pre 1980 Hen & Rooster

[rprocter]

i am thinking of buying a pre 1980 H. & R. from a well known knife retailer. these knives are described as the finest production folders ever made and are fairly expensive. i would like to hear from owners of "older" Hen & Roosters, if they feel after owning the knife for awhile, that the knife justifies the expense. i am not asking as to the increase in value, but does the knife have a real "WOW" factor that still gives you pleasure every time you "bring it out to play" ?
thanks, roland

 

[jackknife]

Yes!

I have two of the old Hen and Roosters, one from maybe the just post war period, and one from the 60's. Both knives are a pleasure to cut with, and admire before you put it back in your pocket. Fit and finsh is impeccable, and edge holding is better than I've experianced with American production pocket knives. The stag that is on both knives looks like it was carefully inpected to match both sides of the knife. Looking down on the back of the blades, you can see a perfect distil taper on the blade all the way to the scalple like point on the clip.

These are fine knives that will cut with the best of the customs out there. I've never been able to decide weather they were fine cutting instuments, or fine pieces of pocket jewlery.