Needed: a knife to go camping 100 years ago

[AirCorpsClerk]

For those that don’t know, one of my main hobbies is Classic Camping, which is camping with the gear and the methods of the golden age of camping: the 1890s through the 1930s.

Knives of course are a part of that, but I’m not a knife collector. And I have had poor luck buying knives elsewhere online. I’d prefer to remove some of the guesswork out of the process and buy from folks that know what they’re talking about, and can show me what I’m looking at is the real deal.

I’m not looking for anything special. Nothing pristine or mint condition, nothing heavily cleaned or restored. I’m not out to buy anyone’s pride and joy. I just am on the path towards being overwhelmed by information, and I could use a hand.

I’m just looking for something half decent as long as it’s sharp, in working order, and up to the task. I don’t care about chips and dings in the cosmetics of a knife. That’s just character to me. Just trying to not strike out a third time, and not spend a huge heap of money.

I’m looking for at least a folding knife, but a fixed one is on my list too so I’m open to ideas.

For the folding, I need something from ideally the 1920s, or from the early 1930s. I’m open to suggestions, but my main thought is towards one with at least a main blade, an awl, a can opener, and a bottle opener. If something older fits the bill, or is a better idea, I’m all ears. Only thing I don’t want is anything with the BSA or the GS logos if I can avoid it.

For a fixed blade, I know Marbles is the big name, and I’ve been looking, but it’s hard to wrap my head around when exactly they’re all from. I’m open to anything from any reputable brand from the 1890s on into the early 1930s, preferably with a half decent sheath that can go on a belt. Older is probably better just so long as it’s solid and sharp and not BSA marked.
I’m not partial to the Nessmuk/Woodcraft style of blade mainly because it’s more suited to working with game as opposed to handling camp tasks. But feel free to try to convince me otherwise.


I really appreciate everyone’s help, and for letting an antique camping nut like me in here!

[Ripster]

Would search for Camping / utility knife for the folder . Camillus,Ulster, Schrade and others made a nice knife that would fit your needs . It gets a little harder finding one to fit your dates. That’s where using the tang stamp charts here on the forum and asking questions will help you . This pic shows a couple Camillus and an ulster . They’re in the 1920 s to early 1940 s time frame.
Can’t help with fixed blades much ,not my strong suit.
Interesting hobby you have . Good luck with your knife search.

[Paladin]

For those that don’t know, one of my main hobbies is Classic Camping, which is camping with the gear and the methods of the golden age of camping: the 1890s through the 1930s.

Knives of course are a part of that, but I’m not a knife collector. And I have had poor luck buying knives elsewhere online. I’d prefer to remove some of the guesswork out of the process and buy from folks that know what they’re talking about, and can show me what I’m looking at is the real deal.

I’m not looking for anything special. Nothing pristine or mint condition, nothing heavily cleaned or restored. I’m not out to buy anyone’s pride and joy. I just am on the path towards being overwhelmed by information, and I could use a hand.

I’m just looking for something half decent as long as it’s sharp, in working order, and up to the task. I don’t care about chips and dings in the cosmetics of a knife. That’s just character to me. Just trying to not strike out a third time, and not spend a huge heap of money.

I’m looking for at least a folding knife, but a fixed one is on my list too so I’m open to ideas.

For the folding, I need something from ideally the 1920s, or from the early 1930s. I’m open to suggestions, but my main thought is towards one with at least a main blade, an awl, a can opener, and a bottle opener. If something older fits the bill, or is a better idea, I’m all ears. Only thing I don’t want is anything with the BSA or the GS logos if I can avoid it.

For a fixed blade, I know Marbles is the big name, and I’ve been looking, but it’s hard to wrap my head around when exactly they’re all from. I’m open to anything from any reputable brand from the 1890s on into the early 1930s, preferably with a half decent sheath that can go on a belt. Older is probably better just so long as it’s solid and sharp and not BSA marked.
I’m not partial to the Nessmuk/Woodcraft style of blade mainly because it’s more suited to working with game as opposed to handling camp tasks. But feel free to try to convince me otherwise.


I really appreciate everyone’s help, and for letting an antique camping nut like me in here!

I have nothing to offer you BUT, if I were in the mood to camp like the old timers, I would look into Remingtons. They made a great product (1920-1940) and lots of different patterns. Price will be more than an Imperial but top quality. Finding them well used might be an issue but if you can land one, the search will have been worth it. Remington fixed blades are also excellent but Marble's is a good choice. Their original knives were outstanding.
Best of luck to you in this search.

Ray

[AirCorpsClerk]

Would search for Camping / utility knife for the folder . Camillus,Ulster, Schrade and others made a nice knife that would fit your needs . It gets a little harder finding one to fit your dates. That’s where using the tang stamp charts here on the forum and asking questions will help you . This pic shows a couple Camillus and an ulster . They’re in the 1920 s to early 1940 s time frame.
Can’t help with fixed blades much ,not my strong suit.
Interesting hobby you have . Good luck with your knife search.

I’ve bought two so far, both have been duds. The one was even advertised as being within my era, but turns out it wasn’t. Fortunately I was able to return it for a refund.
I’ve read through the tang stamps thread but a lot of those “charts” are hard to read. I don’t have much luck when looking stuff up on the fly. That’s why I’m hoping to buy something from someone here so I don’t keep taking shots in the dark.

[AirCorpsClerk]

I have nothing to offer you BUT, if I were in the mood to camp like the old timers, I would look into Remingtons. They made a great product (1920-1940) and lots of different patterns. Price will be more than an Imperial but top quality. Finding them well used might be an issue but if you can land one, the search will have been worth it. Remington fixed blades are also excellent but Marble's is a good choice. Their original knives were outstanding.
Best of luck to you in this search.

Ray

I’m not really particular on a brand so long as it’s era appropriate. I almost bought a 30s Remington fixed blade a few weeks ago, but elsewhere I had been warned against knives with the DuPont logo on them, only for me to later that same day be reading a ‘36 issue of Outdoor Life and see an add for Remington/DuPont knives…

[Modern Slip Joints]

To use all their manufacturing capacity for war material both Remington and Winchester stopped making knives before WW II then never made another knife. You need only to be able to identify knifes actually made by them to stay within your time period.

The blade and tools you want describe a knife called a camp, utiliy or scout knife. As far back as I can remember all boys and many girls carried them in their pocket at elementary school. Most or nearly all of them had a spear blade, a can opener, an awl and a bottle opener/flat head screw driver. That was the 1960s. Today many schools expell students caught secretly drawing a picture of a camp knife.

[bestgear]

I’m looking for at least a folding knife, but a fixed one is on my list too so I’m open to ideas.

for an era-correct non-BSA/GS knife, I’d look at Challenge Cutlery Company of Bridgeport Connecticut who went bankrupt in 1928. From 1919 forward, CCC had George Schrade and his son George M. Schrade under their employ and their quality was amongst the highest. Their shop was 2,600 feet away from the big Remington complex on Barnum Avenue so you might think of them as a small-batch manufacturer.

I checked the AAPK stores and none were for sale. I found a good example of my recommendation on eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/326198954229?m ... media=COPY but I think they can be found in similar condition for less money if you are willing to wait.

I second the notion for a Marbles or Kinfolks fixed blade; you couldn’t go wrong with either.

Keep us updated.

[Rough Ryder]

I have the perfect camp knife for you. It’s a fine old Ulster with bone handles. My understanding is it’s an older one made around the turn of the century. I can send pics when I get home.

I may have a fixed blade that will suit your needs as well. I can’t remember the make but it is medium size leather washer handle knife in the same general style as the marbles you may have seen. Pretty sure it’s a Kinfolk’s. I’ll check it when I get home. I’m also not sure of the age right now. I’m hazy but it might be from the 1930s or 1960s. Can’t remember which right now.

Very interesting hobby you got!

[Rough Ryder]

I probably have an axe for you as well if you are looking for one.

[Rough Ryder]

[Rough Ryder]

Ulster camp knife

[Rough Ryder]

Ulster tang stamp

[Rough Ryder]

There are no other markings on the Ulster. My understanding and I’m no expert, is that tang stamp was used between 1876-1941 and is the original Ulster before it was sold. Someone told me they thought it was an older one from pre-1920. I don’t know how they knew that and if there are any Ulter collectors out there, maybe you could chime in. Everything I’ve read states it’s definitely pre-1941. It has that old look and feel but I can’t definitively put a year to it.

[Rough Ryder]

The fixed blade I was told was made by Kinfolks. EDW K. Tyron being a sporting goods company that dates back into the early 1800s. My understanding is EDW K. Tyron closed in 1951 so the knife would be a pre-1951 but again, I’m not an expert and would welcome anyone chiming in with more information.