👍 Excellent series on the Cub Scout knife. I am just discovering these videos and enjoy learning how knives originally designed for 10 year olds can make reasonably good EDC knives for adults. Thank you for reintroducing me me to these tools.
As a young kid I remember seeing the Cub Scouts at our school after school and always wondered what it would be like to be a Cub Scout . It definitely looked like a lot of fun My mom couldn't afford the fees unfortunately. Thanks for the history lesson
bloodhound122, thanks. I’m still collecting information but unlike the official Boy Scout Knives, these seem to be relegated to a bit of obscurity. Thanks for watching.
Excellent video and the first I have seen outlining the history of the BSA Cub Scout knife. Like you, I really enjoy collecting and learning about the Scout/Camper/Utility knives in their various forms and iterations. Looking forward to more in this series, thank you!
JJ Cahill, thanks. One of the interesting things, as far as I can tell, this particular pattern of junior camp knife was only used an official Cub Scout Knife. It seems like the companies that made it never made the knife as an unofficial camp/scout junior knife. If you want a three blade camper with the liner lock and reamer then it’s an official Cub Scout Knife or nothing. Thanks for watching.
That is very insightful as I have a few 3 bladed Jr. scout/campers and they are all without the reamer/awl and are non-locking. I did acquire an Imperial BSA Cub Scout recently and it looks identical to the one you used as a reference.Very cleaver (and safe) to include the reamer/awl and the liner locks as you pointed out! Thanks!
JJ Cahill I have actually seen a few three blade scouts with a reamer but in ever case it has turned out to be a four blade camper that has had the can opener removed. In every instance the reamer and main blade operate off the back spring and the cap lifter screwdriver operates off the front spring. Often you can tell there is a space for the can opener but it has been removed. It’s hard to tell if it was done purposely at the factory or by the previous owner.
That is very interesting! I can absolutely see where the pre "Safety " can opener was/is a risky implement. I had never known soldiers were being taken out of the fight due to can opener injuries during WWII; a great piece of forgotten history you unearthed!
, thank for watching. I found out about soldiers being removed from combat while reading Silvey's book on Military Pocket Knives. I would've never thought that it could happen but apparently some nasty gashes were caused. It was more prevalent in the Pacific theater as small cuts were more likely to get infected and the can openers were more likely to rust. Really crazy stuff. Again, thanks for watching.
Another video pertaining to this topic that I greatly appreciate. I have now been watching quite a few of Tobias's videos, and it's safe to say that I've become very interested in the topic of - broadly speaking- utility knives again: First and foremost, I've aways enjoyed collecting traditional American pattern knives. I do however usually gravitate to larger knives like ~4" Stockmans, Muskrats, or larger still, like an 'overbuilt' 1970s Case toenail that I have. Regarding smaller knives, I had already sworn off the Victorinox train 10 years ago, saying to myself that with them you're always 'chasing the dragon': the knives get bigger and chunkier and pricier and harder to acquire, but you're never done, there's always that one feature your missing, and that was maybe only once available on this obscure one release that now you'd pay an arm and a leg for. (I decided then to stick with my mark2 GAK, and my basic Tinker, and be done with it forever more; oh, and one tiny Rally model, too) However, learning how much Tobias enjoys especially the smaller Cub Scout knives, it got me thinking again: Slightly smaller package; I'd try that for a change, the vintage-but-not-too-pricey legacy of Camillus/Remington, Imperial and such; never unsubscribed from that, locking awl and screwdriver blade; very much interested in that, Delrin scales; also a fav. of mine. So the hunt was on. Yet, in my mind, a utility knife needs a philips driver! Is it not true that most user-service, relevant screws are philips these days? So I only really considered the larger, 5-bladed Master/Deluxe Scout models (and you see far fewer of these offered.) Also I live in tropical climate, so when I'm honest, carbon steal is a bit more hassle for me than it's worse. (My toenail (aforementioned) is fine, but I'd rather not get any more) So long story short, I decided to pick up some of these ideas but go a different route: An older Wenger Tradesman (Classic 51) (so some vintage air at least); has the smaller frame, a cleverly locking flathead, a cute clippoint blade for secondary, but also a Philips and some pliers. Regarding those, before I got off Victorinox, the Mechanic model was my absolute favorite (and would you know it, it's now discontinued, an obscure model to begin with, and thus not turning up too much) So that's why the pliers are in this new 'package' now also (and Wenger's are fancier, too). Very excited to receive it. Anyway, keep on keeping on, Tobias; great content, much respect for all the insight.
Thanks so much for the kind words and sharing so much about what knife collecting means to you. I'm glad you're enjoying the channel. I will try to keep the content and information flowing.
I was a cub scout back in the early 1960's. I don't think I had a cub scout knife though. I'm not sure if it was because I hadn't earned enough badges yet or maybe because my Mom may have not wanted me to have a knife yet. Of course we lived in a rough part of town then so that might also have had something to do with it. I don't recall any of the other cub scouts in our den with knives either.
Interesting history of the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts In their biggest time. Just curious about Girl Scouts. I have a green Girl Scout knife (not sure of the year) but it looks like a slightly smaller, lighter knife.
Steve H, I’ll be talking a bit about the Girl Scout Knives in an upcoming ep. They are indeed smaller. The size is usually 3 3/8 inch or 3 1/2 inches, the same length as a junior scouts and I believe they were marketed as a 4 blade junior scout. The pattern was adopted as the Girl Scout Knife almost immediately after the organization was founded. In 1912.
Funnily enough, in the UK, the birth place of the Scout Movement, I don’t think there has ever been an official’ Scout Knife. There have been, from time to time, knives bearing the Fleur de Lis, but never a long term, official knife. We have always carried sheath knife, usually some form of Sheffield ‘Bowie’ around 4 - 6" in length. When off duty, a Swiss Army Knife would suffice. Both were sold in the Scout Shops. Also, in the UK, the Wolf Cubs were officially founded in 1916, seven years after BP founded the movement. I’m sure this illustrates a massive cultural gulf between the UK and the US... just a year in, you had an official knife, we never did.
👍 Excellent series on the Cub Scout knife. I am just discovering these videos and enjoy learning how knives originally designed for 10 year olds can make reasonably good EDC knives for adults. Thank you for reintroducing me me to these tools.
As a young kid I remember seeing the Cub Scouts at our school after school and always wondered what it would be like to be a Cub Scout . It definitely looked like a lot of fun My mom couldn't afford the fees unfortunately. Thanks for the history lesson
This is great info. Looking forward to the rest of the series. Thanks for sharing it.
Steve, thanks. It’s been fun researching the knives. Thanks for watching!
What a great informative series and just sweet collection of scout knives.
bloodhound122, thanks. I’m still collecting information but unlike the official Boy Scout Knives, these seem to be relegated to a bit of obscurity. Thanks for watching.
Knife Chats with Tobias only older scout knife I currently have in collection is my sister's girl scout knife from the 60's
Excellent video and the first I have seen outlining the history of the BSA Cub Scout knife. Like you, I really enjoy collecting and learning about the Scout/Camper/Utility knives in their various forms and iterations. Looking forward to more in this series, thank you!
JJ Cahill, thanks. One of the interesting things, as far as I can tell, this particular pattern of junior camp knife was only used an official Cub Scout Knife. It seems like the companies that made it never made the knife as an unofficial camp/scout junior knife. If you want a three blade camper with the liner lock and reamer then it’s an official Cub Scout Knife or nothing. Thanks for watching.
That is very insightful as I have a few 3 bladed Jr. scout/campers and they are all without the reamer/awl and are non-locking. I did acquire an Imperial BSA Cub Scout recently and it looks identical to the one you used as a reference.Very cleaver (and safe) to include the reamer/awl and the liner locks as you pointed out! Thanks!
JJ Cahill I have actually seen a few three blade scouts with a reamer but in ever case it has turned out to be a four blade camper that has had the can opener removed. In every instance the reamer and main blade operate off the back spring and the cap lifter screwdriver operates off the front spring. Often you can tell there is a space for the can opener but it has been removed. It’s hard to tell if it was done purposely at the factory or by the previous owner.
That is very interesting! I can absolutely see where the pre "Safety " can opener was/is a risky implement. I had never known soldiers were being taken out of the fight due to can opener injuries during WWII; a great piece of forgotten history you unearthed!
, thank for watching. I found out about soldiers being removed from combat while reading Silvey's book on Military Pocket Knives. I would've never thought that it could happen but apparently some nasty gashes were caused. It was more prevalent in the Pacific theater as small cuts were more likely to get infected and the can openers were more likely to rust. Really crazy stuff. Again, thanks for watching.
Another video pertaining to this topic that I greatly appreciate. I have now been watching quite a few of Tobias's videos, and it's safe to say that I've become very interested in the topic of - broadly speaking- utility knives again:
First and foremost, I've aways enjoyed collecting traditional American pattern knives. I do however usually gravitate to larger knives like ~4" Stockmans, Muskrats, or larger still, like an 'overbuilt' 1970s Case toenail that I have.
Regarding smaller knives, I had already sworn off the Victorinox train 10 years ago, saying to myself that with them you're always 'chasing the dragon': the knives get bigger and chunkier and pricier and harder to acquire, but you're never done, there's always that one feature your missing, and that was maybe only once available on this obscure one release that now you'd pay an arm and a leg for. (I decided then to stick with my mark2 GAK, and my basic Tinker, and be done with it forever more; oh, and one tiny Rally model, too)
However, learning how much Tobias enjoys especially the smaller Cub Scout knives, it got me thinking again: Slightly smaller package; I'd try that for a change, the vintage-but-not-too-pricey legacy of Camillus/Remington, Imperial and such; never unsubscribed from that, locking awl and screwdriver blade; very much interested in that, Delrin scales; also a fav. of mine. So the hunt was on.
Yet, in my mind, a utility knife needs a philips driver! Is it not true that most user-service, relevant screws are philips these days?
So I only really considered the larger, 5-bladed Master/Deluxe Scout models (and you see far fewer of these offered.) Also I live in tropical climate, so when I'm honest, carbon steal is a bit more hassle for me than it's worse. (My toenail (aforementioned) is fine, but I'd rather not get any more)
So long story short, I decided to pick up some of these ideas but go a different route: An older Wenger Tradesman (Classic 51) (so some vintage air at least); has the smaller frame, a cleverly locking flathead, a cute clippoint blade for secondary, but also a Philips and some pliers.
Regarding those, before I got off Victorinox, the Mechanic model was my absolute favorite (and would you know it, it's now discontinued, an obscure model to begin with, and thus not turning up too much) So that's why the pliers are in this new 'package' now also (and Wenger's are fancier, too). Very excited to receive it.
Anyway, keep on keeping on, Tobias; great content, much respect for all the insight.
Thanks so much for the kind words and sharing so much about what knife collecting means to you. I'm glad you're enjoying the channel. I will try to keep the content and information flowing.
Love learning the history, thanks again for taking the time to pass it on
Great information on Cub Scout knives- looking forward to the next installment!
HobieonRUclips, thanks. And thanks for watching. I just order the 600 Scout knife book. Thanks for the tip.
Very good informative and entertaining Boy Scout knives video.
The Cub Scout Knives seem to be over looked by the BSA collectors. Glad you enjoyed the show.
I was a cub scout back in the early 1960's. I don't think I had a cub scout knife though. I'm not sure if it was because I hadn't earned enough badges yet or maybe because my Mom may have not wanted me to have a knife yet. Of course we lived in a rough part of town then so that might also have had something to do with it. I don't recall any of the other cub scouts in our den with knives either.
I think a lot of Cub Scouts never saw a knife. It really depended on Den Moms and local laws.
Interesting history of the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts In their biggest time. Just curious about Girl Scouts. I have a green Girl Scout knife (not sure of the year) but it looks like a slightly smaller, lighter knife.
Steve H, I’ll be talking a bit about the Girl Scout Knives in an upcoming ep. They are indeed smaller. The size is usually 3 3/8 inch or 3 1/2 inches, the same length as a junior scouts and I believe they were marketed as a 4 blade junior scout. The pattern was adopted as the Girl Scout Knife almost immediately after the organization was founded. In 1912.
I've got my uncle's BS pocket knife pre WWII. A real treasure.
Loved this one 👍🏻
This is a great video
Funnily enough, in the UK, the birth place of the Scout Movement, I don’t think there has ever been an official’ Scout Knife. There have been, from time to time, knives bearing the Fleur de Lis, but never a long term, official knife. We have always carried sheath knife, usually some form of Sheffield ‘Bowie’ around 4 - 6" in length. When off duty, a Swiss Army Knife would suffice. Both were sold in the Scout Shops. Also, in the UK, the Wolf Cubs were officially founded in 1916, seven years after BP founded the movement. I’m sure this illustrates a massive cultural gulf between the UK and the US... just a year in, you had an official knife, we never did.
Great video. Thank you.
Tobias I have a western usa one .
It s in mint condition .
I was a cub scout in the late 60s and early 70s. I would give anything to have my old cub scout knife back.