J Russell Green River Works 2pc Carving Set Integral Bolsters Gutta Percha Handles 1880s-1900

J Russell Green River Works 2 pc carving set made with hand forged after drop forged integrally bolstered hand ground carbon steel and gutta percha hard rubber handles. The etched Russell diamond indicates the earliest date of manufactureis 1880 but it could be later as well. 

Blade had a slightly irregular edge from bad sharpening which has been corrected and lightly thinned, there still are some grinder marks but nothing distracting. 

Fork tines are nice and straight and guard works properly. A handsome set here. 

Gutta percha a crystallized latex made from the latex of the Palaqiuim gutta tree native to the Malay archipelago had been used for centuries for knife handles among other uses was ‘discovered’ by Europeans in the early 19th century and became very popular as a moldable durable material. It revolutionized communications in being the first material to successfully insulate underwater telegraph cables in the 1850’s. It’s properties as a electrical insulating material led to over harvesting. Gutta percha was used into the 20th century and still has a few uses but was quickly replaced by synthetic plastics like bakelite.

Knife has 8.5" cutting edge, 14.5" overall and fork is 10.5" overall 7.7 oz together