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Pictures of Fishers, Scouts, Campers, Sailors and Hobos

Show them off here.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bobby Horn on September 8, 2013 at 17:51

Found these two today. Top is hobo marked Colonial Prov USA made for a state park. The other is a fishing knife marked scotchline no k-199 Stainless steel fishing and hunting knife with a fish and elk scene. The tang mark indicates Japan. Does anyone know anything about these two?

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on September 8, 2013 at 17:56

Very Nice, Bobby. I really like that Fish Knife. Marbles makes one similar but it is obviously Chinese and doesn't have the cool etch.

Permalink Reply by Clay Strong on September 8, 2013 at 22:39

I wonder if anyone knows about this camp knife. It's described as being made in Germany. It is stamped on the main blade tang "MADE IN GERMANY".and the shield says "CAMP KNIFE". It has metal scales. It could have had some coloring removed from the scales. I'm not knowledgeable about camp knives. I wonder if this could be an early Camillus/Kastor made by contract or U.S. made using a German blade? The can opener is a single blade style, I think. I used to have a link that described the various designs and patents on openers. Gotta find it.

eBay Link

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on September 9, 2013 at 6:05

Clay, Several companies were importing knives from Germany between the war years. Two of the biggest names were Merit Improters and Wlm Miebach. Merit was owned by Peter J. Michels. When Michels wasn't importing "Made in Germany" knives under the Merit brand he was doing it under his own name. As he was flooding the market with these knives, just about every other American Knife maker had to do the same thing in order to compete.

Unfortunately as so many companies were importing these knives and many had the "Camp Knife" shield and these types of scales, it is impossible to tell exactly who imported them.

You are correct in that the handle was originally painted.

Permalink Reply by Clay Strong on September 9, 2013 at 6:46

Thanks for the info, Tobias. i may be the only one here who did not know that, LOL I do appreciate your time.

Tobias Gibson said:

Clay, Several companies were importing knives from Germany between the war years. Two of the biggest names were Merit Improters and Wlm Miebach. Merit was owned by Peter J. Michels. When Michels wasn't importing "Made in Germany" knives under the Merit brand he was doing it under his own name. As he was flooding the market with these knives, just about every other American Knife maker had to do the same thing in order to compete.

Unfortunately as so many companies were importing these knives and many had the "Camp Knife" shield and these types of scales, it is impossible to tell exactly who imported them.

You are correct in that the handle was originally painted.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on September 9, 2013 at 7:33

These were the knives being sold in the Five & Dime stores and the various hardware stores. They're like all of the unbranded Made in China and Made in Pakistan knives of today. You can usually pick one up on eBay for around $5-$10 (shipping included), sometimes even less.

Quality wise, they almost all have "shell handles" that are either painted or made of inexpensive plastic. They have weak springs and the blade steel is questionable. Yet they are still around 70-90 years old and are still doing what they were made to do. You be the judge. I collect Camp knives. While these knives have little monetary value I see them as historically important. As my collection is geared more toward history and not an investment, I thought it was important to own a couple.

Here's a couple 4 and 5 implement Camp knives. The "ivory handled" is a souvenir knife for "le pont des Chapelets Notre Dame du Cap" in Canada. The "Camp Knife" in "stag" is actually enamel (as in rubbery paint) shell. Both knives are just stamped "Made in Germany"

Permalink Reply by Ken Spielvogel on September 9, 2013 at 7:35

Very unique knives Tobias - you have quite a display.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on September 9, 2013 at 8:26

Thanks Ken. It's an addiction.

Permalink Reply by Smiling-Knife on September 9, 2013 at 9:11

Great thread. I'm enjoying the camp knives everyone. Thanks for posting them. These are a traditional French pattern.

Permalink Reply by Brad T. on September 9, 2013 at 9:48

Smiling-knife, what kind of handle is on that one in the middle? Horn? Wood? Composite?

Permalink Reply by Smiling-Knife on September 9, 2013 at 9:51

The scales are faux stag on the top, horn on the middle and bone on the bottom.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on September 9, 2013 at 10:11

Those are fantastic knives, Smiling-Knife. I'm really starting to like camp knives lacking bolsters, especially when they have natural material scales line wood, bone, stag, or horn. These square ended knives are really interesting

Do you know what company made them?!