China
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Knives made in China pose a bit of a problem for the BSA knife collector and historian. Up until knife production began in China, all BSA knives were marked to identify the manufacturer of the knife. American companies, such as Imperial, Camillus, and Remington made sure their knives were clearly marked, usually with a stamp on the tang of the main blade. Knives made in Europe bore the names Victorinox or Wenger. Knives made in China usually bear no such identification. Instead, they have only the name of the country stamped on the tang. No factory is identified during the manufacture of these knives. A few Chinese knives are marked as "Taiwan", and they are included with the Chinese knives. Generally speaking, BSA knives made before the introduction of Chinese produced knives were good quality, a knife a boy would save his money for, and frequently keep for life. Many men still have their Boy Scout pocket knife, partly because it was a precious memory, and partly because they were built to last. Chinese knives, in the quality we have seen up to this point, may not become part of the BSA heritage as the American made knives have been. Chinese knives tend to be a blend of inferior materials and poor quality control, mixed with a package that looks good at ten feet. In other words, they seem to be made to sell, rather than made to stand the test of time. As you examine the photos of these Chinese BSA knives, look at the details. You will see shields that aren't an exact fit in the hole, bolsters that don't line up with the handle scales, cheap looking engraving, etc. Many of these knives pass the "pretty" test, but not the "quality" test. Many have poorly fitting backsprings, and other failings that would have been culled at the Remington or Camilus plant. This is not to say that all Chinese knives are poorly made. Rough Rider, a branded Chinese manufacturer, makes excellent pocket knives at a fair price. Unfortunately, most of the knives shown here do not hold up to the standards of a Rough Rider. These are more in line with products made by the lower end manufacturers. |
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CHIC2A: Front and Rear Views (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove) |
CHIC3A: Front and Rear Views (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIC3A: Front and Rear Views (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIC4A: Front and Rear Views (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIC4B: Front and Rear Views (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIC5A: Front and Rear Views (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIE3A: Front and Rear Views (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIE3B: Front and Rear Views of Eagle Scout knife (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIE3C: Front and Rear Views (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIE3D: Front and Rear Views (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIE3E: Front and Rear Views (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIE11A: Front and Rear Views (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1A: Front and Rear Views (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1B: Front and Rear Views (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1C: Front and Rear Views Cub Scout Lockback (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1D, BSA # 614419: The CHIL1D was issued in 2011, featured the same patterned, hard-rubber handle as CHIL1B abd CHIL1C. Closed length is 3.25", open length is 5.75". Etch on blade says 'GO BIG GET WILD''. Top wdge of blade has 9/16" long stamped-in "file work" as a thumb grip. Tang stamped 'CHINA'. Issued as a 2013 National Jamboree commemorative knife. Box designates this knife as 'Jamboree Rubber Grip Lockback Knife'. Box printed in both English and Spanish. UPC 730176272177. The folded paperwork (form Y2150A10) in the box gives construction details on three knives, but not this one, as well as general in structions on sharpening and use.
CHIL1D: Front and Rear Views 2013 National Jamboree Lockback (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
The CHIL1D was issued in early 2012, featured the same patterned, hard-rubber handle as CHIL1B abd CHIL1C. Closed length is 3.25", open length is 5.75". Etch on blade says 'GO BIG GET WILD''. Top wdge of blade has 9/16" long stamped-in "file work" as a thumb grip. Tang stamped 'CHINA'.
CHIL1E: Front and Rear Views Bechtel Summit Lockback, Wood Handle (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1F: Front and Rear Views Summit Bechtel Reserve Lockback, Metal Handle (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1G: Front and Rear Views, BSA Lockback, Wood Handles (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1H: Front and Rear Views, Venturing Lockback, Green and Yellow Synthetic Handles (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1I: Front and Rear Views, Cub Scout Lockback, Slim, Brushed Stainless Handles (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1J: Front and Rear Views, BSA Lockback, Colored Laminate Handles (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1K: Front and Rear Views, BSA Lockback, Colored Laminate Handles (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1L: Front and Rear Views, BSA Lockback, Scroll Bolsters, Taiwan (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1M: Front and Rear Views, 2010 National Jamboree Lockback (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1N: Front and Rear Views, Philmont Lockback, Black Aluminum Handles (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1O: Front and Rear Views, Northern Tier Lockback, Maxam (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1P: Front and Rear Views, Northern Tier, Brushed Aluminum Handles,Taiwan(Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1Q: Front and Rear Views, BSA Lockback, Serrated Blade, Thumb Lift (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1R: Front and Rear Views, Engraved Wood Handles, No Blade Etch (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1S: Front and Rear Views, Engraved Wood Handles, No Blade Etch (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1T: Front and Rear Views, Florida Sea Base, Maxam (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL1U: Front and Rear Views, Philmont Scout Ranch, Engraved Wood Handle (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL2A: Front and Box Views, One Clip Blade, One Serrated Blade (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIL2B: Front and Box Views, One Clip Blade, One Serrated Blade (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIM3A: BSA, 2010, Three Blade (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIM9A: Sumit Utility Tool (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIM11B: Green Handle, Logo, Utility Tool (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIN2A: Stockman Pattern, Two Blade, Shield (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIN2B: Money Clip, Eagle Scout Trail, Eagle, Wood Handle (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIS1A: Black Rubber Handle, Half-Serrated Blade, No Blade Etch or Logo (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)
CHIS4A: Centennial Utility Knife (Photo courtesy of Scouter and author Tom Cosgrove)