Camco

It's been deathly quiet here for the most part......and I hope Tom shows up soon.

Maureen from Customer Service told me to go this route, so let's hope it works.
 
I don't claim to have a fraction of Tom's expertise in Camillus knives, but I have a theory. When I see a five digit number and the first two are 9 and 5, then I begin to think Sears-Craftsman. Yes, on just about every Craftsman I've seen and handled, there is, besides the model number, the words: 'Craftsman, USA', but looking at this very small tang area, it's clear there is not room for all of that. I think this is a Camillus made Remington with a Craftsman tang marked blade. Things get mixed up in a factory.. or, just to fill an order, something like this might be done. Or a repair if the original type marked blade is not available.

I'm making an educated guess. Camillus has made Sears / Craftsman knives in the past. The thing is, Unlike the Camillus/Remington connection, which both companies are very proud of and up front about, our CAMCO cannot admit to this blade being destined for a Sears knife (if, in fact, it was). Many companies have other firms make their knives and some wish to keep that fact private.

I'm not afraid to be wrong here; I'm as curious now as you are and I'd like to know the real story behind the tang stamp. Here is a pic of a Craftsman bullet style knife that I am sure is made by Camillus. Note the tang stamp. Does not appear to be room for the model number. I see something on the skinning blade tang.

phil
0craftsmansmall.jpg
 
That blade is stamped "ANNIVERSARY" over "ISSUE". The back of the same blade is stamped "95113":eek:
The main blade is stamped "CRAFTSMAN" over "U.S.A.", and the pile is "LTD. EDITION" over "1986".

Do I win a prize? What'd I win, what'd I win????:D

Codger




Mine is #1473
 
Hey, thanks guys......the plot is really thickening here.

Sure do hope Tom will add some official confirmation for this likely explanation.
 
I sure hope that CamCo will clear this up for us......Officially.

BUT.......I guess if Sears and Camillus had an agreement not to reveal who made that limited edition Sears knife.....I may be out of luck.

The evidence, though, is clear, and it strongly appears to be pointing toward Camillus finishing up a 2002 Remington Poster knife with (partially done) leftover Sears blades from the 1986 Sears Limited Edition and etching "Remington" but forgetting to follow through with the UMC Trademark on the tang of the main blade (while also forgetting the old stamps on the skinning blade).

The etching of Remington on that main blade, for me at least, seals the conclusion that this must have been done at the Camillus Knifeworks.

Will they confirm it? I hope so.
 
I guess not this week.....maybe they'll notice me next week. Probably pretty busy with the strike and all.
 
Sorry for the delay in responding. I have been out of town and I am using the computer at the local library.

Those blades are left over from the 100th anniversary knife made for Sears-Roebuck. The same blade was also used in the Buford Pusser knife made for Smoky Mountain Knife Works in 2003.

The Remington knives with the "95113" stamped blades were most likely used in a special run for Smoky Mountain Knife Works. Camillus made up several thousand knives for SMKW using any available parts.

Tom Williams
 
I do appreciate the response, Tom. I've been working on this mystery for a long time and I wish I'd thought to come here first.

So how rare then, is my Poster Knife.....and does it have any special value among the bullet knives due to its unusual blades and the forgotten UMC tang stamp?

(This question is not just for Tom, but all the experienced collectors here.)
 
Thanks, Tom, for giving us the final word on this knife. Although it was good head exercise for Codger and I to have to do a bit of knife detective work.

Value of the knife in question? IMO, not great, nor will it ever be. Now that CAMCO jogged my memory, yes, SMKW has sold a bunch of 'put-together' knives by Camillus, sturdy and decent knives all, but they are not huge collectibles. But given the choice, I'd prefer to have a knife a bit different than the vast majority of an issue. Keep it and apprecate it or use it.

Phil
 
I posted my opinion as to your knife. I remember many times that Remington knives were made exclusively for SMKW. The first one was the toothpick with the candy stripe (celluuloid) handles that was made in 1988. Many of the Silver Bullet knives were also made for SMKW.

I am going to contact Wendy at Camillus and see if she has any info on this knife.

Tom Williams
 
Thanks a lot, Tom. I appreciate this even more after hearing that you are retired. This forum is lucky to have someone like you.
 
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