Thread: Hen & Rooster Made In Spain?

Hi blueheeler,
There has been a lot of debate on the forums about H&R blades - ranging from the good old Solingen days to rumours of being owned by Dovo, to recent musings about potentially using Pakistan steel for the recent 'Spanish' blades (a big 'no no' around these parts). I'd be worried just from my experience with a local knife seller who stocks them - almost all of his blades are Pakistan steel.

Here are some of the most interesting bits:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...n-rooster.html

And the post here by thebigspendur:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...i-steel-2.html

H&R is just a name these days with no connection whatsoever to the original ones made in Germany a long time ago. The company has changed hands enough times to make your head spin and then just the name was bought. I know A.G Russell who owned the company back in the 70s still stocked some original H&R knives and I happen to know for a fact Mr Russell has a bunch of original salesman sample straights he covets. I never could get him to part with some.

H&R pocket knives are (or were recently) made by Bertram Cutlery in Solingen. No idea if the razors are made by Bertram or contracted. Their pocket knives are very well made.

Bertram went out of business a very long time ago. if someone is making cutlery with that name they bought the name

Bertram closed in the Summer of 1980. Prior to 1980 the firm NEVER marked a knife Bertram Cutlery. After 1980 by Klaas or by Boker who now makes the knives marked with the Hen & Rooster mark.

The older knives were marked *Bertram*, A. G. Russell, Gutmann, Carter, Mutt, Voss and a few other marks with and without the chicken marks, but NEVER with Bertram Cutlery.

Hen & Rooster - The World's Finest Cutlery since 1845

In 1983, the firm was liquidated, and the Hen & Rooster trademark and the Bertram name were acquired by James Frost of Frost Cutlery, Chattanooga, Tennessee; Howard Rabin of Star Sales, of Knoxville, Tennessee; and Hugo Schiesen of Robert Klaas, out of Solingen, Germany. After a short period of time, and prior to the retirement of Howard Rabin, Mr. James Frost bought the sole rights to the mark and distribution of all Hen & Rooster knives in the United States. Mr. Frost holds firm to the long distinguished tradition begun by Mr. Bertram; ensuring the superior craftsmanship of each Hen & Rooster knife. These pocket knives continue to be manufactured by highly skilled craftsman in Solingen, Germany. Through it's reputation of excellence, Hen & Rooster® continues carries the title of “World’s Finest Since 1845”.

Call 'em and ask who makes them.

After Russell gave up the outfit the quality went downhill fast. He was still using the original workshop and employees and tried to keep it all going but he couldn't. After him the actual guys making the products were all new people.