Truth be told, The RR Kamp King my favorite scout

[cody6268]

Just saw a recent Colonial GSA Anniversary knife, new in box, on Ebay. Quality looked good, wonder who made it.

Here is my Colonial Girl Scouts 100 yr anniversary 'Camp' knife.
Note that tang is marked "Colonial/11/Prov., R.I." and then on blade flat is an etched "C". "C" for Colonial ? or China ?
Solidly made, steel liners. Good fit.
kj

China. There's one on eBay right now that has a "CHINA" etch/inking on the pile side in roughly the same position. I have a different model, and it's pretty decent.

[Railsplitter]

That Kamp King looks pretty nice.

I have this Colt Utility/Scout Knife that is very well made in my opinion. I think SMKW owns or owned the Colt name when I bought it. I don't use it. I bought it because it's blue and it looked like a beast of a knife, which it is. I also like that it differentiates from other Scout knives by not having a bail. The Philips Screwdriver is unique too.

I just think it's a cool knife.

[cudgee]

Zippo, thanks for starting this thread. Some really nice knives posted, and great input. I know next to nothing of this style of knife and it's history, but some great posts and information being posted, thanks everyone.

[kootenay joe]

The Colt above has 3 springs. How many blades/tools does it have ?
kj

[Mumbleypeg]

Zippo, thanks for starting this thread. Some really nice knives posted, and great input. I know next to nothing of this style of knife and it's history, but some great posts and information being posted, thanks everyone.

cudgee, having so many different makers and variations, the ”scout” is one of my favorite patterns. If you’re interested in learning about the pattern here’s a very comprehensive and long running old thread: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=12874

As of now it’s over 200 pages of posts, so if you’re interested, pack a lunch! In addition to all the pictures, included in there somewhere is a lot of history about the pattern, both “official” and non-official versions.

Ken

[cudgee]

Zippo, thanks for starting this thread. Some really nice knives posted, and great input. I know next to nothing of this style of knife and it's history, but some great posts and information being posted, thanks everyone.

cudgee, having so many different makers and variations, the ”scout” is one of my favorite patterns. If you’re interested in learning about the pattern here’s a very comprehensive and long running old thread: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=12874

As of now it’s over 200 pages of posts, so if you’re interested, pack a lunch! In addition to all the pictures, included in there somewhere is a lot of history about the pattern, both “official” and non-official versions.

Ken

Thanks Ken. How are you going for rain, i read that some parts of America are in drought. Have a good week mate.

[kootenay joe]

Here is a Big & Hefty 'Scout' type knife, made by Camillus, a copy of the Remington R4243, just under 5" closed length. Look at how thick the liners are !
kj

[ken98k]

That Kamp King looks pretty nice.

I have this Colt Utility/Scout Knife that is very well made in my opinion. I think SMKW owns or owned the Colt name when I bought it. I don't use it. I bought it because it's blue and it looked like a beast of a knife, which it is. I also like that it differentiates from other Scout knives by not having a bail. The Philips Screwdriver is unique too.

I just think it's a cool knife.

I believe the Asian colts, like yours, were made in the same factory that now produces Rough Ryders.
I collected a few SMKW Colts until they became unavailable, then suddenly the same knives were available wit RR stamps and shields.

PS. I had the same blue camp knife until gifting it to the little boy from across the street. He promptly lost it.

[zippo123]

Zippo, thanks for starting this thread. Some really nice knives posted, and great input. I know next to nothing of this style of knife and it's history, but some great posts and information being posted, thanks everyone.

I am glad everyone is chimming in and I am not getting beat up for liking something made in China. Here are a picture of all the
RR and Marbles scouts made in my collection. .RR manufactures Marbles I heard and the quality is the same. All of them are hell of a great knife for the money.

The other pic is of my growing quality US made scouts. I have a few more on the way, a sterling Silver bullet Rem scout, another Rem 2012 limited ed BSA repro made by Bear & Sons, an Ulster BSA new in box with papers….

[Railsplitter]

The Colt above has 3 springs. How many blades/tools does it have ?
kj

Here you go Roland. The blade rides on the middle spring with the other 4 tools riding on the outer springs.

[garddogg56]

I used a rr lock back once on a job and snapped a back spring and that was after one scale fell off

[Eye Brand Man]

Quoting EBM :Comparing RR’ s to old American brands is like apple’s and oranges to me. Sure the RR “look” nice , but how great are they actually made and how quality are the materials. They built these knives to look good , but I think it’s skin deep"
Yes that is exactly what i thought too. How can you sell a well made strong knife for $10. It is not possible.
But, i began using RR folding knives in about 2008 and i have found them to be: super duper sharp, edge hold way longer than my Eye Brand or Schrade USA knives, and none have developed any blade play, all snaps still good and handles are intact, no cracks.
How is this possible ? I don't know, but you buy a couple of RR's, use them hard and see what happens. And then of course, report back.
The RR knives i have used are the 'early' ones. I don't know if the more recent ones are just as great, but likely they are.
kj

You had a lot better experience than I did. I received a RR trapper as a gift about 6 years ago. And decided to give it a try. I’ll admit the blades we’re sharp when new, but to me the edge rolled very easily. Definitely didn’t come close to Carl Schliepers for edge holding. It had bone covers that bleed dye after getting wet. Also the pin scale pins loosend over time and the blades developed play. Just my experience ymmv.

[kootenay joe]

I used a rr lock back once on a job and snapped a back spring and that was after one scale fell off

There are a lot of posts here in AAPK from people who have used an RR knife. Most are very positive with the poster expressing amazement at how well these inexpensive knives cut and held up. But there are also posts like this one by garddogg56 and EBM saying how the RR knife they used quickly developed serious problems.
RR has made well over 2000 different patterns of folding knives. It would be interesting to know if those that 'fail' are of the same pattern. Were there runs in which heat treatment of the spring(s) was off or handle material was sub-standard, etc. ?
I have used 5 different RR knives over the last about 13 years and never had even one 'issue' develop. This must mean that i have been lucky and never received an RR from a 'bad' run.
kj

[kootenay joe]

Sorry, double post.
kj

[zippo123]

Personally, never had a bad RR pocket knife, but I am sure there are some bummers possibly.

And I have 4 of the new Rough Ryder Reserve Line…..that go for $40-60 bucks each.

Quality on those RR Reserves is outstanding and as or better than case and dare I even say even approaching GEC level…Pics of knives on leather slips…..get your hands on one and you decide…

(Remember back a 1000 years ago when everything made in Japan was thought to be cheap chinzy junk!!!!
Then came Sony TV’s ( I used to work for Sony) Honda bikes and cars, Accura, Toyota, Subaru (owned 5 of them ) Yari and Yamaha guitars, so on………Japan = Quality now. )

just saying…..Made in China no longer means “Junk” and bracing now for the incomming salvos that that statement might render, ha

[Mumbleypeg]

I am glad everyone is chimming in and I am not getting beat up for liking something made in China.

Well, I have been tempted but am biting my tongue (or is it my fingers) to keep from saying anything. Besides, nobody pays any attention to me anyway!

Thanks Ken. How are you going for rain, i read that some parts of America are in drought. Have a good week mate.

cudgee, no drought here. We have had a wetter and cooler than normal spring and early summer. In fact folks couldn’t get into the fields to cut wheat because it was too wet until at least a couple of weeks later than usual. Lots of fields have big ruts where combines tracked mud. Despite all the rain the hay crop is poor because we didn’t get warm enough nighttime temperatures for the forage grasses to grow well. We cut here last week, two or three weeks later than usual and yields were terrible. It’s still not as warm as usual here but we’re into July now so likely to be dry now until fall if it holds true to form. But it rained off and on all day today so who knows?

Ken

[kootenay joe]

PLEASE, send some rain to Southern B.C.
The last 5 years have received below average precipitation and 2021 is the worst, no rain. Temperatures have been as high as 49 degrees C. ( ~ 120 F.) and for last 4 weeks temps in the mid to high 30's C. and not cooling off at night. Forests and ground are powder dry. Over 300 wildfires burning. Trees explode before they burn. Smoke is thick everywhere.
Long range outlook is no change until mid September.
Very few households here have air conditioning. I don't and my house is about 94 F. inside, only dropping to about 88 at night.
Please ask the RAIN to go to Canada.
thank you.
kj

[Dan In MI]

PLEASE, send some rain to Southern B.C.
Please ask the RAIN to go to Canada.

We here in the Detroit area have had two bouts of flooding in close succession. Believe me, if I could send you some rain, I would! I can ask the rain to go your way, and have done so.

Having so many different makers and variations, the ”scout” is one of my favorite patterns.

As of this post, I own two camp/scout knives. Both show marked differences in tool design and size. I figured it would be interesting to see them compared and contrasted. A Ward's is on the top and left, and a Camillus 99 is on the bottom and right. (Both were purchased from AAPK members, incidentally.)

[kootenay joe]

Here is one of the finest 4 blade Utility knives of all time. It is big at 4 3/4" closed but not as bulky as the big Remington Camp knife.
GEC 981416, strong, sharp, capable and Beautiful.
kj

[garddogg56]

Joe and Dan those are fine examples of well made American knives

[zippo123]

Joe and Dan those are fine examples of well made American knives

Nice!!!

I have the remington sterling silver camp knife….
it is HUGE !! for a pocket knife….more like a pocket bayonette

[garddogg56]

Very nice when was it made?

[zippo123]

1994

[kootenay joe]

Joe and Dan those are fine examples of well made American knives

Nice!!!

I have the remington sterling silver camp knife….
it is HUGE !! for a pocket knife….more like a pocket bayonette

Same knife i posted on page 2. It is bulky, more so than the GEC Texas Camp Knife that is the same length. I don't think the extra thick liners on the Remington are really needed.
kj

[garddogg56]

I like the thick liners and slabs so I can get a firm grip.They are very well made.