Hen and Rooster

Gramps · Dec 21, 2005

What can anyone tell me about the current "crop" of Hen and Rooster slippies coming out of Solingen ? I am aware that they are a far cry form the A.G. Russell "H&R's" manufactured up until the '80's. Am I correct in assuming that they are "Kissing Crane" (or is it Boker) German made contract knives manufactutred for Frost who now owns the "H&R" trade name ? Their stainless can't be any worse than Case "Tru-Sharp".....can it ? I don't mean that as an insult to Case. I have found Case's surgical stainless to be serviceable. "Any who".......does anyone have an evaluation as to their fit and finish....steel....edge holding ability...I know we aren't talking Safe Queens here. Just an inquiring mind at work looking for your thoughts.

-Best regards to all

jackknife · Dec 21, 2005

I don't know who makes them but save your money.

I had one of the Bertram brothers knives, bought it about 30 years ago. It took me a couple of decades to start wearing it out. I wanted a new one so I bit on the Hen and Roosters made today. I bought a stockman just like the one I had. It was finished off real nice, but working with it there was just no comparison. It was just an okay knife, nothing like my original Bertram. Save your money and buy a Case.

Knife Outlet · Dec 21, 2005

The German knife industry has had a pretty tough time competing with the Asian manufacturers for U.S. market share. So has the U.S. knife industry for that matter. We sold more Chinese made Schrades this Christmas season than we sold American made Schrades since the turn of the millenium. No kidding. It truly astounded me and saddened me.

I've seen a decline in quality as the German makers try to reduce cost by speeding up production. Boker has been plagued with returns for poor quality this year.

Having said that, I think the H&R knives can be good or bad depending on the individual knife. I have a small pearl congress from the late 90's that has nice fit and finish but a back spring so strong I often break nails trying to open it. I have the same knife in stag from last year's production and it is really pretty satisfactory but the fit and finish aren't as nice. The steel is typical of the stainless coming out of Solingen and comparable to the Case stainless. It is similar to 420, at any rate. We get very few returns with H&R products.

I've done pretty well with the Schlieper German Eye knives and the Buck Creek that have carbon steel blades. The German Eye all have carbon steel blades. Even the Bokers with carbon steel blades are nice if you can find one that came out of the factory with good fit and finish. The 135th anniversary series is affordable and worth every penny of the price. I have some carbon steel Bokers that I really do love and that perform very nicely. I've seen several that didn't pass muster.

You can get some excellent traditional folders from Germany. But you can get some dogs as well.

Gramps · Dec 21, 2005

Thanks for your take on current Hen and Rooster's.

Knife Outlet said:
The German knife industry has had a pretty tough time competing with the Asian manufacturers for U.S. market share. So has the U.S. knife industry for that matter. We sold more Chinese made Schrades this Christmas season than we sold American made Schrades since the turn of the millenium. No kidding. It truly astounded me and saddened me..

....I too find this astounding. Aside from our dismay, the Taylor's and Frost's and now even Mr. Glesser of Spyderco with his "Byrd" line seem to be able to accurately predict what the public will buy, what they are willing to pay....and what they are willing to settle for.

-Regards

Durwood · Dec 21, 2005

I'm relatively new to the knife collecting world as compared to many (about 7 years), but I've studied a lot

I got my start on German made slipjoints because it was pointed out to me how superior they were to recently made Case knives. That superiority is declining rapidly from the recent German made knives I've seen:thumbdn: Attend a knife show and you'll still find a bunch of the good German made stuff at very reasonable prices...for now

Phil in Alabama · Dec 21, 2005

I have a pretty nice Hen and Rooster red bone 5-1/4'' folding hunter. I'd put the finish quality up with the very best Case knives, everything polished very well, no tool marks or wavy places, no uneven grind, smooth operation, and perfectly fitted bone. It's obviously made by Boker, as the frame profile is identical to a Boker 2020 hunter. Considerably better quality than sub $50 knives that I own. I'd also have to say about on par with the few Schatt & Morgans that I own.

Gramps · Dec 22, 2005

Phil in Alabama said:
I have a pretty nice Hen and Rooster red bone 5-1/4'' folding hunter. I'd put the finish quality up with the very best Case knives, everything polished very well, no tool marks or wavy places, no uneven grind, smooth operation, and perfectly fitted bone. It's obviously made by Boker, as the frame profile is identical to a Boker 2020 hunter. Considerably better quality than sub $50 knives that I own. I'd also have to say about on par with the few Schatt & Morgans that I own.

Thanks Phil.....good to hear of your endorsement.

-Regards

Kukri4302 · Dec 22, 2005

Gramps,
Eye Brand & OLDER Kissing Cranes are still good deals,go to Gun Shows & you can still find them if you take the time to look!
Jim Clifton