RH Russell Belt Knife

I realized I actually have models 1-4. My 4 started as a regular saber grind, but I had them flat grind it for me. The number 1, I had them place micarta for the slabs years ago, I bought the micarta from a knife supply store. I think you can get them in micarta now. And I just have always liked the look and feel of the 3, just wish I had the sheath with the fold over flap.
 
Velitrius said:
Noooo, no-no-no-no... go in search of a stag handled one to accompany the one you have. Let the hunt begin!
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As a knife maker, I surely don't need any more than I already have or can make myself. Little wife hit the ceiling when I told her about this transaction. "WHAT do you need with another knife you don't have a use for?"...........was the first thing to come out of her mouth. Have to admit, though, I would like to scale it down to a little 3-finger knife size. (maybe about 5" long) I had never seen one in person and in researching and reading about it, realized it's 8 1/2" long. That's a mighty large knife for daily carry. Most of the EDC knives I make and sell are in the 7 1/2" range.

I'll be sure and post some pics when I get it cleaned up............but right now I've got my work bench filled with work. That one will have to go to the back of the line.
 
Chris 54326 said:
cbach8tw, the knife just above the #1............is that the #3?
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There's only one Grohmann in his pics, the #1. The #2 is a smaller version of the #1. For reference, here's a pic (borrowed from the internet) of the Grohmann fixed blades.

From left to right: #'s 4, 3, 2, 1.
d1f2aa17421d1d6265b3c8afb8d71768.jpg


As for length, it's all about for what these knives were designed: Canadian hunter and trapper use. The #1 is the original and the actual "Canadian Belt Knife." It was made to be light enough to carry all the time, but big enough to use with gloves.
JX6sfdD
 
I was just looking at the picture of the DH Russel #1 my friend is gifting me. I noticed it didn't have a "number" designation like so many I've seen.....just DH Russell Belt Knife Canada. Might that give any indication as to it's age?

p4135838090-4.jpg
 
cbach8tw said:
I realized I actually have models 1-4. My 4 started as a regular saber grind, but I had them flat grind it for me. The number 1, I had them place micarta for the slabs years ago, I bought the micarta from a knife supply store. I think you can get them in micarta now. And I just have always liked the look and feel of the 3, just wish I had the sheath with the fold over flap.
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The sheath with the fold over flap is available from Grohmann. Mine has lasted 30+ years (treated with SnowSeal).
 
Thanks. I make sheaths, so not planning on buying one. This sheath looks as if a little saddle soap and a light touch of Neats Foot oil will bring it back to life.
 
Chris 54326 said:
I was just looking at the picture of the DH Russel #1 my friend is gifting me. I noticed it didn't have a "number" designation like so many I've seen.....just DH Russell Belt Knife Canada. Might that give any indication as to it's age?

p4135838090-4.jpg
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Its older for sure, Maybe pre-1967 (looking at photos online),but I don't know when they changed the names and stamps. Interestingly, before they began stamping "stainless" or "carbon" on them, they used a "c" or "s" in a circle to denote the steel. Since yours has neither, I would guess it's from the pre-stainless days. Also, the orginal knives used brass rivets, which later switched to nickle silver, then aluminum, and now back to brass. This indicates yours is from the original run, but I don't know how long that run lasted. Just skimming this page: https://grohmannknives.com/index.php/about/through-the-years it makes me think yours is from that run. Possibly making the handle Brazilian Rosewood and the steel "Swedish Carbon."

The folks at Grohmann are super friendly. I suggest you call or email them. They can probably give you a good idea of the age. I'd say you have the "real" original, original there and it looks unused. It also came from a friend. That's a knife to be cherished and I wouldn't change a thing about it!
 
Thanks for the recommendations. Been thinking the same thing myself. My friend inherited about 6 knives from his Father and this was one of them............so it's kind of special.
 
The one I have in the pics is a #2. The knife above it in the second pic is a bird and trout by maker Thomas O'Neall.
 
C Chris 54326 check out this link: https://bladesandbushlore.com/index.php?topic=10125.0

It contains a lot of info on dating these knives. Have your friend take a picture of the other side of the tang. It should say Rd-1958 if it was made during the 1958-1978 design registration period. But, the lack of a lanyard hole makes me believe yours is really old and, if it doesn't have the the Rd-1958 stamp, it could be a first year 1957, pre-design registration knife. That would be something! Please update the thread as you learn more about this knife.
 
Chris 54326 said:
Thanks. I make sheaths, so not planning on buying one. This sheath looks as if a little saddle soap and a light touch of Neats Foot oil will bring it back to life.
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I generally make my own sheaths, too, but the Grohmann/Russell sheaths are excellent, and I doubt if I could make anything better.
 
jdk1 said:
C Chris 54326 check out this link: https://bladesandbushlore.com/index.php?topic=10125.0

It contains a lot of info on dating these knives. Have your friend take a picture of the other side of the tang. It should say Rd-1958 if it was made during the 1958-1978 design registration period. But, the lack of a lanyard hole makes me believe yours is really old and, if it doesn't have the the Rd-1958 stamp, it could be a first year 1957, pre-design registration knife. That would be something! Please update the thread as you learn more about this knife.
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Thanks for that. Have to leave the computer here in a few minutes but when look into that when I get back. I'll be picking up the knives on Tuesday. So there's no real rush.
 
Just got an email back from my friend. No markings on the back side of the blade. Sent an email with a picture to Grohmann to see what they can tell me about it.
 
Okay, after a couple of emails back and forth, this is what Grohmann's Customer Service had to say about my knife.

Good day

No it would not be the first ones made . There is no way to date all of them but the first ones were marked with the registered date RD 1957 on the blade, for 20 years, so from 57-77 and yours does not have that marking, so would have been made anytime after that. The first ones also had nickel silver rivets and yours appears to be brass.

best regards,
Darlene, Kaleigh, Adrienne and Josh
Customer Service
GROHMANN KNIVES FACTORY & OUTLET STORE
116 Water Street, PO Box 40
Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada B0K 1H0
1-888-756-4837 1-902-485-4224
www.gknives.com

I was hoping it would have been made during that first run in 1957, but I'm not complaining. Looks to be a nice knife, in nice condition and it will be easy to clean up like new.
 
That’s upsetting and a little contradictory to some of Grohmann’s own info and what others have seen but it is what it is! Definitely a good knife with a personal connection. It’s a true classic and handmade by our friends to the North.
 
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