Truth be told, The RR Kamp King my favorite scout

[zippo123]

I have a small scout pattern knife collection…..
Pretty much all the Chinese made scouts some hard to find USA ones

Schatt & Morgan
Case
Remington Bullet
Boker
Camillus

Love all the US made ones, of course, and I am not comparing those high end scouts to the Rough Ryder, but I have to say, the Rough Ryder Kamp king is my favorite…..because I actually carry and use it and like its looks.

…Its built great, easy to deploy blades, cool old timey retro look with no RR logos on outside… real bone jigged scales, feels great in hand, has 1/2 stops! and cost
$ 20 bucks shipped!! Like them so much I bought a few to save and put away. I think this knife flew under the radar and is a sleeper, under appreciated.

just in case your interested..
https://www.chicagoknifeworks.com/rough ... g/#reviews

Hey, when something is a made well, and probably x times better than the original western, ulster, New York and so vintage oldies, because of advances in material and production ability, what is not to love. Its like buying a brand new 1965 mustang but with better quality components, ha.

[kootenay joe]

Here is my Rough Rider 'Scout' type knife. It is an earlier version than the "Kamp King", RR533.
Very well made, strong springs and super sharp edges. I cut my thumb rather deeply on the 'Tin Opener' blade while taking these pictures.
It is a great knife and i think cost $10-$12 when i bought it about 10 or more years ago.
kj

[zippo123]

Ouch! Hope my post was not the cause of the injury….sorry if it was.

Yea I have that one too…nice knife, but I like the nostalgic look of the Kamp King better. And the Kamp king has crisp 1/2 stops.

[Sweetpieces4you]

Getting cut and having no thumb nail left is all part of handling knives I handle many knives on a daily basis and have learned to use a blade opener and have a large box of bandaids on hand But while you have your knife open it’s a good time to put a drop of oil in it and work the blades a little to hopefully prevent any further injuries I have actually broke the springs on more than a few by forcing them open without oiling them 1st and letting them sit for awhile so it soaks in Or in some cases a more powerful solution to help break up any rust that may have started All to help offset injuries and to hopefully save a knife

[cody6268]

Basically, it's the only one you can get. I have the Demo knife clone (for the price, THE best knife money can buy) as well as the big one (the "Scout King" originally sold as a Dave Canterbury collaboration under the Marble's name; but the same pattern now appears as Rough Ryder in red bone, and as another Marble's with an orange G-10 handle and oddly shaped black G-10 bolsters). I have used them both extensively, and have had no problem with either.

I am hoping both get an orange G-10 handle and plain nickel silver bolsters.

Here's a run down off the top of my head:

Camillus--out of business

Schrade/Imperial/Ulster--out of business

Case--discontinued the Jr. Scout a few years back.

GEC--their "Scout" pattern hasn't seen use in years.

Bear and Son. They did a few BSA knives a couple of years (I want to say 2009-11?) after the Camillus bankruptcy; mostly copying the Camillus patterns (I've suspected since they had a #1047; they had the Camillus tooling for at least that model) and BSA/Venture Scouts variants of Bear's own tactical patterns (a lot of this comes from memory of the Scout Stuff catalog during my Scout years). They also used the Scout pattern for some non-BSA issues in wood and imitation stag. But, they were known to be poor quality.

The Colonial "Demo" knife is a little hard to find, and a little expensive for what it is. After the "new" revived Colonial Knife got started in 2005, they did a small series of Scout knives, but many have suspected Camillus actually made them, as they stopped being made after 2008. They did also produce a wood handle Girl Scout knife (with bolsters) as well as an imitation stag Scout that was a trade fair giveaway from Ideal Tools and Consolidated Electrical Distributors (which I have; and have only seen one like it). Colonial is also a little "gray area" in where they are made.

Boker does offer one, supposedly in 440C, in their budget "Magnum" line; but that's the only other one that I would call a true "Scout/Camper" pattern instead of a Demo knife copy.

[knifeaholic]

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

[eveled]

The new Colonial Demo knives are worse than the Chinese Schrade copies. The Rough Rider Camp king is nice.

I like carbon steel as much or probably more than most knife collectors. But any knife with a can opener I prefer to be stainless. Just so I can rinse it off and stick it in my pocket without any worry.

One way I judge camp knives is by how well the blades nest together. I see the RR camp king has an offsett bent into the can opener. That’s something you don’t see often anymore.

Can I please see a picture with all blades closed straight down into the well??

[Eye Brand Man]

“Hey, when something is a made well, and probably x times better than the original western, ulster, New York and so vintage oldies, because of advances in material and production ability, what is not to love. Its like buying a brand new 1965 mustang but with better quality components, ha.”
[/quote]



I don’t think I can totally agree with this statement. 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. Use one hard for years and see how they hold up.

[cody6268]

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

I saw another that said "MADE IN CHINA"; and in fact, "CHINA" was etched/inked (poorly) right onto the main blade. I think the automatics are the only thing they make here.

[garddogg56]

I’m going to keep out of this discussion BUT how the —— does rr get to con the Kamp King name?????

[Eye Brand Man]

I’m going to keep out of this discussion BUT how the —— does rr get to con the Kamp King name?????

That’s SMKW thing. Buy all the old brand names you can and slap them in what ever you please.

[cody6268]

I’m going to keep out of this discussion BUT how the —— does rr get to con the Kamp King name?????

I was trying to figure out that myself when it appeared in the SMKW catalog a year or two ago. I know Schrade had produced a Kamp King in Ireland years after Imperial ceased making them in Providence, RI.

However, I did some digging: https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfiel ... vluo1r.2.1

I don't know what the deal is. The trademark was first used by Imperial in 1935; officially registered in 1940. I looked into the documentation that goes with it, and they showed renewal in 1980. It was renewed last (originally for ten years) by Schrade in 2001, when they produced a Kamp King in Ireland. So, technically dead in 2011 (10 years ago); but the trademark was canceled in 2016. Eighty years later!!!! I thought it had gone dead decades ago!!!

Of course, SMKW also had a line of "Rodgers" knives, and Egginton still owns the trademark; and they are still making them in Sheffield. SUrprised SMKW didn't get sued there.

[cody6268]

I’m going to keep out of this discussion BUT how the —— does rr get to con the Kamp King name?????

That’s SMKW thing. Buy all the old brand names you can and slap them in what ever you please.

Technically with SMKW, a lot of these old brands (except for Queen especially) they didn't buy. It was old names known for quality products in their prime whose trademarks had shifted into the public domain that were then free use for SMKW to slap on Frost crap.

[kootenay joe]

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

[kootenay joe]

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

[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.