knife of the week, feb 10 2003

[Don Luis]

Since no one else is proposing anything, may I suggest the boy scout/camper pattern ?, I think it´s a big part of American 20th century culture, The combination of spear blade, screwdriver-caplifter, can opener, leather punch and shackle is sooo classical. I´m not sure the design is originally American since I´ve seen variations made all over the world, notably England, Germany and Italy, but also France and Spain, and of course the SAKs.

My first knife at 8 years old in 1960 was one of this, a cheap, crude bolsterless Mexican made with simple molded plastic scales and the words "Pastor Aleman" alongside the head of a German sheperd dog.

Today I have a few, including some SAKs, two Camillus official BSA (the utility and a conmemorative), two all stainless steel military "demo" knives also from Camillus with the USMC stamping and three Irish models that used to be common in Mexico but haven´t seen them in a while.

Now If someone could talk more about the history of this pattern, especially in America, and show some of the old brands with celluloid handles, maybe someone knows about all those can opener variations.

edited to correct spelling

 

[Dr van Nostrom]

Good start Don
Which came first the SAK or the Boy Scout/Camp knife? The original multitool. Can't think of another combo of blades/tools that work together so well.

 

[toothed]

Good call, Don Luis. I have one of the stainless steel handled military Camillus "camp" knives. I don't have it with me today but I think the blade is stamped 1972 or thereabouts. Amazingly, the knife is rustless to date. It's definitely a keeper with me for sentimental reasons (military service) and has been retired from active knife duty.

I've had other plastic handled boy scout/camper-type knives that rusted after use and were discarded--long before I became aware of knives as something more than just a tool. I could go on about trashing classic comic books, toys, fountain pens, etc. that could fetch a nice price from collectors today but that's another (sob) story.

Now, back to the topic. This model seems like the original "multi-tool" and can just about do-it-all. I, too, would be interested in learning about the history behind this great design.

 

[toothed]

Oh, and I forgot to mention that the backsprings on the Camillus I mentioned above are the type that breaks fingernails quite easily--not because of bad fitting but because they're strong. Yes, I guess I've softened up much since the military days.

 

[glennbad]

I have been scooping up a bunch of these type of knives (used) on ebay lately. My latest was a nice Schrade Walden. I haven't seen any like it before or since.

I am a cub scout leader, so I have gathered up enough of the old blue handle Cub scout knives, am cleaning them up, and will use them when the boys work on their whittling chip next year. I will also give these knives to the boys to keep afterward. It's nice to pass on a little history, and the boys will have something that their other pack members won't have.

I also got a bunch of Kamp Kings, a few Ulsters, and some Colonials. The handles on these older knives like to shrink alot, so finding nice specimens is tough. And they pretty much all have one thing in common...the springs on those can openers could just about break your thumb off.

I also have a 1986 Camillus like toothed mentioned, which I got in the military as well (USAF).

And of course, lets not forget the SAK.

I admire all these different makers of these camp/scout knives. Most of them are very good quality, and are very well put together. You can see how the makers had to shape certain blades to get them to fit in that small package. I think that's cool.

I also would like to learn a little more history...

 

[sgt.strawberry]

The week is about up, but I had to get my camp knife comment in. As a kid, I had a couple of the Camco 'glow in the dark' models.. you know, you are out in your tent, you shine the flashlite onto the handles and they... glow! I found one on ebay and bought it.. and had to give it away to the first kid that visited my home. So, like Scout Leader Glennbad in the previous post, I keep my eye out for them and pass them out to friends or co-workers kids.