JA Henckels stag hunter

[Arie Leib]

Hello, gentlemen.
I’m not a fan of hunting or even fishing. But vintage hunting knives with stag scales really grab me. This time my collection was replenished with Twins. I was very pleased with the condition of my new stag, it looks like it has not only never been on a hunt, it has hardly ever cut anything or even left his box. It captivated me and I began to dig up information about it. The first thing I was interested in was its age and origin. As far as I know, the Friodur technology was patented in 1939, but the knives could not have been produced during WW2, so the knife was made no earlier than 1945. I also know that JA Henckels folding knives of recent years were contract knives and were manufactured by Boker under the JA Henckels brand. This began in 1975, Boker even used their own models, but the JA Henckels stamp was put on them. The question arises, is this knife model a Boker model? The corkscrew may be a clue. Until what years did knife makers use a corkscrew with a groove? The internal partitions are made of brass, which also hints at earlier years of production. I would be glad to know your thoughts and opinions about this beauty. Enjoy

 

[Arie Leib]

I know there are problems with information about Twins. I have already encountered this. The support service doesn’t give any information because they don’t know. In 1970, the company changed owners and the new owners were not very interested in old catalogs and documentation. Also, a lot was lost during WW2. But thank God, we have real experts and connoisseurs of JA Henckels and Boker on our forum. I hope that they will be interested and respond and express their thoughts here.

 

[Allen]

That is a very nice example and is among the last of the genuine Henckels-made folding knives. (not made by Boker)
With those distinctive square handle ends, your model was made in the 1960s right up until 1974. (a year before Henckels stopped the production of folding knives.)
A similar model of your knife was offered in the 1950s and earlier, but had rounded handle ends.
Enclosed catalog illustrations show your model from the 1960s and 1970s era, along with an earlier similar variation.