Hen & Rooster carbon steel knives?

John G

John G

Joined
Jul 4, 2008
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I've been looking online at Hen & Rooster knives, particularly the carbon steel whittler line. They look pretty good, but how do they perform? My experience with traditionals is mostly with Case knives.


Thanks for your input! :)
 
Funny you should ask...

I just got through sharpening a brand new Hen & Rooster stockman sowbelly. Other than the fact that it was VERY dull...I mean all three blades were dull...it is a nice knife. The only thing is, mine has the celluloid scales. It's a good looking knife, I'll just have to remember to keep it separated from the rest of the collection.

Performance wise...I don't know yet.

I finally have a sharp working edge on all three blades so with that being said...it is immediately going in for pocket duty. I got it for a very reasonable price, so I figured I would go ahead and grab it.

German made in Solingen, and it seems to be very well made. I won't compare it to a GEC but then I didn't pay that much for it either.
 
Well, I'm not afraid to put in a little work. I can sharpen a blade to my satisfaction, so it looks like I'll be giving H&R a chance. Thanks for the info, Johnny Numbers!:)
 
Before GEC showed, H&R, along with Fight'n Rooster, Eye and Bulldog were the top of the line - I found the springs a little soppy, otherwise they are really well made


(post# 666 :D)
 
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John...I own several H&Rs and they are just like most other companies, "you get what you pay for." The 153DS humpback whittler is one of my favorites. Fit and finish is outstanding.
 
basser5 said:
John...I own several H&Rs and they are just like most other companies, "you get what you pay for." The 153DS humpback whittler is one of my favorites. Fit and finish is outstanding.
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I totally agree.

My knife wasn't sharp but it's made well, and the F&F was definitely on cue. If I didn't know how to sharpen a knife, it may have been a different story but at least now it will cut...and quite well at that.

I'm happy with it and it's in my pocket right now, so no complaints. I'll probably end up getting another one in either bone or stag scales...or both. :D
 
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A knife thread should have pics!!

Here's a couple of my H&R...

IMG_0315.jpg

IMG_0318.jpg
 
I have one like that, only with a coping blade instead of the small clip, and natural stag. it's a nice little knife. The coping blade is a tad thick, but all three blades take a great edge and it's a very comfortable knife to carry.
 
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I have a H&R sowbelly with stag scales and stainless blades. Main blade walk and talk is just fine, but the smaller blades don't index well and the spring is anemic. I like the stag and have no complaints about fit and finish of the scales and bolsters. The knife looks good and the stag and nickel silver bolsters are aging very well.

OK quality, IMHO, not great.

I will probably go Case Classics (carbon) in MOP or stag next time...

Mark
 
Johnny Numbers said:
Funny you should ask...

The only thing is, mine has the celluloid scales. It's a good looking knife, I'll just have to remember to keep it separated from the rest of the collection...
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It's early here and I'm showing my ignorance, but why would you have to keep a knife with celluloid scales separated?
Dale
 
rafterp said:
It's early here and I'm showing my ignorance, but why would you have to keep a knife with celluloid scales separated?
Dale
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The old time celluloid (not the modern "acrylic" imitations) had a tendency to "off-gas" during decomposition of the scales. This resulted in the oxidation of the blades and springs and oftentimes the same would happen to knives which were stored in proximity to the offender. For this reason many folks stored those knives separately to avoid potential calamities.
 
Blues said:
The old time celluloid (not the modern "acrylic" imitations) had a tendency to "off-gas" during decomposition of the scales. This resulted in the oxidation of the blades and springs and oftentimes the same would happen to knives which were stored in proximity to the offender. For this reason many folks stored those knives separately to avoid potential calamities.
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Wow, that is really good to know, thanks Elliot.
 
rafterp said:
It's early here and I'm showing my ignorance, but why would you have to keep a knife with celluloid scales separated?
Dale
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Blues said:
The old time celluloid (not the modern "acrylic" imitations) had a tendency to "off-gas" during decomposition of the scales. This resulted in the oxidation of the blades and springs and oftentimes the same would happen to knives which were stored in proximity to the offender. For this reason many folks stored those knives separately to avoid potential calamities.
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On that subject, here's an interesting (& scary) detailed article about the stuff:

http://www.oregonknifeclub.org/celluloid_02.html
 
Thanks for that David, "mother of toilet seat", haha :)

That is some crazy decomposition and a great read, thanks.
 
richstag said:
Thanks for that David, "mother of toilet seat", haha :)

That is some crazy decomposition and a great read, thanks.
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Really opened my eyes, too.

I'd read a post from someone a while back, referring to how he hated the 'MOTS' scales on one of his knives. At the time, I had no idea what that meant. Now I think I know what he was referring to. :D
 
I carry a H&R stockman, 273DS. Nice, thick stag. Strong springs, but not nail breakers. Good F&F. Not sure if it's 1095 or 1075 but it holds an edge about as well as my carbon Bokers. It's been my EDC for close to a year, now.

Frank
 
There was a thread recently on the subject of celluloid that was informative and IIRC...there was a link to that article as well. That thread is where I learned about the possible decomposition of celluloid hence my statement about segregating my knife from the rest of the herd.

When I happened upon that thread...I had already ordered my celluloid scaled H&R and it had already shipped. If had known then, what I know now...I doubt I would've bought it.

However, as it is now...I like the knife, I'm just going to have to be careful how I store it since I have been edumacated, LOL.
 
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