Grohmann Knives

by Douglas
(Terrace, British Columbia)

The Grohmann Russell #3 is another wonderful knife from Grohmann Knives in Nova Scotia, Canada. The #3 was selected back in the 1970s as the jump knife for the Canadian Armed Forces, and they are about as bullet-proof as a knife can get.

My jump knife was my EDC through many years of working in the bush, and survived years of abuse. I pounded on the back of that knife with whatever was handy to cut through everything from fish to plywood. In over twenty years of use, the knife proved itself to be a valuable tool. I am sure that whoever stole it from my vehicle is probably still using it.

I have a wide assortment of knives (including six Grohmanns), and regularly use them. Although my current favorite is a Bark River Bravo, the replacement jump knife is still the one I grab for extended bush trips.

All of the Grohmann knives that I have are wonderful tools. The #1 (the original Russell design) is great, but a bit small in my hand as is the #2. The #4 (Survival knife) is a sweet blade, but a bit bulky. My two Pumas (White Hunter and Bowie) are good, but also not ideal in the woods. The big difference between the #4 and the rest of my knives is that if I lost my Bravo, I probably would not replace it. If I lost my #4, I would be replacing it the next day.

more Grohmann knives . . .

Canadian Belt Knife

by cal
(Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada)

My favorite survival/ bush knife hands down is the Grohman #1, also known as the DH Russel canadian belt knife. The knife was invented in Nova Scotia by DH Russel. His method of invention involved making countless prototypes and giving them out to the trappers, guides, and outfitters, taking their suggestions and in the end he had a somewhat unique looking knife that performed almost any duty exceptionally well.

The design was so far ahead of its time (1954, I believe) that one was put on display in the museum of modern science and can still be seen there.

I've used mine for everything from dressing and quartering moose to cleaning fish and culinary duties and it works amazingly well. It has an elliptical blade about 4" long and an offset handle that fits well in the hand, there is virtually no way to hold this knife that does not seem natural.

What makes the Canadian Belt Knife so good? I can't really put my finger on it, it is simply one of those rare products that somehow possess the ability to far out perform what their specs would suggest on paper. If you were here I would hand you mine and that would answer your question.