The slender blade of this sword -- very nicely shaped and polished -- resembles an officer's cutlass rather than the sword the Ancient Mariner himself might have used. Seaman's swords were built to be brute force weapons in the hands of common sailors poorly trained in fighting arts. The ordinary cutlass was short and heavy, meant to chop through the spars and hawsers of the enemy's rigging as well as through the enemy. More refined blades like this one were issued to the ship's officers, who received intense training in swordsmanship and could put lighter and more accurate blades to efficient use. No genuine fighting cutless would ever have shown this much unnecessary decoration.

Some of the workmanship in this sword is fragile. The rings holding the metal chain to the scabbard are lightly made. Up close, the decorative pieces show considerable detail, but the assembly is disappointing. Phillips head screws hold several of the fittings together in a clamshell construction, literally clamped to the stainless steel scabbard. If it's hanging high on the wall, visitors won't look too closely at the fine points.

Find this Ancient Mariner's Cutlass:

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Hen and Rooster helped establish Solingen as the "City of Knives" -- known worldwide as the city with numerous world-class knife makers. They continued to make knives under the Bertram family's direction for over one hundred years.

In 1975, the firm was sold to A.G. Russell, which continued to make the knives under the Hen and Rooster name for five additional years.

In 1980, the Solingen factory was closed and the firm was liquidated. In 1983 a consortium of businessmen hailing from Tennessee and Solingen acquired the rights to the Hen and Rooster name. Shortly after, the full rights were sold to James Frost of Frost Cutlery. Today, he holds the exclusive rights to the brand and has resurrected production of the knives in Solingen, Germany.

As a result of this history, you will see many different types of Hen and Rooster Knives. The knife pictured at right is a Stag Bowie Knife, measuring 14.375" overall, with a 9.25 stainless steel full-tang blade.

Find this knife on eBay:

HEN ROOSTER AND Polished Stag Fixed Blade Bowie Knife US $49.95   Auction Ends: 18d 2h 18m

Hen Rooster Knife Bowie Genuine Stag HR4902 US $92.75   Auction Ends: 27d 2h 44m

Pictured at right is a Frost Cutlery five-piece knife set. Handles are Cocobolo -- an attractive, Central American hardwood known for its distinctive coloring. The knives included are a 7.75" Virginia City Combo, a 4.5" Apache Ranger, a 4.5" Apache Raider, a 4.5" Apache Longbow, and a 4.5" Apache Warrior.

Also, they come with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturer defects.

Bundling five knives together means they can offer them at a pretty significant discount. These knives typically sell for nine to ten dollars each. This set offers five knives for the price of three.

Find Frost Cutlery Knife Sets on eBay:

SET OF 10 Folding Utility Pocket KNIVES by Frost Cutlery Knife Multi Tool Blade US $12.99   Auction Ends: 27d 2h 13m

Frost Cutlery Pocket Knife set of 2 US $8.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 40m

Frost Cutlery Pocket Knives set of 2 US $8.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 44m

Snap on knives Dale Ernhart collectable set champion set US $31.00   5 Bids Auction Ends: 1h 4m

Frost Cutlery AMERICAS ENDANGERED WILDLIFE Set of Knives Numbered 1 1000 US $49.99   Auction Ends: 29d 23h 52m

Chef Sharp Ginsu Stainless Steel Knives Cutlery Set Magnetic Knife Bar Holder US $108.99   Auction Ends: 29d 19h 9m

Frost Cutlery TACFORCE Knife Set of 3 US $17.99   Auction Ends: 25d 13h 17m

Frost Cutlery Navy Seal Tactical KnifeSET OF 3 US $17.99   Auction Ends: 25d 13h 10m

16 piece hunting knife set by frost cutlery US $29.99   Auction Ends: 25d 9h 22m

Frost Cutlery Timeless Classics Knife Watch Deer Set US $39.99   Auction Ends: 25d 4h 9m