Ever been to the Dexter Russell Outlet in Southbridge, MA?

EngrSorenson

EngrSorenson

Noticed by Senpai
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I've been itching for a cheap, mostly-indestructible-but-who-cares-if-it-breaks, light fixed blade for camp use.
I've been eyeballing the Dexter Russell Traditionals and the sani-safe knives for various reasons.
I noticed that they sponsored the Old Sturbridge Village Redcoats and Rebels event, so I was curious where they were headquartered.
Turns out the factory is in the next town over, so I want to check it out this weekend.

Who's been there? The hours are limited to Thursdays and Saturdays for a handful of hours.

Also, take a minute to tell me about your favorite DR knife.
 
Never been to the outlet but I really enjoy their knives. The Hunting/Fishing knife from their traditional line is a great all around knife for outdoorsman (thin, slicey, and whatever carbon steel they use seems to hold an edge very well). These also make great kit knives to practice handlemaking. Their offset bread knife is indispensable in the kitchen. One of the best things about their knives is they're so well priced that you can get a handful of models for less than $100.

If you go, please share pics of their showroom and facilities (and ask them what variety of carbon steel they use 😉).
 
When I was a kid my Dad would go to a store in China Town and buy worn out restaurant knives. Then he’d thin and reprofile the blades. Years later I’m pretty sure they were SaniSafe knives.

My personal favorite is the cheap net knife. Less than $10 with a sheath? Absolutely indestructible dishwasher safe and cuts through cardboard like a laser. Without ever getting dull.
 
yeah, I’ll be sure to try and remember to take pictures. Fans of the brand are pretty big fans, and I’m excited to see what I’ll find. I feel like everyone needs a good beater fixed blade- which I don’t really have.
 
Dergyll said:
I have a beater or nine lying around you can borrow, comon down. Just bring some beer and/or bubble wrap and painters tape, I'm running low.

Offer opened to others not in New England as well of course...I'm not Statist.
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But you don’t have one of dem wood handled ones. You painting? I hate painting. I’d rather be buying knives.
 
I inherited this from my best friend. We butchered a lot of catfish with this thing - but honestly it was mostly him that did the butchering and me that did the final cleanup. Now it's one of my most prized posessions, and still gets used whenever there are big fish around. It's a great knife and sheath combo.

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Their retention button on the sheath is the shiznits. Works great.

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I've been with a dozen different fishing party boats, charters throughout the years, and I think there was a dexter on every single one lol.
 
AdamFuzzyballs said:
The “paring” knife is a great belt knife. The steel isn’t the greatest wonder- I can’t find any information on Dexsteel 121, but it’s thin and sharpens with a strop on your jeans. I got mine in a harbor for like 6 bucks.
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Yeah, near as I can tell it’s some proprietary steel, perhaps to obfuscate what the composition is… which might reveal it’s basically a Victorinox-type stainless. They sell it on sharpenability. So I’m sure it’s not the greatest.
 
EngrSorenson EngrSorenson , I mostly use it in the kitchen to help break down chickens, pork shoulders, beef roasts, venison, etc. I've used it for hunting but haven't since (1) I lost the sheath and haven't gotten around to replacing it, and (2) the handle is a little obtuse and feels like it may twist in my hand while in use (not an issue in the kitchen, but not ideal in the field). Number 2 is my fault for not sufficiently thinning out the horn scales. It takes a wickedly sharp edge with minimal effort, then seems to keep a good working edge for a long time (as in, it loses it's hair popping edge after 1-2 meat carving sessions, then keeps a good edge for weeks at a time thereafter).
 
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Best little bait knife ever made, and it cuts miles of cardboard without being sharpened.

I ground a single finger groove in mine and hot molded the sheath to actually have retention.

I’ll get a group photo of my other SaniSafe knives later.
 
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So, you mean to tell me you walked past all those bins full of US made goodness and didn't ask around to see of we wanted any!? Fine, but care to elaborate on some of the newer models? That last pic is intriguing.
 
No factory tour? Just retail with some historical stuff? How were the prices? Was it worth going?

Thanks
 
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