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66 Dexter-Russell In fact, the Barlow became so popular that a Kentucky reporter, Allan M. Trout from the Louisville Courier-Journal, created the Barlow Bearcats, an exclusive club for owners of the famous knife. Potential members were carefully vetted before being admitted, demonstrating the seriousness of these knife owners. Many of these owners used their knives extensively and after several years these products required repairs. Trout searched the country for a manufacturer that could do the job properly. When he found Russell-Harrington, he wrote to Joseph Gallery, president at the time, and asked if the company would accept broken Barlows. Gallery agreed, provided the requests were not too numerous. After the merger, Russell-Harrington became well-known for the Dexter Skinner, a six-inch blade with steel thumb rest stamped "Dexter Knives." e blade bore the words "Dexter/Southbridge, Mass." Its rosewood handle was fastened with two brass cutlery rivets and stamped "357 GR Dexter." Years later, Russell-Harrington produced another version with a "Sani-Safe" white plastic handle for use in the meat packing plants. e Russell Green River Skinners were unusual in that they had corded handles, i.e., cord was wound around the handle to ensure a firmer grip. ese knives were reportedly used in slaughterhouses where blood from the animals made hands slippery. e cord wrapping provided a better grip. e line of skinning knives also included the "Hudson Bay," stamped with "Abercrombie & Fitch Co." (1900-1977), made with scored ebony handle and a 5-inch blade and priced at 75 cents. Another skinner, "Rocky Mountain," was used by expert trappers and hunters to skin heavy hides and sold for $3.50. e "Chasseur" skinning knife, intended for general skinning and butchery, was constructed of the best steel and had a scored ebony handle and 5-inch blade; it sold for 50 cents. e "A & F" special hunting knife was a practical, all-around knife for general use with a solid ebony handle and snug-fitting sheath. e 4-1/2 inch blade sold for $2.00; the 6-inch blade cost $2.25. MANUFACTURING In time, Russell-Harrington's product line evolved to meet market demands. New lines included Connoisseur finest-quality knives for executive chefs, and V-Lo, which combines the best of over-molding and polypropylene with multiple shapes and materials for the processing market. Today, Dexter-Russell manufactures more than 2,500 items and types of cutlery in a wide variety of styles and materials. Using a proprietary stainless steel, high-carbon steel blades and handles made with wood, molded polymer and high-impact polypropylene, each product represents the highest quality for the professional user.