Vintage Boy Scout Knife

[Gtamazing]

So my grandfather gave me a box of old tools the other day for christmas as a half serious half joke gift. I sorted threw it and there was alot of junk (his intention) but also a few nice pieces. My grandfather is around 80 and had a home renovation business his entire life. But anyways here are a few pieces I liked:

12 Cresant wrench made in Jamestown N.Y.
3 Gray Canada wrenches
1/2 MAC CA16 wrench
old U.SA. wrench marked 1/2 & 9/16 one side and 12mm & 14mm the other
Wiss tin snips from Newark N.J.

and this little Gem a vintage Boy Scouts knife marked William Rodgers. Made in Sheffield England. This by far is my favorite piece.

 

[5toes]

Rule now is no sheath blades allowed at all I believe.

Or atleast in my troop. We also can only have 3.5 inch max blade

 

[Gtamazing]

Rule now is no sheath blades allowed at all I believe.

Or atleast in my troop. We also can only have 3.5 inch max blade

What does no sheath blades mean?Like only folding knives allowed?

 

[Amitygravel]

Folding knives only. Was that something the BSA came up with under pressure from powers outside of the Scouts?

Apologies for hijacking your thread GTamazing.
By the way , neat stuff from your Grandpa.

 

[jay50]

I had that same knife when I was in scouts in late 50s.

 

[sk farmer]

wtf? what next,only folding forks and spoons also?

 

[Stuart in MN]

I have one of those knives, it came in the glove box of a used car I bought once.

 

[american lockpicker]

Nice knife.

 

[premierplayer]

wtf? what next,only folding forks and spoons also?

LMAO

 

[asp]

Sweet knife. Eagle scout here and yup, folding knives under 3.5" blade is what the rule is now. I don't know when the rule changed, but I joined after I finished Cub Scouts in '97 and it's been like that for as long as I can remember...

 

[Big Bad Jon]

Sweet knife. Eagle scout here and yup, folding knives under 3.5" blade is what the rule is now. I don't know when the rule changed, but I joined after I finished Cub Scouts in '97 and it's been like that for as long as I can remember...

Yet another example of turning our future Men into wimps. Awesome knife, I want one!

 

[jay50]

Yet another example of turning our future Men into wimps. Awesome knife, I want one!

nah, they were afraid the large straight blades would make them want to grow up to be gangstas.....

 

[american lockpicker]

I heard the boy scouts are banned from having knives in England.

 

[asp]

Yet another example of turning our future Men into wimps. Awesome knife, I want one!

Are you big and bad in real life, or just online? If you wouldn't say that to my face, please don't say it to me online. The BSA teaches youth all over the nation responsibility and leadership. There are many improperly organized troops that are adult-run when in fact it's supposed to be a youth-run and adult-supervised organization. Yes, that's cheating. Please don't insult the organization or its participants as a whole, it's not fair to those of us that earned what we have.

I hate e-drama, but this one struck a nerve. Carry on, gentleman.

Edit: On the off chance that you were not insulting me, I apoligize for my retort. It's hard to get sarcasm from text, especially if it's someone you've never met.

 

[Major Ramifications]

I would like to see a close up of what makes this a B.S.A. knife. Is there a logo? I had a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout knife when I was in the Scouts, but they were folders.
My sister had a Girl Scout folding knife, but when I went to buy one for my daughter I found out that the G.S.A. no longer offers an official Girl Scout knife.

 

[chevy302dz]

Are you big and bad in real life, or just online? If you wouldn't say that to my face, please don't say it to me online. The BSA teaches youth all over the nation responsibility and leadership. There are many improperly organized troops that are adult-run when in fact it's supposed to be a youth-run and adult-supervised organization. Yes, that's cheating. Please don't insult the organization or its participants as a whole, it's not fair to those of us that earned what we have.

I hate e-drama, but this one struck a nerve. Carry on, gentleman.

Edit: On the off chance that you were not insulting me, I apoligize for my retort. It's hard to get sarcasm from text, especially if it's someone you've never met.

I think he was refering to the trend of everything being pussified in the name of saftey as opposed to making a negitive comment about the scouts.

 

[Lump]

I carried a sheath knife for years in the Boy Scouts. I was a good scout, and achieved the Order of the Arrow and all that **** back then. I spent lots of time alone in the woods on my own, fishing, hunting, etc. I also carried a pocket knife with me to school every day of my life from about 5th grade until I graduated. But in our new "politically correct" world, you can't do any of that.

You also cannot allow your kid to ride a bicycle without a helmet; etc, etc, etc. Soon they will wrap us all in bubble wrap from birth, and refuse to allow our skin to be exposed to the air or the sunlight until we're 21.

But it will still be okay to go to war for your country at 18...but you still won't be allowed to legally consume a beer. That might be dangerous for you!

 

[asp]

If that's the case, I'm glad I included my edit.

But remember that the BSA starts at age 11. I got myself in plenty of trouble with a 4" blade, nevermind something that large. I can see allowing the older kids to carry something like that, but imagine a bunch of 11 yr olds running around with knives as long as their arm. No matter how much responsibility and safety you try to install in a teenage male, he's still going to do some pretty stupid things.

I'll leave you with this, and accept the blame.

 

[Lump]

ASP: Agreed.

To the OP:
That is an assortment of fine tools!

That pair of Wiss sheet metal shears is a quality tool. Those bigger units are often nicknamed "Bulldogs" by pros. As a former sheet metal journeyman myself, I can tell you that there were three brands of "bulldogs" which we liked and respected. Wiss was one, Niagara was another, and at the moment I've forgotten the third.

In my opinion, there is no better combo wrench than that Mac unit you've shown. And there is little doubt that Crescent brand adjustable wrenches are the standard that all other adjustable wrenches are judged by. The Canadian-made Gray wrenches are professional quality; much respected by professional technicians. And that fixed-blade English-made knife is likely made from the finest carbon steel. It will sharpen easily, and hold its edge for a good long time. Some light work with a little metal polish and a rag will brighten up the metal parts of the handle and the blade, and if you sharpen the edge to a consistent 20 degree angle, it will become a very useful tool indeed.

All in all, I would say you have a very nice haul there. Good for you!

 

[johnnybentwrench]

Are you big and bad in real life, or just online? If you wouldn't say that to my face, please don't say it to me online. The BSA teaches youth all over the nation responsibility and leadership. There are many improperly organized troops that are adult-run when in fact it's supposed to be a youth-run and adult-supervised organization. Yes, that's cheating. Please don't insult the organization or its participants as a whole, it's not fair to those of us that earned what we have.

I hate e-drama, but this one struck a nerve. Carry on, gentleman.

Edit: On the off chance that you were not insulting me, I apoligize for my retort. It's hard to get sarcasm from text, especially if it's someone you've never met.

congratulations on eagle!! You are in a very small percentage

 

[asp]

Thanks very much. The grandeur of it has worn off; I finished all the work for it almost 7 years ago (wow, it's been THAT long?). Thankfully, I haven't forgotten what it has taught me.

 

[ADaughen]

Troop 76 - '99 Eagle Scout

Still have my tot'n chit somewhere in the house. It still has three corners, too!


We only had folders and the rule was no blade wider than the Scout Master's hand (3.5-4").



My grandpa and great uncle may have had a knife like that when they were in (50's). I might have to try and find one.

Does it have a brass pommel and hilt?

 

[DMessin]

To the OP - Great tools, particularly like the old Wiss snips as my Dad has 5-6 pairs from an uncle that was a tinsmith back in the 40's.

I was also a boy scout in the mid-nineties. We were a bit of a rogue and rural troop, but I don't remember any official rules on knife length. I used to camp with large Buck and Case fixed blades routinely . . . How can you carve up a nice hiking stick without one? Sadly I quit between Star and Life and became a girl scout instead

 

[donnie]

Ok I need to comment on this. I am an old Boy Scout leader.
The BSA has no rules on knives. Many people say they do, they don't.
If you want to disagree with this I will supply you a link were the only rule they have says Use the correct knife for the job at hand. Now I am talking about the National BSA not troops and councils making up rules as they go.

Many BSA leaders say that no fixed blades are allowed, now many troops and even scout camps/councils say no fixed knifes. When ever they tell me this I ask them what knife should I use to fillet a fish, they all say a fixed blade knife.
So they spout off without knowing the rules and change them willy nilly.



For those of you who say that the BSA has gotten soft, Why do you not go hiking with my son and see if you can keep up. He has climbed over 10 mountains with at least 40 pounds in his pack, stepped over rattle snakes, stood 20 feet from a bear in the wild.
The only people that make Boy Scouts soft are the leaders not the BSA.

Rant off

 

[LEVE]

The BSA has no rules on knives. Many people say they do, they don't.

IIRC, the BSA National also says that the knife must conform to local laws. That's where the 3.5" myth-rule comes from, anything longer may be considered a concealed carry weapon by State and local police.

Oh, and as for the BSA getting soft... heck, in our society, besides the military, for many it is the first stepping stone for boys to become men.

 

[asp]

Neat information, I've never heard or thought of that before.

I'm just playing devil's advocate here, but I would put a filet knife in the mess kit, not on my belt. We always ate with regular kitchen cutlery and there were no rules against fixed blades in the kitchen. You may find this link of interest: http://scoutingaround.com/boy-scouts/camping/77-knife-guidelines.html

Agreed that certain troop's leaders are the cause of the softness.

 

[Lump]

For those of you who say that the BSA has gotten soft, Why do you not go hiking with my son and see if you can keep up. He has climbed over 10 mountains with at least 40 pounds in his pack, stepped over rattle snakes, stood 20 feet from a bear in the wild.
The only people that make Boy Scouts soft are the leaders not the BSA.

I went back, all the way to the beginning and read every post. Not one time did anyone in this thread say that Boy Scouts were getting soft. What I and some other posters DID say was that rules of society are getting stricter all the time, about things we used to do which we are no longer allowed to do...such as riding a bicycle without a helmet, carrying a small pocket knife every where you go, or taking an aspirin to school. Those new politically-correct rules are sad changes in society, in my opinion.

During my time in the scouts I camped out in heavy winter snows, hiked long distances with heavy packs, made fire without matches...the whole thing. I ASSUME kids still do some of that stuff today. I certainly hope so. I was very proud to have been a scout, and retain that pride today.

To the OP: Again, I love your grandfather's gift of tools. They will be especially precious to you in the future, and you will think of him every time you use them. That is a very special gift indeed.

 

[Gtamazing]

I would like to see a close up of what makes this a B.S.A. knife. Is there a logo? I had a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout knife when I was in the Scouts, but they were folders.
My sister had a Girl Scout folding knife, but when I went to buy one for my daughter I found out that the G.S.A. no longer offers an official Girl Scout knife.

The only reason I say it's a Boy Scout Knife is cause I Grandpa told me so. I also searched ebay for vintage knives and found several with the identical handle. However this is where it gets interesting all of the vintage BSA knives I found were made in U.S.A and had a different shape blade. This one has an English made blade with more of a pointed shape. I think maybe because this was a Canadian Scouts knife.

 

[Gtamazing]

Does it have a brass pommel and hilt?

What is that?

 

[asp]

I believe that a pommel is basically the **** of the knife/sword, the round thing at the top of this picture. Perhaps the word pummel stems from 'hitting with the pommel.' The hilt is the top of the grip area, between the blade and the grip, the black horizontal bar.

To answer his question, it looks to me like the hilt is brass but the pommel of the BSA knife steel.

 

[StupidHippie]

The only reason I say it's a Boy Scout Knife is cause I Grandpa told me so. I also searched ebay for vintage knives and found several with the identical handle. However this is where it gets interesting all of the vintage BSA knives I found were made in U.S.A and had a different shape blade. This one has an English made blade with more of a pointed shape. I think maybe because this was a Canadian Scouts knife.

I have an identical 'Scout' knife around here somewhere so I suspect your Grandpa is correct.

Perhaps the fellas who commented about the BSA didn't realize you are in Canada and we do not fall under the same Scouting rules. It's been a long time since I was involved in Scouting but I don't recall any fuss over knives...must be an American thing.

Rob

PS: Great stuff from your Grandpa!

 

[otis66]

Rule now is no sheath blades allowed at all I believe.

Or atleast in my troop. We also can only have 3.5 inch max blade

When I was a Boy Scout,, once you got your Paul Bunyan Woodsman badge you could carry any knife/axe. The only scouts allowed to use the knife or cut wood had to have the Paul Bunyan badge. My fav knife to carry on Boy Scout camping trips was the Buck Special 119 with leather sheath. My every day pcket knife was and still is my Camillus CM-BSA046 folding knife.

 

[otis66]

For those of you who say that the BSA has gotten soft, Why do you not go hiking with my son and see if you can keep up. He has climbed over 10 mountains with at least 40 pounds in his pack, stepped over rattle snakes, stood 20 feet from a bear in the wild.
The only people that make Boy Scouts soft are the leaders not the BSA.

I went back, all the way to the beginning and read every post. Not one time did anyone in this thread say that Boy Scouts were getting soft. What I and some other posters DID say was that rules of society are getting stricter all the time, about things we used to do which we are no longer allowed to do...such as riding a bicycle without a helmet, carrying a small pocket knife every where you go, or taking an aspirin to school. Those new politically-correct rules are sad changes in society, in my opinion.

During my time in the scouts I camped out in heavy winter snows, hiked long distances with heavy packs, made fire without matches...the whole thing. I ASSUME kids still do some of that stuff today. I certainly hope so. I was very proud to have been a scout, and retain that pride today.

To the OP: Again, I love your grandfather's gift of tools. They will be especially precious to you in the future, and you will think of him every time you use them. That is a very special gift indeed.

I still carry my pocket knife were ever I go. Unless I go to the court house for somthing or to the airport.

 

[demographic]

One of my older brothers used to have a knife like that when I was a nipper, IIRC it had a leather washer grip, like my 20 ounce Estwing hammer.

 

[otis66]

Nice knife and tools.

 

[Gtamazing]

Now not that i plan to sell this knife or anything, but should I polish the blade and clean up the handle or leave it as is. Every time I watch Pawn Starts the guy says never clean old antiques it kills the value?

 

[Big Bad Jon]

I think he was refering to the trend of everything being pussified in the name of saftey as opposed to making a negitive comment about the scouts.

Correct.

 

[Amitygravel]

GTamazing , as far as cleaning up the knife that's up to you. Flitz or Semichrome will clean the blade up without disfiguring it like mechanically polishing could. Obviously any rust pits will remain but the rust will be gone. For the handle a good leather conditioner or Birchwood Casey gunstock wax will work just fine.

 

[Simplespeed]

I made eagle scout in 01 troop 610. Started at the bottom as a tiger in first grade and made it all the way getting order of the arrow along the way just like my dad and grandpa did. I wore grandpas arrow rather than the new cheaper looking sash and everyone was all wtf? thats badass!

Scouts are only allowed to use and carry a knife with a Paul Bunyan merit badge. The rules on style of knife are determined by the troop. Our Tatanka district let us use whatever knife we wanted as long as it was reasonable.

Gotta have the totin chip as a prerequisite to the Paul Bunyan Woodsman merit badge. To get the badge you gotta help another scout get the totin chip, demonstrate proper use of cutting tools and then choose one of 3 projects like clearing a downed tree, clearing trails for a given time etc.

I cant wait to have a kid and do it all over again.

 

[jsokoly]

Great knife and great memories from your grandad.

As for BSA rules, as some have already stated, BSA does not forbid sheath knives. I'm a Scoutmaster and I don't know how many times I've been asked by parents if a particular knife was allowed. Once a Scout earns his Totin' Chip, he can carry whatever knife he can control in my Troop.

To quote the Guide to Safe Scouting:

"A sharp pocketknife with a can opener on it is an invaluable backcountry tool. Keep it clean, sharp, and handy. Avoid large sheath knives. They are heavy and awkward to carry, and unnecessary for most camp chores except for cleaning fish."

Most Scouts quickly realize that a large sheath knife doesn't whittle very well and their small hands have difficulty using a large knife with any degree of detail so they eventually opt for a folder. I've had several Scouts make a leather sheath for a fixed blade knife to wear on campouts.