English Boy Scout Knives

[meako]

I love the owners identity on that Knife- he didn't want to loose that one did he Jack!

Definitely.
I reckon he got to have a go of his Dads engraving tool...
Interestingly Kilvington is a village in Nottinghamshire....had a few pints in the pub back in '86.

 

[John A. Larsen]

Just read the article in "Knife Magazine" on English Boy Scout Knives. The lead photo of there George Wostenholm folder, that is believed to be made for Canadian Scouts is a winner. I found the article interesting, informative and also sad. Sad in the fact that most likely Scounts could not carry any of those fixed bladed knives shown in the article. Strange how most of them grew up to be productive citizens of their respective countries, able to carry and use fix bladed knives, but now forbidden for their kids or more likely their grand kids. John

 

[Jack Black]

Jack my friend I always admired that Maleham & Yoeman's Sheath Knife- awesome Knife!

Thanks Duncan John Maleham is from the same line, but they didn't have a single Maleham.& Yeoman knife in the family. Very old style tang stamp

 

[Jack Black]

Just read the article in "Knife Magazine" on English Boy Scout Knives. The lead photo of there George Wostenholm folder, that is believed to be made for Canadian Scouts is a winner. I found the article interesting, informative and also sad. Sad in the fact that most likely Scounts could not carry any of those fixed bladed knives shown in the article. Strange how most of them grew up to be productive citizens of their respective countries, able to carry and use fix bladed knives, but now forbidden for their kids or more likely their grand kids. John

Thank you John Stan Shaw made his granddaughter a lovely Girl Guide knife when she joined up. The first time she carried it, they took it off her, and her mother had to go to collect it

 

[Campbellclanman]

Thanks Duncan John Maleham is from the same line, but they didn't have a single Maleham.& Yeoman knife in the family. Very old style tang stamp

I agree my friend, it has a very interesting Tang Stamp - just everything about it- it has great Vintage Style - I love it! I am glad that you gave the Maleham family some heritage back Jack- that's just so typical of your amazing generosity

 

[Jack Black]

I agree my friend, it has a very interesting Tang Stamp - just everything about it- it has great Vintage Style - I love it! I am glad that you gave the Maleham family some heritage back Jack- that's just so typical of your amazing generosity

Thank you Duncan, you are a kind soul

 

[meako]

I had a lot to do with Cubs and Scouts with my Sons growing up.Mostly as a parent helper....and whilst they did go on things like caving and abseiling....when I suggested to the leaders about pocketknife care and sharpening...I got 'the look' you know the kind of pitying look given to
homeless deros....I was given a little talk about Scouts Australia rules..bla bla bla...The real message is they aren't allowed to let a bunch of out of control maniacs hold knives...and that was more some of the parents.

 

[Jack Black]

I had a lot to do with Cubs and Scouts with my Sons growing up.Mostly as a parent helper....and whilst they did go on things like caving and abseiling....when I suggested to the leaders about pocketknife care and sharpening...I got 'the look' you know the kind of pitying look given to
homeless deros....I was given a little talk about Scouts Australia rules..bla bla bla...The real message is they aren't allowed to let a bunch of out of control maniacs hold knives...and that was more some of the parents.

Crazy isn't it?

This edition of The Girl Guide Book was still current when my sister was a guide in the 70's:

Ibberson's were not alone in also selling the Girl Guide pattern as a Small Yachting Knife:

 

[Triton]

Just read the article in "Knife Magazine" on English Boy Scout Knives. The lead photo of there George Wostenholm folder, that is believed to be made for Canadian Scouts is a winner. I found the article interesting, informative and also sad. Sad in the fact that most likely Scounts could not carry any of those fixed bladed knives shown in the article. Strange how most of them grew up to be productive citizens of their respective countries, able to carry and use fix bladed knives, but now forbidden for their kids or more likely their grand kids. John

Can't have young responsible clean cut types wandering about with sharp pointy things! You never know when that knife may turn them into manic mass murderers.

 

[Jack Black]

A group of Scouts from 1913:

Some early Scout uniforms:

From Scouting for Boys:

Whittle-tang Bowies, known as Scout Knives:

Here's an interesting tale, with some footage of 2 Boy Scouts from 1936. At least one of the boys is clearly wearing a Scout Knife.

 

[Sid Post]

These days, unfortunately, children groups are ruled by people with social agendas to a large degree without regard to the children themselves. I dare say a child is more apt to bleed from a slip-joint knife than a fixed blade but, heaven forbid a Boy or Girl Scout in good standing having one to use responsibly.

Add to that, many leaders of the scouts themselves do not have any reasonable experience with a knife so, they view it like putting a gun in the hands of a mentally deranged lunatic.

Personally, I grew up with a loaded shotgun propped up in the corner by the door and carried a Lockback knife from Junior High School through College. Never once was I threat with a gun or knife in my childhood because my father and grandfather taught me how to use them properly.

These days, unfortunately, at least in a lot of the USA, marijuana is affecting mental health so, this is a possible side effect affecting Scouting groups as well.

 

[herder]

Yeah, definitely mate The Players building is still there, close to the city centre, my niece lives in Notts Jon

The Nottinghamshire Heritage Gateway > Themes > John Player & Sons > Structural

My uncle was a sailor on the Bulwark, smoked 60-80 Navy Cut a day, for the rest of his short life

I love those images my friend, really takes me back

Thanks buddy, I'd say it's seen a few misadventures too!

Such a feature of our childhoods I was offered some Richards knives in the market today, they're still common enough. A mate of mine, a former member here, saw a full Richards card on sale in another local market. Asked the guy to save it for him, while he went to the bank. When he went back, the guy handed him the knives, but said he'd binned the card as he didn't think he'd want it!

Very interesting to see that Interesting that they still had the Admiralty 301 Pattern in their catalogue in 1925

Thanks pal Here's another Girl Guide Knife, made by Mount. Girl Guides carried the knives on a small sprung clip on one side of their belt, with a whistle carried on the other side

Jack, that's a great looking Admiralty 301 model with beautiful stag handles. Yes, it is interesting to see that model in a 1925 catalog. Flook's Military knives book states that the 310 pattern started at least as early as 1910, but he does not give an end date for the stag handled models. He notes that the aluminum handled variations ran at least to the early 1930s, but sort of implies that the stag 301 were a WWI era knife.

Neat to see Harry's (Harriet) model with a can opener. Very unusual to see any English "Scout" knife of that type including a marlin spike which also has a can opener.

Enclosed is a picture of a "Scout" model next to a full sized "Service" model with a can opener in a 1928 Taylor's catalog.

View attachment 2269799

 

[herder]

I wonder if the smaller knife here was intended for the British Boy Scouts?? It is 3 3/4" long, like the T.Turner above, and has horn handles!! Marked "Roberts" (arched) over "Holly St." over "Sheffield". Pile marked Made in England! No other mark were found!!
View attachment 2267773

Charlie, very neat example which certainly fits the bill for an English Boy Scout knife.
That's the first model I've seen with the "Roberts" markings. Wonderful colored horn also.
And a great full size jigged bone example next to it. I can't quite make out the name, is it "Southington" ?

 

[waynorth]

Charlie, very neat example which certainly fits the bill for an English Boy Scout knife.
That's the first model I've seen with the "Roberts" markings. Wonderful colored horn also.
And a great full size jigged bone example next to it. I can't quite make out the name, is it "Southington" ?

Thanks, Neal!! Have you seen other "Roberts" knives??
The large one is an older Schatt&Morgan!

 

[herder]

Just read the article in "Knife Magazine" on English Boy Scout Knives. The lead photo of there George Wostenholm folder, that is believed to be made for Canadian Scouts is a winner. I found the article interesting, informative and also sad. Sad in the fact that most likely Scounts could not carry any of those fixed bladed knives shown in the article. Strange how most of them grew up to be productive citizens of their respective countries, able to carry and use fix bladed knives, but now forbidden for their kids or more likely their grand kids. John

John, thanks for the nice comments and yes, what a shame about clamp down on knives for any Scouting program.
I hope Parents aren't showing their kids how to use evil cooking knives either...

Jack, it breaks my heart to hear your story about Stan giving his granddaughter a handmade knife only to be taken away by leadership.

 

[herder]

A group of Scouts from 1913:

Some early Scout uniforms:

From Scouting for Boys:

Whittle-tang Bowies, known as Scout Knives:

Here's an interesting tale, with some footage of 2 Boy Scouts from 1936. At least one of the boys is clearly wearing a Scout Knife.

Jack, fantastic pictures and what a cool video!!!

 

[herder]

Sid Post, yes, it's a sad day when boy or girl scouts can't have or use knives in their programs. We can only suggest and hope for change.

Charlie, Wow "Schatt & Morgan". Fantastic, and the only one I have ever seen.

Here are a couple of pictures from a 1910 newspaper talking about the Boy Scout program in England. The pictures aren't great, but I love seeing that boy carrying a large wooden-spoked wagon wheel up their handmade bridge.
Also enclosed is a paragraph from that same 1910 article talking about the items a Scout should have.

View attachment 2269840

View attachment 2269842

View attachment 2269843

View attachment 2269844

 

[Jack Black]

Jack, that's a great looking Admiralty 301 model with beautiful stag handles. Yes, it is interesting to see that model in a 1925 catalog. Flook's Military knives book states that the 310 pattern started at least as early as 1910, but he does not give an end date for the stag handled models. He notes that the aluminum handled variations ran at least to the early 1930s, but sort of implies that the stag 301 were a WWI era knife.

Thanks buddy Harrison Brothers & Howson. Here's how it was when I got it!

Neat to see Harry's (Harriet) model with a can opener. Very unusual to see any English "Scout" knife of that type including a marlin spike which also has a can opener.

Enclosed is a picture of a "Scout" model next to a full sized "Service" model with a can opener in a 1928 Taylor's catalog.

View attachment 2269799

Thanks, I'll have to take some comparison photos of the ones I have. Cool TEW images, I have a few of the lower model. Here's one by James Barber

Jack, fantastic pictures and what a cool video!!!

Thanks a lot mate, interesting story I thought. A week earlier, the Hindenburg had flown over Leeds

Here are a couple of pictures from a 1910 newspaper talking about the Boy Scout program in England. The pictures aren't great, but I love seeing that boy carrying a large wooden-spoked wagon wheel up their handmade bridge.
Also enclosed is a paragraph from that same 1910 article talking about the items a Scout should have.

View attachment 2269840

View attachment 2269842

View attachment 2269843

View attachment 2269844

Fantastic images Those are some useful skills!

Here's another photo from 1913

 

[Johnnythefox]

Thanks buddy Harrison Brothers & Howson. Here's how it was when I got it!

View attachment 2270291
View attachment 2270292


Thanks, I'll have to take some comparison photos of the ones I have. Cool TEW images, I have a few of the lower model. Here's one by James Barber

View attachment 2270293

Thanks a lot mate, interesting story I thought. A week earlier, the Hindenburg had flown over Leeds

Fantastic images Those are some useful skills!

Here's another photo from 1913

View attachment 2270294

Thats a whole new level of "Patina"

 

[Slice-and-dice]

Glenn, yes, German Scout knives are certainly more common than English ones. But I know you will find some good ones.

Thanks Lithicus, and the "Scout" models were always a bit smaller than the "Military" models.
Enclosed is a catalog illustration from a 1925 T. Turner catalog showing some good size comparisons of the English Military, Boy Scouts, and Girl Guide knives.

View attachment 2266463

Great reference chart here, thanks for sharing! By the way, do we know why the marlin spike would be a useful tool to scouts?