Green River Knives - History Comes To Life

[@JunkyardFox]

Outstanding video! I’ve been a fan of green river for years and always champion then on my channel. It’s a shame dexter doesn’t do more to push the historical significance of these blades, to expose more folks to them.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Thank you! I agree, more focused promotion of these knives is needed.

[@wastelandwarrior9738]

You have a great channel by the way. Big fan 😂

[@supernova1976]

There is something special about this knife, I bought a blade stock and made a beautiful olive wood handle with brass pins.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

You are right! I was using mine this weekend doing some food prep and realized how much I was enjoying using it. I bet the olive wood looks great on it! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@wastelandwarrior9738]

I agree something just draws you to the blade so much

[@choirboyzcutleryoutdoors]

Really enjoyed this brother I have one of these and I just happen to be scrolling through KZbin and your video popped up outstanding info!

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@billtravis2369]

Your channel is fun to watch. Keep up the great work 😎

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Thank you, and thanks for watching!

[@longrider42]

I have three Green River knives. I've owned them since the 80's. They are great kitchen knives. I have that camp knife your showing.

[@jeffkoch8678]

This is my favorite light knife. I bought the blade blank and put micarta handle slabs on it. This made it a great kitchen knife. The first one I always reach for.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

It is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Thanks for watching!

[@shawnferguson4982]

Just ordered 2 of these from a restaurant supply company. One for my wall (mountain man display.) One for my belt. Looking forward to putting it through it's paces.

[@guyring8912]

Watched this video and decided to get mine out and honed it's edge. I own 3 of them and plan to buy a few more for my grandsons. Good video.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

What a great idea! The grandsons thing, that is. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@thatsthewayitgoes9]

Excellent information. A great historical and practical video

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Thank you and thanks for watching and commenting too!

[@jimbriggs3065]

Well done mate! I had the GR Hunter when I was a kid. I had forgotten about them until I was potlatched a horn handled one recently. I carry it everyday now, bloody Awesome knife. Cheers!!!

[@Mike-ik7dl]

Great knives I've used them for years even have two my great grandfather used still going today easy to sharpen durable everyone should have at least one

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I couldn't agree more!

[@450Xer]

I very much enjoyed your video. Out of all the knives I have. I have chose this knife for my EDC. I like this knife so much that I have 3 of them. The blade shape reminds me of a ducks head in flight. Thanks for the history lesson.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

It has become one of my favorites too! Thanks for watching!

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Outstanding video! I am a huge fan of the Russel Green River knives and I love the history. I also did a video on them a few years back. New Sub!

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I will check out your channel!

[@frankwallwork2955]

Kudos to you and Junkyard Fox for highlighting these gems. Have bought the blanks of this one and the Dadley (Kephart), turned them into various types of handled knives - always work and last. Great video. Many thanks

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Thank you and thanks for watching and commenting too!

[@thomassmestead9905]

To show how long these knives have been around, I own a butcher manufactured in the 19th Century. Needless to say, I made a heavy, handsome sheath for it and wear it to rendezvous.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

@thomassmestead9905 check out one of my latest videos on a Green River skinner that is probably 19th century. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@phantonymous7644]

I love my greenriver knives

[@phila1714]

Great video! This is by far my favorite knife out of ALL my knives! I've got just about all the green river knives and 3 of these camp knives! It's fun to order the blanks and made your own handles! Thanks

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Thank you! They are great knives, and I love the history that they are a part of.

[@jaredwilson7549]

Great video I’ll definitely be looking for more of your videos.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Thank you! Thanks for watching and commenting too!

[@CarvingSteel]

Enjoyed the little history lesson and the review! Entertaining video as always and thanks for sharing

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Thank you and thanks for watching too!

[@dougdumbrill7234]

My hunting knife for years and years in Wyoming! Has gutted skinned and butchered dozens of big game animals for me! I use pouch style sheath and it works great. The hardest thing our knives do is to cut through the sternum on a deer or antelope. It is amazing how much better a thin but strong, flat bladed knife does this! And they are still a great bargain! 😮

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

@@dougdumbrill7234 It would seem that they knew what they were doing back when this knife was introduced! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@longrider42]

I did some research, and I found two dates for when the Green River Factory opened up. Either 1832 or 1834, this was getting close to the end of the Mountain Man era.

[@ThisOldHelmet]

Great video! I learned a lot.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Thank you, and thanks for watching too!

[@longrider42]

The sheaths the Mountain Men made for these knives is a simple fold over or taco style sheath. I've made a few. Including the one my Green River knife lives in. They are kind of big and builky, but you get used to it after awhile. And may where highly decorated, with bead and quill work.

[@kirbycreekmo]

Excellent review.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Thank you!

[@jelicoe]

Got one from crazy crow. I also have the Dadely; it looks like a Kephart knife. I made the sheathes. They are good knives for cutting things like a knife. That's all I do with my knives so far.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I have to agree with the statement "They are good for cutting things like a knife." While there may be a time and place for it, I generally don't use my knives as a replacement for a hatchet. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@jlam3927]

I still have a Green River nakiri bocho that I purchased near Downtown crossing, Boston in 1998. I've used it as a grill spatula and everything in between. Abused like a rented mule. It is unbelievably still kicking. Had to re-profile the tip a little, polishes up nice and the handle has a tiny crack. This knife is still produced as the Dexter Russell S5197 'Chinese cleaver" (lol). Wonder if it's still as good, thinking about buying one for my daughter.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

@@jlam3927 I'll have to look that one up!

[@mattvanderwalt6220]

I'd really like to see a modernised version of this with a Sanvic stainless. Its such a useful utilitarian shaped blade

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

@mattvanderwalt6220 I couldn't agree more except to suggest American made and perhaps an American stainless steel like 440C. It is, an American design, after all.

[@mattvanderwalt6220]

@@workbenchknifeandtool Fair enough - 440C would be great as well. Nothing against 440C - I remember when it was THE supersteel. I have a similar issue with the Old Hicory knives - I think the designs are awesome and carbon steel has its place - but for everyday (usually food prep) tasks I'd much rather have stainless.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

@mattvanderwalt6220 Yes, but sadly, the newer versions of the Old Hickory knives are made of thinner stock than the originals. Bringing them back made in their original form out of a good stainless steel would likely breathe some life back into the line. They would probably need to keep a carbon steel line as well for those who want that but add a stainless line like Opinel has done with their pocket knives.

[@mattvanderwalt6220]

@@workbenchknifeandtool Think carbon has such a strong enthusiast following it would definitely stay.

[@charlesgore8428]

Great Review blanks with some custom scales would sweet.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Just received a Green River patch knife blank from Track of the Wolf so some custom scales of either curly maple or walnut burl are in the works.

[@canadafree2087]

There is an article in Nov/Dec Backwoodsman magazine of the Fisher/Hunter model. Wonderful that people are still talking about them; I've been using them in my kitchen for over 30 years. Old Hickory seems more popular or at least more known in USA but I didn't like mine and prefer Green River carbon knives which are oddly sold in Canada at salt water marine stores.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

My Green River Fisher/Hunter is getting a lot of use in my kitchen. Odd to sell a carbon steel knife at a salt water marine store! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@highplains7777]

I think a blade of this profile made in CPM-3V, A2, Magnacut, AEB-L or 14C28N of 3/32 inch stock would be excellent and you could probably start another knife craze like they did with Kephart knives a few years ago. People love lore and feeling like they're reliving something.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

You might be on to something!

[@cgarrand78]

Great video on a great knife!When I want to split wood I use an axe,if I'm backwoods camping i use a camp axe which is small enough and light enough to backpack around with you.I never understood splitting wood with a knife.Unless i was in a life or death situation it just seems silly.I keep an axe and a hatchet in my truck all the time so why would I beat on my knife to split wood?

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I agree completely! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@parsleyfarm328]

What is a hilk? 7:13 I tried to search internet but could not find anything.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I was referring to a hilt. This would be the guard between the blade and handle.

[@WoodsmanHobo777]

KTom is the best place to buy green river knives. They have a lot of other great Dexter Russell knives. The 4 1/2" butcher or it may be called the sheath knife. They also have the dadley or kephart style, and 6", 8" 10" butchers and the skinner knives. They also have great boning , I think #1376 and filleting knives. They're all great utility knives.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Their price was right but the shipping a bit steep. If I bought more than one knife at a time it would proba ly work out okay. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@randyblackburn9765]

It’s an easy knife to make , no hand guard simplifies manufacturing, thus more affordable. I wonder what is hardness of Old Hickory vintage knives we used those back in the 1960s with great effect

[@mikem201]

I made my living using Green River knives on fat cattle kill floors decades ago. 5" legging knife, 6" skinner and 2 steels I made out of chain saw files and I can take a cow apart.

[@colinburgess9455]

I have this knife, also a blank I bought brand new of the same blade, from Green River, so if you decide you don’t like the handle you can make your own. I’ve found it to be a good knife but the handle is a little uncomfortable after long periods of use, instead of complaining about it I just bought the blank. I also bought my son a boxed set for a birthday one year, with just about everything anyone could want, all simple down to earth designs, for practical use.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I am looking into some blade blanks as well. Track of the Wolf has a good selection. Now to decide which one to get....

[@davidcooper6704]

Russel knives might have been made since the mid 1800s but the history of that type of knife goes way back further than that. The knives used by the early settlers were basically kitchen/butchery knives brought with them. Thousands of those knives were made in Sheffield and later imported as items for trade. American white history is young compared with that of Europe. I am a big fan of the Green River knife especially for for prep and lighter tasks. It is as good now as it was back in the day.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I couldn't agree more! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@tphvictims5101]

The original had a diamond shape on the blade and it was used for defense. The saying UP THE GREEN RIVER meant push it in up to the diamond mark.

[@highplains7777]

Modern Americans like THICK knives and splitting logs with them, but there are good reasons why mountain men who walked miles per day carried this knife.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

@@highplains7777 I couldn't agree more!

[@FTA4evr]

Green River knives were cheap, utilitarian knives meant to be used. Constant whetting when used daily by, say, buffalo skinners would quickly wear them down to mere slivers and a new knife could then be used at no great cost. Green River, as a brand, could be counted on to be a consistenly reliable tool. Mora knives were similarly used by commercial fisherman who bought them by the case lot for the boat.

[@Revelation1316]

I agree with your views. Once a knife gets too thick it loses its finesse. It stops being a knife. This is what attracted me to this knife. Yet I was shocked the design was that old. I think the lower rockwell will increase its strength. I've never used mine and touched the factory edge up ever so lightly. It is razor-sharp. I cut myself playing with it very easily! Are you sure the handles are rosewood, I was told they are walnut?

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

The desterrussellcutlery.com website under the Product description states "Polished Rosewood handles". Now they don't seem very polished and it is possible they are walnut and the website states that in error. Thanks for watching!

[@Revelation1316]

@@workbenchknifeandtool Thanks for the feedback

[@gobigrey9352]

I like this knife but the handle is a little too short. I frequently find myself having close calls. I wouldn't want to do any hard work with this knife especially in the cold. Not enough handle for my meat mitts to bite on..

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

@gobigrey9352 The handle works for me, but my hands aren't very large. You make a good point.

[@yamahajapan5351]

KaTom shipping gets reasonable if you buy multiple items as the shipping isn’t calculated by the piece

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Good to know, thanks!

[@ROE1300]

👍 Good review of the history of this knife. Of the many interesting points you made one about the term “bushcraft”. This is a made up term that has distorted, IMHO, our view of knives. “Survival” is another example of a similar meaningless term. I would say the Mountain Men, Native Americans, and Homesteaders of the early 19th Century were real life experts on both “bushcraft” and “survival”, if this Green River Knife was their knife of choice (1+ million produced) it should be more than up to any reasonable knife task. Let’s also remember that these real life “bushcrafters” and “survivalists” also carried axes or hatchets and folding pocket knives with each having a specific function. My opinion is that anyone saying this Green River Hunter is not a good camping, hunting, fishing, survival, or kitchen knife needs to seriously rethink their opinion on knives.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I couldn't agree more!!! Thanks for watching and your comment!

[@locksbog4270]

👍😃✌️🇺🇸💪

[@yamahajapan5351]

I believe the knife scales are walnut not rosewood

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

The Russell Green River website states Rosewood but I agree, it looks more like walnut.

[@landonjones676]

Wow. I was seriously looking at purchasing this knife but these are now $75 on crazy crow. No way at that price.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

@landonjones676 you can get it for $26.11 on Amazon. Sheath not included. amzn.to/3zb2R3L

[@landonjones676]

@@workbenchknifeandtool appreciate the reply my brother. Will definitely look it up

[@charlessistrunk3185]

I've used those knives for many years ,they are as good or better than a high dollar knife.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

I couldn't agree more!

[@coryburnett9470]

If they heat treated it to hardness of 57-59 theyd really have something special, idk why theyd make them 55-56 being 1095.

[@andrewhondo]

it 58 buck now with sheath but im sure its worth every bucks

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

Where are you shopping it from? With a sheath that may be about right but still seems high.

[@NightsideOfParadise]

Old school knives are just better. They are made to cut. Reasonably thin, good profile etc.

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

@@NightsideOfParadise I couldn't agree more!

[@JohnSanders-p7o]

Cant really say these are NOT anytype. I be used them for everything

[@TheMNBlackBear]

Green River Hunter is #1 in the GR lineup. It was my first GR kit over thirty years ago. But they're all great. I get my blanks from Track of the Wolf or Jantz Supply and build on them with leather, wood, cellulose acetate, Galalith, paracord and sometimes a mixture of materials. Then it's time to make the sheaths. Buy them, sell them, build them, gift them, but above all--use them! Get a GR Sheath model and make it your EDC knife. Check your local laws before carrying. Fix the factory edge of your GR blade by simply stropping it. Stropping is better than grinding your blade. Learn to strop. Strop often. GR are inexpensive. So you can own a bunch of these knives. Have fun. High carbon steel rules. Steel is real. Batoning? What for? Who does that? Really. Yikes. Welcome, to the Green River Club. In order to be a member, you, must own and operate a GR knife at least once in a while. Doesn't matter which model. Enjoy.

[@JamesSchrader-i7o]

susceptible to rust, I prefer d-2 steel ones

[@workbenchknifeandtool]

@JamesSchrader-i7o ? D2 steel will rust. The chromium in D2 is tied up with the carbides and provides little or no rust protection. Don't get me wrong, I love D2 steel for knives, but not because it is rust resistant, which it is not.

[@JamesSchrader-i7o]

@@workbenchknifeandtool ok thanks

[@JamesSchrader-i7o]

@@workbenchknifeandtool mine have been heat treated, just looked and after 15 years no rust, if you like the knife good for you.