The Camillus Cutlery Company was one of the oldest knife manufacturers in the United States with roots dating back to 1876. The company manufactured Camillus branded knives and was a prolific contractor for other knife brands up until its last days in 2007 when the company filed for bankruptcy.
I apologize in advance for my English, because it is not my native language.
The first official Boy Scout Knife Camillus did in 1947. Prior to that, he was doing only not-official or semi-official scout knives.
"BSA purchased a one year-old magazine (Boys' Life: Boys' and Boy Scouts' Magazine) with 6,100 youthful subscribers from Joe Lane, from Rhode Island, who had described his magazine as "the official magazine of the Rhode Island Boy Scouts" (not yet adsorbed by BSA) and the "unofficial publication of the Boy Scouts of America." BSA developed this publication for scouts, but it was read widely by girls and non-scouts as well. It did well, outlasting all the other competitors of that time, such as American Boy, Boys' Magazine, and the Saturday Evening Post, among others. Obviously in some early years BSA did not restrict itself to Boys' Life as its medium, for the American Boy magazine of July, 1926 showed an advertisement for an official BSA axe. Eighteen year old Norman Rockwell was hired in 1912 as an unknown artist, and his Boys' Life art efforts launched his art career and established quality artwork for BSA. Until 1976 he continued to prepare occasional scouting artwork.
In the early years Boys' Life magazine stimulated its sales by offering knives as rewards to scouts for getting new subscribers. This type of sales program has led a few modern dealers to call these unofficial knives "premium knives". Below is a listing of the unofficial knives thought as so offered. Use of unofficial knives was not unique, for the 1919 Equipment Catalog listed every available official knife as a Boys' Life subscription premium. The first two official New York Knife Company knives were available as premiums, as were the combination tool kit knife, six eating knives, and sharpening stone. There were no marks on the nine knives which distinguish these knives as associated with Boys' Life, nor were unofficial knives explained below marked to indicate association with BSA. All promotional efforts were sanctioned at the national level, and there were advertisements and catalogs in print. It is likely that the years 1913-1930 were the only ones for premiums...
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CAMILLUS KNIFE CO. (Probably between 1913-1930)
Company Notes: Knife #1 probably was between 1925 and 1945, given celluloid discontinuance date, the interstate-style shield beginning date, and four-line masterblade markings. The #2 knife could be 1915-1945 given the Sword Brand label.
Manufactured These Knives Used as Special Promotion.
CAM01BP
3.63" 4-Blade Camillus Knife Co., Black Celluloid Handle (75 S).
Shield-crossed-flags and STANDARD SCOUT on silver shield shaped much like Interstate shield. MB(M): CAMILLUS/CUTLERY CO/CAMILLUS NY. 1-rivet. Removable bail. CO(M): CANOPENER. Line on bolsters. Unusual in having only a partial nail pull on PU.
CAM02BP
3.63" 4-Blade Camillus Knife Co., Pearl Celluloid Handle (125 S).
Shield-crossed-flags and SCOUT on silver shield shaped much like Interstate shield. Removable bail. MB(M): CAMILLUS/CUTLERY CO/CAMILLUS NY/USA. MB(P): SWORD/<sword>/BRAND. CO(M): CANOPENER. 3-rivet. PU(M): SPIRAL (script)/PUNCH."
J.R. Kerr "600 Scout Knives" 1997
I have in my collection two knives that are similar to this description.
"In 1947, Camillus began to manufacture a full line of official folding knives for the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), which they continue to do so today. An example of such a knife in this line is the BSA068 Woodsman Double Bladed Lockback. One of the largest knives of the BSA offerings at 5 inches closed, this brawny folding companion features a stainless clip point blade and a wood saw in a patented double lockback design. The handles are of jigged brown Delrin® and affixed to one side is a nickel silver BSA fleur-de-lis shield. The blades have a special BSA commemorative etching. With a knife like the BSA068 Woodsman Double Bladed Lockback any scout would be proud to have this along on his next camping expedition. Within this special series, the BSA chose to honor the late great artist, Norman Rockwell. The BSA064 Commemorative Norman Rockwell Limited Edition multi-blade folder featured a Norman Rockwell scene on one side of the handle, and on the other was the Boy Scout Oath. Every year, the BSA selects a Norman Rockwell print to be featured on the BSA064. This particular BSA knife is a limited edition. Working in harmony - Norman Rockwell, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Camillus Cutlery Company - together, teaching the virtues of life in America."
Dexter Ewing - Official Camillus website (2000-2007)
And Vit, I'm sure you have one of these '80-'84 #1047s with white Delrin® handles. I have one of each, the long line tang stamp and the Italic tang stamp.
Attachments
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
jerryd6818 wrote:I understand that this one is not an "authorized" Boy Scout knife but I like it because it's a short line and has bone handles.
.......jerry, is this one an ebay knife???...only one I ever remember seeing was on ebay, and I remember bidding on it, but someone outbid me!!..... ...................
jerryd6818 wrote:I understand that this one is not an "authorized" Boy Scout knife but I like it because it's a short line and has bone handles.
.......jerry, is this one an ebay knife???...only one I ever remember seeing was on ebay, and I remember bidding on it, but someone outbid me!!..... ...................
No. I picked that one up at the fall Badger Knife Show in Janesville WI three years ago. Had it at least a year before I noticed the Boy Scouts etch on the blade.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
Thank you for sharing them!
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