The Beer Scout Knife

Tenacious D said:
Well, if we're talking about "Beerlows", I'm pretty certain Evan made the first one, since GEC hasn't made any caplifters with a Barlow Bolster. I think Evan was also the first one to make a "Sheeplifter", which is what these Beer Scouts are. If memory serves me correct, GEC had done caplifters with clips and spears, and then Evan modified a few with a sheepsfoot and everyone wanted one, and after that GEC ran a few sheeplifter scouts for the Rendezvous last year.
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And they were pretty cool... I like parts knives.
 
At first I have to admit being a little snobbish about the Beer Scout concept. I couldn't help but thinking about the Boy Scouts when I saw this knife, particularly with the bale, reminiscent of the boy scout knives made by Camillus. The idea of mixing Boy Scouts and Beer just didn't sit right. I've since come to terms with the whimsical nature of this cool knife, imagining mischievous Boy Scouts sneaking away from the campsite to drink some contraband beverage. I'm sure that's never happened. I'm also not a fan of blade etching, but the "BS" blade etch sort of completes the package for me. Heck, maybe the BS etch was the main idea all along and someone cleverly thought of naming the knife Beer Scout instead of the more obvious literal translation of the acronym. Now there's real genius, for sure! I have two of these magnificent knives on order, but if I'd thought about it earlier I would have ordered one in sunbright acrylic. A knife that makes itself apparent in the dark to someone who's in need of a bottle opener really hits the mark.
 
I didn't even understand why some people seemed surprised and against the etch. Haha I'm slow.

Anyway, I don't care cause it'll be gone soon if I decide to keep and use it. Plus I like it kinda.
 
Oh dang, that font really ties in well with tortoise shell. I hope the chestnut bone comes out looking at least half so nice!
 
The pattern looks good. But the script is a little too Martha Stewart for me. But others seem to like it and I think the pattern was going to be a winner no matter what. I'd prefer the original plain font ... either "scout" or "beer scout"...omit the blade etch... and make the wire bail an optional separate purchase.

GEDC9509.JPG


Although I think the addition of the lanyard tube is nice, in my opinion there was really no reason to change anything from the original knives they sold. They already knew there was a huge demand for it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

2014 GEC Rendezvous knife (not my photo)
15-1-1_zps0bcau1rd.jpg
 
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Jake, have you seen Mike Latham's SFO? It has the original SCOUT shield you're looking for. I doubt it will have the blade etch either so your in luck there. It still has the bail and tube but I think you need to give in to the ways of the lanyard anyhow. They can be so helpful when you're fumbling through your pockets and heck you can even tie your knife off on you belt loop to make sure you don't leave it at your friend's house.

As for the BSK shield: could be me but I don't think of Martha when I see that font, I think of a 60's beer advert. A little kitschy but I think that's cool! I for one think they went to a lot of trouble to make this knife special "and it's a good thing". :p
 
Dr-Mabuse said:
Jake, have you seen Mike Latham's SFO? It has the original SCOUT shield you're looking for. I doubt it will have the blade etch either so your in luck there. It still has the bail and tube but I think you need to give in to the ways of the lanyard anyhow. They can be so helpful when you're fumbling through your pockets and heck you can even tie your knife off on you belt loop to make sure you don't leave it at your friend's house.

As for the BSK shield: could be me but I don't think of Martha when I see that font, I think of a 60's beer advert. A little kitschy but I think that's cool! I for one think they went to a lot of trouble to make this knife special "and it's a good thing". :p
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I'm a little disappointed but I hope I didn't rain on the parade. Maybe I'll change my mind when I have the knife in my hands. I have 1 "beer scout" and 2 "soda scouts" on preorder. Do you know if the font will be the original plain font on the "soda scout"?

The wire bail and etch aren't really issues since both can be removed. I just think GEC could have saved some time and effort. An etch can be worthwhile like on the "Day's Work" barlows. Charlie is a clever guy. Imagine what could be accomplished if he would start consulting on all the knives. :eek:

Thank you for the feedback.
 
I am debating on what will make the nicest beer scout. I currently have a sawcut chestnut and natural micarta reserved but wondering if one of them should swap out with ebony or cocobolo. Too many choices is a very bad thing.
 
I agree Dr- Mabuse, it would have taken quite a bit to program out and decide on a typography and then manufacture the parts out for one special run of these knives. Like many others have said, reminds me of the vintage knives I see posted up here from time to time.
 
supratentorial said:
The pattern looks good. But the script is a little too Martha Stewart for me. But others seem to like it and I think the pattern was going to be a winner no matter what. I'd prefer the original plain font ... either "scout" or "beer scout"...omit the blade etch... and make the wire bail an optional separate purchase.

GEDC9509.JPG


Although I think the addition of the lanyard tube is nice, in my opinion there was really no reason to change anything from the original knives they sold. They already knew there was a huge demand for it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

2014 GEC Rendezvous knife (not my photo)
15-1-1_zps0bcau1rd.jpg
Click to expand...

supratentorial said:
I'm a little disappointed but I hope I didn't rain on the parade. Maybe I'll change my mind when I have the knife in my hands. I have 1 "beer scout" and 2 "soda scouts" on preorder. Do you know if the font will be the original plain font on the "soda scout"?

The wire bail and etch aren't really issues since both can be removed. I just think GEC could have saved some time and effort. An etch can be worthwhile like on the "Day's Work" barlows. Charlie is a clever guy. Imagine what could be accomplished if he would start consulting on all the knives. :eek:

Thank you for the feedback.
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Jake, as usual, your posts are right on the money. You perfectly articulated my feelings about the changes GEC made in the basic #15 Scout sheeplifter. But I have come to appreciate this version of the sheeplifter as sort of a humorous take on the original.

The folks at GEC, and the dealer-enthusiasts who encouraged this project, have seen our countless posts asking for "Beerlows" or a caplifter on this knife or that. Some of the suggestions sort of run counter to the idea of what makes a traditional knife, like the pleas to put a caplifter on the TC Barlow. We post photos of our sheeplifters, Rendezvous knives, and Radio Jacks, often with our favorite adult beverages. Sometimes the forum seems less like the front porch and more like a back yard BBQ with one-too-many beers.

Just looking at some of the offerings from GEC, it seems they have a good sense of humor. I think the Beer Scout Knife has been designed and produced with tongue-in-cheek: from the over-the-top extras like a bail, EO notch, and outrageously long Beer Scout Knife shield, to the playful BS blade etch. I feel like someone's yankin' my lanyard a bit, walking the fine line between giving me an exquisitely designed and crafted traditional pocket knife, and playing a little joke on me at the same time.

Truthfully, I laugh when I see the blade etch. I pull out my paracord thinking about the bail and a lanyard. I see the tortoise-shell acrylic BSK and a couple of BSK Club beer glasses as the perfect birthday present for my little brother. I know that my generation that grew up with glow-in-the-dark toys in the '60s is the marketing target for the Sunbrite. I get the joke about being able to locate the caplifter in the dark after a few beers and the joke about the potential for injury using a knife in the dark!

I wonder if GEC is trying to see how outrageous they can make it and still sell to traditional knife enthusiasts. I wish I could go to the Rendezvous and ask Bill and his crew what they were thinking.

In the end, the joke is on me. If GEC is having a little fun at my expense (literally and figuratively), then I'm happy to play along. Sometimes I want a more conservative traditional pocket knife, like my grandfather carried to church on Sundays. But sometimes I want a little bit of fun in my pocket. That's what I think GEC and our dealer-enthusiasts were going for... A little fun.
 
I agree with everything you said Scott. This is a functional, fun conversation piece that'll be one of those stories you can tell anyone when they look it over, see the etch (if it's still there) read the shield, adn then you pull out a pair of glasses and pour a cold one. I think it provides a wallop of joyful character into the traditional knife market which already has a good amount of character in itself.
 
Dr. Scott said:
Jake, as usual, your posts are right on the money. You perfectly articulated my feelings about the changes GEC made in the basic #15 Scout sheeplifter. But I have come to appreciate this version of the sheeplifter as sort of a humorous take on the original.

The folks at GEC, and the dealer-enthusiasts who encouraged this project, have seen our countless posts asking for "Beerlows" or a caplifter on this knife or that. Some of the suggestions sort of run counter to the idea of what makes a traditional knife, like the pleas to put a caplifter on the TC Barlow. We post photos of our sheeplifters, Rendezvous knives, and Radio Jacks, often with our favorite adult beverages. Sometimes the forum seems less like the front porch and more like a back yard BBQ with one-too-many beers.

Just looking at some of the offerings from GEC, it seems they have a good sense of humor. I think the Beer Scout Knife has been designed and produced with tongue-in-cheek: from the over-the-top extras like a bail, EO notch, and outrageously long Beer Scout Knife shield, to the playful BS blade etch. I feel like someone's yankin' my lanyard a bit, walking the fine line between giving me an exquisitely designed and crafted traditional pocket knife, and playing a little joke on me at the same time.

Truthfully, I laugh when I see the blade etch. I pull out my paracord thinking about the bail and a lanyard. I see the tortoise-shell acrylic BSK and a couple of BSK Club beer glasses as the perfect birthday present for my little brother. I know that my generation that grew up with glow-in-the-dark toys in the '60s is the marketing target for the Sunbrite. I get the joke about being able to locate the caplifter in the dark after a few beers and the joke about the potential for injury using a knife in the dark!

I wonder if GEC is trying to see how outrageous they can make it and still sell to traditional knife enthusiasts. I wish I could go to the Rendezvous and ask Bill and his crew what they were thinking.

In the end, the joke is on me. If GEC is having a little fun at my expense (literally and figuratively), then I'm happy to play along. Sometimes I want a more conservative traditional pocket knife, like my grandfather carried to church on Sundays. But sometimes I want a little bit of fun in my pocket. That's what I think GEC and our dealer-enthusiasts were going for... A little fun.
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Thanks for that, Scott. It gives me a better perspective. I'm probably taking this run of knives a bit too seriously. Part of that may be because it's a side of GEC that I haven't previously seen. But also, tool knives are of particular interest to me. There's definitely some joking around going on at "the other end of that hall". It's going to be fun to see these knives roll out. Also there are a couple of more reserved variations of the knife that are SFOs and I'll be watching those closely as well.

tdkfm said:
Your grandpa didn't drink after church got out?
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Lol!
 
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