Hen & Rooster Knives Pre 1984

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First I really do not know if this forum category is the correct one. If I am in the wrong one please advise.
I have access to a large collection of Hen & Rooster pocket knives, but I do not have much knowledge about them. Where can I go to learn more about them. For example some have Gutmann, Vos Cut Co, or C. Bertram stamped on the tangs above the GERMANY stamp. I assume these are either different manufactures or locations of the factories.
Thanks for your help,
Mike
 
Sorry, that I`m not very helpful regarding your question.
The only things I know is, Hen + Rooster was found in 1864 and the trade mark was sold several times!
There are other members that know a lot more about and could be of better help!

BTW I`d be interested in some of the older folders if you wanna part with them, just drop me a mail! ;) :D
 
Check with AG Russell. He used to own Hen & Rooster and he posts on this site. He also has a subforum over on the other knifeforum.
 
Wolfgang said:
Sorry, that I`m not very helpful regarding your question.
The only things I know is, Hen + Rooster was found in 1864 and the trade mark was sold several times!
There are other members that know a lot more about and could be of better help!

BTW I`d be interested in some of the older folders if you wanna part with them, just drop me a mail! ;) :D
Click to expand...

Not several just twice, to me in 1975 and taken by the state and sold to Jim Frost in 1980. The quality of the knives changed after the last transfer, but, the knives are fairly priced and good values for the money. There are no finer knives anywhere than those made by Bertram from 1864 to the summer of 1980

Those older knives appear from time to time on http://cuttingedge.com
 
You might want to post this over in Bernard Levine's subforum here on BF. Lot of knowledgable people post over there, but they'll want pictures.

Levine also does paid appraisals.
 
Thank you for your replies. I will look into the other forum. I will be selling some of them once I get a good feel for what I have.
Thanks,
Mike
 
You "have access to a large collection of Hen & Rooster"? Does that mean you are thinking about buying them or you have already bought them? Either way, it sounds like you may have found some treasure there. :D
 
The ones marked C Bertram are probably the earliest models, pre 1975, maybe a lot earlier. The ones marked with names such as Gutmann or Voss are contract knives, made for other retailers or importers. These are from the 1960s and 70s. Bertram Cutlery stamps are from the mid 80s up.
 
C Bertram Sohn was the original company mark. C Bertram Son or Sons is the Mark used by Jim Frost after 1980. Voss was a mark used by an American importer before WWII, Gutmann began in the 1950s. Carter, Mudd and a few others in the 1960s. A. G. Russell in 1975. C. Bertram was used between 1975-1980
 
i have a 3 inch, nickel/silver handled H & R lobster knife (2 pen blades and scissors) with C. BERTRAM/GERMANY on tang of main blade and an R stamped on smaller blade and scissor tangs. does "R" stand for Russell ? (as C. BERTRAM is '75 to '81) . roland
 
rprocter said:
i have a 3 inch, nickel/silver handled H & R lobster knife (2 pen blades and scissors) with C. BERTRAM/GERMANY on tang of main blade and an R stamped on smaller blade and scissor tangs. does "R" stand for Russell ? (as C. BERTRAM is '75 to '81) . roland
Click to expand...

Not 1981 just until July 1980

the r stands for stainless
 
thank you Mr. Russell. "stainless" is stamped on the tang of the main blade under the H & R logo and the "R" on the scissors and small blade is a capital "R". was it common to have both English (stainless) and German (R = rostfrei) on the same knife ? this knife was purchased for $43 on ebay. the fact that there was v. little bidding makes me wonder if others know something i don't. hence i have been suspicious that this knife may not be the real "McCoy".
 
Not meant to hijack, only adding to the history, and looking for a little information. I have this 2 3/4" Hen & Rooster knife...

6gd1477.jpg



...it has NO wording or typeface that I can find anywhere on, or in, the knife. It does have the Hen and Rooster pictured on the larger blade, as well as on the nail file, on the same side...so, I guess that's the mark side. :) It does have a milled center liner...both top and back. Alas, it has a small chunk of pearl missing at the pile side pivot...:( ...but it is a pretty little knife, IMO.

Any idea and/or information would be much appreciated.

Bill
 
I need to see the mark. I suspect that it is the older mark used in the 1800s and that the knife was made for the european trade or before 1890.
 
Thank you so much for the response Mr. Russell.

This is not my strong suit, and I don't have a flatbed scanner, but I hope you can see the mark.....

4kuv0ci.jpg



Thank you again for any help.

Bill
 
Indeed your knife was made between 1864 and 1915. A pretty safe b3et that it was before 1890. Small enough to carry every day. DO NOT polish the blades.
 
Thank you sir!

I've only used a little RustFree on it.....but then, I believe you know about that product. :D

It's a shame it is damaged on the pile side...

4r97jtk.jpg


...it hurts to even post that picture.:o

But it is a fine old knife.

Thank you again for your time.

Bill
 
i too, thank you Mr. Russell, for taking the time to help me and others by sharing the knife knowledge which you have accumulated over the years. it's a bit like online mentoring; setting a standard of knowledge in the field of knives that inspires others to learn more. roland
 
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