Dexter-Russell carbon steel knives ?

[johno]

Anyone have experience with Dexter-Russell carbon steel knives ? While I haven't seen them in stores or advertised much on the knife sites they seem to be a standard commercial/industrial knife, although for food processing the stainless/plastic handled models seem standard. The Dexter carbon steel knives seem to get advertised a lot at commercial fishing sites.

Are they a bit harder/better than the Old Hickory knives ?

 

[johno]

I stopped by a restaurant supply house the other day as well as a couple of knife shops, and picked up a couple of Dexter/Russell knives. One was a 3 1/4 inch full tang wood handled paring knife, of 1/16in carbon steel with a blade about 1/2in wide. It was finished a lot better than an Old Hickory that I compared it to, and seemed to be of decent hardness as when I was touching up the handles the tang didn't work that easily with my file. For about $7 it will be fun to play with.

The other was what the store owner called a 'corn knife', and was a 3 1/2 sheepfoot with a 3/32in thick blade about 1in wide. It was full tang and also had a wood handle. It was hard, as my file barely touched it and in fact it burnished some of the teeth on the file. It is marked 'Russell, Green River Works, made in USA'. It will make a nice utility knife, especially for $7.

The different tempering, the decent finish, and especially the prices have gotten me interested in Dexter-Russell knives. Too bad their site doesn't have more info.

 

[Revvie]

Johno - This ole boy's kitchen and when we had one - deer camp had Dexter = Russells. the white plastic handle and wood variety - I use a small diamond hone to keep them in shape and they do take a beating. Both my kids have them as well as some friends after using mine. I think it's hard to beat them especially for the price!

------------------
Don't wrestle with the hogs - they enjoy it and you get dirty !
Jonesy