Let's see your Scout/Camp knives

[Gevonovich]

My better half's latest acquisition. View attachment 1051952View attachment 1051953

She's a keeper! The knife is a gem too

 

[abbydaddy]

An outlier:

Looks like a nice old oyster knife!

 

[Buzzbait]

Here’s one I’ve been after for a long time. They aren’t exactly as rare as some might insist, as they show up somewhat often. But affordable ones are usually pretty beat up. Unused ones ordinarily garner a rather hefty price.

This knife was ordered for the 10th Mountain Division of the US Army, who specialized in mountain warfare, and was fulfilled by Ulster. The 5-blade design has a phillips screwdriver used specially for tightening the bindings on their skis.

Here’s where the cool part comes in. An unused batch of these knives recently surfaced on auction, found at a flea market in the Appenine Mountains in the Tuscan region of Italy. This is very close to where none other than former senator and presidential candidate Bob Dole fought for the 10th Mountain Division in 1942. He was gunned down by machine gun fire and almost killed there.

A picture of the box of knives found at the flea market.

My knife from this find. I’m afraid this is the best photography I could manage in today’s failing light. The knife is still crusted with dried oil.

From the Tenth Mountain Division’s ‘Uniform and Equipmemt Guide’:

It’s really a fascinating knife. The bail is just plain exceptional and interesting, both in shape and stamping. The covers are the typical Rogers bone of the WW2 era. The frame itself is slightly undersized in comparison to a standard scout, and lighter in weight as well. The springs governing the sheepsfoot, can opener and Phillips screwdriver are very thin for a scout knife. The knife almost seems delicate in a certain way.

Walk and talk on the blades is close to a 5 with good snap. The can opener is of the 2-piece variety. No cap lifter on this one. The clip/sheepsfoot blade combo is awesome. The fit is actually pretty good, but the finish is not. There are quite a few blemishes, which may be from sitting in a box of knives in a flea market for 70 years. The position of the pivot pin on the tail end of the knife is so close to the edge of the bolsters that the bolsters couldn’t be ringed properly. The backside of the knife doesn’t appear to have been sanded flat after assembly.

The sheepsfoot blade measures at an excellent .015 to .020” behind the edge. The clip blade measures between .012 and .015” behind the edge, making it an absolute scalpel.

I’m really excited about this knife. The question now concerns whether I can manage to actually carry it, or whether it will live out its life as a prized part of my collection.

I’ll try to take some better pics when a satisfactory lighting opportunity arises.

 

[paulhilborn]

That's pretty cool Buzz, I saw those and have/had them saved in my search. I bought one last year with a VERY similar story behind it. A pretty big/popular seller had and sold several over a couple of months.

They are smaller but soooo cool mine had obviously been stored poorly and I assume exposed to the elements but I love it

Here's my "not the best" pic's

 

[Buzzbait]

That's pretty cool Buzz, I saw those and have/had them saved in my search. I bought one last year with a VERY similar story behind it. A pretty big/popular seller had and sold several over a couple of months.

They are smaller but soooo cool mine had obviously been stored poorly and I assume exposed to the elements but I love it

Here's my "not the best" pic's

How interesting that yours is of such “similar” provenance. Hehehe. It looks like both of ours have led the same hard life of poor storage, but I must say that yours cleaned up quite nicely.

 

[waynorth]

Nice knives and exciting story behind them!!
I ordered 2 from that same batch, Buzz and Paul!! Just waiting for them to drop into my box!
C'mon, knives!!!

 

[veitsi_poika]

Nice knives and exciting story behind them!!
I ordered 2 from that same batch, Buzz and Paul!! Just waiting for them to drop into my box!
C'mon, knives!!!

Buzzbait paulhilborn

Sounds like the market is being flooded with them so I can just wait patiently for the prices to come down

 

[veitsi_poika]

Old Remington and Ulster Boy Scouts with some visible etch

 

[Buzzbait]

Old Remington and Ulster Boy Scouts with some visible etch

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They both looks great. The shield on the Remington looks absolutely pristine.

How is the overall quality of the Ulster in comparison to the Remington? I haven't had the chance to handle an Ulster BSA yet.

 

[paulhilborn]

Old Remington and Ulster Boy Scouts with some visible etch

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NICE Kevin, I had been after a 10th Mountain for sometime and purchased mine a year ago, and yes, I paid considerably more than what I could buy one for today (story of my life) honestly though, I'm happy to have it

 

[Buzzbait]

Here are some pictures with better lighting. As you can see, the condition is a bit rough, though more cleaning is required. But honestly, I don't think I've ever seen a single example that wasn't equally as rough. Does anybody ever recall seeing one with good finish? I'm wondering if this batch was a rush job from the factory, with little to no regard for finish.

 

[Buzzbait]

But honestly, I don't think I've ever seen a single example that wasn't equally as rough. Does anybody ever recall seeing one with good finish? I'm wondering if this batch was a rush job from the factory, with little to no regard for finish.

I take it back. A Google search is showing some very nice ones. I'm jealous.

 

[paulhilborn]

Here are some pictures with better lighting. As you can see, the condition is a bit rough, though more cleaning is required. But honestly, I don't think I've ever seen a single example that wasn't equally as rough. Does anybody ever recall seeing one with good finish? I'm wondering if this batch was a rush job from the factory, with little to no regard for finish.

NICE Buzz, I'll try to snap some better pic's of mine either later today or tomorrow. Your's in in better shape than mine

 

[paulhilborn]

I take it back. A Google search is showing some very nice ones. I'm jealous.

Notice the can opener on one that's listed on the auction site, ours have the (older) can opener and what I assume is a version after our's? In the words of "Arte Johnson" Veeeery Interesting

 

[Buzzbait]

Notice the can opener on one that's listed on the auction site, ours have the (older) can opener and what I assume is a version after our's? In the words of "Arte Johnson" Veeeery Interesting

There's even an early 4-blade version with the phillips screwdriver mounted onto the bail. One could spend their time just trying to come up all of the variations of this incredible little knife.

 

[veitsi_poika]

They both looks great. The shield on the Remington looks absolutely pristine.

How is the overall quality of the Ulster in comparison to the Remington? I haven't had the chance to handle an Ulster BSA yet.

I think pre-1940 Ulster knives are under-rated when it comes to quality, their F/F is up there with the best of them and it's rare to find one with no snap left in them

Now comparing these two knives, I would call the Remington a Man's Scout knife whereas the Ulster is a Boy's Scout knife The Ulster is noticeably more compact and the main spear is less beefy, but other than that the lifter/screwdriver, can opener and punch are very comparable. If I had to choose one for use in the field, I'd give the nod to the Remington

 

[veitsi_poika]

There's even an early 4-blade version with the phillips screwdriver mounted onto the bail. One could spend their time just trying to come up all of the variations of this incredible little knife.

I have seen the ones with the phillips on the end of the bail... can't imagine that is very easy to use I thought the one I saw on The Bay was a fake until I did some research on it. To use it I think you would have to turn it at a 90 degree angle sort of like a ratchet and keep your thumb / forefinger on the bail. I guess it is better than NOT having a phillips

 

[Buzzbait]

I think pre-1940 Ulster knives are under-rated when it comes to quality, their F/F is up there with the best of them and it's rare to find one with no snap left in them

Now comparing these two knives, I would call the Remington a Man's Scout knife whereas the Ulster is a Boy's Scout knife The Ulster is noticeably more compact and the main spear is less beefy, but other than that the lifter/screwdriver, can opener and punch are very comparable. If I had to choose one for use in the field, I'd give the nod to the Remington

Thanks for the opinion. I may have to start tracking down a nice Ulster Dwight Devine for the collection. I've always loved the details I see in their pictures, and I quite enjoy collecting knives that were built close to my home. I work less than an hour away from Ulster, New York.

But I've been loving my recently acquired Remington BSA so much, Remingtons are what I always seem to be searching for. Not a good habit to get into though, as they seem far more pricey than my usual bargain bin Camillus acquisitions. I have another RS3333 incoming as we speak, but the condition is a bit uncertain. It may possibly end up being a bit of a project knife, but we'll see when it arrives. The main blade is quite full, but there could be some significant rust issues to deal with. Fingers crossed.

And here is an obligatory picture of my current Remington RS333, in all of its jigged bone glory. I got lucky on this one. The jigging is still very prominent, but worn to that perfect state of beauty.

 

[veitsi_poika]

Ulster and Camillus...

 

[Phil in Alabama]

Excellent hi-res photos, the detail visible is incredible.