ars longa * 04-017. Russel Wright Highlight/Pinch dinner fork, salad fork, teaspoon, soup spoon, and dinner knife.

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04-017. Russel Wright
Highlight/Pinch dinner fork, salad fork, teaspoon, soup spoon, and dinner knife
John Hull Cutlery
USA, 1953
1 x 1 x 7.25"
Stainless steel
Manufacturer's mark and facsimile signature

As I mentioned earlier, I'm in the process of building a set of Russel Wright Pinch flatware. Since I never find any in the thrift stores, I often purchase pieces in online auctions.

This basic place setting, consisting of a dinner knife, dinner fork, tablespoon, salad fork, & teaspoon, was no exception. This is the first Wright butter knife in my collection, and it certainly is interesting. In my opinion, it is a great aesthetic shape, but not particularly ergonomic. The curve of the handle is hard for me to hold, and unlike the other pieces in the line—which I find to be well-balanced and nicely proportioned, I find the dinner knife to be somewhat unwieldy. The shape is beautiful, though, and I can very much appreciate its design.

Anyhow, I can see why the dinner knives were unpopular in their day, but it certainly is a welcome addition to my silverware drawer.

Found on May 10, 2004 in an online auction.

Char Stoops said: Were you able to put together a set? Where can one purchase flatware? I have been unable to find much information on the flatware. How many patterns were there?
12.20.07

Scott said: I'm still working on building my set of Pinch cutlery, Char. Vintage Russel Wright flatware can be hard to find, but your best bet is probably eBay. Pieces pop up from time to time, but you'll have to be patient and willing to shell out a nice chunk of change for it. Wright designed three lines for Hull: Pinch (as shown here), Threads, and Lily. Pinch is probably the most common, as well as the most popular. There is also at least one line of cutlery he did early in his career. It featured mother of pearl handles and was distributed through his Russel Wright Accessories showroom in New York. There was also a line of sterling silver he designed early in his career that never made it to production until the Metropolitan Museum introduced it in the late 1990s. Good luck!
12.20.07WEBSITE

Ethan Rollrson said: I am so envious that you have been able to find so much many works by what is without a doubt one of if not the best American designers. I too am a fan of Russel and Mary Wright. I have found several pieces of furniture, luggage as well as china from this ever-so popular "godfather" of mid-century design. Good hunting!
1.18.08

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