Restoring a Vintage Boy Scout Knife and Making a Leather Sheath 

Being an avid hunter and lover of the outdoors I have dabbled in leather work, making my own sheathes, holsters, ammo carriers, etc., but to watch a talented craftsman like this work is fascinating!

My Grandfather had one of these when I was a kid. One of my wifes caretaker clients had one of these and was going to give it to Goodwill. I recognized it right away and offered to trade a folding knife for it that she loves. Now I have one but it did not have the original sheath. I looked and did find one that was close with checkering and fits perfect. I did get the old coleman one burner stove he use to pack. I have spent the last 25 years trying to duplicate all the things he use to carry. The memories of one of the greatest Men I ever knew and taught me how to survive at any cost are like it was yesterday. God bless America. 🇺🇸

There is a lot of demand for those leather washers cut into the H shape to fit the Western tangs. If you aren't interested in making and selling the washers, please sell the formula/data to laser cut them . A lot of Western Cutlery fans will appreciate it! Thanks for a wonderful video.

I remember these treasures from when I was a kid in the 1950s. Nobody I knew could afford this type Scout knife but every kid wanted one. My brother finally acquired one that was old and warn out by the time he graduated high school. It led him on a lifelong quest of collecting knives. Case, I think, still sells one similar to this but of course without the beautiful sheath. Thanks for the fascinating video.

As an old Scouter it really warmed my heart to see you save this beautiful Western Scout blade. This was always one that I wanted when I was still a Cub, but was no longer in use by the time that I aged into Boy Scouts, due to new Scout safety regulations. Thank you for saving this beautiful piece of Scouting history! You do beautiful work.

What a joy to watch, thanks for your patience and skill in bringing new life back to an old classic knife 👍

Every one of your videos contains something that surprises me with ideas and techniques that I had not thought of. (I’m an amateur crafter of about 10 years). Many thanks!!

Very sympathetic restoration. You gave new life to the blade while still retaining its old world charm.

As a fan, excellent work. As an Eagle Scout, awesome. You certainly earned your Leatherworking merit badge. 👏

the restoration was top notch, but that sheath blows my mind!! Such beautiful design work.

I have never heard of a Tuning Fork tang before and it has me legitimately fascinated. I have heard that the biggest weakpoint in a knife or other (longer) blade's construction was the shoulder where the blade becomes the tang, and this seems to sidestep that somewhat, interestingly. the craftsmanship is also superb, though I cannot comment on that personally to t he same degree, but it is a beautiful knife and I'd love to be able to carry something like that with me all the time.

I have two old Westerns. One skinner from the 50’s and one camp knife from the 60’s. Both came with original sheaths in reasonably good shape. I had to re-sew the skinner’s sheath, but I wanted to retain the original look and the sheath was beautifully decorated. The camp knife’s sheath was in amazing shape. It just took some cleaning and Neatsfoot oil. 🎸🔪

Yay! It’s been a minute since last TAL video! What a magnificent restoration…and, as usual, masterful leatherwork.

If you soak your leather in water (case it) before you laser cut/engrave it will work a lot better and wont have all the smoke and black. After you are done to remove some of the black you can use a bit of dish soap and a sponge and rinse well. Just a tip I learned cutting leather with a laser. Love your work. Well done.

That's astonishing. I did not imagine such complexity and precision could be a part of leather work. Splendid!

You really getting good on the Lazer and stitching before lacing was a great idea. I have a hammer with the same handle, and I'm going to try to fix it.

Geeze. I have one of these. It had sat in my barn for 30+ years until I had work done on the barn, and replaced part of the roof. I substituted some fiberglass sections and suddenly light came where there had been none and the knife and sheath showed up. Needs some real TLC, but this has suggested some things that can be done right away. Thanks.

True craftsmanship a dying out skill

As a scout in the 70's, I had one of these knives. But that sheath is a work of art. My sheath looked nothing like that, it was cheap. The fire starter was a brilliant addition. Love your talent and creativity.

Congratulations to the saddler and the various tools used! My father had a knife like this, very similar even in size!

I am pretty sure that I have this knife and the sheath and the fire starter. My sheath is not as nice as the one you made, but I never let the knife get in the condition that the one in the video was in at the start. If the one I have is not this knife, it looks just like it. Probably several manufacturers make one like it. It is easier keeping a knife in good shape than a sheath. My sheath has seen better days.

Super nice , Grandpa bought me one when i was 11 my granny hid it from just recently found it under a rug I'm 53 now 👌

Remember we as scouts back in the 50 & 60's all had one of these once you got past 2nd Class. Amazing and no one was getting stabbed with them in the UK .

Really nice work. Sheath is beautiful and I like the job you did on the knife.

ohhh thank you, I inheirited a set of these and had no idea what they could have been from. all dull, rusted, dry leather sheath, etc. I was about to just throw them away

I remember having to undergo knife and axe test in the BSA before the troop leaders would let me carry and use them around camp. Our troop did an annual two week camping trip to Ontario, Canada. While there worked on camping, swimming, cannoeing and survival badges/skill awards. Was a great time back then, almost 55 years ago.

I bought this same knife in an army surplus store when I was a teenager. And that’s exactly how it looks in one of my tool boxes.

How nice a restoration. I had one of those Western Knives back in the 60's. They were an inexpensive knife that wasn't all that bad. Cool.

Thanks for explaining the firestarter. I just thought it was a sharpening stone. Nice job restoring the knife. The handle is beautiful!

Beautiful restoration and heirloom quality sheath. I have a 80+ year old knife that was my father's. It came from Sears and Robuck. Same leather stacked handle. Again, fantastic craftsmanship!

A tip on the firestarter - hold your striker stationary and pull the ferro rod/magnesium block away from the pile. This reduces the chance of disrupting your pile of magnesium shavings when you inevitably push the striker into the pile. It also helps direct more of the sparks directly into the bundle as opposed to spraying them around.

Great leather work. One note on the magnesium/ferro rod block--these cheap ones from overseas do not work nearly as well as the larger ferro rods that can be found on Ebay and other places. Thick, high quality rods will often not even require the magnesium, which really is for use only in wet weather. I tossed all of the cheap ones I had, and purchased better ones, which will cost more, but be worth it. BTW, I was born in Boulder, CO where those knives were made for years. Wayne out West (Colorado)

Inpresionante trabajo lo felicito mis repetos hacia usted saludos desde URUGUAY

ABSOLUTELY SUPERB 👏🏽 👏🏽 👏🏽

Outstanding not to mention fantastic. When I saw you taking off the old leather rings, I said another screwed over handle. But yours is better than the factory. I also learned a few tricks since leather working is a hobby of mine. Wonderful job.

Pretty good video, as usual. I liked it quite alot. Pretty good lacing on the knife. I had never seen anyone use thread to strengthen and hold the leather together like that. Thank you for the tutorial.

Oh man, does this take me back to my Boy Scout days (well over 50 years ago)! I had this exact same knife back then, come to think of it I’m sure if I looked hard enough I may still have it! LOL Great job restoring this one, that sheath sure looks so much better than the one that came with the knife. That fire starter sure would have come in handy on a camping trip though! 😀

Excellent restoration, and a treasure for the next generation. 👍

That is absolutely beautiful...a work of art. I do my own leatherwork and restorations too and although people seem to think I have some talent...I'm nowhere near your level of holster making etc. I wish I'd been gifted with a little more patience.

I showed up for the knife restoration. I subbed for the leather work.

The restoration and the new sheath are very fine work. Great job!

Thank you for this. This reminded me when I had one just like that. I saved for awhile for it and was one of prized possession as a Boy Scout. When I went into the Navy (Vietnam) and came home it was gone along with other stuff. Thanks again for bringing back fond memories of my youth.

Awesome work (as usual)! Been following your channel since the "Hand of Doom" and love your skills, imagination and spirit of pushing the envelope on perfectly executing the many single steps that make up a complex build. Good job!

I worked at a saddle shop for 12 years. To keep your punches and edger from sticking in the leather you can buff them with a cotton wheel with jewelers rouge on a bench grinder. You’ll be amazed the difference.

Excellent saddlery and leather goods work

Очень красивая работа! Качественно! You have golden hands!👍💯

True craftsman at work! Fascinating to watch. Thanks

Excellent usage of the laser cutter in Leathercraft

excellent video ! you did an amazing job showing the steps it took .

Outstanding craftsmanship!

Pure joy watching your videos. Amazing craftsmanship!

I hadn't thought to use a laser cutter for leather working. Intriguing.

Got the same western knife.carry hunting every year.I use boot grease on the handle to keep the leather in good shape.

You and Kyle Royer should definitely do a team up on a knife sheath combo! Lovely work! Best leather working channel I've run across yet. Definitely a new sub!

I have mine. Rosewood handles. I made it a new sheath, and it is approximately 60+ years old.

Another great restoration and professional leathercrafting video - great work!

Excellent craftsmanship. Thank you for sharing

I'd love to have a sheath made for an old Western Cutlery knife which is in great shape. Your work is excellent &Thanks for your video and all the best.

This video earned you a subscriber. Love the restoration on the scout knife. Like how the blade had some pitting. And the contrast between the sharp polished cutting edge. And the sheath was amazing as well.

What a beautiful build! I like the laser cutter. It would make my life much easier. What fantastic clean cuts. I’m good at hand cutting, but that means more sanding. Thanks 🎸🔪

Dad has a couple of these from his scout days... very nicely done sir! ❤

SO NOT FAIR I have to make all those cuts by hand and you have them cut out like no biggie. awesome video.

I really like how that sheath turned out.

I always enjoy your videos.Thanks for sharing.

That was amazing. Incredible craftsmanship

Nicely done. I need to do a preservation on my dad's old Scout knife and make a new sheath. Watching your video makes me want to learn the design process for my wife's Xtool. Looks like it could help my leather projects turn out quicker. New follower.

Now Sir, That is some beautiful work you done on that knife and sheath make......you use a lot of computer generated technology that folks like me cant afford or are too ignorant to use it anyway sides...... all that....I felt it was a trust of my time to watch it to the end......did I learn anything. I surely did....and thank you for it....I am a Lucky Guy who has two of theses............ Boy Scouts Knives......I don't have your skill on the computer.......I only have years of being a Political Prisoner in Ulster from 1975 ....till 1984.....A LOYALIST believe it or not.....and I taught myself it all .....backwards .....side wards and around the block again.......I used tracing paper....I used Carbon paper....I used chequered paper........I probably couldn't do work as good as yours Sir . but I damm well tried. I am saving this video and thanking you once again for demonstrating a beautiful self satisfying craft. On a kind of PS....... I think the HItler Youth Knife was a much more aesthetic Icon.....but even in it's Strange Beauty It is no comparison to The Scouts Knife ........which held no Political Rhetoric.....Just a pity The Scouts Stopped using it because of the comparison.......I say .......BRING IT BACK.........It is Scott Camp Knife a Tool ......NOT A WEAPON.........THATS WHAT CHILDREN SHOULD BE TAUGHT..........NOT ALL THIS WOKE KNIFE CIME SHIT. GOOD LUCK....KARL HOY

Beautiful work, that knife will serve some boy scout well and be around for another 80 year

I have a knife just like that one, they were popular in there day, Western was the brand name made in the 30's the reason they rusted and begin pitting, I got mine from amazon the knife was a bonus thing I wanted the saw, came as a kit saw and knife, I had one I had gotten back in 60's someone helped themselves to mine so that is why I bought one from amazon

Nice job with the leather, awesome sheath.

Nicely done and that sheath wow..

Nice...love the magnesium bar holder, that's perfect.

Looks phantastic, I really like your dedication and love for details. Also, I liked the background music!

I have one of these western cutlery knives i got in a lot in auction. It has bone or bone mimic handle and has more of a bowie knife look to the blade.

That tuning fork tang is something that I have never seen before. Nice job. Both knife and sheath looked good.

A tuning fork tang!! I bought one at a knife show and I love it. I’ve been wondering how they put this thing together for years. Thanks for this.

Wow 🥰 I love watching your videos, amazing work keep it up 🤩

That came out very nice an the sheath came out cool

The Western knife company knives are classics, I grew up when they were common. Blades a bit softer than most quality modern knives, they were bend before break tempered.

Your work is A-ONE!

Blast from the past ! Had one of those in my early 70s scout years .

Really enjoyed watching the craftsmanship in this, gave me a new insight, lovely job all round. Greetings from the UK.

I think your restoration is awesome

Amazing Restoration... and Sheath Design/Build!

That’s really nice great work 👍

Excellent Restoration of the Knife and Sheath and The Fire Starter Was A Nice Touch. Keep Up the Great Work and Be Safe!

Amazing work, beautiful result. Well done.

Wow. Beautiful work.

Found a knife like this in a pile of scrap at work years ago. Holds a great edge but looks like a wreck. I might try and restore it.

He certainly has a fantastic array of tools for this job!! ...and the skill to use them properly.

Работа мастера завораживает) можно смотреть бесконечно) Про конструкцию ножен, архитектуру ножа по видео не оценить, нужно подержать в руках, но реставрация - респект!

Wow that Xtool certainly made the leather washers pretty easy.... Doing that by hand would have been a nightmare. And I have that same WorkSharp sharpener. It works great!

Used mine as a skinning knife for over 40 years. Still have I and it is still razor sharp.

Very nice restauration 🇨🇦👍👏😀 . Très belle restauration 😀👍👏🇨🇦 .

Great work restoring an iconic piece, and that sheath may have been one of the nicest I’ve ever seen. You’ve clearly got skills. That said, and forgive me for noticing, but unless you never slip during grinding, polishing and buffing, you might want to tape up the blade (that you had just sharpened). And I only say that in case someone watches your craftsmanship like it’s a tutorial and tries to emulate the process.

Western sold that knife (and a number of very similar ones) without the BSA logo stamped on it. I had one for a number of years (Xmas present) and it held up quite well. I've seen many of them go to hell after being tossed into the bottom compartment of a fishing tackle box for many years, which is what I bet happened to that one.

Great work brother ,I especially loved the sheath. God bless you and your family. Lee

Artisan is as the artisan does great job, brother

The pitting almost looks like a Damascus pattern. Another stellar job sir. More lessons from the Master. Thank you.

Excellent workmanship