Camper knife

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Don L59
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Camper knife

Post by Don L59 »

Who had one of these camper kniveswhen you were a kid you could get them at the five and $.10 store for a few bucks I couldn’t wait to get mine!
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OLDE CUTLER
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Re: Camper knife

Post by OLDE CUTLER »

Don L59 wrote: Wed Mar 04, 2026 1:31 pm Who had one of these camper kniveswhen you were a kid you could get them at the five and $.10 store for a few bucks I couldn’t wait to get mine!
I have had similar ones. Could you show it with the blades open?
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
Don L59
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Re: Camper knife

Post by Don L59 »

Sure Old Cutler. Here’s some more pictures for you. All 8 tools are intact. Main blade looks to be never sharpened. This knife came with a leather sheath to carry it. To big for your pocket.
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OLDE CUTLER
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Re: Camper knife

Post by OLDE CUTLER »

I always wanted one of those when I was a kid, but never had one until just a few years ago. I made due with Kamp Kings. The one I have now is this Mambro 11 blade camper/hobo knife which is 4 and 1/2 inches OAL closed. The blades show no wear or sharpening marks. Most commonly this type was seen with a leather belt sheath, but mine lacks one.
IMG_6452.JPG
IMG_6453.JPG
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
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New_Windsor_NY
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Re: Camper knife

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

Kid: "Wish we had time to bury them fellas."
Josey Wales: "To hell with them fellas. Buzzards got to eat, same as worms."
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Don L59
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Re: Camper knife

Post by Don L59 »

Wow! Old cutler! Yours is like brand new. Very nice!
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Mumbleypeg
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Re: Camper knife

Post by Mumbleypeg »

Many of these were made in Japan during the 1950s and 1960s by Mitsuboshi. They may still be making them. ::shrug:: I recall when I was about 10 years old being with my parents on vacation at some tourist trap and seeing them for sale in the gift shop. Of course, I had to have one and ended up with my parents buying one for me (likely just to shut me up :lol: ). Can’t recall ever actually carrying or using it. Despite their looks, they’re not very practical.

You can find dozens of them for sale on eBay.

Ken
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Re: Camper knife

Post by Froe »

As a kid I always wanted one.
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cody6268
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Re: Camper knife

Post by cody6268 »

Mumbleypeg wrote: Fri Mar 06, 2026 5:32 pm Many of these were made in Japan during the 1950s and 1960s by Mitsuboshi. They may still be making them. ::shrug:: I recall when I was about 10 years old being with my parents on vacation at some tourist trap and seeing them for sale in the gift shop. Of course, I had to have one and ended up with my parents buying one for me (likely just to shut me up :lol: ). Can’t recall ever actually carrying or using it. Despite their looks, they’re not very practical.

You can find dozens of them for sale on eBay.

Ken
From what I understand, they did well enough with these to the point they were approached by Tim Leatherman when the Pocket Survival Tool started to take off, and the existing facilities in OR at the time couldn't keep up with demand. These were made for much of the eighties, and are known as "JPST" or Japanese Pocket Survival Tool.

They are in fact still around--mostly making kitchen knives. They still have a close relationship with Leatherman, serving as their Japanese distributor.

https://mitsuboshi-cutlery.com/

https://ltj-1986.com/leatherman/
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Mumbleypeg
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Re: Camper knife

Post by Mumbleypeg »

Thanks for that info regarding Mitsuboshi making some Leatherman PSTs. We’ve discussed my Japanese made PST here previously https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... 03#p669203

Ken
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If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.

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