Let's see your Scout/Camp knives

Charlie
Is that Bakelite? Looks it to me in the photo.

Buzz - yeah those Blades are hummdingers aren't they!! Looks kinda like my practice knife for Sharpening :( :D
 
Wow, this thread has completely got away from me! :eek: You guys are really showing some great-looking knives :) :thumbsup:

josha840 said:
Is this the original blade setup? I have a Richards just like that (but with yellow scales) and the main blade is kinda wobbly while closed. I thought it was due to one tool being missing. I bought it used. It's perfect while open though. I really like it despite the rattling scales. The blade was sooo easy to get very sharp.
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Very sorry for the slow reply to your post J josha840 :oops: Yes, Richards produced Scout knives in various configurations, with the 3-blade probably being the most common. The Swinden Key construction probably accounts for the wobby blade on your knife. They were cheap knives, but the steel is generally good :thumbsup:
 
Jack Black said:
Wow, this thread has completely got away from me! :eek: You guys are really showing some great-looking knives :) :thumbsup:



Very sorry for the slow reply to your post J josha840 :oops: Yes, Richards produced Scout knives in various configurations, with the 3-blade probably being the most common. The Swinden Key construction probably accounts for the wobby blade on your knife. They were cheap knives, but the steel is generally good :thumbsup:
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Don't worry. I'm happy with you response. I like the knife more now that I know it's as it should be. The blade is hitting the backspring ever so slightly. Do you have any idea why? It's so little that I can still wiggle the blade while closed. I'm thinking it will become less and less as I sharpen it.
 
josha840 said:
Don't worry. I'm happy with you response. I like the knife more now that I know it's as it should be. The blade is hitting the backspring ever so slightly. Do you have any idea why? It's so little that I can still wiggle the blade while closed. I'm thinking it will become less and less as I sharpen it.
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Just badly fitted I guess, they were very cheap knives. My dad was a machine-tool fitter at the factory when I was a kid. He did his apprenticeship with a firm called Walters & Dobson, who produced a lot of the machinery which was used at Richards (and elsewhere in the post-WW2 Sheffield cutlery industry), so I guess that's why they were keen to have him. As the spring and tang of the knife wear (and as you sharpen it), the tip will rise up a little, but you could put a thin shim of card or balsa under it if you want :thumbsup:
 
Heh, I paid less for mine, Blake, but you got the DEAL!:D
 
Jack Black said:
Just badly fitted I guess, they were very cheap knives. My dad was a machine-tool fitter at the factory when I was a kid. He did his apprenticeship with a firm called Walters & Dobson, who produced a lot of the machinery which was used at Richards (and elsewhere in the post-WW2 Sheffield cutlery industry), so I guess that's why they were keen to have him. As the spring and tang of the knife wear (and as you sharpen it), the tip will rise up a little, but you could put a thin shim of card or balsa under it if you want :thumbsup:
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Ah I see, interesting facts about your dad! I'm just gonna use it and sharpen and it will get better over time.
 
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Here an interesting one that is seldom mentioned here, even though it's of relatively recent vintage. This is the 2011 reissue of the Remington RS4773, manufactured by Bear & Sons, thankfully in stainless steel.

A Google search shows reference to the blades being made of 440C, but I'm not sure I'm ready to believe that. I'm guessing more like 440A, as Bear & Sons mentions using 440-series stainless on their traditionals.

The quality is good for the price I paid, which wasn't too awfully much. Bone covers. No wobble on the 3 blades, and good snap. No liner gaps. Nice blade etch on a brushed finish. The fit is a bit rough in spots, but not too bad, all things considered. I'm quite pleasantly surprised. My previous experiences with Bear & Sons weren't as good.

The size is kind of small, like a Case Jr Scout. No bail on this model.

EVfZU7jh.jpg
 
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Interesting knife, Buzz. Very slim main blade! What's the length of the knife in inches?
I've never held a Case Jr. nor one of these.
 
waynorth said:
Interesting knife, Buzz. Very slim main blade! What's the length of the knife in inches?
I've never held a Case Jr. nor one of these.
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Both the Case and the Remington measure up at about 3 5/16" long, not including bail. But the Remington is quite a bit thicker. The Case is definitely the more elegant and progressive design, for someone persuing a peanut-scout. Then again, the Case costs quite a bit more. The Remington is more raw and retro feeling. But both knives have their own charms.

Please forgive the bad photography. Light has been lost for the day.

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Thanks, Buzz.

Not official Scouts, but your 3-blade reminded me of these guys. They have the blades to be scouts:


SchradeCut3blUtility 1.jpg SchradeCut3blUtility 2.jpg
 
waynorth said:
Thanks, Buzz.

Not official Scouts, but your 3-blade reminded me of these guys. They have the blades to be scouts:
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Wow. Those are worthy in a big way!!!! Absolutely beautiful old Schrades.

I really love the shape of that spear.
 
Buzzbait said:
The quality is good for the price I paid, which wasn't too awfully much. Bone covers. No wobble on the 3 blades, and good snap. No liner gaps. Nice blade etch on a brushed finish. The fit is a bit rough in spots, but not too bad, all things considered. I'm quite pleasantly surprised. My previous experiences with Bear & Sons weren't as good.
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I agree with your comments on Bear & Sons. I believe that they tend to do most of their better work when an outside brand subcontracts to them. The five blade Scout that they put out for a years or two had a lot of potential as a user.
 
Thanks Buzz - glad you like them.
Something interesting is, those knives were "budget" models, with no shields, and no crocus-polish. Roughly glazed blades minimized the finishing work, yet to me, they are quite beautiful as they are. I don't know the whole history of these two. I got them from different sources, but I suspect they came from the factory collection, and traveled different routes to me!?!?
 
I had one of the Case Scout Jr.s in the amber peachseed regular jig they use on a bunch of knives. It was my favorite light weight EDC knife. My wife was in the hospital in May and one day I was up there with her, and somewhere in there it slipped out of my pocket along with a new phone charger. Gone forever. I hope somebody enjoys the little Case as much as I did. It was mighty sharp, hope it bites 'em on the finger. o_O
 
For economy versions, those Schrades look great. Don't have to have a high polish to be looking good.
Edited to add, I have one of those Camillus .30-06 scouts like yours Buzz. It has the regular ground sheepfoot, not the scalloped or serrated as some mentioned have.
 
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