Codger's Camp Utility knives from box 3

[Codger_64]

I thought that these knives might bear a bit closer examination so that, even with my poor pictures and the relic condition of some, it might help some of you with future identifications of knives you own and knives you might buy.

I bought this knife just for the tangstamp. I know no one else here has ever done such a thing. I've done a bit of research on the name, A. W. Wadsworth & Sons Germany D.R.P. , and know it was one of the marks used by Adolph Kastor & Brothers on their imported German knives. John and Charlotte Goins' book shows the mark as "c. 1905-1936". My question about it arose when I searched for the origin of the "D.R.P." BRL, when asked about this said,

It means Deutsches Reichspatent...

BRL...

And upon further inquiry,...

No. That Wadsworth knife is pre-1915.

The abbreviation D R P probably is, too.

The hollow stamped sheet metal pocketknife handle is definitely pre 1915, probably pre 1905...

BRL...

This knife was originally painted as some paint remains in low spots on the "jigging", but now it mostly shows the underlying nickel plating. Unfortunately the blades were "cleaned to mint" before I bought it. Still, it presents a good example of a pre-WWI, turn of the century import by A. Kastor & Bros. Oh, and the odd blade? Supposedly a glass cutter with a glass nibbler notch. An odd appendage on a knife shield marked "SCOUT". Befitting it's relatively low pricepoint, the lineings are steel, not brass.

 

[Codger_64]

Next up is a Camillus KENT shielded "SCOUT KNIFE" with molded composition covers and the old style can opener. Kent was a branding made exclusively for F.W. Woolworths so the price point is apparent. It is still a relatively well made knife and in remarkable condition considering it's age. According to John Goins, Camillus began using the KENT mark c. 1931. Which pretty well coincides with Albert Baer's memoirs recollection of his landing the Woolworths' account as salesman for Camillus. I am not sure of dates that this non-safety can opener blade was in use. I note that the bail is located below the pivot pin and not attached to it.

 

[screened porch]

Is that a Prestolite key on the blade of which I have to ask if it's a can opener? (on the Wadsworth)
The knife's in great shape.

 

[Codger_64]

Is that a Prestolite key on the blade of which I have to ask if it's a can opener? (on the Wadsworth)
The knife's in great shape.

No, the Prestolite key would be a square piercing in a blade, not open at the edge. Used with a glass cutter, the notch would be to "nibble" or break off glass which did not cut cleanly.

Here is an early Schrade Cut Co. presstolite blade.

 

[Codger_64]

Next is a Camillus camp utility. Nice bone (uncleaned) and the four most common blades, pinch/awl, can opener, bottle opener with screwdriver and spear master blade. Rather than a catchy scout affiliation or "king/master" name, the pinned shield is stamped Camillus. This one is brass lined and has the tang mark, "CAMILLUS (underlined) New York U.S.A." (c. 1960-76?). Unfortunately at some point in it's life someone removed the bail and peened the pins over. This one deserves some cleaning and attention.

 

[Codger_64]

Now a Sears Craftsman #9549. Nice jigged bone handle, Craftsman "crown" logo shield, brass lined with the four common blades.
It retains it's bail pinned through the pivot.

 

[Gevonovich]

Next is a Camillus camp utility. Nice bone (uncleaned) and the four most common blades, pinch/awl, can opener, bottle opener with screwdriver and spear master blade. Rather than a catchy scout affiliation or "king/master" name, the pinned shield is stamped Camillus. This one is brass lined and has the tang mark, "CAMILLUS (underlined) New York U.S.A." (c. 1960-76?). Unfortunately at some point in it's life someone removed the bail and peened the pins over. This one deserves some cleaning and attention.

My favorite so far! I just could not help but notice the knife on the Cut Co booklet...man o man.

Also, just a side note, I have a few odd can openers that I don't quite know how they work. It would be an interesting thread to show each style and how well and how best to use them.

 

[Codger_64]

An "ULSTER KNIFE Co" stamped bone handled, shieldless 3 5/8" camp utility. Very nice bone but the shackle is missing and the spear pocket blade is tipped. Relic, but an example of the type.

 

[Codger_64]

My favorite so far! I just could not help but notice the knife on the Cut Co booklet...man o man.

Also, just a side note, I have a few odd can openers that I don't quite know how they work. It would be an interesting thread to show each style and how well and how best to use them.

That Schrade Cut Co. catalog, 1926, and all it's suppliments up to 1940 are archived online for collectors' use. They came from the Imperial Schrade factory archives and sometimes the 1971 A.G. Russell authorized reprint can be found for purchase.

http://collectors-of-schrades-r.us/Catalogs/index.htm

Interesting idea on the can openers. There is quite a variety and I am yet to find a really concise guide giving patent dates and use directions. Most, however are rather intuitive. I'll definately add that to my "round tuit" list of projects!

 

[Gevonovich]

Thank for the link!! Heading off to look at it.

And yes..I, for one, would love to see that project! I have searched and searched and have not found anything.

 

[Codger_64]

An Ulster USA, obviously a more modern production than the previous Ulster. It has a blank shield set in what appears to be thin jigged composition covers, possibly Delrin as there is no shrinkage. It has brass liners and all four blades flat ground and fully polished. While not marked as such, they appear to be stainless.

 

[Codger_64]

How about a few from the low price point catagory, a pair of Imperial Kamp Kings. Shell handled, steel lined, these knives were Imperial's answer to the upscale official BSA knives in a price affordable to more young boys. The pattern goes back well into the 1930's, documented to 1936 in the Imperial Hammerbrand catalog (H-611), the earliest Imperial catalog we have been able to locate and archive on the COSRUS site. The "Kamp King" makes it's appearance as the JM-38 a four blade with "stagged molded handles", nickle silver linings, full polished blades (MSRP $1.00); a three blade Kamp King, JM-36; also in that catalog are shown smaller versions in the "Jackmaster" line, the "Kamp King Jr." with three blades. These two had smooth wrapped covers. There was also a series of military tribute knives, the JM-311s in various handle coverings. And a miniature three blade, JM-30.

Here is an original empty counter display for the Kamp Kings from the 1950's. It is still somewhere in the storage room.

This is the 3 3/8" three blade JM-37 from that catalog with mottled pearlized cell wrapped handles. It has the early Hammerbrand tang stamp. The photo does not do this cell justice.

 

[SAK Guy]

Wow...I just love these threads!

 

[DocIcenogle]

Wow...I just love these threads!

Well you seam to be the man to ask.
So Mr. Codger what do I have? I know it's a knife a Scout knife in fact.
But I have never seen a silver one. Is this odd?
I have a good idea from the can opener it is for the 30's or 40's or older.

 

[screened porch]

Thanks again for the thread, Codger_64 .
Sorry to have been one of those clowns who asks without reading. (You had just posted that it was a nibbler on the glass-cutter.)

I have a Camillus with the bail gone and the pin peened down. I dropped the knife and the bail broke at the attachment point. My efforts to make a new one were inadequate, and apparently it didn't occur to me to try to order a replacement.

 

[Codger_64]

Well you seam to be the man to ask.
So Mr. Codger what do I have? I know it's a knife a Scout knife in fact.
But I have never seen a silver one. Is this odd?
I have a good idea from the can opener it is for the 30's or 40's or older.

Silver just means that it has lost its thin handle covering. Not too uncommon.