Hammer Brand Boy Scout Knife (1917-24)

[@jjcahill8934]

You certainly found a real "diamond in the rough!" I'm always amazed to find pre WWII knives that have as good or better snap than new production knives. I, like you, believe that proper restoration is not only necessary in many cases but required to keep an important artifact (be it a knife, sword, gun, etc.) in the best working condition possible by removing the harmful agents like rust and grime and lubricating the moving parts. Thank you for sharing your latest beauty with those great bone covers!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

JJ Cahill, thanks. The quality of this knife is truly amazing. That used up blade came to me sharper than some modern knives I bought. Says something about 100 year old carbon steel and quality hand craftsmanship. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!

[@philipstephan5451]

Yes,!!! Hands down you have worked a miracle with your 💯 year old knife to say the least. I would have done same thing you did. I could not have let that knife sit being all locked up with rust and gunk either. I dont blame you in the least for cleaning it up. Stay safe. Blessings to you. Cheers.😊

[@jesterskull38]

Cleaned up pretty good, love getting new additions

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks. I got this one at a steal, considering the low price!

[@ronstecher4345]

I always clean my knives. When I find an old rusty one with plenty of life left I spray it inside and on the joints with WD-40 to get the rough stuff off, all the years of gunk and grime. I run some paper tales and a-tips through it until clean. I use a paper tile and mineral oil to run the springs and clean them up, get the tarnish and rough stuff off. Wipe it down and oil the joints. I don’t polish the patina off the blade, but I sometimes use a little Flitz and a dremel with felt wheel to polish up springs and bolsters if they are exceptionally dull or scuffed.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Sounds like an efficient way to bring a knife back to life. Have you tried the cold water bath with a aluminum foil to loosen, remove rust? It works well with carbon and doesn't hurt the patina.

[@ronstecher4345]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias I have not tried foil. For exceptionally soiled knives I spray inside with WD40 and then run them under warm water with some dish soap and a tooth brush to get the loose gunk off. Only for non-wood scales though. Then I dry with a hair dryer, continue cleaning and finally sharpen and oil.

[@Mr_Santo5]

wow that's got a great spring snap for it's age.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

It does indeed. They don't make 'em like they used to! Thanks for visiting!

[@MikeSmith-lt4rh]

I love the videos. 👍👍

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Mike Smith, thanks. I try to get a new one up once a week. Glad you’re enjoying them.

[@ronstecher4345]

Great find. I feel if you are going to keep a vintage knife and even use it, it should be cleaned up as best as possible. These knives were tools, and we wouldn’t neglect our tools in the interest of collectibility. At a minimum I clean the gunk out of the joints, springs and liners. I wash then in warm soapy water, spray them down with WD40 to get rust out, dry them, and then gently polish the blades with some Flitz and a dremel. Lastly I put a drop of mineral oil in the joints. Looks and feels much better.

[@BushcraftWoodsDevil]

Very interesting. I sure wish SCHRADE would reissue the classic KAMP KING in their IMPERIAL line.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

That would be pretty cool and I think it would be a wise marketing strategy. Schrade has made an Uncle Henry Scout Knife as well as an Old Timer Scout. While these are nice, they aren't a "Kamp King" I also think Colonial should also come out with the Forest Master, again! Thanks for watching. Love your channel BushcraftWoodsDevil.

[@BushcraftWoodsDevil]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias yes, I would snap up a FOREST MASTER in a hot second. I was never a BSA Scout, but went fishing a lot and always had a KAMP KING in my pocket. Tackle shop had them on a card, held on with elastic strings. I think they were maybe a buck and a half in 1972 at that time. Something else I lay awake thinking about...an ESEE marked line of Golden Age patterned knives. I admire their modern designs, but I would love to have an ESEE Barlow, an ESEE Moose, and a traditional stacked leather Bird/Trout like the Lemay SAC. [ Ever watch BRIDGES AT TOKO RI? William Holden has one on his flight suit vest]. Thanks for the kind words about my channel. I have fun getting out exploring. Stay well my friend and God bless!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

@@BushcraftWoodsDevil, funny you should mention the LeMay SAC knife. Did you know I have a video on it? It's was basically a slightly modified Boker 155. See: < kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZ_Hd4WqlteKfck >. I'd also love to see Stacked Leather B&T by ESEE. Is this something they did in the past? If so, I've got to start searching!

[@HobieonYouTube]

Score!!! Congratulations! Great find and what a price! I'll trade you, haha (mine has a broken off awl). And fine job cleaning it up- I think the notion of not restoring filthy, corroded knives is absolutely stupid. Original condition never included rust, I'm sure. Like you said, it just must be done carefully. I bet it feels really good as a collector of Scout knives to have one of the first. Now, where are those with the big bail? ;)

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

HobieonKZbin, thank. I think if you’re going to collect older knives then you need to learn some basics on how to restore and repair them. As far as restoring knives, you’re a true expert. Thanks for your input.

[@HobieonYouTube]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias Thanks. I've restored and sold well over a hundred vintage knives now and have made money on each of them. So as to the question of whether restoring a dirty, corroded vintage knife hurts its value, I'll just say this. Relist that knife on Ebay some day and see whether it brings more than the $30 something dollars you paid for it. End of debate! While the so called experts may not like cleaning, apparently the collectors who actually buy the knives do. They prefer knives that are pleasant to look at and operate-surprise! And you have just saved that knife for the next 100 years. Well done!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

HobieonKZbin, amen, brother!

[@Eliel7230]

I agree. Classic tools should be restored correctly.

[@robertcarey8237]

What is the difference between a be prepared scout knife and the scouts prepare knife