Chapter 666

Feb 13, 2024

Hubertus Springer

automatic lever lock from Solingen

pic my knife

Putting my special knife up for sale. Joined an internet group and a FB group to determine just what it's true identity is. I know I bought it in Cologne, Germany in 1976 for $14 but it's only blade marking is Rostfrei meaning stainless steel. Cologne is about a half hour from Solingen the home of many German knife manufacturers. The knife is nearly identical to the Hubertus classic springer hunter model, but why no company markings or even the solingen lable used for many non descript knives?

Is it a replica or knockoff issue? Is it a factory second that did not meet the highest quality standards? Did a worker sneak a knife out of the factory to sell on his own? Was it some sort of prototype? Or did the company sell it without drawing attention to it's origin because the 1972 German restriction on selling switchblades could have gotten them in trouble.

The Hubertus Solingen knife manufacturing company in Germany was begun by Kuno Ritter in 1932. Since 1984 it is run by Henning Ritter & his wife.  Saint Hubertus was the patron Saint of Hunting and the first Bishop of Liege, Belgium in 708.  The Hubertus lever lock mechanism was patented in 1897 [and the trademark dates back to 1899]. A page from their 1950's catalog shows a hunting style folding springer pocket knife model 4080 that comes closest to matching the one I brought back from Germany in 1976. It has the lever lock mechanism that makes it safe to carry, quick to activate with one hand and the blade safely locks in place.

This video does a great job describing my knife along with an historical context.

Belie

Belie

Belie

Belie