I got my first Voos folder

[Meridian_Mike]

I don't know much about this maker but I do know of a forum (this one) that can enlighten me.....

This is my first Voos knife for my collection.
It is good and nasty and needs a good cleaning. Looks like I might have to work on the blades a bit to get rid of some heavy scratches BUT...
The blades do look pretty full. It might just turn out to be a nice knife after a good clean-up.

Are all the tang stamps for Voos knives pretty much the same.. (???) or can you date a Voos knife from the tang stamp?

[Meridian_Mike]

From what I am seeing, this pattern seems to be very common for Voos folding knives.



ALSO, not a lot of info here or anywhere I have seen (so far) about Voos.

[Ivoryman]

Little info here:

viewtopic.php?t=58080

All I can tell you is I have one, the top knife, and must say it's a solid piece, good snap and action, no wobble, great bones, solid construction and workings. Love the steel they used, it's easy to sharpen and keep sharp and holds the edge. Nothing wrong with it at all and since I paid about $45 about 4-5 years ago and use it regularly, it's well worth what I paid and then some. I like them and look them over whenever I see one. I would buy another if had the chance.

[Meridian_Mike]

NICE Voos you have there!

I think I am beginning to get excited about the one I bought. Sure sounds like Mr. Voos knew how to make a good knife!

[OLDE CUTLER]

I have the same jack that everyone else seems to have. Must be the most common Voos. Mine looks a little different because when I got it the mark side bone was missing and I made a replacement and tried to jig it to match as close as possible. I think I paid about $5 for it because it was missing the bone.

[Meridian_Mike]

Well DOG GONE!

That is one heck of a jigging job OC! VERY NICE!

Yep, it seems like if you put in a search for a Voos folding knife you either get the same bare head as mine and yours.... OR... it is a "watch fob" knife.



Looks like there would be a different pattern or 2 out there some place.

[tongueriver]

Goins'.

[Meridian_Mike]

SO......

John H Graham & Co. (New Haven Hardware Specialty Co) used the Voos name after Ernest Voos died?
Did they buy the rights from the Voos family or something?

Interesting!



Still.... there must not be just a whole bunch of these knives out there. You can't find many in a google search (or at least I can't).

[tongueriver]

My take is that Graham etc. was just one of the dealers selling Voos knives.

[Meridian_Mike]

My take is that Graham etc. was just one of the dealers selling Voos knives.

I see....
Hmmmmm.....

[FRJ]

Here's one. An old Hawkbill.
A solid knife.
Yours would be a fine packer, Mike.

[Meridian_Mike]

That is a NICE hawk bill Joe!

Does yours have "USA" under the "VOOS" on the tang stamp?

As I am starting to find out....
Mr. Ernest Voos had a cutlery shop in New Haven Conn. prior to 1919.....That cutlery shop became the New Haven Hardware Specialty Co. in 1919. The NHHS Co. used the Arrow through the Voos name with "USA" under that as their trademark.

SO.... I am wondering if the trademark WITHOUT the "USA" under it were earlier made knives?
Maybe prior to 1919????

I am looking around for tang stamp pictures to see if there were any differences.

[FRJ]

Does yours have "USA" under the "VOOS" on the tang stamp?

Yes it does, Mike.
I have another Voos around here somewhere. A folder that I think is similar to yours.
I'll dig for it.

[Meridian_Mike]

Thanks for that nice close-up Joe.

I think I am beginning to see that there is a Voos USA and a Voos Germany.

Voos USA was started by Ernest Voos in America....

Voos Germany is Emil Voos (and maybe others ???).....making knives in Germany

Still searching for info.