In the 1970’s and ‘80’s I’d visit flea markets. You could buy Scout knife for under $20, Remington's, Ulster (Dwight Devine's), Hammers, even a Cattaraugus. Those who go to flea markets today tell me they find 40 year old Imperials and Ulster's, usually priced close to that of a new knife ($25).
I began my research organizing and cataloging my collection. Of all the things I’ve published this way has always served me well. By doing the research, I become knowledgeable enough to recognize mistakes by others. I was proud of all the things I learned; differences in blades, can openers,
even the lines on bolsters. After I developed the worksheet, I referenced Ed Holbrook’s work in Scouting Memorabilia and was disappointed, all that I had discoverer was already known. Ed was an expert on Scout knives, he published an article in Scouting Memorabilia (January 1989) and has a book Official Scout Blades, first published by Doug Bearce in 2009 and updated in numerous printings thought 2023. Ed’s
book is available on Amazon. Unfortunately, I learned that the book was available in November 2024. By then I was in final edit, but I used it to confirm some items. I own the 1997 book, 600 Scout Knives, by Joseph Kerr, but I found it difficult to use, as I did Ed Holbrooke’s Scouting memorabilia article. People have been collecting Scout
knives for many years. Scout Memorabilia had perhaps the first article about knives written by B.W. Haglan in Vol. 15, No 3, 1980.
This worksheet is for Scout Collectors and dealers who might have a few knives and want to identify them. knowledgeable knife collectors will find fault and I know I’m missing things. I lost interest in knives after the BSA cheapened them up and when they got into the commemorative business. I don’t buy overpriced commemorative items, yet I have
catalogued those that came my way. I recommend Ed Holbrook's book for the advanced collector. Both Ed Holbrook and Joseph Kerr developed numbering systems. When I realized that no one was using their systems, I developed my own. One of the things that I found confusing with others numbering systems is that they organized knives by manufacturing date. I found
this confusing, I thought that organizing by number of blades was easier to work with. I’ve gone into more depth than I intended, but if I saw a difference, I described it.
As a Scout collector I have more resources than the average knife collector. When dating Honor Medal knives I searched my BSA Annual Reports. I used equipment catalogs to help identify early knives. I find that I am a high dollar buyer on eBay. As a Scout collector I’m used to paying $100 foritem.
Anything that I’ve ever published I try and get peer review. I was disappointed (again) in the response of collectors. Many collectors have things, but have no idea of dating or history. I ran into this when cataloging Regions, BSA Rank badges and other things I’ve researched. There is a Facebook group (Boy Scout Axe Hatchet and Knife Collectors) with over
1000 members, but asking for information seemed a waste of time. Although, I must thank Marvin Ratliff, who answered several questions and shared some knowledge and images. By posting this on a web site, corrections and additions are easily updated. You can see where I’ve left holes for images that will hopefully come in the future. I hope that others
will share information and images and the web site can develop into a collectors resource.
I stuck with official Boy Scout pocket knives. Although I have a handful of Cub Scout knives and a few official Axes, I personally have no interest in them. For the advanced collector I recommend
Official Scout Blades (on Amazon) and if you can find a copy
600 Scout Knives (and axes). I prefer
Official Scout Blades. I found
600 Scout Knives difficult to
understand and the images of knives are mediocre, the knives are shown closed. (blades not showing). Both books are 20+ years old and modern imaging with digital cameras is so superior. |
