The new Remington Scout knife is supposed to be an authentic copy of their mid 1920s to 1940 RS3333.
The "authentic reproduction" (Remington model #19860) made for Remington by Bear and Sons in Jacksonville Alabama is supposed to be a limited run that will be made in the year 2009 only and made using original manufacturing equipment salvaged from Remington.
The jigged amber bone pattern is also supposed to be true to the original. There are differences between the two the first to note is the reproduction is made using "high carbon" 440 stainless steel the original used Carbon steel.
There have been rumors (I think they are rumors) that there is a carbon steel version of this new reproduction. To this day this so called carbon steel version eludes me.
I will note that finding out the type of steel used was somewhat of a task since my reproduction has no indication anywhere of what type steel is used in it, none all, not on the knife itself or any of the packaging. Some dealers insist on using using hype as a product description without mentioning the type of steel used including the one I purchased it from.
The use of stainless in this version is understandable since newer Boy Scout regulations require that official Boy Scout knives now be manufactured out of stainless steel (a logical choice for learning scouts in a rust prone camping/wilderness environment as well as less of a P.I.T.A. to maintain)
I seems the Boy Scouts have been using imported knives after Camillus closed their doors until recently. Boy Scout knives are now being made in the USA by Bear and Sons, Case, and Remington. Perhaps others as well (official Boy Scout logo knives that is.)
Back to the RS3333 reissue, the other differences are the brass being used in the newer liners are more tarnish resistant than the original ones.
The markings on the blade are identical to the older model from what I read, except the other side of the main blade tang is stamped 2009 to indicate the year of manufacture. The finish on the blade is kind of dull (brushed) giving the appearance of carbon steel.
Another way to distinguish the older RS3333 from the modern reproduction is the original used 3 rivets to secure each handle scale while the new reproduction in the tradition of Bear and Sons slip joints uses only one rivet to secure each handle scale.
After looking with no success for a known online knife dealer who carried them, I resorted to ebay, about a week later they popped up in all the regular dealers (what luck I have) inventory for about $20.00 dollars more, which I would have had no problems paying (ebay can be tricky when it come to defective items.)
First off, to clear things up, everything on this knife is tight no blade play at all and perfect firm snap. There is no rubbing of blades on other blades or liners, the scales are properly fitted and the knife is beautiful to look at. It is a little large.
Although fit and finish is very good, it is not one of those almost perfectly immaculate jobs that you see in some Case or Queen knives. For all I know this could vary from knife to knife or may even be particular to mine.
There is a tiny gap between the one of the leaf springs and the liner on one side, towards the little hanging loop end. On each end of the knife the tips of the two leaf springs on each side do not line up perfectly.
None of these issues affect how the knife functions in any way. The knife still looks beautiful and I would still have purchased it if I knew.
One thing I really like is the old style can opener which actually has an edge on it maybe in the old days can openers on knives were taken more seriously. The bottle opener/screwdriver is large and stout but it's tip is not overly broad or thick, and I would think the leather punch with its rounded chisel point tip is quite usable.
The main blade came unsharpened but not blunt enough to make re-profiling necessary or sharpening hard. It sharpened to a hair popping edge (good heat treat) in about 4 minutes on my Spyderco dark brown sharpmaker sharpening rod freehand without any angle sets or guides.
All in all this is in my opinion a great knife although I was looking for a carbon blade version, I have no problems with this one despite it's 440 stainless blade which sharpens to that gritty, biting, hair popping edge that I like.
It is my understanding that every year a different classic Boy Scout knife will be reproduced. The price for this one ranges from ~ $90.00 to $112.00 (I have seen one for $125.00) and after 2009 another classic will be remade.
I may post pictures but I will not promise as I don't quite know how to yet.
I anyone has further information please post.
The "authentic reproduction" (Remington model #19860) made for Remington by Bear and Sons in Jacksonville Alabama is supposed to be a limited run that will be made in the year 2009 only and made using original manufacturing equipment salvaged from Remington.
The jigged amber bone pattern is also supposed to be true to the original. There are differences between the two the first to note is the reproduction is made using "high carbon" 440 stainless steel the original used Carbon steel.
There have been rumors (I think they are rumors) that there is a carbon steel version of this new reproduction. To this day this so called carbon steel version eludes me.
I will note that finding out the type of steel used was somewhat of a task since my reproduction has no indication anywhere of what type steel is used in it, none all, not on the knife itself or any of the packaging. Some dealers insist on using using hype as a product description without mentioning the type of steel used including the one I purchased it from.
The use of stainless in this version is understandable since newer Boy Scout regulations require that official Boy Scout knives now be manufactured out of stainless steel (a logical choice for learning scouts in a rust prone camping/wilderness environment as well as less of a P.I.T.A. to maintain)
I seems the Boy Scouts have been using imported knives after Camillus closed their doors until recently. Boy Scout knives are now being made in the USA by Bear and Sons, Case, and Remington. Perhaps others as well (official Boy Scout logo knives that is.)
Back to the RS3333 reissue, the other differences are the brass being used in the newer liners are more tarnish resistant than the original ones.
The markings on the blade are identical to the older model from what I read, except the other side of the main blade tang is stamped 2009 to indicate the year of manufacture. The finish on the blade is kind of dull (brushed) giving the appearance of carbon steel.
Another way to distinguish the older RS3333 from the modern reproduction is the original used 3 rivets to secure each handle scale while the new reproduction in the tradition of Bear and Sons slip joints uses only one rivet to secure each handle scale.
After looking with no success for a known online knife dealer who carried them, I resorted to ebay, about a week later they popped up in all the regular dealers (what luck I have) inventory for about $20.00 dollars more, which I would have had no problems paying (ebay can be tricky when it come to defective items.)
First off, to clear things up, everything on this knife is tight no blade play at all and perfect firm snap. There is no rubbing of blades on other blades or liners, the scales are properly fitted and the knife is beautiful to look at. It is a little large.
Although fit and finish is very good, it is not one of those almost perfectly immaculate jobs that you see in some Case or Queen knives. For all I know this could vary from knife to knife or may even be particular to mine.
There is a tiny gap between the one of the leaf springs and the liner on one side, towards the little hanging loop end. On each end of the knife the tips of the two leaf springs on each side do not line up perfectly.
None of these issues affect how the knife functions in any way. The knife still looks beautiful and I would still have purchased it if I knew.
One thing I really like is the old style can opener which actually has an edge on it maybe in the old days can openers on knives were taken more seriously. The bottle opener/screwdriver is large and stout but it's tip is not overly broad or thick, and I would think the leather punch with its rounded chisel point tip is quite usable.
The main blade came unsharpened but not blunt enough to make re-profiling necessary or sharpening hard. It sharpened to a hair popping edge (good heat treat) in about 4 minutes on my Spyderco dark brown sharpmaker sharpening rod freehand without any angle sets or guides.
All in all this is in my opinion a great knife although I was looking for a carbon blade version, I have no problems with this one despite it's 440 stainless blade which sharpens to that gritty, biting, hair popping edge that I like.
It is my understanding that every year a different classic Boy Scout knife will be reproduced. The price for this one ranges from ~ $90.00 to $112.00 (I have seen one for $125.00) and after 2009 another classic will be remade.
I may post pictures but I will not promise as I don't quite know how to yet.
I anyone has further information please post.
