Regal BSA Mess Kit vs Wearever BSA Mess Kit

In this video, I compare the two vintage Boy Scouts of America mess kits from Regal and Wearever. My steel BSA kit makes an appearance too.
For more info about vintage BSA gear, visit www.boyslife.org/wayback and check out the Boy's Life magazines from 1910 to present and view the sales ads that show the BSA gear from those years.

[@SkunkMonkey991]

Just dug out my regal kit from the 70's and my handle has plenty of clearance from the pan. Handle locks down tight. I never used the kit but keep it since I've had it for so long.

[@HootOwl513]

John, Someone rebuilt that kit, probably from different components. The factory wingnuts were stamped from steel and had a built-in washer with protruding two dots that fit into the alignment holes. Factory bolt was a mini Carriage Bolt with a square bit under the rounded cap bolt end. Official BSA handle tabs had a matching square hole for the carriage bolt. Also that person put the handle-tab back on the skillet with snap rivets. Obviously not factory. Factory used good old air hammer-and-bucking bar rivets, like on airframes. My guess is that some Scout [12-13 YO] fixed it himself with DIY snap rivets, but didn't have a belt sander to radius the handle end.

[@cassandralesh8536]

Mine is my original from 1987. It's a regal. I don't have the original cup though. I'll take the regal because it's lighter but it's still heavy gauge compared to anything else It has cooked a lot of meals. I learned how to cook with it and it goes on all my backpack trips.

[@jwatson15]

I came across an old set like this in my local Goodwill for two bucks. I thought I was super lucky. It even had an old canvas bag. With the original scout's name on it. Dinkie by the way, I assume it's a nickname. Well after some research turns out the kit itself wasn't a Boy Scout kit but it has no markings at all and the only thing missing was a lid. Luckily years before I bought one of those cheap Walmart versions of this, the ones that cost like five bucks but were in no way worth 5 bucks. Luckily the lid fit perfect I just have to take off that plastic knob every time I want to use it. It seems to be quality cuz it's not too thin but had no markings I can tell. After some work with a toothbrush and baking soda it's good to go. The frying pan handle and the bail of the pot are both steel the rest is aluminum. So I assume it's a surprisingly quality knock-off from the 60s or 70s? No idea but still glad I found this treasure. Oh and it was missing the wing nut.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

jwatson15 Well, it doesn’t have to be “Boy Scout” to be a good kit. I say take it out and enjoy it! If post a video using it, please let me know as I would be interested. There was lots of manufacturers making those kits. There’s no telling where it is from.

[@mikesharratt5816]

Newer ones are even FAR worse. I just went thru the 4 kits I have. I thought I had a complete Wear Ever, but it turns out someone changed out the pot and lid with a Regal. I also have just the skillet from a steel one, and it does cook much better. I love all the kit videos.

[@kimberlygoodnight4776]

Just bought this BSA (regal) for my boyfriend from a thrift store. Just missing the cup

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

I’m sure he will enjoy it. I did a follow up video after this one where I take it out to the woods and cook breakfast with it. He might enjoy that video too. Thanks for watching and for your comment!

[@diddybushcraftnoutdoors8072]

I found a Regal mess kit in the trash can at the Scout hut that a kid thru away but missing the top plate and cup, I looked all in the can but couldn't find them, I've' thinking of trying to make one or find something that will work but have found it yet. I think it was rather well made compared to the Ozark Trail I bought and thru away because it was so flimzy. I actually cooked eggs in it without them sticking. Mine locks down solid. For drinking coffee out of a metal cup, you can put a little Duct tape on the rim to insulate it, I've done that before.

[@cassandralesh8536]

The ww2 kits are steel because of the aluminum being saved for aircraft. It's hard to find pre ww2 kits because everyone turned in their aluminum cookware for the war effort. The 50's-80's are everywhere. Because of the increased popularity of scouting after the war. Your regal kit handle is from another kit. On mine the dimples line up a lock

[@alessandrocoleman5045]

i guess Im asking randomly but does any of you know of a method to get back into an instagram account..? I somehow forgot my password. I appreciate any tips you can give me.

[@georgemarkus8608]

@Alessandro Coleman instablaster :)

[@alessandrocoleman5045]

@George Markus Thanks for your reply. I found the site on google and im waiting for the hacking stuff now. I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@garywhelansr5602]

Nice review Ive got 2 of the weareversets complete with tan covers at a antique store paid 15 dollars for both .. know im sure what to look for .. wearever cook wear is solid stuff.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

$15 was a great buy! The antique store didn’t know what they had! Still loving my Wearever set. I had it out just the other day. Thanks for watching and for your comment!

[@garywhelansr5602]

@@John-Sherwood-W4JFS Welcome sir.. yes they just thought it was BSA sets its all good 👍

[@FlambeauxLaveau]

I'm confused af.. My kit says "Regal" but that's all, no letters or numbers below that. It's not Wear-Ever but it's super thick aluminum. I can't bend it and I'm a big guy. It came in a canvas bag. It has a BSA stamped on the handle but that's all, no patent # or anything else. What do I have??

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Probably an earlier, better version of the Regal set. Unfortunately, I haven’t found info about when the Regal sets started showing up and their production changes. But one thing is for sure, the one I have was made super cheap so I’m betting yours is from a time when they were made with more quality. I hope you are able to get it out soon and cook some camp food!

[@FlambeauxLaveau]

@@John-Sherwood-W4JFS Yeah it must be an in-betweener as you say. It has some of the disadvantages, like no second lip on the opposite side of the handle to hook onto, just the exaggerated edge all the way around and the pot handle has only the one click option..but the one click sounds way more solid than the one you demonstrated and the aluminum is, as I've said very very thick. The butterfly screw also has some differences too, I believe it to be either aluminium or some sort of composite material. It has a light, almost plastic or Bakelite feel to it. It also doesn't fit properly into the canvas bag it came with. It fits, but not in a natural way. Very sturdy overall though. Definitely going to be using it soon for sure, thanks!

[@tonysizzle8574]

Always love your videos, man.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Tony Sizzle thanks very much!

[@OKBushcraft]

I have seen a steell bottom in a pawn since you did the video on the 1940s kit. I should buy it. Its $15.

[@XClary]

Yes, you should. Go get it!

[@OKBushcraft]

@@XClary I just would like it to have all the rest of the kit.

[@Gungeek]

Even the set I have made in Korea looks better than the Regal set. :)

[@miguelangelbordigoni]

Soy de Argentina... quisiera uno de esos ¿ Cómo lo puedo conseguir ?

[@AFizz-cw3on]

Try bending the brace on the pan first, before you grind. Just a thought.

[@redsorgum]

The wear-ever is a cool cook set.

[@XClary]

I've got the ware ever set. I use it whenever I camp

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

That newer kit is really junk. I’m very surprised the Boy Scouts put their name on it. I think the BSA bureaucracy needs a shake up. The older kits are great. I wasn’t a scout but a bought a kit in the 70s. I’ll have to find it and see how it measures up. Great review.

[@dreamcreationsadventures]

Sad that things just continue to go down hill from how things began. Pretty evident in comparison of cook kits. Just sad, of course that is only my opinion

[@ohnenamen2843]

Pre 1942 is not pre WW2 Pre 1939 is pre WW2

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

You are correct. As an American, I mistakenly think of the war as when we got fully involved. Thanks for the correction.

[@josephd27]

That Regal set is pathetic