Camillus auction ?'s

[6.0stroker]

I went to the web page of the auction co. (stampler) and took a look at the 65,000 pieces in lots of varying size. My question may be very elementary, I knew there were ties to Schrade but did or were they also doing some work for Case there were a few lots with Case knives in them especially Marlin spikes? As well the are a lots with some Schrade knives. Any enlightenment on this would be appreciated Thanks.

 

[RickR]

Camillus made knives for just about every major knife manufacturer around. The list includes: Case, Buck, Schrade, Sears Craftsman, Cold Steel, Marble's, Remington, Kabar and the list goes on and on. I know a couple are not knife manufacturers but you get the idea of the diversity Camillus once had.

 

[citytransplant]

Camillus made knives for just about every major knife manufacturer around. The list includes: Case, Buck, Schrade, Sears Craftsman, Cold Steel, Marble's, Remington, Kabar and the list goes on and on.

With that said, I am curious why there were single units, or in some cases larger lots of “these” knives up for bid during the 4/5 auction. Could anyone speculate why for example, the Craftsman, Case, or Buck knives were in the Camillus factory when the doors closed? What was the Schrade 154OT that I won at the auction doing at the Camillus factory in the first place? Why were there so many Camillus knives made for Buckmasters up for bid and not previously shipped to and sold by Buckmasters?

Yeah, a newbie question, I know.

I suppose every knife, new or old, has its own story.

 

[Codger_64]

On the day they declared bankruptcy, employees were told to go home. The company filed bankruptcy, and everything in the factory and the buildings themselves no longer belonged to Camillus. They belonged to the receiver. COntents of the buildings included knives, parts, furniture, machinery, raw materials and unfinished work in process. Since Camillus produced more knives for other manufacturers and merchants than they made and sold under their own name, it isn't surprising to see so many brandings in the auction. Also, it has been hinted that the receiver sprinkled in a lot of outside pieces to boost the auction. I don't know that for fact but wouldn't be too surprised if it were true. If there were finished shipments ready to go out the door on the day my letter of February 28th, 2007 was mailed from the Camillus office, they couldn't send them if they wanted to. Not even if the customer had already paid for them.

The Schrade knife might have been a sample left over from their preparing to manufacture the Gran'Pa line. Or it might have been an artifact from the days when Schrade used the Camillus factory as their own off-site assembly line. Or it might have been a personal posession of an employee locked out and not allowed to clean out his or her desk.

Michael

 

[citytransplant]

First and most important, I want to take this opportunity to express my utmost respect for all employees impacted by the closing of Camillus Cutlery as well as their predecessors. As you know, the factory by the creek was steeped in history and as you (Codger) have so eloquently stated previously, its success over the years is directly attributable to the dedication of its employees.

On the day they declared bankruptcy, employees were told to go home. ... Since Camillus produced more knives for other manufacturers and merchants than they made and sold under their own name, it isn't surprising to see so many brandings in the auction.

Were they still manufacturing knives to be rebadged for other manufacturers or merchants at the time the doors were closed? What were the last knives to come off the shop floor?

If there were finished shipments ready to go out the door on the day my letter of February 28th, 2007 was mailed from the Camillus office, they couldn't send them if they wanted to. Not even if the customer had already paid for them.

Your letter? Were you one of those customers?

FWIW... I caught my first trout in the creek alongside the factory 35 years ago and probably used a Camillus knife to gut the fish.

 

[Codger_64]

First and most important, I want to take this opportunity to express my utmost respect for all employees impacted by the closing of Camillus Cutlery as well as their predecessors. As you know, the factory by the creek was steeped in history and as you (Codger) have so eloquently stated previously, its success over the years is directly attributable to the dedication of its employees. .

Most have either gone into retirement, albeit poorer with their pension fund looted and payments by the company long overdue, or they have found worthwhile employment in either the cutlery industry elsewhere, or in completely different industries. But the history remains. And important memories remain.

Were they still manufacturing knives to be rebadged for other manufacturers or merchants at the time the doors were closed? What were the last knives to come off the shop floor? .

Cookie, Tom or one of the other former employees who stayed to the end will have to answer that one for us. We know that a lot of accounts were lost before the closing.

Your letter? Were you one of those customers?.

No, I happened to be the recipient of Tom Williams' generous effort to save and "publish" important parts of the Camillus archives. It was a mailer full of copies of archived materials, not the first one he put together for me, and not the last. Just the last mailed from the Camillus factory. Luckily for all of us, this former company historian, long time second generation employee who had already retired, came away from the first auction with the bulk of the archives. He is now affiliated with the local historical society and continues the preservation and dissimination of Camillus Cutlery information on history, patterns and publications. I count this envelope mailed the last afternoon of the last day Camillus was open among my most cherished items in my own archives.

FWIW... I caught my first trout in the creek alongside the factory 35 years ago and probably used a Camillus knife to gut the fish.

Fitting. I hope to add to my archives some memories such as this from both former employees and members of the local community regarding life surrounding the works, as well as inside the doors. It is what turns cold hard data into living, breathing history. You probably followed in the footsteps of Hungarian and German immigrants from 1903.

Michael

 

[CAMCO]

To citytransplant:
There were many non Camillus knives at the auction for several reasons. When Camillus received an order from a customer for 10,000 knives, the production manager would enter a manufacturing order for 10,500 knives. As the knives in process proceed through the factory there is loss due to defects, imperfections, misplacement, etc. By the time that job reaches the final stage in the packing room there may only be 10,020 knives that have been inspected and meet the quality standards. The order is filled for 10,000 knives and the remainder are left in stock for future orders.
The company also had many competitor's knives in house that were sent by customers that wanted a price quote. The company's management also had competitor's knves for comparison, ideas, etc. I frequently saw other brands at the factory on a regular basis. The factory collection had many knives made by other knife manufacturers.

Tom Williams