The All Scout Knives Thread

[TripleF]

I'm heading to my 600 Scout Knives book to see if I can actually find the date this 5 tool knife by Camillus was made.

[Magnercraft]

A little Troop I've put together over the years. One of my favorite shelves to look at.

[Gtrclktr-351]

I don’t own very many camp/scout knives. That being said, my favorite is an old Colonial miniature.

[LAG3]

Here is the one I have.

I love this. It's an Ulster. It's known as the 10th Mountain Division or Devil's Brigade knife. The original 10th Mountain Division was trained to operate in the high altitudes and the addition of the Phillips head screwdriver was for use on their ski bindings. I live near Fort Drum, NY where the 10th Mountain is now stationed. I have one very good friend that I would love to give one of these knives to. There are a few more modern versions, minus the bail which I never understood, by Camillus, Imperial and maybe Ulster. That is a beauty and on my bucket list.

[LAG3]

Johnnie, I found an 1981 Case Camper yesterday, model #640045R. In comparing it to the 640045R SS (mid 2000's mfg) I bought several weeks ago, I noticed that the cap lifter is much longer on the older version - a detail I thought you might have already noticed.

The top knife looks identical to my Camillus Model 99s with the block font and long line used in the 60s-70s. That long screwdriver cap lifter is a classic Camillus going all the way back to my 1944-56 models. The bottom knife is identical to the last Model 99 Camillus produced after switching to stainless steel. The wider spear point and stubby screwdriver cap lifter are dead giveaways. Some collectors aren't too happy when they find out their favorite brand was actually manufactured by Camillus. I don't see it as a negative. Camillus was the contract king and literally made knives for EVERYONE. I recently purchased two Camillus Model 98s on eBay. And only recently saw a Camillus Young Bucks Outdoors scout with jigged Orange Delrin. And as a result of this thread I'm off in search of the SMKW Exclusive Case 3400045R with Yellow Delrin.

[LAG3]

I'll start with three Camco scouts, each with different handle cover materials. Two Kabar 1152 and a Klein Tools electicians knife, all contract knives made by Camillus.

[LAG3]

Here are four Camillus knives known as the Navy And Coast Guard General Utility Knife (14Q38) which has the pen blade instead of the awl. I really prefer this and you will see a pattern. Three of them have a 3 Line Text tang stamp with no line underneath Camillus. These are dated to 1944-45. Mine all have brass liners and spacers. When the government started conserving brass, nickel silver and bone for the war effort, Camillus did produce knives with steel spacers and liners. Due to excessive rusting in salt water spray, the Navy was granted permission to have brass used in the liners and spacers, but the knives still have steel bolsters. The bottom/left knife is different. It has the short line tang stamp (1946-50). It has a very faint tang stamp. When Camillus switched back to nickel silver bolsters, it took a little while to readjust when buffing them. Oftentimes the buffer hit the tang making the stamp very faint. I had doubts about the main blade being refinished. But my research says that for a while they went to a pointier spear point blade to appeal to civilians. The top knife has no snap on the main blade. The second from the top has a very strong pull and guillotine snap when closing. It's absolutely watertight. The other two have strong pull and snap but much smoother operation. I carry the second one. I'm having the bottom three rehandled. And they will be ready to serve for another 80 years.

[LAG3]

The ubiquitous Camillus Model 99. An early model on the left. The rest are all 60s-70s with Brownstag Delrin covers. The next to last is a second or a "cull". Camillus kept a tight rein on their branded knives. If it was deemed imperfect, usually cosmetic, they simply ground their name off the tang. This is an odd one. The blade is thin and has the same nail nick placement as a Camco. The shield doesn't have CAMILLUS in it. It came completely dull, both the blade and the awl. I'm just leaving it as is. It is also nearly impossible to open the can opener and awl. The one on the right has the last tang stamp Camillus used up until they closed in 2007. It's also stainless steel. It doesn't have the model number 99 on the back of the tang. As they drew closer to bankruptcy they took every effort to cut costs.

[LAG3]

Two Model 97 Outdoorsman from the premium Sword Brand Indian Stag series with Staglon Delrin covers. Top is NOS with the 1960-late 70s tang stamp. Bottom one with italicized font from late 70s-80s. Notice the bolsters slant in opposite directions.

[LAG3]

An Imperial made Army Corps Of Engineers Aviation Division (AAF) Pilot Survival Knife. The sheepsfoot blade was chosen for safe use around inflatable rafts and vests. A Pal Blade Company version of the Navy And Coast Guard General Utility Knife. All steel, no brass or nickel silver, produced 1941-43 when the company changed its name to Pal Cutlery Company. The blades, backsprings, liners are immaculate. The main blade does not have a half stop. The other three blades have strong half stops and guillotine snap when closing. It's one of my favorites in the collection.

[LAG3]

Boker USA Xcelite electricians knife, WW2 issue version of the Model 9361 with no model number on the pile side tang and the ugly "brain" textured plastic scales, two Boker 9361, and two John Primble Belknap Hardware & Mfg Co Model 3335* made by Boker USA in the 1940s.

[LAG3]

This may be my favorite. It's a Wards Model 400. My research says it was produced by Cattaraugus between 1935 and 1941. That can opener is the key. It has brass liners, nickel silver bolsters, shield and bail but a steel middle spacer. Beautiful bone covers. And a nice full bellied blade. It shows no signs of abuse, just a nice even patina. I'm waiting on a couple more to come in the mail and then I will post them.

[LAG3]

My Camillus MIL-K/Demo knife. Dated 1996. Virtually unused. These truly are built like a tank. A minty Ulster Model 114 with a double tang stamp. Came from a private collection, also unused. And the little Crosman 918A with the blade etch still visible. These were only made between 1982-1985. It is also the only scout knife with a liner lock on the main blade. These were produced by Kutmaster on their smaller frame just like the Featherweight Girl Scout knives. My wife has one of those in her purse.

[woodwalker]

A little Troop I've put together over the years. One of my favorite shelves to look at.
IMG_E1349.JPG

O, WOW!! SUPER SWEET!! Nice photo also!! I can see why you like to view those beauties!!

[ScoutKnives]

Great collection , thanks for sharing!

Mike

I'll start with three Camco scouts, each with different handle cover materials. Two Kabar 1152 and a Klein Tools electicians knife, all contract knives made by Camillus.

[LAG3]

Thanks. I picked up two more Camillus 99s. One with block font (60s-70s)and one with italicized font (70s-80s). If you look closely you can see the cost saving measures being utilized. The nice lined bolsters have been replaced by smooth bolsters and the bail is just a piece of wire with square ends instead of the nicely rounded and contoured bail on the earlier models. I haven't been able to find a mini scout knife in good enough condition to carry so I bought the little Hammer Brand jack. It's really clean with good snap.

[LAG3]

I also picked up a pair of rare Camillus Model 98s. These were introduced in the 1950s and geared towards sportsmen with all stainless steel construction. Camillus basically slapped some red nylon scales on the MIL-K knife, attached with birdseye rivets for lateral strength. These are built like a tank. Really strong backsprings. The pin on the screwdriver cap lifter remains from the original military issue knives. This pin was used as a punch to maintain weapons in the field. I put them next to my MIL-K knife from 1996 for comparison. A friend laser printed the USMC knife on a piece of wood as part of my collection.

[Jeepergeo]

I also picked up a pair of rare Camillus Model 98s. These were introduced in the 1950s and geared towards sportsmen with all stainless steel construction. Camillus basically slapped some red nylon scales on the MIL-K knife, attached with birdseye rivets for lateral strength. These are built like a tank. Really strong backsprings. The pin on the screwdriver cap lifter remains from the original military issue knives. This pin was used as a punch to maintain weapons in the field. I put them next to my MIL-K knife from 1996 for comparison. A friend laser printed the USMC knife on a piece of wood as part of my collection.

I always wondered what that pin was for. Thank you for getting the information out.

[btrwtr]

Excellent showing LAG3!

[ScoutKnives]

Great knives !

I also picked up a pair of rare Camillus Model 98s. These were introduced in the 1950s and geared towards sportsmen with all stainless steel construction. Camillus basically slapped some red nylon scales on the MIL-K knife, attached with birdseye rivets for lateral strength. These are built like a tank. Really strong backsprings. The pin on the screwdriver cap lifter remains from the original military issue knives. This pin was used as a punch to maintain weapons in the field. I put them next to my MIL-K knife from 1996 for comparison. A friend laser printed the USMC knife on a piece of wood as part of my collection.

[LAG3]

Thank you! These are my only Official Scout Knives. The 1985 Schrade reproduction wthe very first Official Boy Scout Knife made by New York Knife Company. It was stored open for 41 years. The main blade and screwdriver cap lifter didn't have much snap when it arrived. I cleaned and lubed it. All blades have good snap both into battery and closing. The extremely smooth pull led me to believe it wouldn't be strong in the open position but I was wrong. I absolutely love the knife. The little Utica Kutmaster Featherweight Girl Scout knife has the original owner's name scrawled on the bolster. Which I really like. The Crosman 918A was made by Kutmaster on the same frame between 1982-85.

[Ridgegrass]

Really like the scribed name. It'd be nice if you could find her. I've had lots of personalized pieces but I've never connected with an owner. Those girls' Featherlights are almost always nice, not thrown or abused. J.O'.

[CarMan]

I also picked up a pair of rare Camillus Model 98s. These were introduced in the 1950s and geared towards sportsmen with all stainless steel construction. Camillus basically slapped some red nylon scales on the MIL-K knife, attached with birdseye rivets for lateral strength. These are built like a tank. Really strong backsprings. The pin on the screwdriver cap lifter remains from the original military issue knives. This pin was used as a punch to maintain weapons in the field. I put them next to my MIL-K knife from 1996 for comparison. A friend laser printed the USMC knife on a piece of wood as part of my collection.

Believe it or not I just acquired a Camillus MIL-K that somehow made it out with a model 98 blade. Not sure if it’s factory or just well done, but considering the 98 is worth considerably more money I can’t see why someone would put that blade in a MIL-K-818.

[LAG3]

Really like the scribed name. It'd be nice if you could find her. I've had lots of personalized pieces but I've never connected with an owner. Those girls' Featherlights are almost always nice, not thrown or abused. J.O'.

Thank you. I did a quick search but didn't come up with a match. I'm watching another one on the auction site that also has a name scribed in the bolster.

[LAG3]

I also picked up a pair of rare Camillus Model 98s. These were introduced in the 1950s and geared towards sportsmen with all stainless steel construction. Camillus basically slapped some red nylon scales on the MIL-K knife, attached with birdseye rivets for lateral strength. These are built like a tank. Really strong backsprings. The pin on the screwdriver cap lifter remains from the original military issue knives. This pin was used as a punch to maintain weapons in the field. I put them next to my MIL-K knife from 1996 for comparison. A friend laser printed the USMC knife on a piece of wood as part of my collection.

Believe it or not I just acquired a Camillus MIL-K that somehow made it out with a model 98 blade. Not sure if it’s factory or just well done, but considering the 98 is worth considerably more money I can’t see why someone would put that blade in a MIL-K-818.

I have a Model 99 cull/second. I pointed out the diffences above. When Camillus closed they sold huge bins of blades, marked and unmarked. During the years they were in production it wasn't uncommon to see blades with mismatched markings. Since the 98 is just a MIL-K knife with red scales, it makes perfect sense. I'd love to see it!