Need Help to ID Boy Scout knife

[Bob N]

I have set out on a quest to find a Boy Scout knife to add to my growing collection. I would like this knife to be from the period when I was a scout waaaaay back 1960-1961. I remember it being 4 blades with the can opener being of the hook style and not the 2 prong. Metal Boy Scout emblem inlayed in brown jigged handle. Sure wish I knew whatever happened to my orginal over the years Been looking at Ulster on the Bay which appear very close to what I remember, but don't know how to date them.

Can anyone help me ID which brand I should be looking for and how to date one to that period?

Many thanks for any help you can offer.

 

[DennisStrickland]

hi bob in we really need a close pic to help you.
dennis

 

[glennbad]

Here's a few to look at. They all don't have the brown handles, but good for reference purposes...

I don't have a pic handy of the Ulster, which is probably more close to the one you are thinking of, and has a round boy scout shield.

Glenn

 

[thawk]

Bob, I am not sure, but I think this example is from the early 1960's.

I do not have a 1961 catalog illustration of the BSA knife from then, but this 1961 Ulster 114 is close. I also do not know if the 1961 BSA knife was Bonite, but Bonite was harder plastic than Delrin, often redder too. The BSA in the photo is Delrin. I believe the bottom example of Glenn's, with the carved BSA emblem, is Bonite, but not 100% sure.

 

[Bob N]

So very helpful guys.... Thanks! Now I at least have something to compare to before I buy that will allow me to get close.

Y'all are GREAT!!!

 

[artemiis29]

Glennbad,

I don't suppose you can tell me anything about the knife pictured in the bottom photo? I have the exact same one, but know nothing about it.

Thanks!

 

[Thomas Linton]

Here's a few to look at. They all don't have the brown handles, but good for reference purposes...

I don't have a pic handy of the Ulster, which is probably more close to the one you are thinking of, and has a round boy scout shield.

Glenn

The bottom photo (shield molded in scale) was the issue during 1958-1962, BSA No. 1996.

The one on top was issue 1955-1958 if the shield is plastic and 1949-1955 if the shield is metal.

 

[Thomas Linton]

Bob, I am not sure, but I think this example is from the early 1960's.

I do not have a 1961 catalog illustration of the BSA knife from then, but this 1961 Ulster 114 is close. I also do not know if the 1961 BSA knife was Bonite, but Bonite was harder plastic than Delrin, often redder too. The BSA in the photo is Delrin. I believe the bottom example of Glenn's, with the carved BSA emblem, is Bonite, but not 100% sure.

Ulster USA started making issue BSA knives in 1962. The knife illustrated was issue during 1983-88. It's supposed to look like stag bone.

 

[artemiis29]

Very cool, thank you Thomas!

 

[johnny1950]

The bottom photo (shield molded in scale) was the issue during 1958-1962, BSA No. 1996.

The one on top was issue 1955-1958 if the shield is plastic and 1949-1955 if the shield is metal.

It sure brings back memories seeing that bottom knife. I was eleven in 1961 and that was the knife my parents bought me at tne official Boy Scout counter of Ely's clothing store. Thanks for posting the knife!

 

[Thomas Linton]

More non-BSA "Scout" pattern knives were sold than BSA-issue models. Early on, many non-BSA knives had shields with the word "scout" or "scouts," but litigation eventually stopped that practice. Thereafter, the makers had to settle for "Camper," "Trooper," or the like. These unofficial knives were usually cheaper, but sometimes of equal quality to the official knives. Often, they were made by the same companies making official BSA knives.

Today, post-Camillus, BSA-issue knives are all "CHINA" knives, except for Victorinox models (inventories of discontinued [and discounted] Bear & Sons items aside). They are of inconsistent heat-treatment quality, and the fishing of the tools is by tumbling, resulting in rounded over screw-driver edges ("Chinese Screw-Driver disease"). Fit and finish is pretty good.

In addition, BSA will license use of its name to anyone, so all sorts of knives not sold by BSA are out there, and they run the range from good, to collectables (not tools), to junk. In that practice, they follow the gun companies.