All About Pocket Knives

Just bought this one on the Bay. It is a Swan Works Scout or utility. Bought it only on the fact that it has the square "key hole" for the Prestolite valve. I think I am correct. What say ye. Excuse the ultimately poor pic, I took it from the description. Will add better pic if it turns out to be worth it. I know Swan Works is not that collectable, but it does have the Prestolite key.

Also bought this one, Germania Cutlery

Bought it only on the fact that it has the square "key hole" for the Prestolite valve.

I thought it was a tool for old roller skates...

Nice ones.

Hmmmm! Roller skate key Maybe I Sca-rewed up

Either way..it makes it nice. ...I got a Swan Works Scout but mines not nearly as nice as yours.

Did someone say scout knife???

From what I have read, TJ has it right that this is a prestolite key on that old scout. Here's a link to a search for "prestolite" I did.

http://allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_f ... mit=Search

Nice find TJ.

Phil

Whatever else a Scout knife has it always has a beautiful Spear Point blade!

I kind of don't like tools on the bottom, unless it's a SAK.

Phil...with all those Scouts you got..you should know!!

philco wrote:Did someone say scout knife???

From what I have read, TJ has it right that this is a prestolite key on that old scout. Here's a link to a search for "prestolite" I did.

http://allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_f ... mit=Search

Nice find TJ.

Phil

As the old thread notes, I've also seen these refered to as gas tank wrenches...probably in reference to prestolite gas tank.

TJ,

did the seller say anything about the broken lift tab on the can opener?

Other than that it looks like a nice old knife

So, does the Prestolite key date the knife? It also looks to have the old style can opener, which may be broken. Can't tell for sure with the crappy, out-of-focus pic. Goins says c.1920-present and Price & Zalesky say c. 1901-1996. Man, I love these two books, best money I ever spent.

It seems that when the thread that Philco posted was running, I began looking for those knives with the Prestolite key and that they were being snatched up at a pretty good price (more than I was willing to spend). Are the Prestolite keyed knives still that desireable?

Miller Bro`s wrote:TJ,

did the seller say anything about the broken lift tab on the can opener?

Other than that it looks like a nice old knife

No, didn't mention it as being broken. He did mention that there was a chip out of the front scale. Also said the blade and shield are marked*A* Best Brand. We'll see what it really is in a couple of days.

The shield should be marked "Scout Knife".........................I think the seller is confused

[/quote]

As the old thread notes, I've also seen these refered to as gas tank wrenches...probably in reference to prestolite gas tank.[/quote]

Prest-O-Lite(I think that is the correct spelling)was a trade name for a brand of headlamp used on early automobiles prior to the invention of incandescent bulbs that would withstand the rough use in automobiles which eventually led to the development of sealed beam headlamps.They consisted of a reflector and a gas jet housed within and a holding tank for the gas.The gas was manufactured from calcium carbide and water which when mixed formed acetylene.The key(which is essentially a 1/4" square opening)was used to turn the valve on the holding tank on and off.The early lights were not very bright and had to be cleaned frequently as acetylene when burned gives off a black smoky residue that quickly attached itself to the lenses and reflectors.If you look at the headlamps on early(brass era)cars you will see the lamps have a series of holes in the top to vent the fumes.
Acetylene is also extremely explosive and this is one of the reasons the tank would be turned off when not in use as they had a tendency to leak.