Some years back I acquired an amazing Haenel SA. This dagger had hung on a fully decked-out SA mannequin for forty years until I acquired it. The dagger was as "mint" as any I have ever seen. It had that extra blackening that only appears on some Haenel daggers. It also had very unusual crossgrain. At the time, I wondered about the crossgraining because it was unlike your standard SA dagger. Later, I sold the dagger (which I regret) as I began to downsize my collection. Here is that dagger.

Flash forward to a few weeks ago when I spied an Haenel partial Rohm I just had to have. The blade was covered in cosmoline, but I could see that underneath it was sound, AND it had that special extra blackening. Here is what it looked like...

Here's the dagger after removing the cosmoline. And yes... it has the same unusual crossgrain. I believe it was factory done to alter the light refraction to enhance the blackening. The change gives the blade a "white" appearance that sets off the blackening.

So if you've got a Haenel with the extra blackening, please show it!

Those are some fine blades man! Yes I've seen them before with the extra dark motto...

https://www.lakesidetrader.com/item.php?ID=584

Lakesidetrader has one for sale...it has the dark motto

Wow, Mike, that red/blond gripped partial Röhm Haenel is even better than expected!

Congratulations!

I will also post a couple blackened Haenels, but need to resize the pic's first.

Best regards,

Herman

They are some lovely daggers, i'm not surprised you regret selling that 1st one its stunning.

I've looked at Paul's photos and, while it has really dark burnishing, I don't think it has the "extra blackening". I could be wrong. Here is another Haenel I have that doesn't have the blackening. It is a factory ground Rohm in nearly the same condition as the first dagger. Like Paul's dagger it has really dark burnishing, but it has more typical wide crossgrain and mirror finish to the blade.

Here's one more pic to show the more typical crossgrain.

Hi Mike..that is a Great observation regarding the crossgrain application. These little subtleties make the hobby interesting..and also gives a producer more of a personal I identity trait. Already the Suhl producers stand out in Quality in Craftsmanship. Your Mint dagger in the first post..is quite lovely..as is your cosmoline rescue of your recent Haenel.

This producers logo is always exceptional..with it being very deep into the blade more so than others. Another producer trademark attribute. Thanks for sharing these great daggers and these unknown nuances. Regards Larry

Here are my 2 blackened Haenels: both are Röhms

Best place to observe the extra blackening is in the Arrow logo.

2nd pic shows the comparison with the logo of a regular Haenel without the extra blackening.

Best regards,

Herman

Those grips are like gazing at a nice pair of breasts..very Lovely

Herman what's the crossgrain like on those Haenels? Here are a few more pics to show the crossgraining on my partial Rohm. If you look closely at the photos of the first dagger I posted in this thread you can see that it is the same style.

HI Mike,

Today I compared my 2 "blackened" Haenels with my 2 "regular" ones, I do not really see a difference in the cross graining.

Also a side by side comparing did not reveal any difference...

It might be possible that the cross graining on all Haenels might be more white compared to other makers. That I did not check yet...

Best regards,

Herman

fantastic collection Herman

I have a Kober that has this super dark blackened motto that looks almost painted on.. funny, it has a very "fine" crossgraining..the blade is super nice and has not been cleaned.. wonder is this is the same crossgraining you are talking about here? Suhl makers might have bought from the same sub-contractor for these blades?

Nice dagger! Yes, it looks like the blackened Haenels. I have a couple of Kobers that don't have the extra blackening and they have typical crossgraining. Yours is the first Kober I have seen with the extra blackening. I wonder if there are any Sauers like this?

I have a Gebr. Bohme with a very dark motto, nats

Nice dagger Stan! The extra blackening only appears on a handful of SA makers, including Gebr. Bohme. The crossgraining looks very fine, like the daggers I have shown. Can you give us a close-up?

Mike

Hi Mike, sorry I cannot get any more photos at the moment.The dagger is in the bank.The next time I go to the bank I will take some photos.
Best Regards Stan

Hello Mike,

This must be what you are referring to: extra blackening and fine cross grain!

Best regards,

Herman

Only... this one is a Kober.

Next to another one with "normal" cross grain: yes, it looks moore white!

That's it, Herman! The fine crossgrain changes the refraction of light which enhances the blackening.

Here 3 originals.
2 times 1st model.
1 times 2nd model from February, 1934.
Greeting

It are natural 3 HAENEL org. - no US-blades

I'm not quite sure what our German friend is trying to say here... but nice blades!

Hallo schwarzweissroter! Very nice Haenel's!! Interested, what is the one dagger in the middle with the black guards?? Best, Kevin.

It is the virgin - stainless.

Hello chwarzweissroter,

What do you mean with ?????
- "first model",
- "second model",
- "no US blades" and
- "It is the virgin - stainless"

Would be more interesting if you also show the "Haenel" marks of your blades...

Best regards,

Herman

Wow! talk about PATINA.. is that smoke residue? Was it in a burned home? Kevin.

Signs from CGH