I was considering purchasing a couple of Kissing Crane knives and wanted to know what the rest of forum thought about this particular brand. The information says they are Produced in the Robert Klaas factory in Solingen Germany but I am learning to ask you guys first before assuming what is being advertised.
A couple of their stag knives look pretty good I was just wondering if any of you had a chance to judge the quality of the knife in comparison to other German brands.
Thanks for help on this...
Sunburst
What's the general feeling on Kissing Crane knives
-
sunburst
- Posts: 2921
- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:07 pm
- Location: The Scrublands of Central Florida
-
El Lobo
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 3036
- Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 4:47 pm
- Location: Arizona, right here in the U.S. of A.
Morning sunburst.
Since you are asking for opinion... (something I'm usually flush with
) ...I'll say that I would want to handle them before buying. I've owned only 2, Stockman and Brown Mule... (still have the Brown Mule) ...but I didn't find the FIT, in particular, to be up to par with some of the other German made knives.
I know the Brown Mule (a sodbuster style knife) is at the lower end in cost and materials...but that is what I got in the knife as well. Maybe the knives with better materials receive better attention to fit.
That said, if you can handle them, you might certainly find a well made one or two.
Good hunting,
Bill
Since you are asking for opinion... (something I'm usually flush with
) ...I'll say that I would want to handle them before buying. I've owned only 2, Stockman and Brown Mule... (still have the Brown Mule) ...but I didn't find the FIT, in particular, to be up to par with some of the other German made knives.I know the Brown Mule (a sodbuster style knife) is at the lower end in cost and materials...but that is what I got in the knife as well. Maybe the knives with better materials receive better attention to fit.
That said, if you can handle them, you might certainly find a well made one or two.
Good hunting,
Bill
-
sunburst
- Posts: 2921
- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:07 pm
- Location: The Scrublands of Central Florida
-
Roger - 50/2050
- Posts: 524
- Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2005 11:09 pm
- Location: The Lone Star State, Magnolia
Howdy sunburst,
----- In my opinion the older Kissing Crane Robert Klaas (early 80's) Stag & Winter bottom bone handled three blade Stockman & four blade Congress patterns are very well made & worth putting into a collection, the quality of all materials used combined with the craftsmanship used in putting these knives together are up there with most of the early German Eye knives (Triple Eyes) which I also collect in German Cutlery but to each his own, I find these knives to have a very good FIT myself & as a collectable I would say they rank high!
"Texas collector", Roger - 50/2050
----- In my opinion the older Kissing Crane Robert Klaas (early 80's) Stag & Winter bottom bone handled three blade Stockman & four blade Congress patterns are very well made & worth putting into a collection, the quality of all materials used combined with the craftsmanship used in putting these knives together are up there with most of the early German Eye knives (Triple Eyes) which I also collect in German Cutlery but to each his own, I find these knives to have a very good FIT myself & as a collectable I would say they rank high!
"Texas collector", Roger - 50/2050
A standing life member of the "Case Classic Club", "allaboutpocketknives.com" & "elephanttoenails.com"
-
El Lobo
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 3036
- Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 4:47 pm
- Location: Arizona, right here in the U.S. of A.
Roger,
Since sunburst mentioned that the knives are produced...rather than were produced...I felt he was inquiring about more recent production. Maybe he can clarify for us.
The older Klaas knives are nice, as you have stated...but, I don't believe the Klaas firm you are describing has been in business since around 1988, since the Trademark was sold. In most cases, those knives are pretty hard to find and authenticate, and would not likely be at "let's take a flyer" prices, wouldn't you agree?
Sunburst, if you were looking at vintage Kissing Cranes, from a reputable source, then ignore my comments, as they should be nicely made, and may already be desireable to some collectors. If you were talking about recent production, my overall opinion stands.
Bill
EDITED: For clarity, and the spirit of discussion.
Since sunburst mentioned that the knives are produced...rather than were produced...I felt he was inquiring about more recent production. Maybe he can clarify for us.
The older Klaas knives are nice, as you have stated...but, I don't believe the Klaas firm you are describing has been in business since around 1988, since the Trademark was sold. In most cases, those knives are pretty hard to find and authenticate, and would not likely be at "let's take a flyer" prices, wouldn't you agree?
Sunburst, if you were looking at vintage Kissing Cranes, from a reputable source, then ignore my comments, as they should be nicely made, and may already be desireable to some collectors. If you were talking about recent production, my overall opinion stands.
Bill
EDITED: For clarity, and the spirit of discussion.
-
SFC ADP
- Posts: 506
- Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2006 6:20 am
- Location: Iowa City, IA
I have recently bought 3 Kissing Crane Knives,
2 were the Sod Buster styles,
one called Black Angus, the other a Brown Mule.
I like the style and feel of the knives, though the Black Angus seems cheaply made.
The 3rd was a 160th Anniversary knife, and I am very pleased with this knife.
These are the only Kissing Crane Knives I own, and I would say it is not a horrible knife, but you get what you pay for as well.
2 were the Sod Buster styles,
one called Black Angus, the other a Brown Mule.
I like the style and feel of the knives, though the Black Angus seems cheaply made.
The 3rd was a 160th Anniversary knife, and I am very pleased with this knife.
These are the only Kissing Crane Knives I own, and I would say it is not a horrible knife, but you get what you pay for as well.
-
steve
- Posts: 373
- Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2005 12:14 am
- Location: mt. airy n.c.
hi all,
well, i only have one kissing crane knife and its a stag handled canoe and i have to say that i really like it. i dont use it, i got it on trade and have added it to my collection. in my opinion, its a very well made knife and as far as in comparison with other german knives.....i also just purchased a hen and rooster stag canoe and have a boker green bone canoe and although i dont believe the kissing crane is as expensive of a knife as the boker and hen and rooster, i would say it is just as well made, although im still more partial to the hen and rooster and boker knives but i have checked around on ebay and such and you dont see the stag kissing crane canoes all that often so mine will stay with me....lol.
well, i only have one kissing crane knife and its a stag handled canoe and i have to say that i really like it. i dont use it, i got it on trade and have added it to my collection. in my opinion, its a very well made knife and as far as in comparison with other german knives.....i also just purchased a hen and rooster stag canoe and have a boker green bone canoe and although i dont believe the kissing crane is as expensive of a knife as the boker and hen and rooster, i would say it is just as well made, although im still more partial to the hen and rooster and boker knives but i have checked around on ebay and such and you dont see the stag kissing crane canoes all that often so mine will stay with me....lol.