: Knife 12.5", Fork 10.25", and Sharpener 12 3/8", all pieces are in excellent condition. Does include original box although the box is pretty worn. Set has been in my family for over 75 years. Buyer pays shipping and insurance. Price is firm

Casa, I suspect yours to go for substantially more than that. No guarantee's, IMHO.

[Blaine]

Nice find