Hens and Roosters

wolfeknives

wolfeknives

Joined
Jan 2, 2006
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Though I make lockback folders, I have always loved slipjoints. Over the past 30 years I have picked up more than I remembered. A few weeks ago I finally dug out my accumulation to display and enjoy them. Most are fairly standard knives, some old some newer. I picked up this Hen and Rooster set (at least I think it is a set) about 25 years ago. The fit and finish is exceptional, as is the ivory, pearl and stag. All knives are marked with the same number on the bolster.
I have not been able to find out much about the set, but think it was a A.G. Russell special edition. It would be nice to find out more about it.
One of my sons would like to have a couple of these as using knives, but I expect it would be better to keep them together as a set.

Wolfe





 
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My goodness! I'm no expert but I believe you've got a real treasure there. I suggest shooting A.G. Russell a PM or email before you proceed.
 
What a great collection. And a purely rare animal in general. All of them in excellent condition.

I´m just curious about that A. G. Russell ... IIRC Hen & Rooster were made by Bertram, Solingen. And nowaday there is even this brand, but they seemed to made by Robert Klaas, Solingen (for example http://www.robert-klaas.de/hen-rooster-bertram.html )
But I´m not the expert on Bertram Knives - so I think they could also be made by A. G. Russell or even made by Bertram itself, due to its age. You could ask at Robert Klaas as well for further information about the Bertram Knives from the former days.
 
If I'm not mistaken, A.G. Russell's ownership of Hen & Rooster was in full swing in 1976. I'll bet he knows all there is to know about this set.
 
Thanks for clarification, Rick.

This was just my .02 Cents about its eventual origin - or a wrong translation of myself. Sorry for my excurse... Wolfe is collection knives for decades, so he must have known about these great knives.
 
No worries, Andi. My second post was only to clarify that the reason I suggested contacting A.G. is because he owned the company when the set was made. That is, assuming it was made in 1976.
 
Here's some info AG posted on another forum back in 2012:
A. G. Russell
"111 indicates that it is a knife from one of the three hundred sets celebrating the 111th anniversary of the Bertram company and the Hen & Rooster Trademark. These sets sold for about $300 and had ten knives handled in Ivory, Pearl, Stag and Horn. The sets now sell for about $2,000 each"
 
Info from an auction in 2013:
Description: BERTRAM COMPANY HEN & ROOSTER'S 111TH ANNIVERSARY TEN-PIECE POCKET KNIFE SET, each bolster marked with serial number "70", tangs with Hen & Rooster logo and reverse with "111 GERMANY", original zippered case and paperwork. Set includes four ivory examples including a No. 573, 724, 725, and 1750; two mother-of-pearl examples including a No. 575 and a 725; two horn examples including a No. 562 and 574; and two stag examples including a No. 556 and 1753. Each with maker's mark on tang.
 
Wow, you guys are great… and fast. Thank you for the info. This set is number 223. Sounds like some of the sets have been broken up, so I best keep these together.
I especially love the little whittlers. Delicate blades with an excellent polish. All blades are carbon (non stainless). A great deal of attention went into these, they come close to the early Bruckmans I have.

Wolfe
 
that is a really great collection. It is interesting to see all the different sizes next to each other, large and small whittler; congress; and stockman.
 
It's hard to sell sets, even those by the most collectible of knife companies, such as Case.

It also seems a shame not to use nice knives. You could put the set up on e-bay with a reserve price that would make you sell...if it doesn't then why not give the set to your son to use? It'd still be a set and as you say "Over the past 30 years I have picked up more than I remembered."
 
brownshoe said:
It's hard to sell sets, even those by the most collectible of knife companies, such as Case.

It also seems a shame not to use nice knives. You could put the set up on e-bay with a reserve price that would make you sell...if it doesn't then why not give the set to your son to use? It'd still be a set and as you say "Over the past 30 years I have picked up more than I remembered."
Click to expand...

I have no intention of selling any of the knives I have gathered over the years. Each one carries a memory, and was bought because I liked it. Others were gifts from dear friends or family. I will be making some slipjoints for myself and a good friend, so decided to dig out my stash to get a feel for this type of knife. Ended up liking them so much I have now put them out for display, and a chance to fondle them often.To me there is something very soothing about these things. I guess it is a reminder of a simpler time.

Wolfe
 
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No Way would I use them! That's like owning a nice piece of art and then coloring on it with a crayon...
You better believe any collector interested in purchasing the set for $2,000+ is going to inspect every inch of those knives.
Every scratch you put on them will knock off $100, right off the bat.
If your son is that interested in one of 'dad's knives' as a using knife, give him one without so much history behind it. It would still be 'dad's knife' hes using...

Just my thoughts. Spectacular set you have there!
 
My thoughts: that Stag Whittler is a wonderful knife, so too the Horn Congress, the stuff of cutlery dreams....

Many thanks for showing this set, it really gets you thinking :D

Regards, Will
 
Though my poorly exposed photo does not show it, the ivory has aged enough to take on a light patina. It shows the delicate graining and gives it a warm colour. I like it as well.
Wolfe
 
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