Hen & Rooster 2-7/8" Unique 2 Blade Folder Mother-of-Pearl

• Type
  Folder
• Blade
  Spear - Pen
• Blade Length
  2" - 1-1/4"
• Finish
  Mirror Polish
• Blade Steel
  German Stainless
• Lock
  Slip Joint
• Liners
  Nickel Silver
• Handle
  Mother-of-Pearl
• Closed Length
  2-7/8"
• Origin
  Germany

Hen & Rooster Knives Made Prior to 1975

In 1970, very early in his foray into the knife world, A.G. Russell had the idea of a Knife Collectors Club where he would produce special knives as a commemorative of an event, a thing or a time. These knives would be serial numbered. He took that idea to Schrade Cutlery and he and Schrade incorporated the Knife Collectors Club. The first knife was the Kentucky Rifle. A.G.’s concept, produced by Schrade. Because of available technology at the time, Schrade had to produce far more that A.G.’s concept of a limited production knife.

The second was produced by Camillus Cutlery who could produce a smaller quantity. That was the Granddaddy Barlow. The quantity they had to producee was still more than what A.G. wanted.

He decided to go outside the United States to find a company that could make the small quantities he wanted. That company was Puma in Solingen, Germany. The third in his series of comemorative knives was produced by Puma.

While visiting in Solingen, he became aware of a small facility making exquisite little folders. He told me that these little knives were the most perfect production type folders he had ever seen. The fit and finish and the attention to detail was at a level he had never seen. That company was Bertram Stahlwaren GMBH, making Hen & Rooster marked knives. Each knife was marked with the image of a Hen and a Rooster on the obverse side of the main blade and Bertram Solingen on the reverse side.

The fourth knife in A.G.’s Commemorative Series was made by Betram in 1975 and marked Hen & Rooster. In 1975, during a visit to Solingen, A.G. learned that the company was about to go into bankruptcy. He arranged to purchase the company and kept it out of bankruptcy until 1980. From 1975  through 1980, Betram produced another five knives in A.G.’s Commerative series.

They also produced several folders designed by A.G. between 1975 through 1980, I believe that during those years he was the company’s only customer .

The Hen & Rooster knives in this group were samples in the sales room when A.G. purchased the company. They were made prior to 1975 and I believe perhaps as early as the mid 1800s. They have been in A.G.’s safe here in Northwest Arkansas since his purchase of the company.

Please notice the identifying sample number printed either on one of the blades or on one of the Mother-of-Pearl scales. Please don’t let anyone remove those numbers. Removal will reduce the value.