D. H. Russell Knives

My knife was the same as the others that were issued (the boat knife)...our CO's first recommendations was to get ourselves a decent knife.

I like the design of these knives but there are better performing knives that cost less.

Collecter
 
Originally posted by collecter
My knife was the same as the others that were issued (the boat knife)...our CO's first recommendations was to get ourselves a decent knife.

I like the design of these knives but there are better performing knives that cost less.

Collecter
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Hmmm, I wonder if Grohmans was going through a spell of bad luck? Perhaps they had just switched their stainless steel and had not gotten the heat treat down properly and sent out a bunch of "iffy" blades. I don't know if this is the case, but I have heard of ther companies having this sort of problem on occasions, incidents such as the under-hardening or over-hardening of CpM440V when it first appeared in knife blades.
 
What online stores sell the D.H.Russell knives with the different material choices. I've only seen the stainless models...?
 
Selfinflicted, if you are worried about edge retention with the stainless blade, buy one that comes with the knife steel. Fits right in the sheath so it is always accessible. Regular use of the steel will minimize need for resharpening.

phantom4
 
Tom Marshman at marshmanbrothers.com is a wonderful source for Grohmann knives, and has really great service. I've gotten several knives from him, and have been really pleased. A couple of times I've wanted something a little different from what was listed, and he was able to get it.
 
Phantom, by "knife steel" you mean a sharpener? There's no place in the Grohmann sheath for a sharpener. I normally use a sharpmaker at home, what's recommended to take to the woods that's easy to carry?

Yes, I agree that Tom of Marshman Brothers is great to deal with. He knows of every Grohmann offered option, and his prices are the best I've found. Beat this: Survival, stainless or high carbon blade, flat grind, micarta handle, $78 DELIVERED! I think I'm probably going to opt for the high carbon based on my fear of playing russian roulette with the stainless heat treat (if that's been the problem). I haven't heard any complaints about the high carbon...have I? :confused:
 
Grohmann now sells a sheath that will hold a knife steel. I think I ran across it on the Grohmann website. You might want to check it out.
Jim
 
Hey, that's a pretty nifty set-up! Had no idea that was offered. This place is the knive information superhighway. Thanks for that info guys...bladeforums rocks!
 
The #3 boat knife with stainless steel, rosewood slabs and flap sheath is the model that some Canadian Forces were/are issued. In particular the now defunct Airborne regiment used them as their cutaway knife when skydiving/parchuting. A friend of mine who was in the Airborne in the 1970's had one of these and I liked the look and feel so much I bought my own and usually use it for hunting. I doesn't hold an edge as good as some other steels but it isn't terrible either. It is no problem to whip this thing up to shaving sharp and keep it there for a while with just a steel in between uses. I have been thinking of buying another one in kit form and finishing it myself. I paid about $45-55 CDN 5-6 years ago. And they can still be found in Canada for $50-60. The kit is %10-20 less than an assembled knife but most shops don't stock them.
 
I skinned my first mule deer with a Russell belt knife, carbon steel. Still have it; it's a great design although the slim handle can get a bit slippery. I think the steel is similar to 1084, takes a good edge. I have no experience with the stainless Grohman blades but suspect it's similar to 440A or B: takes a good edge, holds it OK and is relatively easy to resharpen.
 
knivesdirect.com sells the kit knives. All you have to do is press the rivets thru the rosewood slabs into the handle, sand it and seal it. The boat knife is $45.60 and the Survival is $58.80., plus delivery. My thinking is I can get the micarta scales handle, for a better grip and more custom look, for only about $15 more from Marshman Brothers ($78 delivered), and it's all done for me. But either way works.
My Rant: With all the decent stainless steels out there, I don't know why Grohmann doesn't use one. Lousy edge retention should not be a subject of discussion with their knives, and it does disappoint me. I shouldn't have to go to high carbon to get decent edge retention if I want stainless...but I guess I will. I want that design, where the blade edge is well below the handle like a chef's knife, 5 to 6 inch blade length (Survival is 5 1/2), for under $100. They're hard to find. The Campanion is too thick. The Bushmaster isn't bad at 6", and they use AUS-8 which is decent, and I've given it a second look since this steel issue arose, but it just didn't grab me. I wish there were 5" to 6" Rinaldi type designs mass produced by a major maker in the $100 range. I can't believe it wouldn't sell.
 
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