My First Hen & Rooster is on the way.

JD Mandrell

JD Mandrell

Joined
Apr 20, 2001
Messages
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A 4 1/4 inch Staockman (of course:D), German made with carbon steel blades and green jigged bone scales.

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Hen & Rooster's are another brand you never see in my neck of the woods, so I hope I will be pleased. Anyone have much experience with them?
 
I've got an older H&R canoe that's nicely made. Beautiful F&F. I carried it for a short while, then decided to put it back because it's so purty! Is yours new stock? Does anyone know how to date these knives?
 
I have one of the new Hen and Rooster knives, currently made by the Robert Klass company who also makes Kissing Crane Knives.

From 1865 - 1980 Hen and Rooster knives were made by the Bertram company. AG Russell owned Bertram from 1975-1980.

I have no idea how to distinguish the originals from the new production. AG Russell has a selection of the originals for sale but the prices are sky-high. The new ones are quite affordable and you can buy them at SMKW and elsewhere.

I have one of the newer ones. It's very nice with good fit and finish and a beautiful stag handle. Worth the money for sure.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
You'll like the knife, I'm sure. But, to REALLY appreciate Hen & Rooster knives, you gotta get one of the older ones. That's why I always check pawn shops and the small, local gun and knife shows. You never know what's going to be on somebody's table.

A couple of years ago, I got one of the older stag handled stockman Hen & Roosters at a little pawn shop in Nashville. Paid the guy about $60 for it, and it's not even one of the really old, superb quality ones that were made before(and during) the time A.G. Russell briefly owned the company. Still, it's a super fine knife and I won't sell or trade it. Heck, half the time I'm afraid to carry it, for fear of scratching it up. ;) :)
 
Thanks guys! I'm hoping this one gets here quick, I love checking out a new brand. Those green bone handles may take getting used to though!
 
I know the Hen & Roosters during the time AG Russell owned the company were marked with Bertram and the hen and rooster symbol. Although the newer ones (since 1980?) still use the symbol I don't believe they are still marked Bertram but may be marked Klass. Don't hold me to this, just guessing here. I have one from the AG era and it really is very well made.
 
Just watch out for a few that are Hen and Rooster but made for them in good old China. SMKW sells about 12 styles that are made in China under license from H & R...they are great for knives for China, but POOR for German knives!!!!
 
The Ebay add said "Made in Solingen Germany", and the seller has a perfect record out of 1780+ sales, so I "hope" it really is a German one!!!
 
I seen this knife in the recent Smokey catalog and thought it was a nice model to see in the lineup, but was put off by the scale color, other than that it looked like a winner. A deeper, traditional greenbone would have got it on my want list.

When you get it, I hope you'll give a review for us because I'm interested in some of these H&R's and I've never handled or even seen one for sale in this neck of the woods.

I hope its a good one!
 
The knife arrived today, and I am VERY happy with it. The fit and finish throughout is flawless, bone to metal and metal to metal, no gaps anywhere, clean lines without any sloppy fitting.

The blades all are hair shaving sharp out of the box, and crinked perfect. No blade rub against each other or the liners. Strong backsprings and walk and talk on all three blades.

The handles....well, when they say "neon green" that's what they meant, that picture doesn't do them justice...haha They sure stand out!

All three blades have the "Solingen, Germany" stamp, and the back of the main blade is stamped "Bertram Cutlery, 383C-KLB".

I done good on this one, great knife at any price, but a darn steal at the $21.50 I snagged it for!
 
Thanks for the review, nice to see H&R quality is still good.

Do you mind me asking where you got it for that price?
 
OTguy said:
Thanks for the review, nice to see H&R quality is still good.

Do you mind me asking where you got it for that price?
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An ebay seller named toy4tara, to be honest I lucked out on this one, it was put up for auction with a minimum bid of $9.99, I did a quick search and the cheapest I found them was $49.99, I put up a maximum bid on $27.00, and it sat at $9.99 for 5 days, until the last few seconds, them someone tried to snipe me, but must have only bid $21.00, so I got it for $21.50.

One of those rare Ebay bargains!
 
Does anyone know if there is a website for Hen & Rooster?

I'm curious about their model numbering system.

My Jumbo Stockman has a 383-KLB on it, is that the model number?
 
Hate to bring this up, but......H&R is a brand name that is owned by Frost Cutlery. Not the Scandinavian guys, the other guys. You know the ones from HSN, 100 knives for 100$. Sorry.

As far as I know, H&R is their high end line and they still do import them from Germany. Lets hope it stays that way, don't want these chickens to get a case of asian bird flu.:barf:
 
Hate to bring this up, but......H&R is a brand name that is owned by Frost Cutlery. Not the Scandinavian guys, the other guys. You know the ones from HSN, 100 knives for 100$. Sorry, if you can stand it, check the website.

As far as I know, H&R is their high end line and they still do import them from Germany. Lets hope it stays that way, don't want these chickens to get a case of asian bird flu.:barf:
 
Yeah, I knew that Frost owned the name, as long as a knife is well made, I could care less who and where it was made.
 
Are they the owners, or just the US importer? Doesn't matter to me, as long as they are still high-quality German products. Just curious. The Frost Cutlery website also has logos for Case, Ka-Bar, Leatherman, and Victorinox. Doesn't mean that all of those companies are owned by Frost.

Frost Cutlery is currently a major importer for many fine cutlery brands, as well as contractor for many domestic brands.
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Best Wishes,
-Bob
 
I was surprised to see Case still listed on the Frost site also, in the past there was a Jim Parker/Frost connection to Case, but to my knowledge not anymore.

As for Hen & Rooster, I believe they own the name and have them made in German under contract, but I can't swear for sure.
 
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