Camillus Cub Scout

[Buzzbait]

This is one of my very favorite takes on the traditional scout pattern, the Camillus Cub Scout knife. I personally find the blue Delrin covers to be horribly ugly, and I'm not into Cub Scout memorabilia at all, but the design of the knife itself is simply awesome. I have two of these scouts, one in carbon steel, and a more modern one in stainless. As you can see, this knife omits the can opener, which admittedly is kind of an outdated tool anyway. But I wonder why the Boy Scouts of America thought that Cub Scouts were worthy of using blades and awls and cap lifters, but the can openers were reserved for the older boys?

It's smaller than a normal scout, measuring in at only 3 3/8" long when closed. Here's a quick shot of one next to a GEC #15 for comparison. Very similar in size. It's a great knife for people who love the utility of the scout pattern, but who don't want to carry all of the weight that typically goes with one. It's hard to complain over a mere 2.5 ounces.

While it's smaller than a typical scout, it's far more robust than the rather diminutive Case Junior Scout.

What makes the Cub Scout very special is the center brass liner. It acts as a liner lock for both the screwdriver/cap lifter and the awl.

The screwdriver/cap lifter on the stainless version is much longer than the one on the carbon steel model

The awl on the carbon steel version is the classic awl shape with scoop, where the awl on the stainless version is much flatter.

Here is the blade etch on the stainless version.

The Cub Scout shield

Overall, it's a marvelously useful little knife. The blade and tools are almost full sized, but the whole package is small enough to fit comfortable in my running shorts, cycling jersey and sweat pants. It's cheap too. I bought both of these on auction for about $15.00 each. Now if I only possessed the ability to remove the covers and replace them with something a bit more aesthetically pleasing.

 

[singin50]

Yes, I remember seeing these for sale at our local men's store, that also sold everything for Scouts in the area, I knew even as a boy that I wanted one of these Cub Scout knives that Camillus made! Never got one and been searching for one ever since. Only in the older carbon blade version of course. Thanks for the memories. I was in Scouting for several years and learned a lot.

 

[arizonaranchman]

I had that exact knife when I was a Cub Scout in 1973-74. I carried it everywhere, even to school lol.

 

[Cory Hess]

My boy has a copy of your stainless model that he carries around with him when we're camping and stuff. He can't take it to scouting events because he hasn't yet earned his whittling chip.

Very cool knives, and you have two excellent examples right there. :thumbup:

 

[Brian.Evans]

I'd like to have one of those stainless ones to take apart and make a pattern from! I bought an Ulster the other day that is the same size as your full size one on the top of the picture comparing sizes, but I REALLY think those smaller sizes are REALLY REALLY COOL! Seriously, I didn't even know they existed! Off to hunt.......

 

[redcanoe]

This is a really great knife to have as a user. If you have a P -38 canopener on your keychain then you don't need it on your pocketknife.
just my humble opinion but it's a really good every day carry .

 

[DocT]

I still have mine from around 1963 or so.

 

[BigBiscuit]

The Cub Scout knives didn't have the can opener feature because they don't do camp outs until they're into Boy Scouts. Once they start doing camp outs, you need to earn your cooking merit badge. Therefore the can opener. Probably not so valid these days than years ago, but that's what I recall.
I was into Boy Scouts until I earned my Eagle Scout Award.

 

[wazu013]

Photobucket robbed my pic.

 

[Martin Russo]

I'm trying to date the Cub Scout knife I just picked up. It looks like early 60s but the scout badge is flush with the stock. Similar scout knives look like the badge is in relief ( sits atop the stock)

 

[greentrout]

I bought this one last year in what appears to me to have never been used. It is the stainless version and I love it. Great size and very pocket friendly.

 

[screened porch]

The Cub Scout knives didn't have the can opener feature because they don't do camp outs until they're into Boy Scouts. Once they start doing camp outs, you need to earn your cooking merit badge. Therefore the can opener. Probably not so valid these days than years ago, but that's what I recall.
I was into Boy Scouts until I earned my Eagle Scout Award.

I swear my cub scout knife had the regular 4 blades. All the ones I've seen since I repented of trading it away have been three-bladers, though, I must admit. I'll keep looking, whether they exist or not.

I guess i was wrong about the four-bladed Cub. (7/13/19)

 

[Trout Hound]

My Dad had one of these from the sixties that he gave to me when I was a Bear cub. I took it to a camp-out and lost the dang thing. Dad wasn't mad, but it still makes me sick every time I think about it!

 

[r redden]

The one I have has smooth Delrin covers. It's one of the knives I own that I don't carry or use. Great knife just the memories of my little chapter we called them dens.

 

[meako]

Cubs had cap lifters because most pop bottles had crown seals back then not just beers.
I remember as a kid in the 1970s going to a local garage and putting 10 cents in the machine for a coke.
You had to lift up the lid -it was like a chest freezer) and work the bottle out through a wire rack structure.
The opener was on the side of the machine.
I like the blue delrin-

 

[major_works]

My long-lost Cub knife had the blue jigged Delrin covers. The Cub Scout logo shield was, as I recall, encapsulated in clear plastic or resin. Most of the examples I see online now don't have that smooth clear coating on the shield, it seems. I was a Cub Scout in the latter part of the '60s. Which are older, coated or non-coated shields, I wonder?

 

[Ernie1980]

That is a neat little knife! I like the nice full size blade on that model

 

[alanmcmichael]

This is one of my very favorite takes on the traditional scout pattern, the Camillus Cub Scout knife. I personally find the blue Delrin covers to be horribly ugly, and I'm not into Cub Scout memorabilia at all, but the design of the knife itself is simply awesome. I have two of these scouts, one in carbon steel, and a more modern one in stainless. As you can see, this knife omits the can opener, which admittedly is kind of an outdated tool anyway. But I wonder why the Boy Scouts of America thought that Cub Scouts were worthy of using blades and awls and cap lifters, but the can openers were reserved for the older boys?

It's smaller than a normal scout, measuring in at only 3 3/8" long when closed. Here's a quick shot of one next to a GEC #15 for comparison. Very similar in size. It's a great knife for people who love the utility of the scout pattern, but who don't want to carry all of the weight that typically goes with one. It's hard to complain over a mere 2.5 ounces.

While it's smaller than a typical scout, it's far more robust than the rather diminutive Case Junior Scout.

What makes the Cub Scout very special is the center brass liner. It acts as a liner lock for both the screwdriver/cap lifter and the awl.

The screwdriver/cap lifter on the stainless version is much longer than the one on the carbon steel model

The awl on the carbon steel version is the classic awl shape with scoop, where the awl on the stainless version is much flatter.

Here is the blade etch on the stainless version.

The Cub Scout shield

Overall, it's a marvelously useful little knife. The blade and tools are almost full sized, but the whole package is small enough to fit comfortable in my running shorts, cycling jersey and sweat pants. It's cheap too. I bought both of these on auction for about $15.00 each. Now if I only possessed the ability to remove the covers and replace them with something a bit more aesthetically pleasing.

This is one of my very favorite takes on the traditional scout pattern, the Camillus Cub Scout knife. I personally find the blue Delrin covers to be horribly ugly, and I'm not into Cub Scout memorabilia at all, but the design of the knife itself is simply awesome. I have two of these scouts, one in carbon steel, and a more modern one in stainless. As you can see, this knife omits the can opener, which admittedly is kind of an outdated tool anyway. But I wonder why the Boy Scouts of America thought that Cub Scouts were worthy of using blades and awls and cap lifters, but the can openers were reserved for the older boys?

It's smaller than a normal scout, measuring in at only 3 3/8" long when closed. Here's a quick shot of one next to a GEC #15 for comparison. Very similar in size. It's a great knife for people who love the utility of the scout pattern, but who don't want to carry all of the weight that typically goes with one. It's hard to complain over a mere 2.5 ounces.

While it's smaller than a typical scout, it's far more robust than the rather diminutive Case Junior Scout.

What makes the Cub Scout very special is the center brass liner. It acts as a liner lock for both the screwdriver/cap lifter and the awl.

The screwdriver/cap lifter on the stainless version is much longer than the one on the carbon steel model

The awl on the carbon steel version is the classic awl shape with scoop, where the awl on the stainless version is much flatter.

Here is the blade etch on the stainless version.

The Cub Scout shield

Overall, it's a marvelously useful little knife. The blade and tools are almost full sized, but the whole package is small enough to fit comfortable in my running shorts, cycling jersey and sweat pants. It's cheap too. I bought both of these on auction for about $15.00 each. Now if I only possessed the ability to remove the covers and replace them with something a bit more aesthetically pleasing.

I stumbled across this post while researching Camillus and liked it so much that I dredged up my sign-in credentials so I could reply. Buzzbait, this is a very good review. You did a great job of pointing out the advantages of the design and the comparision to other patterns is very informative. The proof is that I am now in the hunt for a Camillus Cub Scout knife!

 

[Buzzbait]

I stumbled across this post while researching Camillus and liked it so much that I dredged up my sign-in credentials so I could reply. Buzzbait, this is a very good review. You did a great job of pointing out the advantages of the design and the comparision to other patterns is very informative. The proof is that I am now in the hunt for a Camillus Cub Scout knife!

Thanks. It is a wonderful knife. I just may have to dig mine out tonight, and start carrying it.

 

[rswanson]

My first knife, circa 1980? I have no idea what happened to it- or the next three or so I owned. Apparently the Scouts didn't teach me much about valuing your possessions but then again, I only made it to First Class.

Anyway, I always get a pang of nostalgia when I see photographs of these. I'd give a pinky toe to have my original copy. Should just break down and buy one.