A Brief History of Scout Knives

First of all, it is important to know that the term “scout knife” is a generic term. Many companies make scout knives. However, very few made, or even today make, “official” Scout knives. Most collector interest centers around these official Scout knives.

The New York Knife Company of Walden, New York, was the first to make official Scout knives in 1911, under the trademark of “Hammer Brand”. A banner shield was used with the Boy Scout Motto, “BE PREPARED” stamped on it. Later the shield was changed to an oval shape with the Boy Scout First Class emblem. New York Knife continued to make official Scout knives until 1931, when they went out of business. Naturally, these are among the most highly prized by collectors.

NOTE: In discussing any pocket knife, the term shield often arises. No matter its shape, this feature on the handle of every Scout knife is always referred to as a shield.

In 1923, Remington Cutlery of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and the Ulster Knife Company (Dwight, Divine, and Sons) of Ellenville, New York, were authorized to produce official Scout knives. The earliest Remingtons, those with the so called “acorn shield”, are the most collectable. Because of slight changes in manufacturing, there are at least sixteen (16) different variations of the Remington Scout knife documented.

As for the early Ulster Knife Company knives, those with the tang stamp of “Dwight, Divine, and Sons” seem to have more collector interest, but all are highly collectable. There are eleven (11) documented variations of these knives. The Ulster Knife Company stopped making official Scout knives in 1940.

NOTE: The term “tang” refers to the part of the blade at its base, where it attaches to the handle. It is in this area where the maker places their mark, or stamp. It is these marks that are used for identification of vintage cutlery. The best reference for this identification process in general is “Goins’ Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings”, by John and Charlotte Goins.

In 1931, Landers, Frary and Clark (L F & C) of New Britain, Connecticut began making official Scout knives under the trademark “Universal”. Interestingly, they also made an unofficial scout knife called the “Trooper”. It has the same exact configuration, just a different shield. L F & C stopped making official Scout knives in 1939.

The well known knife maker Cattaraugus Cutlery Company of Little Valley, New York, was the next to make official Scout knives starting in 1933 under the trademark “Whitt-L-Kraft”. These knives have a distinctive octagonal shield. They were also one of very few makers to offer an official Scout knife with or without the, what is now considered standard, belt shackle. Cattaraugus stopped making official Scout knives in 1940.

In 1939, Remington sold its cutlery division to the Pal Blade Company of Plattsburg, New York. Pal continued to make official Scout knives until 1943. Of note is the fact that it was the first to use plastic in the manufacture of knife handles.

In 1946, the Camillus Cutlery Company of Camillus, New York started to produce official Scout knives, and is still making them today.

In 1947, Ulster and Schrade Cutlery joined with Imperial to form the Imperial Knife Associated Company of Providence, Rhode Island. Imperial is still producing official Scout knives, although the ownership is somewhat different than it was in 1947.

In 1963, Ulster (now called Ulster USA) again began making official Scout knives. They are still making them today.

In 1983, the Wenger Swiss Army Knives of Delmont, Switzerland introduced official Scout knives in three different patterns. In 1987, Wenger dropped the line and it was picked up by Victorinox.

In 2006, W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company of Bradford, Pennsylvania introduced official Scout knives in several patterns. Most people are surprised to learn that Case never made an official Scout knife until now. They had made several scout/utility/camp pattern knives since the 1930’s, but never an official Scout knife.

The absolute best single reference for the beginning or the advanced Scout knife collector is Ed Holbrook’s “Official Scout Blades”. It has pictures and descriptions of all the Scout knife variations and includes an updated price guide. It is available directly from Mr. Holbrook for $25.00 plus $3.00 for shipping.

Send to:

Ed Holbrook

12150 S. Casto Road

Oregon City, OR 97045

A Selection of Classic American Cutlery Names

CASE BROTHERS CUTLERY COMPANY, LITTLE VALLEY, NY

Founded by brothers John, Jean, and Andrew Case, as a jobbing, or brokerage company; i.e., several companies made knives and razors for them to sell under the Case Brothers name. However, by 1900 they had built their own factory. Their specialty was high quality, hand forged cutlery. Their new “XX” trademark was the symbol signifying that quality. In 1912, the company suffered a serious setback when the factory was totally destroyed by fire. Within a couple of years the business had failed, and the famous “XX” trademark was transferred to the competing family firm of W.R. Case & Sons.

W.R. CASE & SONS CUTLERY COMPANY, BRADFORD, PA

W.R. Case & Son (singular initially) was founded in Little Valley, NY in 1903 as a brokerage company. In no time the business grew and a decision was made to move to Bradford, PA and build a manufacturing facility. Many patterns were introduced over the next 10 years, but the prestigious “XX” symbol still belonged to Case Brothers. When that company failed in 1914, W.R. Case & Sons was able to acquire the trademark, one that Case uses to this day. Their most famous logo was the “Case Tested XX”. This meant that the blades had been heat treated and tested twice. Around 1940, the “Case XX” trademark first appeared and was in use for the next 25 years when, in 1965, the “Case, XX, U.S.A.” mark appeared. In 1970, Case added a row of 10 dots to the “U.S.A” marking. One dot per year was dropped, making it possible to tell the exact year the knife was made. In 1980, the “S” in “USA” was changed to a lightning bolt, and the dots started at 10 again. Case has changed hands a few times over the last several years, but remains in Bradford. They are now owned by the Zippo Corporation.

CATTARAUGUS CUTLERY COMPANY, LITTLE VALLEY, NY

The company was founded by John B.F. Champlin and originally called J.B.F. Champlin, later J.B.F. Champlin & Son. In 1886, Champlin’s brothers-in-law, the four Case brothers, W.R., John D., Jean, and Andrew joined the company. It then became known as the Cattaraugus Cutlery Company. They didn’t become a manufacturer until about 1890 when they purchased tools and equipment from the Beaver Falls Cutlery Company that had recently gone out of business. Cattaraugus went on to make extremely high quality knives and straight razors that are much sought after by collectors.

CHALLENGE CUTLERY COMPANY, BRIDGEPORT, CT

This company traces its origins back to Sheffield, England. The B. J. Eyre Company of Sheffield used the trademark “Challenge” in 1867. In 1877, the Frederick Wiebusch Company of New York City purchased the Eyre firm, and with it the Challenge trademark. In 1899, what was now the Wiebusch & Hilger Company purchased the Hatch Cutlery Company of Bridgeport, CT and moved into the former Hatch factory. Like many cutlery companies of the time, Challenge made both pocket knives and straight razors. The business closed its doors in 1928.

ELECTRIC CUTLERY COMPANY, NEWARK, NJ and WALDEN, NY

Initially an import firm in Newark, NJ, they later became cutlery manufactures. In 1903, Electric purchased the New York Knife Company of Walden, NY. They operated both facilities until 1910, at which time they moved all operations to Walden. Electric knives marked “Walden” were produced in the New York Knife facility as a second line to their “Hammer Brand”. The Electric trademark was used until about 1920 on both knives and straight razors.

GENEVA CUTLERY COMPANY, GENEVA, NY

Originally formed to manufacture steel shears, the company was reorganized in 1902, such that pocket knives and straight razors replaced shears on most of the production lines. By 1912, Geneva was the single largest maker of straight razors in the US. In 1935, the company was sold to the Edward Katzinger Company of Chicago. However, early the next year, the straight razor division and their most popular trademark “Genco” were sold to W.R. Case & Sons of Bradford, PA. Some other trademarks used by Geneva included “Old Dutch”, “De Roma”, and “Seneca Chief”.

HIBBARD, SPENCER, BARTLETT & COMPANY, CHICAGO, IL

This was a very large wholesale and retail hardware company founded in 1855. Hibbard, Spencer, and Bartlett was not a cutlery manufacturer. Their knives and razors were made under contract by manufactures such as Camillus and Schrade. They used many different trademarks including “OVB” for “Our Very Best” and “True Value”. They discontinued selling knives with their own markings around 1960, but are still in business. Today, they are known as True Value Hardware Stores.

KINFOLKS, INC., LITTLE VALLEY, NY

The company was started by three cousins, Tint C. Champlin, Dean Case, and Russell Case. All three were directly related to the heads of the Case and Cattaraugus Cutlery Companies. Both may have been good reasons to choose “Kinfolks” to be the company name. In 1929, Dean Case and his father, Jean Case, purchased the company from the other cousins. At that time, another line marked “Jean Case” was introduced. Most Kinfolk knives are fixed blade knives; pocket knives are rare. Kinfolks also made a full line of straight razors. In 1957, Kinfolks was sold to the Robeson Cutlery Company.

LANDERS, FRARY, & CLARK (L.F. & C.), NEW BRITAIN, CT

L.F. & C. was formed in 1862 when the firm of Landers and Smith purchased Frary and Carey. They were reorganized in 1865 as Landers, Frary, and Clark. Clark was not a manufacturer, but was the lawyer who managed the company’s legal affairs. In 1912, after significant investment in their newly purchased New Britain facility, they began to manufacture a complete line of pocket knives. Besides “L.F. & C.”, one of the most common trademarks used was “Universal”. In 1950, the cutlery division was discontinued. In 1965, all other assets, patents, and trademarks of L.F & C. were sold to the General Electric Corporation.

NEW YORK KNIFE COMPANY, WALDEN, NY

In 1852, a group of cutlers left the Waterville Manufacturing Company of Connecticut and stared the New York Knife Company in Matteawan, NY. In 1856, they relocated to Walden. The trademark “Hammer Brand” was adopted in 1878. The original trademark had only the picture of a hand & an arm with the sleeve rolled up, and a hammer in a raised position. In 1882 the words “Hammer Brand” were added. In 1911, New York Knife was the first to make official Boy Scout knives. A banner shield was used with the Boy Scout Motto, “BE PREPARED” stamped on it. Later the shield was changed to an oval shape with the Boy Scout First Class emblem. In 1931, the factory was closed due to bankruptcy. The Great Depression has taken another victim.

QUEEN CUTLERY COMPANY, TITUSVILLE, PA

Founded in 1918, as The Queen City Cutlery Company, it came about as basically a “moonlighting” job of six foreman at the Schatt & Morgan factory after their shift. The name came from the nickname for Titusville. Queen City went on to success. Schatt & Morgan did not. In 1932, Queen City, purchased all assets of Schatt & Morgan and moved into their former facility. Their trademark “Queen Steel”, which is a pseudonym for stainless steel, was first used in 1945, because at the time, stainless steel was not popular. The company name was changed to Queen Cutlery Company in 1947. In 1969, it became a subsidiary of Servotronics, Inc. Today they continue to make both Queen and reproduction Schatt & Morgan knives in a variety of patterns.

REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY, ILION, NY

Established in 1916 by Eliphalet Remington, the Remington Arms Company is one of our oldest and most famous arms manufactures. Although they had made bayonets during World War I, they did not make pocket knives until 1920. Their cutlery facility was located in Bridgeport, CT. Because Remington has previously merged with the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, the tang stamp of their early knives retained both “Remington” and “UMC” inside a circle with “Made in U.S.A.” outside the circle. In 1923, Remington was authorized to produce official Scout knives. The earliest Remington Scout knives, those with the so called “acorn shield”, are the most collectable. With World War II near, Remington’s government contracts for arms increased to the point where they stopped making knives. In 1940, they sold their cutlery division to the Pal Blade Company. Today, the Remington trademark is being used on a variety of lesser quality “reproductions” of old patterns.

ROBESON CUTLERY COMPANY. ROCHESTER, NY

The company was founded in 1894 by Millard Robeson, a former cutlery salesman. Robeson was known for using only top quality materials in their knives and razors. Of particular note were knives with their famous “strawberry red” bone handles, introduced around 1945. The Ontario Knife Company purchased Robeson in 1971 and continued to use the trademark until 1977, when the brand was discontinued. “Shuredge” was the best known trademark used by Robeson. Many of their early straight razors came in a distinctive felt pouch and carried the unique blade etch of “The Razor That Fits Your Face”.

SCHATT & MORGAN, TITUSVILLE, PA

Originally founded in Gowanda, NY, in 1890, they moved to Titusville, PA in 1895. The founders were J.W. Schatt and C.P. Morgan. In 1911, Morgan bought out Schatt’s interest, but continued the company under both names. The company prospered until 1922, when several key workers were found to be making Queen City knives in the Schatt & Morgan plant after their shift. Their subsequent firing, and other competitive pressures placed on his facility by the new Queen City Cutlery operation became too much for Morgan. He has forced to close his doors in 1930. The ultimate irony came in 1932, when Queen City Cutlery purchased the building, machinery, and the remaining inventory of parts owned by Schatt & Morgan. There are reproduction Schatt & Morgan knives available today from Queen Cutlery.

SHAPLEIGH HARDWARE COMPANY, ST. LOUIS, MO

The Shapleigh Hardware Company was founded in St. Louis, MO in 1843 and could be considered the “Home Depot” of their day. They contracted with various firms, both domestic and foreign, to make their knives. All Shapleigh knives were noted for their quality and their durability. Their best known trademarks are “Shapleigh’s”, “Diamond Edge”, and “DE”. In 1940, they purchased the E.C. Simmons Hardware Company, also of St. Louis. The company closed in 1960 and sold their remaining stock to Val Test Distributors of Chicago.

E. C. SIMMONS HARDWARE COMPANY, ST. LOUIS, MO

The E.C. Simmons Hardware Company was, like Shapleigh, also founded in St. Louis, MO. If Shapleigh was the “Home Depot” of its day, E.C. Simmons Hardware could most certainly be considered the “Lowe’s”. It grew to be one of the giants of the hardware industry. It adopted the trademark “Keen Kutter” for its highest quality line of knives and straight razors. They were manufactured to Simmons’ specifications by other companies like Camillus Cutlery and Walden Knife Company, which they later acquired. In 1923, Simmons merged in partnership with the cutlery division of the Winchester Arms Company. This resulted in the movement of the Walden Knife company equipment to the Winchester facility in New Haven, CT. Walden had made Keen Kutter knives and for the next 10 years they would be made by Winchester. In 1929, the Winchester-Simmons partnership was dissolved. In 1940, E.C Simmons was purchased by the Shapleigh Hardware Company. Shapleigh continued to use the Simmons trademarks as a second line to their “Diamond Edge” brands until the company closed in 1960.

UNION CUTLERY COMPANY, OLEAN, NY

This predecessor to the modern Ka-Bar Cutlery Company was established in 1898 as the Union Razor Company of Little Valley, NY by brothers Wallace R. and R. Emerson Brown, grandsons of Job Russell Case. In 1902, they purchased the Tidioute Cutlery Company of Tidioute, PA. In 1909, the name was changed to Union Cutlery Company and in 1912 they moved to Olean, NY. The trademark “Ka-Bar” was first used sometime around 1920. The trademark became so popular that the company changed its name to Ka-Bar Cutlery in 1951.

UTICA CUTLERY COMPANY, UTICA, NY

In 1910, the old Utica Burial Case Company’s factory was reopened, now as a factory making knives, straight razors, and other cutlery. In addition to their own knives, Utica Cutlery did a lot of contract work for many hardware stores and other cutlery manufacturers. In 1937, the trademark “Kutmaster” was first used. It eventually replaced all other trademarks. Other trademarks included “UTK Supreme”, “Pocket Pard”, and “Seneca”.

WINCHESTER ARMS COMPANY, NEW HAVEN, CT

The Winchester Arms Company got into the cutlery business in 1919 in an effort to utilize their excess production capacity after World War I. They bought the Eagle Knife Company of New Haven, CT and the Napanoch Knife Company of Napanoch, NY, both in 1919. The machinery and personnel from both were moved to the Winchester facility in New Haven. In 1922, Winchester merged with the E.C. Simmons Hardware Company, who was in control of the Walden Knife Company. In 1923, all of Walden Knife’s assets were moved to New Haven. In 1929, the Winchester-Simmons partnership was dissolved. In 1931, the Western Cartridge Company purchased the Winchester Arms Company. Winchester stopped the production of knives and all other cutlery in the early 1940’s to focus on their government contracts for arms for World War II. Since then, Winchester has considered it impractical to return to the making of knives. Today, the Winchester trademark is being used on a variety of lesser quality “reproductions” of old patterns. These knives are not made in this country.

The History of Boker

A giant chestnut tree, shading the small Boeker tool factory in Remscheid in the 17th century, is the oldest traceable symbol connected with the Boeker name.

Apparently, Boeker tools were very successful, since they were among the leading products in Germany and neighboring countries 100 years later.

Due to the increasing demand in a restless political era, Hermann and Robert Boeker decided in 1829 to begin with the production of sabers. As early as September 1830, the accounting records indicate a weekly production of 2,000 items, made by 64 smiths, 47 grinders and a large number of unskilled laborers. In view of the constantly increasing variety of tools and cutting instruments and the good opportunities for worldwide sales, the family realized that the individual steps in the manufacturing process had to be spread out for optimal realization of its interests. As a result, Hermann Boeker emigrated and founded H. Boeker & Co. in New York. Young Robert developed his enterprise in Canada, founding a branch in Mexico later in 1865. This branch is still a market leader in its country under the name of Casa Boeker.

Heinrich crossed the nearby Wupper river and went to Solingen, where the German industry of cutting tools was growing by leaps and bounds at that time. In 1869, he founded Heinr. Boeker & Co. with Hermann Heuser, a well-known specialist in the field of cutting tools. The Boeker family in Remscheid and their overseas cousins had a lot of interest in and a great demand for shaving blades, scissors and pocket knives from Heinrich's new enterprise. They had to identify their products for the overseas markets in a simple way, since many customers and consumers had problems with the German name Boeker ? not considering the fact that illiteracy was widely spread. In Heinrich's opinion, the chestnut tree near the Remscheid facility represented an ideal, easy-to-remember symbol. This brand symbol was owned by the Remscheid company, together with a second logo, the arrow. One of the few valuable documents that survived the total destruction of WWII is an ad by Boeker, Remscheid, from the year 1874, showing both logos.

The relationship between the two Boeker companies had always been extremely friendly. Therefore, Heinrich was allowed to take the tree symbol across the river with him ? without any big fight or cost. Since then, not a single Boeker article has left the Solingen factory without being identified by the tree symbol. After more than 100 years of existence the old chestnut tree was the victim of lightening. In 1925 a talented artist carved a copy of the majestic tree on a piece of the trunk. This original piece of art decorates the boss' office in the Boeker plant.

As early as 1900, the majority of articles produced by Boeker were distributed in the US market. H. Boker & Co. in New York concentrated primarily on cutting tools from Solingen. Soon pocket knives became more important than scissors, shaving blades and eating utensils. The demand increased even more rapidly than Solingen was able to supply, so that the Americans in New York began their own production of pocket knives. A little later, pliers were included as well. Since the tree symbol had become well known by then and the various branches of the international Boeker family enjoyed an excellent relationship among each other, it was not difficult to receive permission from the Solingen relatives to use the tree symbol also for the American products. Since that time, two different lines of Boeker knives have been on the American market with the same brand symbol, sometimes even with the same article numbers, but one line was made in the USA and the other in Solingen. Only the declaration of marketability clarified that one line was from Boker USA and the other from H. Boker Improved Cutlery Solingen. The relationship was interrupted during WWII. The Solingen factory burned down completely. None of the equipment, tools, catalog materials or samples was spared. Those few originals from the past we have today survived the war in private homes and were made available to the company. The firm lost one of its most valuable assets: the registration of the tree symbol for the American market was confiscated pursuant to American law. John Boker Jr. acquired it in New York, in order to secure it for the distribution of the American and German products. Soon after the war, the destroyed factory was rebuilt. Those loyal skilled workers who had survived the war, returned and helped with the reconstruction of the building as well as the production, gradually regaining the previous high standard of quality.

The American cousins renewed their business contact with Solingen and started to place orders. Within a few years Boker, New York, had again become the principal customer. Models like the 7588 and 7474 and the most expensive item, the sports knife "Flagship Model 182" could not cross the ocean fast enough to reach Böker friends all over the country.

In the early 60s, Boker USA was sold and eventually acquired by the well-known scissors manufacturer Wiss & Sons. Wiss retained the manufacture of Boeker knives and sold them together with Solingen products. Of course, this meant that the Boeker scissors ceased to be competitors of the Wiss line in the American market. In the early 70s, Wiss sold to Cooper Industries, a multinational company. This new change in America proved to be advantageous for Boker.

A very close business, as well as personal relationship developed with this industrial giant. Due to its strength on the market, Cooper was able to restore the original magnitude of the Boeker name. Thanks to the very lively business activities with Cooper for eight years, the Solingen facility could streamline its production and develop new, modern products. Without exaggeration, Boker manufactures the largest assortment of high-quality knives for sportsmen and collectors with an unsurpassed variety of materials for blades and handles. Today, Boeker knives range from 320-layer Damascus steel to very modern ceramics, with handles ranging from high-quality mother-of-pearl to Thuya root wood and state-of-the-art synthetics.

In 1983 Cooper discontinued its own knife production. Models still in demand are being manufactured in Solingen today. As a result of friendly negotiations, Cooper restored the American trademark rights three years later, providing Solingen with the opportunity to become self-reliant in the huge American market. Thus, in 1986, Boker USA, Inc. was created in Denver, Colorado. Chuck Hoffman, the man who was involved with the company then, is still active as CEO today, working with a young, energetic team.

How to Use a Sharpening Stone

Most modern blades, even new ones right from the box, will need a good sharpening to realize their full potential. Use the largest stone affordable for a straight edge, as it allows use of a full surface for wider blades.

Step 1. Place the heel of the blade on the stone in a perpendicular or slightly angled position.

Step 2. Tilt the back of the blade up to the desired angle (15 to 30 degrees depending on application: 15 for filet knives, 23 for kitchen and pocket knives, and 30 for cleavers).

Step 3. Holding wrists rigid, draw the blade against the surface diagonally the length of the stone – beginning at the heel of the knife and ending at the top.

Step 4. Flip the blade over and repeat from the opposite end. Continue this action until a wire edge appears.

Sharpening Stones and Grit Size

The abrasive grit size you need depends on the condition of the knife edge and what quality finish you require. Sharpening stone abrasive grits work just the same as sand paper or fingernail file grits. The coarser the grit the faster it cuts and the rougher the finish. The finer the grit the slower it cuts but the smoother the finish. If you have a very dull or damaged edge, you will have to start with a coarse abrasive. Finer grits are used for sharpening slightly dull edges and for honing and polishing.

Some of the confusion about grit size exists because there are different standards of measurement in use. For example, Japanese stones use a standard called JIS, and would appear to have finer grits than comparable American stones. However, Norton uses the European standard for grit size called FEPA. It is like comparing a measurement on the English scale to a measurement on the metric scale. For a given grit size, the Japanese stone will always have a higher number. A 400 grit Norton stone would be equivalent to a 700 grit Japanese stone.