Which Hen & Rooster to buy?

killyourself038 said:
parker/frost or whoever has made a new copy of that cm-9, so make sure you get one stamped *bertram* germany on the back if you aren't buying it from ag russell
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YOU ARE AS WRONG AS YOU CAN BE! Frost threw Parker out of their business years before Parker died.

Jim Frost will lie about how old the Bertram Trademark is BUT I do not believe that he would counterfeit a collectable club knife. Jim, tell these people it ain't so!
 
Gents, let's not turn this thread (on this sub-forum) into a witch hunt and/or otherwise denigrate people's veracity and character (here).

There are more appropriate sections of the site to raise these issues.

Thanks in advance.
 
Elliot, my friend;

You must mean me and I am puzzled. I just defended Jim Frost, a gentleman and said nothing to denigrate Jim Parker, and how could anyone? His reputation went before him and St Peter turned him from the gate.
 
A. G. Russell said:
Elliot, my friend;

You must mean me and I am puzzled. I just defended Jim Frost, a gentleman and said nothing to denigrate Jim Parker, and how could anyone? His reputation went before him and St Peter turned him from the gate.
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A.G., I didn't mean anyone in particular, but since you bring it up...;)

Seriously though, I don't mind the topic or the discussion but such explorations of character and worthiness for life everlasting are better suited for the feedback section of the site (good, bad & ugly) or BRL's forum.

Quotes such as "Jim Frost will lie about how old the Bertram Trademark is..." just lend themselves to a discussion better suited off this particular sub-forum.

That said, of course we're still friends. ;)
 
killyourself038 said:
these posted pics are all knives made through parker/frost or whomever. the links posted by BACMAN99 are original knives marketed through ag russell, older knives do not have the same markings as the ones from ag russell, most of them either have *bertram* over germany, or ag russell. you will see some of the 107 vest pocket skinners stamped rostrei over germany(maybe solingen, i don't feel like pulling one out right now) Second hand info tells me these were "sold out the back door" of the Bertram factory while they were being produced for his catalog
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what does "rostei" mean? is that a company?
 
bacman99 said:
I got that word out of a post by"killyourself038".
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Regardless, I'm pretty certain it's either a typo or what was intended to be conveyed was "stainless".
 
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Okay, Hen and Rooster started with Bertram in Germany many years ago, making knives for Voss and such. The company sold to AG Russell in 1970, he kept it going until 1975. The originals were called C Bertram, I have a stag Congress and it is very sweet. When one talks original, they look for Hen and Rooster trademark, with Bertram or C Bertram on the blade. AG has sold and still has some 70's knives I think. Others were importers like Gutman for example. Argue if you will, but I still think the original is the best and the one to look for.
 
I sold that whittler I have posted a few frames up for thirtyfive dollars.Either Hens aren't that popular or timing is everything on ebay. I was a bit disappointed to say the least. It went for Eighty bucks back in the early eighties. I have a Canoe stockman that I'll never get rid of, but I'm at the point in my life where I feel these safe queens are just wasting away sitting in a box.I'm happy for the guy that got it, he got a deal indeed.
I tried trading but nobody wanted it. Why is that does anyone think? They are beautiful knives, maybe made more for display than using, but I can surely say they are beefy enough to stand up to any other brand.You don't find knives these days where the inside tang is fully polished.
 
navihawk said:
I sold that whittler I have posted a few frames up for thirtyfive dollars.Either Hens aren't that popular or timing is everything on ebay. I was a bit disappointed to say the least. It went for Eighty bucks back in the early eighties. I have a Canoe stockman that I'll never get rid of, but I'm at the point in my life where I feel these safe queens are just wasting away sitting in a box.I'm happy for the guy that got it, he got a deal indeed.
I tried trading but nobody wanted it. Why is that does anyone think? They are beautiful knives, maybe made more for display than using, but I can surely say they are beefy enough to stand up to any other brand.You don't find knives these days where the inside tang is fully polished.
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That was a good looking knife and he should be happy with it. I have one H&R and I bought it at Smoky Mountian knife store in Tenn back in 2000. Its a large 3 blade stockman with bone handles and the sheild has 2000 on it.

Eventualy I want to get a older stockman, bertram with stag handles like the one knifeswapper has in his third picture.
 
RobbW said:
How do I know which is which, and how would I identify an original? I'd like to get a stag H&R in the 3-1/4 to 3-1/2" range, but don't know how to tell them apart.

Thanks.
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Once you have seen an original you will never again be in doubt. The knives made before the Summer of 1980 can only be compared to the top hand made makers of slipjoint knives working today. When you look inside an old Hen & Rooster and see the polished spring and liners reflecting light back up and compare that with standard pocket knives from Klaas or Boker or makers from China you will know which you are looking at.

good luck
 
And that is the truth from the guy who knows, AG. I have some, bought from him when I lived in Rogers, some I got here and there and they are the best, by far!
 
This is the first Hen I bought. Mr. Russell, can you tell the date from the pattern?Hen& rooster for a stamp on the front and Bertram Cutlery over 143DS on the back of the main blade.Polished inside and out and theliners are nickel silver. One thing I always wonder is how the steel is on these older ones. Even though I have used this on occasion I never used it enough to throw it over a stone. If I carry it, it might open gifts at Christmas or something.I really like how the crinks in the blades lay in when closed. I always pay attention to this on multi blade knives as a sign of quality. If I have time I'll get some good shots.
P1010024.jpg


P1010015.jpg
 
Sorry, what you have is a knife made by either Kissing Krane or Boker, both fine makers but NOT in a class with the Bertram GMBH workers prior to the Summer of 1980. This was made after that. Bertram never used the round h&r inlay or the word cutlery or cut until after 1980 when Frost aquired the trademark.
 
A. G. Russell said:
Once you have seen an original you will never again be in doubt. The knives made before the Summer of 1980 can only be compared to the top hand made makers of slipjoint knives working today. When you look inside an old Hen & Rooster and see the polished spring and liners reflecting light back up and compare that with standard pocket knives from Klaas or Boker or makers from China you will know which you are looking at.

good luck
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Thanks for the straight-up info. It's good to get word from an insider. :thumbup:
 
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