A Camillus Texas Toothpick?

F

FullerH

Joined
Nov 25, 1998
Messages
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Does Camillus make a large "Texas Toothpick" style folder? I have been seeking one for my collection and thought that I might ask here.
 
Well, I think Camillus is making several, they just don't put their name on them. I see the new 'Russell' toothpick sold by SMKW, which is obviously a Camillus. And any of the Remingtons, also sold mainly by SMKW.

My favorite old Camillus toothpicks are the two bladed (one flex, one rigid) Wildlife series, the great looking, jigged bone 7MM from the 'cartidge series', and the World War 2 Navy-Army aircorps 'emergency fishing knife in the toothpick pattern. I have one in mint condition. Still some of those around that never made it to war.

As you can tell by my screen name here, I do like the tickler/toothpick pattern.

Wouldn't it be great if Camillus added a toothpick to the Yello-Jacket series?
 
I have been fascinated by the Texas Toothpick ever since the 1960s when I learned that it was the knife mentioned in the Kingston Trio song, "Everglades". The words are as follow, with the appropriate line bolded and italicized for emphasis:
EVERGLADES
Harlan Howard

He was born and raised around Jacksonville. A nice young man, not the kind to kill.
But a jealous fight and a flashing blade sent him on the run to the Everglades. Runnin' like a dog through the Everglades.

Now, the posse went in and they came back out. They said he'll die and there ain't no doubt.
It's an eye for an eye so the debt is paid. He won't last long in the Everglades. A man can't live in the Everglades.

Chorus:
Where a man can hide and never be found and have no fear of the bayin' hounds.
But he better keep movin' and don't stand still. If the 'skeeters don't get then the 'gaters will. Runnin' like a dog through the Everglades. (Last time - Skippin' like a frog through the slimy bog. Runnin' through the trees from the Everlys.)

Now, the years went by and his girl was wed. His fam'ly gave him up for dead.
But now and then the natives would say they'd seen him runnin' through the Everglades.

Now, he never heard the news on the radio. He was deep in the 'glades so he'll never know.
His runnin' and hidin' didn't make much sense for the jury had ruled it was self-defense.
Running like a dog through the Everglades.
Chorus
Click to expand...

I couldn't afford one then and now I am seeking one of the largest size, as these were the knife of choice for the young rednecks in the South around the turn of the 19th to the 20th centuries and well into the 20th. They were carried in the strong-side hip pocket, from what I have read, and they were opened and closed many, many times by their owners to get the actions well broken in. Perhaps some of the boys used abrasives in a lubricant to speed this, just as we do now, I haven't seen anything on that, but it makes sense. The whole idea was to get a knife that opened quickly and easily and had a long and slim blade that would make a deadly effective weapon in the impromptu knife fights that were all too common.

Of late, my interest in finding a large version of one of these has piqued again and I am now in a search.
 
Hugh, A.G.Russell used to sell a Schatt & Morgan in ATS-34 with a 4" blade on a jigged bone 5" handle. I picked one up before they sold out. Very sharp and a stiff backspring.

He's got a "Texas Ranger Toothpick" for sale now that looks like exactly the same handle but with the TR shield instead of S & M, and a strange elongated-leaf blade shape he admits is not authentic.
 
Esav is right about AGR's Texas Ranger toothpick and the strange blade. It is a very cool knife and I have added one to my collection for a little variety.

Another choice from AG Russell is one I don't know is still being made or not, but it has a very clever bloster lock, if you don't wanna depend on a strong backspring. A five inch toothpick, of course.

If you want a big, big toothpick, check out the Winchesters made by Blue Grass Cutlery. 5 1/2" long. I think a toothpick should be flashy looking, so I'd suggest a celluloid abalone.

I have one 6" bone handled toothpick in good shape, but no tang stamp. Never been able to figure out who made it. Extremely impressive

Thanks for bringing up my favorite pattern!

Phil
 
I was looking at A.G.'s split bolster lock for a long time, but I'm glad I got the Schatt & Morgan. Very solid, very good knife, not just a collector, beautiful as it is. I should probably get the Texas Ranger. It would make a good companion for my Texas Ranger hunter, with the same shield on the side. These are all good working knives.

I bet that 6" bone handled toothpick is even more impressive than a Vaquero Grande. :)
 
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