A kind of recycling: A Groten /Hartkopf knife from Solingen

[Dirk D]

Here I want to show you a very special kind of recycling, which you might not know, especially because it´s from Solingen, Germany:

It´s a kind of marriage between a blade made by the company of Ludwig Groten/ Solingen and a handle made by Friedr. Hartkopf/ Solingen, which also assembled the knife. L. Groten was a company founded in the early 20th century, ended the production of L. Groten marked blades in 1980 and closed the company finally in the first decade of this century.
The Hartkopf company was able to get a few of the old blades and made knives by using those blades. Don´t know how old those blades are, but they are impressive: handgrind full flat grind with an impressive thin blade behind the edge. To be honest, they seem to be ground nearly to a zero edge. Never had such a fine blade on my folders, only on my japanese kitchen knives. Steel is carbon steel, don´t know which, but I think it´s C75, which is the most used carbon steel in Solingen knives.
BTW.: the swedge is called "Schor" in Solingen and it was a personal sign of every person, who ground the blade. So everyone has it´s own style of swedge to identify his work.
Hope, you like the showing

 

[abbydaddy]

I'd never heard of these, but you description makes me want on

That is a cool and unusual knife with a good story. I especially appreciate the schor story.

 

[LastRodeo]

I like the blade and handle shape. Thanks for posting.

 

[5K Qs]

Thanks for posting the information and photos, Dirk!
That knife is very appealing and sounds like it has an impressive grind on the blade.
Frohes Neues Jahr!!

- GT

 

[Mitt]

That's a good looking knife. A lot of great knives come from Solingen, the best stockman I have ever owned came from there.

 

[Dirk D]

I'd never heard of these, but you description makes me want on

That is a cool and unusual knife with a good story. I especially appreciate the schor story.

Thanks, there is a store in germany which sell those, but due to the fact, that he´s not a member here, I can´t post a link

Thanks for posting the information and photos, Dirk!
That knife is very appealing and sounds like it has an impressive grind on the blade.
Frohes Neues Jahr!!

- GT

Auch dir ein Frohes neues Jahr! And the grind is really impressive and it bites awfull

That's a good looking knife. A lot of great knives come from Solingen, the best stockman I have ever owned came from there.

Yes, several brands order knives from Solingen and sell them under their names and several Solingen manufactures offer such a service. Often People dont´t know, they have a German knife in their hands with an American name on it. But unfortunately the general quality of Solingen knives is not the same that it was before. Since the 1980s its is lowering more and more

 

[JTB_5]

For some reason I cannot see the photos.

 

[Mitt]

Yes, several brands order knives from Solingen and sell them under their names and several Solingen manufactures offer such a service. Often People dont´t know, they have a German knife in their hands with an American name on it. But unfortunately the general quality of Solingen knives is not the same that it was before. Since the 1980s its is lowering more and more

My stockman is a Red Stag from the late 80's, its marked Solingen all over even the shield. No mistaking where it was from. I wish I had another but they don't seem to show up too often.

 

[Dirk D]

My stockman is a Red Stag from the late 80's, its marked Solingen all over even the shield. No mistaking where it was from. I wish I had another but they don't seem to show up too often.

Sometimes they print it proud and loud, sometimes not. My A.G. Russell for example, which I posted today in the "totin´ "- thread is made by Boker in Solingen and only a small mark on the tang refers it to Solingen. Which is the brand of your Red Stag?

 

[Humppa]

You are correct, Jack. The history of Groten and Hartkopf had some interessting connections. As well as to DOVO in the mid 20th century.

The steel that is used on that one is propably acutally C75. A very good steel - if the HT is well done. Otter and even Böker uses it in these days.

I´ve had a Groten Copperhead pattern several years ago. But I gave to a fellow forum member here.

 

[Mitt]

Sometimes they print it proud and loud, sometimes not. My A.G. Russell for example, which I posted today in the "toti n´ "- thread is made by Boker in Solingen and only a small mark on the stang refers it to Solingen. Which is the brand of your Red Stag?

Red Stag is the brand. The only markings on the blades are Red Stag Solingen and one marking of Goodwin Chattanooga. The knives were imported by Goodwin. That's about all I know about the knife. Haven't found any information about Red Stag as a company and I don't think they are around anymore and as far as I know the name and logo haven't been used since the late 80's or early 90's.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Beautiful knife, would certainly not hate to own one.

 

[Dirk D]

You are correct, Jack. The history of Groten and Hartkopf had some interessting connections. As well as to DOVO in the mid 20th century.

The steel that is used on that one is propably acutally C75. A very good steel - if the HT is well done. Otter and even Böker uses it in these days.

I´ve had a Groten Copperhead pattern several years ago. But I gave to a fellow forum member here.

´
You´re right, diggin into the history of knifemakers of Solingen is an interesting, but endless thing.
BTW: DOVO was connected to Hartkopf & Co, the company of Erich Hartkopf. They even used the same Brand Mark,the "Deubelskerle" (two devil´s heads) for some time. Do not mix it up with the company Friedr. Hartkopf. These are two different companies.

 

[Dirk D]

Red Stag is the brand. The only markings on the blades are Red Stag Solingen and one marking of Goodwin Chattanooga. The knives were imported by Goodwin. That's about all I know about the knife. Haven't found any information about Red Stag as a company and I don't think they are around anymore and as far as I know the name and logo haven't been used since the late 80's or early 90's.

Sorry, can´t help with it, don´t know the brand

 

[Ernie1980]

That is a nice looking knife! I like the color and grain of those covers

 

[sitflyer]

You are correct, Jack. The history of Groten and Hartkopf had some interessting connections. As well as to DOVO in the mid 20th century.

The steel that is used on that one is propably acutally C75. A very good steel - if the HT is well done. Otter and even Böker uses it in these days.

I´ve had a Groten Copperhead pattern several years ago. But I gave to a fellow forum member here.

That Ludwig Groten Copperhead has a great blade grind, and it cuts like a dream, takes a really keen edge and holds it well. It just got a little cleaning and some oil

D Dirk D , very nice knife you have shown, good to hear that some folks will be able to enjoy those Hartkopf build outs using those old L. Groten blades. If they are anything like the blade in my Copperhead, those knifes should be really good performers. I like the looks of your knife, and thanks for sharing it here with us.

 

[meako]

The scales look similar to Puma i have which are Jacaranda wood.

 

[Dirk D]

I´ve had a Groten Copperhead pattern several years ago. But I gave to a fellow forum member here.

That Ludwig Groten Copperhead has a great blade grind, and it cuts like a dream, takes a really keen edge and holds it well. It just got a little cleaning and some oil
D Dirk D , very nice knife you have shown, good to hear that some folks will be able to enjoy those Hartkopf build outs using those old L. Groten blades. If they are anything like the blade in my Copperhead, those knifes should be really good performers. I like the looks of your knife, and thanks for sharing it here with us.

If this copperhead is only slightly similar to mine, it is a great slicer.
Btw: the copperhead pattern has also a German name, used for nearly 100 years. It´s called "Hahnekopp" means roosters head refering to the bolster, which slightly looks similar to a head of a rooster seen from the side

That is a nice looking knife! I like the color and grain of those covers

The scales look similar to Puma i have which are Jacaranda wood.

Yes. it´s a wonderfull wood on the covers, but sadly I don´t know, what it is

 

[sitflyer]

If this copperhead is only slightly similar to mine, it is a great slicer.
Btw: the copperhead pattern has also a German name, used for nearly 100 years. It´s called "Hahnekopp" means roosters head refering to the bolster, which slightly looks similar to a head of a rooster seen from the side





Yes. it´s a wonderfull wood on the covers, but sadly I don´t know, what it is

Looking at your blade, it is very similar in the grind and how the swedge is, but a little less pointy, but a nice thin grind all the way to the spine. It glides through cardboard.

I like that C75 steel a lot.

 

[Dirk D]

Looking at your blade, it is very similar in the grind and how the swedge is, but a little less pointy, but a nice thin grind all the way to the spine. It glides through cardboard.

I like that C75 steel a lot.

It seems, in those old times the peoples skills are much higher, even though they don´t have those modern machines to help them doing proper work. But I´ve to admit, this is one of a few knives, I was able to choose from and it is the best ground one. There were others with total uneven grind and even a bend one, so you also have a big range of quality in those old blades