historical origins of the 'canadian' grohman/russel style knife?

S

sickle hocks

Joined
Oct 15, 2014
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I really like my grohman / D.H. russel, and I was thinking of trying to make some in the same general style. But I'm curious about where it came from, and if there are any historical precedents to that blade and handle style from the fur trade era or from the 19th century? Or did it just spring into being when they started making it in the 50's??
I know track of the wolf sells something they call a courier du bois knife...it looks a bit similar but the handle geometry seems off with the handle dropped down, and I don't know if it's based on anything real? I'll keep searching through google, but if anyone has any thoughts I'd sure appreciate it!
 
Here is a nice one that Fes has posted in the past, with red lines showing the requisite handle angle.

AGR_BK_zps82ead353.jpg~original
 
This is what I found on the Field & Stream magazine web site in an article called The 20 Best Knives Ever Made.

Link to the article -

http://www.fieldandstream.com/photos/gallery/kentucky/2008/05/20-best-knives-ever-made

Quote from the article -

"Russell Canadian Belt Knife: In 1958 Dean Russell, a Canadian cutlery-store owner, designed a knife, and he chose Grohmann Cutlery in Pictou, Nova Scotia, to make it. His creation had an elliptical blade and a slightly offset, slender rosewood handle. He called it the Canadian Belt Knife, and it was pure genius. Russell's knife could gut, skin, or cape. It was comfortable in any hand and could be held in any position, and its pouch-style belt sheath moved with you. There are all sorts of copies of the Russell Canadian Belt Knife, mostly bad. But none of them are better than the original - a true work of edged inspiration."

I also read that Grohmann is the only knife company in Canada. Although I'm sure there are many custom makers.

These are a couple pics of one I had maker Alex Moore of Appalachian Knife & Fur craft for me. The blade is blued looking like gun steel so I'm not sure what process he uses for that. I've a couple other very traditional looking knives from him as well. Top notch guy. He hand makes everything, including the sheath. I borrowed these pics from his Facebook page but since it's my knife I'm hoping he won't mind.



 
Here's the large Grohmann custom hunter that I made a new sheath for, a real hunk of knife and nicely balanced.

Best regards

Robin

 
That's a nice looking piece Robin. I'm hoping to get to use mine for the first time next month.

The sheath turned out very well. Great combo!

:)

Joe
 
Thanks Joe. Grohmann makes pretty great knives. Hope you get to use her ;-)

Best regards

Robin
 
ok, so it looks like it's circa 1950's... I did read that Grohmann took some ideas from northern trappers and such. I was hoping you could have found something like that in the 18th century, it's hard to believe it came out of nowhere but maybe it did..
 
sickle hocks said:
ok, so it looks like it's circa 1950's... I did read that Grohmann took some ideas from northern trappers and such. I was hoping you could have found something like that in the 18th century, it's hard to believe it came out of nowhere but maybe it did..
Click to expand...

Well, every idea has to start from somewhere. ��
 
The Russell belt knife looks nothing like 18th or 19th century trade knives. Maybe you should make a Nessmuk which is 19th century.

Regards

Robin
 
sickle hocks said:
ok, so it looks like it's circa 1950's... I did read that Grohmann took some ideas from northern trappers and such. I was hoping you could have found something like that in the 18th century, it's hard to believe it came out of nowhere but maybe it did..
Click to expand...

A lot of designs have been done before. The D.H.Russell was a brilliant take on a useful hunter's knife. If you are looking for real old, this is not it - YET!!
I expect it will endure much longer than the 60 or so years it has been in use.

Here is another inspired moment!
DHRussellFolderLB1_zps10f2d068.jpg
 
It is an original design. IIRC it has received design awards for its originality back a few years (60s or 70s). All but the Grohmann version are rip-offs of the design. Buy the original, it truly is the best. What I think is funny are the "improved" designs; to me...not any improvement. The ironic thing, is that there are more copies in circulation than the real version. I believe Herders sold a large number. There was once a steady stream coming from Germany.

I talked to the Grohman rep at the NRA national convention a few years ago. The carbon steel version is the most "authentic". They only make knives in stainless steel because their customers demand it :)
 
I've long admired this odd looking knife which gets such praise and has stood the test of time.

Hard to get them here in Europe -the real thing I mean. Would like a used carbon one with stag, drooling right now! The small LB is also an interesting knife, let's see got knives from: US, England,France,Germany,Italy,Finland,Sweden,Switzerland,Argentina,Spain,Russia,China,Japan,Taiwan but NOT Canada aarrghhh!:grumpy:
 
willgoy said:
I've long admired this odd looking knife which gets such praise and has stood the test of time.

Hard to get them here in Europe -the real thing I mean. Would like a used carbon one with stag, drooling right now! The small LB is also an interesting knife, let's see got knives from: US, England,France,Germany,Italy,Finland,Sweden,Switzerland,Argentina,Spain,Russia,China,Japan,Taiwan but NOT Canada aarrghhh!:grumpy:
Click to expand...

Hi Will
I'm pretty sure the good folks at Grohmann would be happy to ship to you. They could use the business after the government gave their military contract for knives to China, without tender. ;-((((

Best regards

Robin

Mods. Oops, I guess this could be a rules violation, if so I'll delete.
 
the knife has won a lot of design awards and has even been displayed in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC , I has used this one for almost 40 years and have always enjoyed its look and balance.
IMG_4795600x401_zps4c4ac4b2.jpg
 
Kisatchie said:
the knife has won a lot of design awards and has even been displayed in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC , I has used this one for almost 40 years and have always enjoyed its look and balance.
IMG_4795600x401_zps4c4ac4b2.jpg
Click to expand...

Is that one an original Grohmann? Really a good looking piece right there!
 
Hello from the East Coast of Canada.

The first picture is of an early 1980’s DH Russell Belt Knife.

The second picture shows several other Grohmann's.

sj2rhbPl.jpg

CXsKS4vl.jpg


Ken K.
 
Robin Fine work on that sheath:thumbup: I may look at the manufacturer's website but actually fancy a used one more.

Ken K Decent array there, really like that Barehead slipjoint.:thumbup:

Regards, Will
 
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