Most of us are familiar with the Hubertus lever lock automatic knife. I own several, and I think they have great quality and style.
It’s a company with a complicated history. Why complicated? WWII in Germany threw a lot of companies into the dumpster of history. Some survived and had Nazi associations which still haunts them to this day. Ask Degussa, now Evonik, about that.
On March 1, 1932, Kuno Ritter started a knife company in Solingen, Germany, and concentrated on fixed blades called hiking knives. We might call them camping or bush craft knives.
Due to the Second World War, business operations were discontinued in 1941 but resumed in 1946. I found a report claiming Kino Ritter Co. made Boy Scout knives during the war. I also saw reports that German Boy Scouting was closed and their members had to join the Hitler Youth organizations. Draw your own conclusion.
Following the war, Kuno Ritter Co acquired several trademarks, including Hubertus, a brand registered for cutlery since 1899. For those wondering, Hubertus is the patron saint of hunters.
An unknown Solinger cutler received a utility pattern in 1897 for a folding lever release, making the knife safer to carry in your pocket. We call it a lever lock.
Around 1950, the company was renamed Hubertus Schneidwarenfabrik Kuno Ritter KG and is now run by the third-generation Ritter.
I like Frank Karl’s blog. I was unfamiliar with this knife.
Read the whole thing at TheKnifeEdge.
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