Bertram Hen and Rooster knives.

DavidZ

DavidZ

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Oct 30, 2004
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As an older guy who always had a slippie in his pocket from the time I was about 9 or 10 years old, I have learned over the years to appreciated a good traditional knife. This appreciation, as it has for many of you, turned into a quest either for something better or just different. Sort of a lifelong quest! :) Anyway, I have always wondered about the quality and styles that I read about in the old Bertram years of the Hen and Rooster companies knives. I always loved reading about what A.G. Russell had to say about the knives. It was always on my bucket list to satisfy my curiosity. Well not to wonder anymore! I have a few on the way. :D I will let you know what I think with pictures when I get them. Anyone else have any?
 
I've been intrigued by the older H&R knives myself. I look forward to yours and others comments on them.:thumbup:
 
I only have one, and I'm not sure of the vintage, although it does say Bertram on the bladestamp. It's one of the nicest knives I've seen in terms of fit & finish.
 
I have a Bertram that I just adore. Its very well made and unusual with the green bone.

Here is a pic to wet your whistle until yours arrives.

6422472695_b60058c39c_b.jpg


She is very photogenic so.... a close up shot

6422523237_25de853642_z.jpg
 
I've got an old Bertram I picked up about 30 years ago, or maybe a little more.

It's true.

They were the finest factory pocket knife you could get. Fit and finish were first rate, and opening and closing the blades they feel like greased ball bearings it's so smooth. The stag was excellent, and over the years has mellowed into a very buttery golden yellow with a dark brown coco color of the bark. But what I really love is how thin the blades were, and they take and hold a very scary razor sharp edge.

Short of going with one of Kerry's or other custom maker, I don't think you will see better pocket knives anywhere.

Yes, I have a very high opinion of old Bertram knives.

Carl.
 
Gevonovich - Thanks for the pictures - Nice knife!

I had to go to work this morning, and when I got home, the FedEx guy left a note on the door! :eek: Oh no! I missed the delivery. :grumpy: If I had know it was coming today via FedEx, I would have been sitting on the porch waiting. I called the phone number to arrange for an alternative pick up, I find out that because it is FedEx home delivery, and that they do not work on Monday, so now I have to wait until Tuesday after work to pick it up. :mad:

Thanks all for the positive words!
 
I have a 3 1/8" Stockman in red picked bone in Carbon
The carbon is dangerously sharp
It has the longest of blade for its size and the blades are almost as long as my Case 3 5/8"


Missed a 1/2 Congress in Stag
 
neeman said:
I have a 3 1/8" Stockman in red picked bone in Carbon
The carbon is dangerously sharp
It has the longest of blade for its size and the blades are almost as long as my Case 3 5/8"


Missed a 1/2 Congress in Stag
Click to expand...


neeman -
Do you have any pictures??
 
Carl -
Can you post a picture?


jackknife said:
I've got an old Bertram I picked up about 30 years ago, or maybe a little more.

It's true.

They were the finest factory pocket knife you could get. Fit and finish were first rate, and opening and closing the blades they feel like greased ball bearings it's so smooth. The stag was excellent, and over the years has mellowed into a very buttery golden yellow with a dark brown coco color of the bark. But what I really love is how thin the blades were, and they take and hold a very scary razor sharp edge.

Short of going with one of Kerry's or other custom maker, I don't think you will see better pocket knives anywhere.

Yes, I have a very high opinion of old Bertram knives.

Carl.
Click to expand...
 
I've been looking around for a nice Congress, and that H&R is awesome! Oh my bank balance... ;)
 
I bought this one new in November 1979 and sold it a couple of years ago. What struck me was that it was finished on ALL surfaces and had a very smooth action. One of the finest knives I've ever handled... but that is not saying much on a board like this one... anyway, it was a very nicely made knife.

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mtds said:
I bought this one new in November 1979 and sold it a couple of years ago. What struck me was that it was finished on ALL surfaces and had a very smooth action. One of the finest knives I've ever handled... but that is not saying much on a board like this one... anyway, it was a very nicely made knife.

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Click to expand...

Wow this is sweet! - I cannot wait to see the ones that I bought.
 
How could I not have noticed Hen and Rooster before? I just looked at their web site and now I want a couple. This thread is going to cost me some money at some point . . .
 
I wanted to add, that the knives that I have coming next week are from 1976, when A.G. Russell owned the company. That was the 111th anniversary of the company. It is funny, or ironic, that at that time, as a young man I was searching for a good slippie. Actually going to the hardware stores that carried certain brands, making the clerk go through their inventory to find a "good one". I guess that I was obsessed back then as well. ;) None of those really satisfied me, but it was all that I had access to at that time. I did not hear of that brand back then, or if I did, they may have been too costly, or were just not on my knife radar. It is funny how after about 35 years I will finally decide to get some. The set that I bought are still sealed and unopened from the factory. I am really looking forward to seeing these knives.
 
Gevonovich said:
I have a Bertram that I just adore. Its very well made and unusual with the green bone.

Here is a pic to wet your whistle until yours arrives.

6422472695_b60058c39c_b.jpg


She is very photogenic so.... a close up shot

6422523237_25de853642_z.jpg
Click to expand...

Sorry, Gevon,

This is a Jim Frost H&R, made by Boker, Kissing Krane or in Spain. The inlay, bone color, etc. etc. compare to the stag handled knife later in the thread.
 
Mr. Russell - Thank you for posting on this thread. We would love to hear more about the company and the knives they made when you owned the company! I bet you can guess who I bought these knives from. ;)
 
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