ScoutKnives.Net Scout Knife Reference

The Bear & Son Cutlery factory is unique in that they have a skilled and experienced work force capable of performing many of the extra hand operations that go into the making of their products. While some companies only assemble parts brought from various suppliers and put their names on the product, the Bear & Son Cutlery factory does everything in-house from building their own blanking dies to heat treating, grinding and assembly and hand finishing their products. These steps insure that Bear & Son Cutlery is of excellent quality and a real value for both the dealer and consumer. As a Scout knife collector I can only hope for more new and exciting products the Bear & Son Cutlery factory. Their ongoing commitment to manufacturer their products in America and make them affordable is a trait that as a Scout knife collector I can fully appreciate.  (Text courtesy of Tom Cosgrove)

BEAC2A, BSA#24075  This classic two-blade Barlow knife features 440 high-carbon stainless steel, solid brass liners, durable laminated red/tan ash handles and tarnish-free nickel bolsters. 3.50" long when closed, Eagle badge used as shield. Introduced January, 2007.

BEAC2A: Bear MGC Barlow style two-blade knife. (Photo courtesy of Tom Cosgrove)

BEAC4A, BSA#26217 Four blade camp knife with 2010 National Jamboree logo in the handle. Blade etch says "National Jamboree BSA 2010". All liners are stainless steel. Main blade, flat-blade screwdriver/cap lifter, leather punch, and can opener. Handles are jigged, chocolate brown color plastic. End opposite main blade has a permanent shackle. Blades on this example are very tight, shackle is very tight. Price at 2010 National Jamboree was $40, though some secondary market resellers began asking over $100 for these knives on ebay once the Jamboree was over, and these were out of stock. By 2011, the asking price was back down to around $45.

BEAC4A: Logo side of handle, etching, and box (Photo: A. McBroom)

BEAC4A: Back of knife and box. (Photo: A. McBroom)

BEAC4A: Backside of knife, showing all steel liners. It appears no brass was used in this knife. (Photo: A. McBroom)

BEAC4A: Box end showing BSA number 26217. (Photo: A. McBroom)

BEAC4B, BSA#  Plastic handle, heat-molded BSA logo.

BEAC4B (Photo courtesy of Mr. Thomas Linton)

BEAL1A, BSA# 24078 This wood handle lockback knife has a positive lock that prevents the knife closing when in use.The 440 high carbon stainless steel blade has a hollow ground blade. Solid brass liners. Nickel plated silver bolsters, polished ash wood handles. Length closed is 5 inches. Made in Jacksonville, AL, USA Introduced 2007.

BEAL1A: 5" Bear MGC Lockback  (Photo courtesy of Tom Cosgrove)

BEAL1B, BSA# 24077 This wood handle lockback knife has a positive lock that prevents the knife closing when in use. The 440 high carbon stainless steel blade has a hollow ground blade. Solid brass liners. Nickel plated silver bolsters, polished ash wood handles. Length closed is 3.5 inches.  Made in Jacksonville, AL, USA Introduced 2007.

BEAL1B: 3.50" Bear BSA Lockback. (Photo courtesy of Tom Cosgrove)

BEAL1C, BSA# 24076. This great lightweight knife is perfect that beginning Cub Scout learning to use a knife that features a 3.00” hollow-ground 440 high-carbon stainless steel blade. Shield is an etched Cub Scout Wolf diamond. Introduced Jan. 2007.

BEAL1C: Cub Scout lockback. (Photo courtesy of Tom Cosgrove)

BUCL01 BUCK #412. Buck made this red-handled, single blade lockback knife. Handles are Zytel, blade is stainless, etched with BSA logo. Handles are marked "SCOUTLITE".  1986 manufacture. Blade length 3", overall length (open) is 7.25".  Buck also made a blue-handled version of this for the Cub Scouts. This came with a nylon pouch (as shown).

BUCL01: (Photo courtesy Bob Wick and the New Mexico Scout Museum)

 BUCP01, Buck #412.  This is a special event version of the BUCL01 made by Buck for the 1986 NOAC.  Other than the blade etchings, the knife if the same as the BUCL01.

BUCP01: 1986 NOAC issue

In 1902, Adolf Kastor, a German immigrant, purchased small knife factory in Camillus, New York, and began supplying domestically produced knives to the nation. The Camillus plant became famous for its military knives and pocket knives.

In 1946, Camillus Cutlery began making official knives for the BSA. They produced quality knives for the Scouts until 2007, when the factory closed its door for the last time. Here is an outstanding history of Camillus, written by Mr. Dexter Ewing.

Camillus also, at times, produced BSA knives that were marked as Imperial and Schrade Walden.

CAMC4A, BSA #1996. This is a camp style knife. The #1996 is one of the standard BSA models, produced by several different companies. On the bail end, it has two blades, one a combination flat bade screwdriver and bottle opener, the other an awl(leather punch). The other end has the main blade, and a two-piece can opener. The shield is shield shaped, and made of raised silver metal. The shield has the First Class badge on it. The handles are black. The bail is permanently attached. Each bolster has a single line stamped into it. Carbon steel blades. This version was manufactured from 1946-1949.

CAMC5B: This photo shows the shorter Phillips tip, and the skinny shaft that supports it.

The awl has a broader base. The rectangular notch for the Phillips blade is gone, and a semi-circular nail notch has been added in its place. 1998 suggested retail was $33.95. Manufactured from 1992-2007.

CAMC4F, BSA #1996, Camillus #BSA0008. Same as the CAMC4E, but with brown jigged Delrin handles. Camillus referred to this as a "four blade camp knife".

Production data: Production card numbered A5779-A-06. The spear was 3 3/4" x 095, and actually made by Ulster. The short screwdriver and can opener were purchased from another source. The belt punch was made in house, and was 2 1/2" x 072. All were made from 1095 steel. The handles were identifed as "Br Stag BSA emblem Delrin". Clevis was nickel plated.

2007 retail was $41.75. Manufactured 1985 - 2007.

CAMC4G, BSA #NA. The CAMC4G is a departure from the traditional camp knife, as this one has smooth red plastic handles. Four blades, a main clip, awl, combo bottle opener and flat-blade screwdriver, and can opener, permanent lanyard ring, and a white BSA logo on the main blade end of the red handle. Main blade is fully etched. Manufactured NA - 2007.

CAMC4H, BSA# 1002  Norman Rockwell Commemorative, "Tomorrow's Leader", Limited Edition, in presentation case.

CAMC4H (Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick

CAMC4I, BSA #          Norman Rockwell Commemorative, "All Together, Now", Lmited Edition, in presentation case. Reverse side has the Scout Law on the handle.  Manufactured c. 1996. UPC 0730176010649.

CAMC4I (Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)

CAMC4J, BSA#     Norman Rockwell Commemorative, "A Scout Is Helpful", Limited Edition, in presentation case.

CAMC4J (Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)

CAMC4K, BSA# (No Kerr # or Holbrook #)  2005 National Jamboree four blade knife. Main blade, one piece can opener, awl, and cap lifter/flat blade screwdriver.  Blade is etched with the 2005 NJ Ft. A.P. Hill logo, and 2005 National Scout Jamboree.  Handles are white bone, permanent bail, no lines on bolsters.  Leather sheath has Tenderfoot badge on the flap. More information about this knife would be appreciated. 

CAMC4K: White bone, four blades, with leather sheath. (Photo courtesy of Ron Fish)

CAMC4L, BSA # 1787     Norman Rockwell Commemorative, "On My Honor", Limited Edition, in presentation case.  Manufactured 1999.

CAMC4L:  "On My Honor" Commemorative knife in presentation box.  (Photos courtesy os Thomas Linton) 

CAMC5A, BSA #1046.  Black handle, five blade, no bail.

CAML1B, BSA #1372, Kerr #CAM25BR. Lock back knife, white handle, single blade is etched "Adventurer, BSA". Slide switch lock.  Blade is 3 5/8" long. Lanyard holblack leather belt holster. Came with leather lanyard and Manufactured 1980-1984.

CAML1B, closed position

CAML1B, with blade open.  Rough specimen, but it gets the idea across.

CAML1E, BSA #1381 or 1375 Single blade lock back. Jigged Delrin handle, blade 3 5/8", lanyard hole in end opposite hinge, no shield, blade marked "Adventurer BSA". Open length 8.25", closed length 4.75". Weight 5 ounces.  Original price $14.25. Made 1985-1988.

CAML1E in original package  (Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)

CAML1E: Note leather lanyard, which was original. (Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)

CAML1E: The all-important instruction sheet

CAML1G: Single blade Camillus lock back

CAML1H, BSA#         

CAML1H (Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)

CAML2A: Blade etch and tang stamp (Photo: A. McBroom)

CAML2A: Original Camillus box (Photo: A. McBroom)

CAMN1A, BSA#    

CAMN1A: Tenderfoot penknife. (Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)

CAMN3A, BSA #1995, Camillus # BSA0007. Eagle Scout knife, red, white, and blue Duralens handles. "EAGLE SCOUT" in all capital letters in the white stripe. 2 1/4" closed, 5 1/2" open. Shield is an eagle with raised wings. The three blades are main blade and nail file, on the shield end, and scissors on the other end. Main blade is a high carbon stainless steel pen blade. Has small key ring loop on mainblade end. Packaged in a gift box.

Production data: The Camillus production card for this knife was numbered A5799A19. The main blade (spear) wa defined as 2 5/8" X 049, made from 420 stainless. File was 420 stainless, and 2 1/4" x 049. Full linings of 430 stainless, bolster tip 410 stainless. Covering (scales) listed as "Plain 424 Red Eagle Scout". Account of #872, Eagle Scout (1995).

Production numbers: Actual production numbers are not complete, but there are factory notes specifying some of the production runs as follows: 10/1986 (First Time) 10,000 pcs; 10/1987 2,500 pcs; 01/1988 4,500 pcs. The production of this knife was prolific, with over 17,000 pieces produced in the first two years.

1998 suggested retail was $29.95, 2007 retail was $41.75. Manufactured 1987-2007. (Data courtesy Tom Williams)

CAMP1A, BSA#

CAMP1A (Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)

CAMW2A, BSA#1900, Kerr #CAM22BR     2.88" long when closed.

CAMW2A (Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)

CAMW3A, BSA #1047. This is the classic three-blade "whittler" style pocket knife. It has the silver-colored, raised metal shield with the First Class badge on it. The handles are black, and secured to the liners by two rivets plus the pivot pin. The main blade has a long nail pull, serrated to double as a match striker. the main blade and the medium blade are on the shield end, and the short blade is on the opposite end. The bolsters are smooth and unlined, and the handles have a swelled center. Produced 1947-1969.

CAMW3A: Black handles, shield shaped BSA shield. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)

CAMW3A: Three blade whittler (Courtesy Phil Stevens)

CAMW3A (Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)

CAMW3H: Note the stag handles

CAMW3H: All three blades, main blade has a serrated, long nail nick

CAMW3H: Closeup of BSA eagle and fleur-de-lis (

CAMW3H (Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)

CAMW3I, BSA #1047. Same as CAMW3E, but with a white handle. Offered 1980-1984.  (Same as Kerr CAM16BR, Holbrook W3D)

CAMW3I (Photo courtesy of Jerry Downen)

CAMW3L, BSA # NA, 75th Anniversary. Three blade, 3.25" length, serpentine shape handle, single rivet bottom center of the handle, non-removable belt shackle, round shield with FDL and eagle, smooth bolsters, brown plastic jigged handles with amber colored ends. Manufactured 1985 only. "75th Anniversary / Boy Scouts of America / 1910 1985" was etched on the main blade, but no emblem on the blade.  There were two versions.  This one has carbon steel blades, and is the less common of the two varieties.  The other version, CAMW3M, has stainless steel blades.

CAMW3M, BSA # NA, 75th Anniversary.  Identical in every respect to the CAMW3L, except this version has stainless steel blades.  This is the most common version of this knife.

 CAMW3M, with blade etching visible.  Stainless blades.