old Boy Scout knife clean-up questions

L

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I found my old official Boy Scout knife cleaning out my Mom's attic yesterday and want to clean it up. It dates to about 1978, has 4 "blades" and is marked Ulster USA. It is in surprisingly good condition. There is some printing very lightly silk screened onto the blade. Something about Boy Scouts and probably Official Knife (can't remember exactly).

I am pretty sure this would be a carbon (non-stainless) steel and it has some rust spots on it. The rust is primarily inside the nail nick and there is a spot on the awl. Also some tiny specks along the edge, etc. However, besides these few rust spots, the rest of the steel is very bright and shiny with no patina at all. It looks like I would expect stainless to look despite being neglected for a quarter century. Can anyone confirm that this would be carbon steel (type?) and/or comment on why it would be 95% bright and free of patina? It's almost as if the knife were made with a clear coating to protect the finish and the rust developed where the coating was damaged.

I am thinking of using WD-40 and something mildly abrasive such as fine steel wool to clean up the rust. The scales appear to be plastic imitation jigged bone.

The knife was stored in a leather sheath and the bolsters at one end have turned bright green from contact with the leather.

I am not interested in market value or selling. This is just a keepsake and part of my tiny "collection." Possibly going to a son some day. I may use it a time or two for old time's sake, but that's about it. I have heard that among collectible knives, cleaning them can be a bad thing. So I am looking for advice on how to do it the right way if there is any right way.

Thanks.
 
WD 40 and 0000 steel wool will remove the rust. It will not polish the spots.
This is the right way.
Bill
 
Congrats on a great find! I would love to find a kinfe I had when I was a kid.

Keep us up dated and post a few pictures if you can.
 
lol i got in alot of trouble back in the day by bringing my scout knife to school. all the other kids had folding blades and hardcore gangster shit they stole from ther brothers and me with the scout knife got in trouble.needless to say it was a rough elemetary school...
 
I checked the edge under magnification and it still has the factory edge. It is still somewhat sharp, even thought I carried it through a full Scouting career. I guess I didn't use it too hard. Mostly cutting twine and an occasional hot dog stick, I guess. And maybe that is a sign that the steel is pretty good. Probably much better than what is used today on inexpensive knives.

I've actually had trouble finding a local source of steel wool, but I have some ScotchBrite pads that I will try. I wish I knew to oil it before putting it away so long ago. It should clean up nicely, I think.
 
Steel wool should be available at any hardware or department store. Get 0000.
Don't use the Scotchbrite-it will scratch the blade.
Bill
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Steel wool should be available at any hardware or department store. Get 0000.
Don't use the Scotchbrite-it will scratch the blade.
Bill
Click to expand...
OK. I tried Wal-Mart, Target and 2 drug stores. The closest I found was a "steel scrubber" that was a mesh of both plastic and steel. Also available in copper. I'll keep looking. I figured Scotchbrite would be even less abrasive than steel wool, but I guess not. Steel wool does not seem to be as common as it was years ago.

Thanks for the advice!
 
Try the paint department at Walmart. That's where I buy mine.
Bill
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Try the paint department at Walmart. That's where I buy mine.
Bill
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip. That was the first place I looked, and was not able to find it there at my local Walmart. I bet the home improvement centers would be a good place to check next. I also have an auto parts store very near by.
 
Well, I've run on hard times and I AM interested in the value of old Scout knives. I have quite a few knocking around from the 60's and my family probably has another generation or two of them, willing to share in the proceeds of a sale.

Can anyone give me a quick opinion as to how old a good quality Scout knife must be to be worth something? They make SO many of them.. Or is it a matter of high quality or no value at all, like some 'antique' Are we talking a hundred years old? I live in Cincinnati, afterall, where I understand it all started.

Also, is there an online source to determine pricing on knives (and other antiques), either by type or in general? I know there are a lot of books, but has Warman's gone to the web, as has Blue Book? I've searched and haven't found any yet.

Thanks (and sorry for the long message).
rMenagerie
 
ewsmith said:
Well, I've run on hard times and I AM interested in the value of old Scout knives. I have quite a few knocking around from the 60's and my family probably has another generation or two of them, willing to share in the proceeds of a sale.

Can anyone give me a quick opinion as to how old a good quality Scout knife must be to be worth something? They make SO many of them.. Or is it a matter of high quality or no value at all, like some 'antique' Are we talking a hundred years old? I live in Cincinnati, afterall, where I understand it all started.

Also, is there an online source to determine pricing on knives (and other antiques), either by type or in general? I know there are a lot of books, but has Warman's gone to the web, as has Blue Book? I've searched and haven't found any yet.

Thanks (and sorry for the long message).
rMenagerie
Click to expand...

Scout knives run the gamut. Highest I've ever seen one go for was at a Scout benefit auction, where a completely mint in box Ulster Sea Scout knife went for $1600. Essentially, after WW2 tends to be a break point. There was such a membership boom from '46-'70 that Scout material from that era is cheap.

Started in Cincinnati? I'd hope you don't mean the Scout movement. That was England in 1907. The US version was officially given the Congressional seal of approval in 1910, starting in New York City.
 
Most are not worth much. I think one reason is that while there is some nostalgic interest, the intrinsic value is very low considering that you can get a superior SAK today anywhere for very little money.

A quick scan of Ebay shows them going for less than $20 in most cases. These are knives from the 60's, 70's and 80's for the most part, without original packaging and in used condition. The high dollar ones would be mint in original package and dating back to the 30's or older. There were many manufacturers over the years and that makes a difference as well. Chances are you could round up enough money to throw a party, but not a nice vacation.
 
I've bought lots of knives on ebay and have watched Boy Scout knives sell cheap. Lurker hit the nail right on the head. For example... Here's the description:

This is a very nice 1980s Barlow German-made multi-tool knife. It features a 21/2" black-Teflon coated hardened stainless steel spear blade tang-stamped, "Inox Solinger Germany," a 1 1/2" black clip blade tang-stamped, "Rostfrei, Solingen," a full-size scissors, a black can opener, a black bottle opener, a black punch/scraper, and a black corkscrew. It had black ABS handles, stamped on one side (small) Barlow, Solingen." The knife has never been used and is virtually mint. Measures 3 1/2" closed and comes with vinyl sheath. A superbly-made knife!

When I got it it WAS in mint condition! I was astounded by the quality of this little gem.

ccd3_1.JPG


I paid $10.99 for it. So, you have to ask yourself, how do your's compair in quality and price? BTW, I've bought several other knives that are similar quality and price.
 
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