Kissing Crane help requested

[rprocter]

i would like to add a couple of Kissing Cranes to my knife collection. i have read most of the posts in this forum on these knives, but feel that i still know v. little about them. it seems that many (all ?) recent ones are made in China. i would like those made in Germany, preferably during a time when KC was in "top form". so, how does one differentiate a Chinese from a German KC ? and, any pointers on how to tell approximate age of a KC knife and any recommendations on which models to look for (besides the 3 sodbusters) ? thanks, roland

 

[rprocter]

i now have 3 Kissing Cranes; 2 sod busters (Brown Mule and Black Angus) and a 3 1/4 in. jack knife with fake stag handles. the Black Angus is the worst knife i have ever seen. the blade looks like it was stamped out of the cheapest of steels.
it would be great to hear from someone who knows how to read Kissing Cranes. for example, tang stamps, there are many variations (none saying China). my jack has the 2 cranes with beaks not quite touching over RKLASS, and reverse: ROSTFREI over GERMANY, and was sold to me as "vintage". but what does that mean in this case ? any help to clear my confusion ? thanks, roland