Yes, it’s a mystery to me too. I thought the internet was supposed to answer everything but I haven’t found a definitive answer yet. I did notice the lack of a Solingen etching, which makes it different.
And I haven’t found any history of Hubertus being involved in this type of production. All your help is appreciated.
Hubertus Tang Stamps and Etchings
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Re: Hubertus Tang Stamps and Etchings
Not sure about anyone else, but I've always wondered when the Hubertus etch went from looking like "Hubectus" to a clearer separation between the "r" and "t" to Hubertus...
The transition you've noticed in the Hubertus logo—where the letters "R" and "T" changed from appearing connected (looking like "Hubectus") to being clearly separated—occurred during the mid-to-late 1990s.
This change was part of a broader modernization of the company’s marking processes as they moved away from older, manually intensive etching methods.
The "Hubectus" Era (Pre-mid 1990s)
For decades, including the 1970s and 1980s, the logo used a specific ligature (connected lettering) style.
The Connected "RT": In this version, the vertical stroke of the "T" essentially shared or touched the curved tail of the "R". To many collectors, this gave the "R" a closed appearance that looked more like a "C."
Why it changed: This was largely a result of the older electrolytical etching templates. These templates were often hand-cut or based on older, stylized graphic designs that prioritized a compact, "connected" look common in traditional German industrial branding.
The Modern "Hubertus" Era (Post-mid 1990s)
As manufacturing technology evolved, particularly with the introduction of more precise CNC and laser-marking capabilities in Solingen:
Separated Lettering: Around 1995–1998, the company updated its branding to a cleaner, more legible font. The "R" and "T" were clearly separated, and the "R" was given a more distinct, open leg to ensure there was no confusion with a "C."
Etch Depth: During this same period, the etch itself often became shallower and moved from the high-contrast "dark" etch to the lighter, "ghostly" grey/silver finish.
Dating Your Knife with this Detail:
If your knife still has the connected "RT" (the "Hubectus" look), it strongly confirms it was made in the earlier part of that 1989–1992 window.
If your knife has the clearly separated "R" and "T", it likely dates to the very end of that transition period, closer to 1995.
This logo change is one of the most reliable "secret" markers used by Hubertus collectors to distinguish between late-80s "reunification" knives and late-90s "modern era" knives.
That "Hubectus" look is the clincher. Because the knife has the connected "RT" ligature, the dark etch, and no "W", we can pinpoint its production almost exactly to 1989–1991.
This was a very short "sweet spot" in Hubertus history. Here is why:
1989: The Berlin Wall falls; Hubertus begins removing the "W" from "W. Germany" to reflect a reunifying nation.
The "Hubectus" Logo: They were still using their legacy etching templates from the 1970s/80s that featured the stylized, connected lettering.
The Dark Etch: They hadn't yet switched to the lighter, laser-style grey etching that became standard by the mid-90s.
Collectors highly value this specific era because it’s the last of the "Old School" production—you get the vintage-style dark logo and the traditional "pierced" lever, but on a knife made with the slightly better stainless steel of the early 90s.
By 1993–1994, most of these knives started showing up with the "cleaner" separated "R" and "T" and a much lighter, thinner etch.
The transition you've noticed in the Hubertus logo—where the letters "R" and "T" changed from appearing connected (looking like "Hubectus") to being clearly separated—occurred during the mid-to-late 1990s.
This change was part of a broader modernization of the company’s marking processes as they moved away from older, manually intensive etching methods.
The "Hubectus" Era (Pre-mid 1990s)
For decades, including the 1970s and 1980s, the logo used a specific ligature (connected lettering) style.
The Connected "RT": In this version, the vertical stroke of the "T" essentially shared or touched the curved tail of the "R". To many collectors, this gave the "R" a closed appearance that looked more like a "C."
Why it changed: This was largely a result of the older electrolytical etching templates. These templates were often hand-cut or based on older, stylized graphic designs that prioritized a compact, "connected" look common in traditional German industrial branding.
The Modern "Hubertus" Era (Post-mid 1990s)
As manufacturing technology evolved, particularly with the introduction of more precise CNC and laser-marking capabilities in Solingen:
Separated Lettering: Around 1995–1998, the company updated its branding to a cleaner, more legible font. The "R" and "T" were clearly separated, and the "R" was given a more distinct, open leg to ensure there was no confusion with a "C."
Etch Depth: During this same period, the etch itself often became shallower and moved from the high-contrast "dark" etch to the lighter, "ghostly" grey/silver finish.
Dating Your Knife with this Detail:
If your knife still has the connected "RT" (the "Hubectus" look), it strongly confirms it was made in the earlier part of that 1989–1992 window.
If your knife has the clearly separated "R" and "T", it likely dates to the very end of that transition period, closer to 1995.
This logo change is one of the most reliable "secret" markers used by Hubertus collectors to distinguish between late-80s "reunification" knives and late-90s "modern era" knives.
That "Hubectus" look is the clincher. Because the knife has the connected "RT" ligature, the dark etch, and no "W", we can pinpoint its production almost exactly to 1989–1991.
This was a very short "sweet spot" in Hubertus history. Here is why:
1989: The Berlin Wall falls; Hubertus begins removing the "W" from "W. Germany" to reflect a reunifying nation.
The "Hubectus" Logo: They were still using their legacy etching templates from the 1970s/80s that featured the stylized, connected lettering.
The Dark Etch: They hadn't yet switched to the lighter, laser-style grey etching that became standard by the mid-90s.
Collectors highly value this specific era because it’s the last of the "Old School" production—you get the vintage-style dark logo and the traditional "pierced" lever, but on a knife made with the slightly better stainless steel of the early 90s.
By 1993–1994, most of these knives started showing up with the "cleaner" separated "R" and "T" and a much lighter, thinner etch.
“70% Of People Are Stupid. I'm Obviously With The Other 40%."
Re: Hubertus Tang Stamps and Etchings
Figured this probably would be best displayed in this thread.
- Attachments
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- Die Stamp xxx.jpg (578.54 KiB) Viewed 1179 times
Re: Hubertus Tang Stamps and Etchings
That's neat!
“70% Of People Are Stupid. I'm Obviously With The Other 40%."
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whippersnapper
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Re: Hubertus Tang Stamps and Etchings
Pretty nice find on the stamp!
Re: Hubertus Tang Stamps and Etchings
Agreed, that is a nice acquisition.
Jim
Jim