Let's see your Scout/Camp knives

Buzz - I enjoy your enthusiasm for scout knives. I like to read your posts . It relaxes me. And it is much better than some other activities.
I have bought several Craftsman utility knives NOS in the original box over the last few years at auction. You know - the 1927-1977 anniversary models made by Schrade. Black Delrin with heavy duty blades (no punch). I kept one in my car and gave the others to family members. I think it is the most useful knife I have ever had.
I spent the 1960s in Latin America. About the only Jack to be had were SAKs. In fact I remember buying one as I was standing in the boarding line of the Guatemala City Airport.
I could never get those SAKs to sharpen well. It was then that I vowed to never carry another Stainless steel knife. I have since broken my vow with the knives in the kitchen and garage. Keep up the good work. Joseph

 

This is the first knife I have owned with that style can opener. So far I have attempted to open 2 cans with it. I failed both times, and had to resort to my Swiss Champ to clean up the mess. There must be some trick to using one. Because I see them in the pictures of a lot of old knives. But I haven't figured it out.

O.B.

 

Thanks, Buzz, you've really thought this through!

 

The Vic SAK style can opener is about 976% better at opening cans than any other style of pocketknife can opener. But that number is entirely approximate, of course.

No problem. I’ve had a few years of trial and error experimentation.

 

You likely have it figured out. It's just a poor can opener. Better as a hand opener than a can opener.

 

I'll take your word for that part. I think I would prefer not to prove it in person. The little I have used that blade, I could see how that would be easy to do.
O.B.

 

I use a lanyard to carry my pocket knives. For my SAK One Hand Opener I have about an 18-inch, 1/8-inch bungie type cord. I put a loop on one end, run the loop UNDER my belt, then put the SAK thru the loop and pull it tight, and put it all in my front right pocket. I can do about 95% (give or take a few percentage points) tasks with it attached like that. If I need to take it off my belt, I do not have to open my belt to access it. I had problems losing my SAK's when just sitting in my front pocket, but have had this current SAK OH since 2001, so it works for me. John

 

Love this thread and these knives...

 

I watched a video on You Tube last night of a Swiss man, Felix Immler, and he used a Victorinox Ranger to make a pair of skis, and the only other thing he used was some wooden wedges he also made with the SAK. In another video he carved a spoon, and it was interesting to see him use the can opener to scoop out the bowl part of the spoon. John

 

The brilliantly simple hooked Mirando patent opener was made military standard during WWII in response to the high rate of wounds received from the jagged ends of cans from older types.

 

I found some pics to go with that.

 

Thank you John !! Man o man that was a great video !!!!

 

More fantastic posts Buzz !! Thank you !! I often thought about a video of how each type of can opener works.

 

How some of them work is still a mystery to me.

 

Me too...a good case in point....lol !!

 

I think with that can opener, you push it thru the can with the the stud on the edge of the can, and with the open part of the knife handle up, push down on the handle, which pushes the cutting edge up and thru the can lid. If you tried it the other way, the can opener would just close. John

 

In a word, poorly!

 

Utica Featherweight Girl Scout knife... tang stamp says "PAT APL." over "36". Really nicely made knife, I've been pretty impressed with the quality of every Utica knife I have.



- Kevin

 

Howdy Folks..

I am always slowly building my collection of older scouts, would love to share my latest haul with you guys...
Robeson, This Knife is somewhat similar to the absolute top notch Perma Lube Scout I posted here in post #499 with a follow up from Charlie Noyes - post # 501, same Bone- actually same everything Bar this Knife has Brass Liners and does not have the Perma Lube Bearings.
Wonderful Bone as you would expect from an early Era Robeson, a knife that has done very little work in it's lifetime!

 

Next up is one of two Peach Seed Scouts by: Schrade Cut co. Walden NY.
I admit to going weak at the Knees whenever Schrades early ear Knives come up- especially Peach Seed!
Here is a beauty! these Schrades- the way the Peach seed Bone Convexes - almost as pronounced as a New York Scout- Almost but not Quite ( as shown on the NYK in post #499 in this thread - Looking at the Peach seed Jigging on this model- you'd almost swear it was a NYK with the Jigging - but again...not quite!
This Knife has done work- but not enough to look away from it - Still in Great shape!