Thread: how can you tell...

So I was strolling through a local cutlery shop and spotted a few straights for sale. One was a Master USA for $19.99...instantly dismissed after reading about them here. The other was a hen and rooster for $99.99. Now the price is a little too high for my circumstances but thats not the issue I'm concerned with. I did a little research on Hen and Rooster and this is what I found:

Bertram, the maker of the original Hen & Rooster knives, was founded in 1865 and stayed in business until 1980 when the name and trademark were purchased by the firm of Robert Klaas, who has made knives marked with the Hen & Rooster Trademark and the words Bertram Cut. C. since late in 1980 or early 1981.

Please, correct me if this is wrong.

Now I was once told that should I stumble upon an original Hen and Rooster, I should grab it at whatever price. The question is...how can you tell an original Hen and Rooster razor (pre 1980) from one of the newer production razors. Pictures of old hen and roosters are fairly scarce. Are there characteristic markings or etchings on the old ones? Looking specifically for answers from people who have experience with these razors

I dont know how to tell which is which and never owned a Hen & Rooster.
I do know that this brand name is highly regarded though new or old!
I suspect you would have a good shaver either way.
unless it is in perfect condition I wouldn't pay that much though.
Keep in mind though, I've never owned or even seen a Hen & Rooster shaver

Mark Avery

If its an original hen and rooster and its in good shape run don't walk back to the store and grab it. They are in the top 5 I would guess of all time best of the best knifemakers. If you go to the the AJ Russell web site they have a blurb about them. I believe for a time he owned the company back in the 1980s. I don't know really how to tell the new from the old since the will all have the insignias on them so you just need to figure out if it looks old. maybe celluloid scales might help. If the razor has these fancy picked bone scales its not an original or if it comes in a fancy case it not an original.

haha i believe it was you bigspendur who told me to grab an original hen and rooster if i ever came across it. although i get this gut feeling that it's not an original. it is afterall a new shop dealing with new merchandise so it seems to me they would get new razors as well. it comes in a fancy cushioned box like you said, the scales are plain white with the hen and rooster inlay. made from a plastic of sorts (could be celluloid...what is celluloid? just a plastic?) the tang is unmarked. it's in rather good condition, maybe a few scuffs on the etching on the blade (the classic hen and rooster logo) but thats all. edge as straight as an arrow with no noticeable hone wear, nice tight pins. and all around well constructed. this is why i ask...if it is an original i may have to forget my hesitations about the price...anyone have any experience with these? i'm hoping maybe lynn has handled a few in his days and could offer some insight.

I sold these for a while a year or so ago and they were very pretty razors and shaved well too. My only concern was that the inlaid logo in the scales would often come loose being very thin foil. There was (is) a fellow on eBay selling these for far less than the $99 you mention. Just be sure you can return it if the logos are buggered up.

Tony