Please help ID knives

C

Caroline

Joined
May 21, 2017
Messages
8
Hello all. I am new to knives. I recently inherited four pocket knives that I would like to get more information about. I'm finding it difficult to find a lot of information. They all appear to be jewelry pocket knives. Any information is welcome!

One is gold plated and says VOOS. There is a charm attached with a small key with a 7 on it. No arrow.

Another appears to be stainless steal and says EMPIRE and is accompanied by an R and a +B. This made me doubt the authenticity as the ones I've seen a like have USA underneath.

The other resembles ivory with carvings of perhaps a palace on one side and ships with a sunset and an island in the other with the dates 1492 and 1893. Engraving says H.S.B & Co.

The last looks like a mother of pearl. It has an engraving of two storks on the heel. And reads Robertklass Germany.

My research so far has been quite interesting. I look forward to the journey of learning about these knives and companies. As well as finding out the authenticity. Thanks for any feedback.
 
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Those storks are actually cranes. Look for Robert Klass Kissing Crane. I've heard of VOOS as well, but that's about all the help I can be.
 
Welcome! You need to post photos of the knives for an ID. If you upload photos to a free service (like www.imgur.com) and then paste the address between img tags here. It will look something like this
maxresdefault.jpg
 
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Jack, Posting a photo of your knife in the same topic might rip a hole in the space/time continuum.... if Neil's photo hasn't done that already.

I hope the photo of Neil didn't scare you away, Caroline. We need to see photos of the actual knives for an ID and authenticity. I find it's easiest to get focused photos using natural light like indirect sunlight (outside in the shade).
 
H.S.B. might be Hibbard, Spencer and Bartlett. A major hardware supplier back in the day. The knife sounds like some kind of commemerative.--KV
 
Are the Empire and VOOS knives covered with a very thin layer of metal? If so they may be "skeleton knives". I know Empire made a lot of skeleton knives. A skeleton knife is a pen knife that was made without covers and then covered in a thin layer of precious metal or plated metal.

Empire was in business from 1856-1930. Your knife is stainless and made in the later part of that range. I don't have an exact match but here's a 1927 catalog scan of a similar pen knife with engine turned covers and stainless blades.

Empire-SS_zpsdubdujzo.jpg


Goins' Enclycopedia has c 1924-1981 for VOOS Stainless. '

The Robert Klass knife is a nice lobster pattern. There should be a file on the other side. It looks like it has ink on the blade... might have been a "salesman sample". The name is still in use.

I have HSB catalogs and will take a look when I have time. A lot of companies made knives for them. The company was located in Chicago. In 1893, Chicago held The World's Columbian Exposition to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival to the new world in 1492. I think it was likely a souvenir.

13741-004-12A880D6.jpg
 
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Hi Caroline. Some nice knives there!
The knife with the 'carved' covers (HSB) is likely Ivory and, by my guess, made for or about the
World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago 1492 - 1892; 1893
 
Caroline said:
https://imgur.com/a/FVACj Sorry guys, I can't figure out how to get the image to display. Here is the link. Thanks for your help so far!
Click to expand...

Here you go.
(Right click the picture on Imgur.
From the Windows popup, select "copy image address"
Then, in your post click the picture tool (next to the smiley)
In the popup screen, paste the address you just copied.
Done.)

5y8S15R.jpg
 
I think the covers on the HSB are molded "French ivory" (celluloid). Note the shrinkage and the extremely regular variations of color. I suspect genuine ivory would be too expensive for a souvenir knife. Celluloid was also molded with intricate decorations for razor handles.
 
knarfeng said:
Here you go.
(Right click the picture on Imgur.
From the Windows popup, select "copy image address"
Then, in your post click the picture tool (next to the smiley)
In the popup screen, paste the address you just copied.
Done.)

5y8S15R.jpg
Click to expand...
Thank you! I will try again.
 
Caroline, I Use Widows 8 and Chrome. Here's what I do. Not sure this will help, but we can hope.
I'm selecting the top left image and clicking on that thumbnail.
KTyeEGd.jpg

When you get the enlarged image, click on the BBCode selection on the right. Paste this into the BF text box.
ymdInnE.jpg
 
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