Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on April 13, 2013 at 18:15

Interesting.  I would work for knives LOL

Tobias Gibson said:

I had read somewhere that the US Red Cross bought several thousand hobo pattern knives (spoon/knife, I think) for the dough-boys during WWI. 

The word hobo actually refers to migrant workers who would move from place to place looking from work.   It dates from around 1890. 

Apparently you had/have three classes of vagabonds:  Bums, Tramps, and Hobos.  Tramps and hobos are commonly lumped together, but see themselves as sharply differentiated. A hobo or bo is simply a migratory laborer; he may take some longish holidays, but sooner or later he returns to work. A tramp never works if it can be avoided; he simply travels. Apart from either is the bum, who neither works nor travels, save when propelled to motion by the police.

So I suppose a Hobo, might carry a sign that says "will work for knife!"

 

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 14, 2013 at 14:01

The Cattleman's Cutlery Scout knife is pretty good for $17.00 The zebra wood handles are nice and smooth, the over all build is pretty good, blades are nice and tight.  The main blade could have a little more snap but anyone familiar with camp knives probable knows they tend to have a lousy opening snap.  Closing snap is pretty good.  Standard blades all around.  It also comes in a black pakka-wood finish.  I like it enough that I think I'll get both.    The knife is made in China.  Balde steel is 3CR30 which is basically the same as 420J2.    I know how most people feel about this steel but this knife and few other camp knives I've recently bought have made me re-think my disdain for it.  I've got a couple scouts and hobo that use it that have proved pretty good.

Tobias Gibson said:

I recently picked up a couple new Scout knives.  This one is by Cattleman's Cutlery:

Cattlemans Cutlery 0093ZW Sagebrush Trail Scout Pocket Knife with Zebra Wood Handles

There description reads:

Cattlemans Cutlery - Sagebrush Trail Scout Pocket Knife with Zebra Wood Handles. Model: CC0093ZW. 3 3/4" closed. 3Cr13 stainless components including bottle opener with medium flathead screwdriver tip, can opener, spear blade and leather punch. Zebra wood handles with grooved stainless bolsters and Cattlemans Cutlery inlay shield. Bail.

Permalink Reply by Billy Oneale on April 14, 2013 at 22:28

I like those scales.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 26, 2013 at 17:23

The Royal Crest Multi-Tool Camping knife (SKMTCAMP) – a review

First of all I know better.  But it was so shiny and had so many gadgets! 

 With that said,  it is companies like Royal Crest that give Chinese made products such a bad name.

Why I bought it:

1) I like and a collect camp and hobo style knives. I've bought several other inexpensive Chinese made Hobos and have been happy with the quality for the price paid.

2) It has scissors and that small gutting blade and a nail file

3) It is a larger size hobo so it has a full size fork and spoon so you can actually eat easily with it.

 

Where it goes wrong:

1) The gutting blade jams at the half way point and in order for me to open fully I have to press down hard on a solid surface.  Once open all the way, the blade does lock firmly.  However when you give the slightest push on the spine of the blade it snaps closed so quickly you can’t even see the blade move!

2) The saw blade is incredibly thin and almost impossible to remove from the handle. I seriously doubt it could saw anything more than softest of wood. But again, getting it deployed is incredibly hard. I break the knife into its two parts, deploy the spoon, open the main blade and then I can finally get the stupid saw out. At that point, I might be able to use as a serrated a butter knife.

3)  As someone else mentioned, the spring on scissors won't stay in place.They are sharp enough and work well enough when the spring is in place but it is only going to stay in place for a 20-30 cuts before it is off kilter again.

4)  You need to be careful when you put  knife  back together or it will not stay together. This is very hard to explain.  But unless you are very exact when putting the two parts together and hold the side tight the knife will pop back apart without warning. Further more. even if you do everything right; the fact that there is play in the spoon blade makes it inevitable that the knife will magically separate without warning even if you did put it back together correctly!

 

Final Thoughts:

The concept of this knife is awesome.  I think any backpacker would love a knife with all of the tools and the eating utensils.  The size is great, even if it is bulky, because you can actually eat with the knife and spoon!   The scissors are actually pretty decent. 

Unfortunately Royal Crest has no concept of quality of control.  If they would improve their quality control and actually make sure that the blade open and closed properly people  and used quality material, people would pay double or triple for this knife. Its great looking, it feels solid, but unfortunately it is just a great looking solid piece of JUNK.  Royal Crest should be ashamed of itself.  I've learned my lesson, No more Royal Crest Brand knives for me!   (Yeah, I know, they’ll make one even shinier with even more gadgets and I’ll blow another $3 on that one too!  I could just kick myself!)

Recommendations:

Don't be a Schlub! Learn from me and don't waste your money on shiny gadgets that are poorly made junk!

At the same time... tell me this ain't one cool looking Hobo!

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on April 26, 2013 at 18:23

I have to disagree. Knives like that have a VERY useful purpose.......giving knife collectors a good laugh. LOL!

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 26, 2013 at 18:41

I have found a use for it.  I use it when I feed the cats.  And the next time someone asks to borrow a knife I know exactly which one they'll get!

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on April 26, 2013 at 18:45

LOL, Then what will you use to feed the cat?

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 26, 2013 at 18:53

I guess I'll have to go back to the old Ozark Trail from Walmart.  It doesn't have scissors but then it does self destruct without warning either.   I've really bought some junk knives over time.  But some of them are pretty darn good for the money.  The Ozark Trail was more than worth the $8.00 I paid for it.

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on April 26, 2013 at 23:58

You're gonna wash it first aren't you?

Tobias Gibson said:

I have found a use for it.  I use it when I feed the cats.  And the next time someone asks to borrow a knife I know exactly which one they'll get!

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on April 27, 2013 at 0:00

I wonder if anyone has tried using a knife like that at a restaurant? I can imagine the looks! 

Tobias Gibson said:

I guess I'll have to go back to the old Ozark Trail from Walmart.  It doesn't have scissors but then it does self destruct without warning either.   I've really bought some junk knives over time.  But some of them are pretty darn good for the money.  The Ozark Trail was more than worth the $8.00 I paid for it.

Permalink Reply by Chuck Parham on April 27, 2013 at 5:02

I can remember my first hobo as a Tenderfoot in the scouts. Took it on my first camping trip and did almost everything I could with it. Thank goodness for the bail because it was just too bulky to keep in my pocket and it felt good hanging from my belt clip. Haven't had one in years so now I guess that is something that will be joining my collection soon.

Permalink Reply by Chuck Parham on April 28, 2013 at 5:15

Thanks for a very indepth review. Your reviews are informative and professional in content. I wouldn't beat myself up over it. We all fall victim to the sparkle effect now and again. It makes us a better, more educated consumer which others can benefit from. Anyone can see it's a good looking knife but, as you so masterfuly explained, beauty is only skin deep.
 
Tobias Gibson said:

The Royal Crest Multi-Tool Camping knife (SKMTCAMP) – a review

First of all I know better.  But it was so shiny and had so many gadgets! 

 With that said,  it is companies like Royal Crest that give Chinese made products such a bad name.

Why I bought it:

1) I like and a collect camp and hobo style knives. I've bought several other inexpensive Chinese made Hobos and have been happy with the quality for the price paid.

2) It has scissors and that small gutting blade and a nail file

3) It is a larger size hobo so it has a full size fork and spoon so you can actually eat easily with it.

 

Where it goes wrong:

1) The gutting blade jams at the half way point and in order for me to open fully I have to press down hard on a solid surface.  Once open all the way, the blade does lock firmly.  However when you give the slightest push on the spine of the blade it snaps closed so quickly you can’t even see the blade move!

2) The saw blade is incredibly thin and almost impossible to remove from the handle. I seriously doubt it could saw anything more than softest of wood. But again, getting it deployed is incredibly hard. I break the knife into its two parts, deploy the spoon, open the main blade and then I can finally get the stupid saw out. At that point, I might be able to use as a serrated a butter knife.

3)  As someone else mentioned, the spring on scissors won't stay in place.They are sharp enough and work well enough when the spring is in place but it is only going to stay in place for a 20-30 cuts before it is off kilter again.

4)  You need to be careful when you put  knife  back together or it will not stay together. This is very hard to explain.  But unless you are very exact when putting the two parts together and hold the side tight the knife will pop back apart without warning. Further more. even if you do everything right; the fact that there is play in the spoon blade makes it inevitable that the knife will magically separate without warning even if you did put it back together correctly!

 

Final Thoughts:

The concept of this knife is awesome.  I think any backpacker would love a knife with all of the tools and the eating utensils.  The size is great, even if it is bulky, because you can actually eat with the knife and spoon!   The scissors are actually pretty decent. 

Unfortunately Royal Crest has no concept of quality of control.  If they would improve their quality control and actually make sure that the blade open and closed properly people  and used quality material, people would pay double or triple for this knife. Its great looking, it feels solid, but unfortunately it is just a great looking solid piece of JUNK.  Royal Crest should be ashamed of itself.  I've learned my lesson, No more Royal Crest Brand knives for me!   (Yeah, I know, they’ll make one even shinier with even more gadgets and I’ll blow another $3 on that one too!  I could just kick myself!)

Recommendations:

Don't be a Schlub! Learn from me and don't waste your money on shiny gadgets that are poorly made junk!

At the same time... tell me this ain't one cool looking Hobo!

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• …
• 18
• Next ›
• Page