WWII camp/scout/engineer's? Help idenifying and info about?

[boogibar]

A friend was cleaning out his late parents' home and found this late 1940s beauty. Not sure if it's a camp, engineer's, or scout knife, as it has no shield. Check out the old-school curved canned opener that fits into a notch when folded. There is a fourth line to the tang stamp (USA) but you can't really tell from these pics. Includes main blade, cap lifter, and awl. Appears to be celluloid or some type of plastic. Although not hi-lighted in the pics, the main blade seems somewhat unusual, not a spear point, but more of a wharncliffe type. I can post more detailed pics upon request. So, any further definitive info would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

[Reverand]

Not celluloid, so you have avoided that time bomb! It does not "break down" and destroy a knife like celluloid, it only shrinks.
It is a black composite, a precursor to plastic, and I doubt if anyone knows any longer what it is made from. It is common on knives from the 1940's and 1950's.
That is a beautiful knife! You can tell that it has been used (as a knife should be), yet is still in great shape.
Congratulations on owning it!

[boogibar]

thanks for the info...and yes, the handles have shrunk a bit where they meet the bolsters...glad to know it's some form of plastic, so maybe I can clean accordingly...what's your thoughts on cleaning, using a buffing wheel, etc? still don't know what it's called, or it's value, based on the unusual features that I've already mentioned.

Bar

[Mumbleypeg]

Nice example. It’s correctly called a camp or utility knife. If it was a “scout” knife it would have the insignia of a scouting organization (BSA, Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls, etc) somewhere on it, typically the shield and/or blade etch. However in actual practice the terms are mistakenly used interchangeably, so you can call it any of those names and folks will probably know what you mean. I wouldn’t clean it other than some lukewarm water with a little dish soap and an old toothbrush. Rinse and dry it thoroughly (compressed air will help get water out of the joints). Put a drop of lightweight in each joint and work the blades open and closed a few times to distribute it, then wipe the blades with a light oil.

You can browse the All Scout Knives thread here on AAPK and find dozens like it. They were made by the millions. https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... hp?t=12874. Value is not high but you can do an advanced search of eBay sold listings only, of “Camillus camp/utility knife” to see what they’re selling for. The blade was originally a spear blade, it’s been sharpened to its current shape, probably carelessly but perhaps intentionally.

Welcome to AAPK.

Ken