Camillus Beckers - users? keepers? collectors?

SALTY

SALTY

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I read the FAQs and do not want to run afoul of any rules or policies so I would like to qualify my inquiry thusly:

This is not a "Camillus vs. Kabar" thread.
This is not about me wanting to sell any of my knives.

That said, here goes:

I have, over the years, acquired duplicates of certain knives that I really like - users and keepers I call them. Keepers could be construed as code speak for Safe-Queens although some of my keepers are not of sufficient value to take up prime space in the gunsafe; they're just knives that I really like and have an "extra" one of.

I've been a long time Becker fan and naturally have one or more Camillus era Beckers. I get that Kabar will not (and is under no obligation to) warranty the Camillus manufactured Beckers so one is at the mercy of Ethan - though that's not such a horrible place to be. But more to the point of this thread is the fact that the Camillus etched models are no longer made and while they may be available in the secondary marketplace, they are somewhat more rare, in that sense, than Kabar Beckers.

So, I said all of that to say this: Is there any collector sentiment towards the Camillus era Beckers or are they just simply Beckers without a manufacturer's warranty?
Are they in any way more special than the Becker knives we can all buy readily with a simple mouse click?

Thanks in advance for the customary informative replies that pop up here.
 
I personally don't collect things. I see no point in accumulating possessions just for the sake of it. The things I do own are for using and if they don't get used they get removed from my life.

More stuff never satisfies the soul from my experience. I own two Beckers, with one more on the way (BK-15) to use for butchering animals around our farm. Even that to me seems like owning too much stuff. When we sold our house this past summer, we also sold or gave away more then half of what we owned. Now we are building a smaller house on our farm and downsizing everything to the bare essentials.

All I can say, is that it has been extremely freeing to be unchained from so much stuff. Now let the razzing begin, because I know most people here will not agree.:D
 
Depends on the model... got a Brute? A Patrol Machete? Those are more "collectible" because Ka-Bar hasn't made them.
 
I have a Camillus brute, and while I haven't used it a whole lot, I do use it. The way I look at it is they were made to be used, so if you are going to spend the money on one, than why not use it
 
I think the Camillus Beckers make great users.
I wouldn't buy one to let it sit in a safe though.
And I certainly would NOT pay some of the crazy asking prices for the Camillus Beckers.
Just because something isn't made anymore it doesn't automatically need to be "collectible".
They are still Beckers. Meant to be used and used hard.

But The Gunyon is right about the Brute and Patrol Machete. Those are hard to find and one would most likely have to pay a little extra to get one. I have a Brute and use it from time to time. The only reason I don't use it more is because the 9 is an overall better knife IMO. It does have a lot higher cool factor than other Beckers though...lol
 
Definitely use them. Would be a shame not to since that's what E had in mind.

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I love my Cam BK2.
 
Use. What's the point of owning a Ferrari if you never take it out of the garage? Some, like the Cam 2, are probably even more indestructible than the Ka-Bars....and that probably goes for the Brute as well, both with solid tangs. To each, I guess. I don't use a lot of mine much, but none of them are safe queens. My keepers are my users. I understand collecting, of course....but I'd say "aggregation" about my.....collection. They each in their own right are very fun to use, even the Brute and the Patrol Machete. Now, if you find the unicorn of Beckers, the BK-8......I'd lock that up in a heartbeat.

Greebe said:
I personally don't collect things. I see no point in accumulating possessions just for the sake of it. The things I do own are for using and if they don't get used they get removed from my life.

More stuff never satisfies the soul from my experience. I own two Beckers, with one more on the way (BK-15) to use for butchering animals around our farm. Even that to me seems like owning too much stuff. When we sold our house this past summer, we also sold or gave away more then half of what we owned. Now we are building a smaller house on our farm and downsizing everything to the bare essentials.

All I can say, is that it has been extremely freeing to be unchained from so much stuff. Now let the razzing begin, because I know most people here will not agree.:D
Click to expand...

Amen, brother....true dat. I wish, however, that I could practice in reality what you preach; and what I know to be true. I am surrounded by stuff.....and it is definitely NOT making me happier. I have reached a point where I am divesting myself of some of it and trying to bring myself to a place where I can unload more of it....but for a lifelong packrat it's......challenging. I'm getting better at it, though I doubt anything short of financial ruin would bring me to the bare essentials. Some of the most unnecessary stuff is just so much fun. Would I sell my Brute if I had to? Yup. But I'll use it - and let others use it, just to see the sheer joy on their faces when they hold that thing - until such a time comes. I would agree that collecting for collection's sake is not for me. Plus, I have a tendency towards taking my Beckers to the grinder, thus rendering them completely un-collectible.
 
Greebe said:
I personally don't collect things. I see no point in accumulating possessions just for the sake of it. The things I do own are for using and if they don't get used they get removed from my life.

More stuff never satisfies the soul from my experience. I own two Beckers, with one more on the way (BK-15) to use for butchering animals around our farm. Even that to me seems like owning too much stuff. When we sold our house this past summer, we also sold or gave away more then half of what we owned. Now we are building a smaller house on our farm and downsizing everything to the bare essentials.

All I can say, is that it has been extremely freeing to be unchained from so much stuff. Now let the razzing begin, because I know most people here will not agree.
Click to expand...


granitestateofmind said:
Amen, brother....true dat. I wish, however, that I could practice in reality what you preach; and what I know to be true. I am surrounded by stuff.....and it is definitely NOT making me happier. I have reached a point where I am divesting myself of some of it and trying to bring myself to a place where I can unload more of it....but for a lifelong packrat it's......challenging. I'm getting better at it, though I doubt anything short of financial ruin would bring me to the bare essentials. Some of the most unnecessary stuff is just so much fun. Would I sell my Brute if I had to? Yup. But I'll use it - and let others use it, just to see the sheer joy on their faces when they hold that thing - until such a time comes. I would agree that collecting for collection's sake is not for me. Plus, I have a tendency towards taking my Beckers to the grinder, thus rendering them completely un-collectible.
Click to expand...

Believe me I understand. I used to be a major gun guy. I bought guns every month. I also reloaded and had tons of that stuff. I had atv's, snowmachines (I'm from Alaska), thousands of dollars of camera gear, tons of knives, stuff, stuff, and more stuff. It all became such a stressful burden that I finally decided to get rid of most everything other than my contracting and shop tools. Man it was hard at first, but easier as I went. I would never go back to being a slave to my belongings.

Anyways, I love knives too. Sorry to get on such a rant, I just want other people to know the freedom I have found in downsizing instead of the constant collection of possessions. Then again I am building an off grid house and working towards mostly a self sufficient life. We'sa crazy folks!! :D Here in another month I won't have internet anymore after we are out there full time again. Have to drive 30 minutes to a tiny library for that. Ahhhhh..

Righty oh Greebe rant out....:rolleyes:
 
there are some blade variations that might matter

BK9 for instance

Cam BK4 is thicker iirc?

even old stuff is more thicker-er

Cam BK2 was thinnerer?

Cam BK77? mmm
 
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