Camillus Cub Scout knife

Dave_B

Dave_B

Joined
Sep 24, 2003
Messages
131
I finally replaced the Cub Scout knife I "lost" in 1965. I guess my Dad meant it whan he told me to obey the knife handling rules on my "Toting Chip". I didn't think anyone saw me sticking it in the ground as I walked home from a pack meeting. Boy, was I wrong. I don't remember ever seeing that knife again.
Anyway,
The build quality of the new knife was somewhat less than I expected (even for $22). I spent an hour of shop time fixing non-functional liner locks, removing burrs and re-aligning rubbing blades. I finished by spending few minutes with the ceramic rods on the Sharpmaker, tweaking up the main blade to shaving sharp. The knife looks and functions great now, and I've been carrying it all week. I used the awl for scribing lines on wood and sheet rock and the screw driver came in handy several times. I know SAKs are the rage ( I have 6), but I really like this knife.
I am seriously considering buying an AG Russell premium scout knife, but the ~ $100 price is a bit intimidating. Anyone have one?

Do any of you guys carry a camp/scout knife as your EDC?
Dave_B
 
Dave_B said:
I finally replaced the Cub Scout knife I "lost" in 1965. I guess my Dad meant it whan he told me to obey the knife handling rules on my "Toting Chip". I didn't think anyone saw me sticking it in the ground as I walked home from a pack meeting. Boy, was I wrong. I don't remember ever seeing that knife again.
Anyway,
The build quality of the new knife was somewhat less than I expected (even for $22). I spent an hour of shop time fixing non-functional liner locks, removing burrs and re-aligning rubbing blades. I finished by spending few minutes with the ceramic rods on the Sharpmaker, tweaking up the main blade to shaving sharp. The knife looks and functions great now, and I've been carrying it all week. I used the awl for scribing lines on wood and sheet rock and the screw driver came in handy several times. I know SAKs are the rage ( I have 6), but I really like this knife.
I am seriously considering buying an AG Russell premium scout knife, but the ~ $100 price is a bit intimidating. Anyone have one?

Do any of you guys carry a camp/scout knife as your EDC?
Dave_B
Click to expand...

Ah, the Blue Beast... it's a beauty. Shame you bought a new one, though. Originals from the 50s and 60s rarely bring more than $25 at knife shows and antique malls. I carried a Scout knife for the better part of a decade, and am still looking for a really nice replacement. If the AG one had bone grips, it'd be mine.

Here's a little review on the AG Premium Scout: Premium Scout
 
I've still got my Scrub Scout knife, bought new in 1956. I've never forgotten the advice that came with it: "Keep your knife sharp. It may save your life." The liner locks have been nonfunctional for some time now--I don't have your skills, Dave, or I'd fix 'em. This has been my reloading bench knife for many years. I use the punch to pry open ratty 12 and 20 gauge reloads, and the main blade to cut the hulls down and recover the wad and powder.
 
As a cub scout den leader, I wanted to set my boys up right. When it came time to work on their whittling chip card, we worked a long time on safety and knife care before we even handled the knives. I taped up the blades, and never had one cut on any of the boys. (what they do at home is their parent's problem) I bought a bunch of older cub knives on ebay, and rehabbed them. Just like you said, sharpened them, fix the liner locks, that sort of thing. When the boys earned their card, I also gave them one of the knives to keep. I figure, if they're going to lose or break their first one, might as well be a re-tread instead of a brand new shiny one.

Also, the parent might not go out and buy their kid one, but if I gave them one, that might shame the parents into actually letting the kid use it. I also made it clear to the boys that mom and dad hold the ultimate authority on these knives.

I never was a cub scout as a kid, but through my son and the rest of his den, I guess I can be now. BTW, going to resident camp next week with my son, pocket knives in hand. :)

Glenn
 
Sword and Shield said:
Ah, the Blue Beast... it's a beauty. Shame you bought a new one, though. Originals from the 50s and 60s rarely bring more than $25 at knife shows and antique malls. I carried a Scout knife for the better part of a decade, and am still looking for a really nice replacement. If the AG one had bone grips, it'd be mine.

Here's a little review on the AG Premium Scout: Premium Scout
Click to expand...

Sword & Shield:

you had better give up your bad habits and save your nickels and dimes for the next several weeks, the bone handled scout is coming down the pike.

all the best,

A. G.
 
A. G. Russell said:
Sword & Shield:

you had better give up your bad habits and save your nickels and dimes for the next several weeks, the bone handled scout is coming down the pike.

all the best,

A. G.
Click to expand...

Oboy,
I know what one of my Christmas presents is already!
Dave

BTW,
I received a Camillus Boy Scout knife (BS008) in the mail today. It is considerably better made than the Cub scout knife I posted about earlier, but after looking it over closely, I am even more sure a Premium Scout is soon to be mine. :p
 
GRMike said:
I've still got my Scrub Scout knife, bought new in 1956. I've never forgotten the advice that came with it: "Keep your knife sharp. It may save your life." The liner locks have been nonfunctional for some time now--I don't have your skills, Dave, or I'd fix 'em. This has been my reloading bench knife for many years. I use the punch to pry open ratty 12 and 20 gauge reloads, and the main blade to cut the hulls down and recover the wad and powder.
Click to expand...

Mike,
Thanks for the kind words.
My skills consist of: plenty of patience, a few hand tools and lots of diamond paper. I like to take knives and make them look and work as well as possible. I have tried to work on old knives, but I'm never satisfied with the results.

Dave (I'm polishing the springs on a Buck 303 right now...)
 
I recently picked up a Case scout knife at Bass Pro for $25. I'm very happy with it and would suggest you take a look at one. While I know it is not in the same leauge as the AG knife it is very nice and 1/4 the price.
Patrick
 
Some I have or have had:

Boker, very good 6 blades with corkscrew and punch on the bottom, expensive, lost when I moved to my new house.

SAK Soldier, very very good IMHO, I have both Vic and Wenger.

Other SAKs, everyone should have at least one.

Two official Scout from Camillus, one is red handled no bolsters, the other one a commemorative, I wish they were better built and with thicker main blades.

Camillus military utility, all stainless steel, strong and takes a good edge, roughly finished, good for the low price.

Inexpensive Ireland made with cheap hollow handle scales, good carbon blades, built OK, good for the low price, I have rehandled two of them and they are much better now.

Pastor Aleman, cheap one probably made in Mexico, lost long time ago, important to me because it was my first knife at age 8.


The A.G. Russell Premium Scout looks fantastic, not something I can get in Mexico though.
 
I have both the Camillus Cub Scout and Camillus Boy Scout knives and I actually prefer the Cub Scout knife. The Cub is a bit narrower and fits into my pocket better. Neither one was a shining example of assembly prowess, but I have them both tuned up and they are now quite nice.
I have a Tinker SAK, and it is just about perfect. The fit and finish was flawless from the box and it cost me about 2/3 the price of the Cub Scout knife.
I am still leaning towards a Premium Scout, but I have starting to wonder if there is a slightly narrower, lighter equivalent. I wish I could "try" one out for a spell.
Dave
 
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