Camillus Closed

Maybe if they put owners & managers in prison for doing that sort of thing, the practice might stop.
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That's just it, there's nothing illegal about it. Buy a struggling company with a well-padded pension fund and other "cashable" resources, put the money in your pocket, file bancruptcy for the company. S.O.P. among corporate raider types.

-Bob
 
Sad, sad news.

All the very best wishes to the employees/workers that struggled to keep things afloat such as Ron P. (Kong) and all of the other unnamed employees.

Best regards,

Stuart
 
Yes this is true. "I've long believed that companies run by absentee owners approach their business much differently than the owner who shows up first in the morning, then turns out the lights at the end of the day. I'm not going to say that the presence of a local owner would have changed the fortunes of this fine, old American company, or that absentee owners assure that business will fail, this is just an observation that jumped out at me from the newspaper article. "

I absolutely agree 110%. This is VERY much like the army. In regards to company commanders, and the production level of his troops. I can totally feel how that company went. Ive been in a unit very much like that, where it was far and away obvious that our co couldnt care less. I cannot BELIEVE that those asshole owners would do such a shitty thing to their employees. their employees that made a name, a hallmark in american tools, made by the american blue collar, for the american blue collar. theres nothing more you can appreciate, than having a fine tool in your hand, as a worker. and these people delivered that for this nation for a looong time. and those bastards just up and 'see ya later! im out!'

How in the HELL could you do that to your men???????????? Im absolutely disgusted. Not even a final speech, entailing what happened, and why, and what he could possibly do for them. No details nothing. Ive been in a situation very much like that, and that is just horrible. those men MADE you, and youre just like "thanks punk, now get your own" and closed shop.

I tell ya what, if I ever crossed paths with a guy like that, Id beat the shit out of that guy. He'd get the 'beat on sight' order from me, for the rest of his life.
 
I am new at this forum and I have collected knives over the years.
Camillus was one of my favorite knife manufacture.
To hear that Camillus closed on Wednesday, it brought tears to my eyes.

I want to wish all the employees of Camillus the best of luck in the future and especially the ones that are very dedicated to the Camillus line.
 
How many of you feel that the people that came everyday - office - who probably did just as much as the factory workers did. Did one ever think that if there were no management-office people that the company would run? They TOO deserve your kindness and thoughts, just because they were not a factory worker - union - that they too CARED and may have worked their a**** off to do what they could to keep Camillus alive also.

Why should you only think one sided???? There are a few people on this thread in more ways than one would think different about these certain management and office workers. They shouldn't be blamed for the strike that occured - if they were, then they had to be owners???????? I don't think so, because they were doing a job just as much as the factory workers did, the only difference was they were not union.

Give some real hard thought to some ladies (and gents) who for more aggravation than one can stand at any time had to deal with on an ongoing basis with calls from irrate, mean, rude, etc (with those very rare pleasant) people with their questions or demands for answers. Those that show disrespect to others shows a sign of weakness of something.

MY HATS OFF TO THOSE OFFICE PEOPLE, they ALSO CARED about Camillus Cutlery - let's hope that they find closure and peace in the days ahead.. and open new chapters in their lifes also.

Remington, Boy Scouts, Cold Steel, WR Case, Moore Maker, Becker, Sears, Government, Buck, some Girl Scouts, OVB (Fisk, Taylor, Terzulo, Ralph) - there are more of course - as I see that all missed Case!

Just remember - you buy foreign there goes another AMERICAN JOB/COMPANY.
 
Thank you for the reminders observerq. Yes, and as I have said in the past, thanks and kudos go to all, from the janitors to the ladies and gents who answered phones and filled envelopes. I've never been to Camillus, much less to the factory, but every contact I have had with the people, from retirees to current employees of every level has been nothing but positive, and even beyond professional. Thank you one and all for being a class act, and for finishing the race, regardless of the outcome. I can't help but think that Adolph Kastor would be proud of you, as would Albert Baer. Both of those gents started over with less than you have. But they took their experience and drive and built empires.

And I do know from personal experience that things get better. Remember your years at Camillus with pride, just as many of us do. And accept the appreciation and thanks of knife owners, collectors and users from around the world. And continue to hang out with us here too. We enjoy your presence, and the knowledge you share with us. Tune out the static and enjoy the music.

No one has mentioned Stainless Shield, Fairmount, Syracuse, Clover Brand, or Streamline.

Codger :thumbup:
 
Yea I agree. I do appreciate everyone there. I hope i didnt leave anyone out. you are right, that one side of the house, cant function without the other.
If I were an owner of a company, id in some part, feel responsible for the closure of the company. in my job, the managers are totally responsible for everything that happens, and does not happen. and if the company folded, id feel terrible. Id feel inclined to address the entire company directly, man to man, and tell them what happened. personally shake all their hands and thank them. what they did, was very much (from what ive read) like breaking up with your girlfriend or wife thru email. you dont do that to people. you come in, look them in the eye, and owe them what they deserve. an honest explanation. period. Id try my hardest, to make some calls (the owners im sure, foreseen a little of this months in advance) to other big knife companies, and see if i could hook my guys up with jobs at other knife companies. i know its a stretch, but id feel guilty as hell for not at least trying. I have a gigantic conscience, and id feel obligated to try something, because my company folded up underneath their feet, and i had to tell my men to go somewhere else. I dont know, maybe im a dreamer, but id try something. I couldnt just up and walk away, from a ways away, all nice and protected. i wouldnt be able to sleep at night to tell you the truth.
All I can hope for, is that the other big knife companies see this, and offer some jobs to the employees, to try and help some of them out.
 
I'm sad to hear of the loss of Camillus. My best wishes go out to all former employees and their families.

I only have three Camillus knives in my collection and I don't know if they were all manufactured in NY or not, but I have always admired them. They are all unique, well made knives.



Thank you and I hope there is a brighter future in store,
Dan
 
Bruner, I have one of the knives in your photo, the Lev-R-Lock, on the bottom. It was indeed made at the Camillus factory in New York. They were first made as a contract knife by Camillus for Soque River. Then when Soque River went out of business, Camillus started making the Lev-R-Lock for themselves.

Don't know how you like your's, but mine is average quality at best. The action works well and the lock feels secure, but the fit isn't very good and the blade is quite loose when opened.

-Bob
 
In the end, all past employees, management, office, and union receive the final slap (or stab in the back) for their hard work and years of committment. Working together, we were the heart and center of the company. Many of us left left with our integrity intact but unfortunately with our pockets empty. Personally I'm happy that I no longer work in such a place. I miss the working family that I had there. The people I grew up with and the friendships that are irreplaceable!! Some that I only can keep touch with indirectly through this forum.
Phil, thanks for the info about the article in the paper about our pension. Crappy!!!! But no surprises there!!! Hope something can be done!!!!!
Vickie
 
Good time to go buy a new knife from one of the remaining American manufacturers, and swear off the China stuff like cheap whiskey.
 
I know what its like to work at a company for 20 years and have it's doors close and somebody else buy the name.The Camillus name may go on but it won't be THE Camillus. Some people just don't understand that.
 
I have been thinking about Camillus for the past week. I finally looked it up only to see the worst has happened.

Best wishes to all the workers and supporters.

I hope the history doesn't die out.
 
The Camillus name may go on but it won't be THE Camillus.
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That's what happened at Schrade. The Imperial Schrade corporation does not exist, but the rights to the names were sold off at the bancrupcy auction. Now the Schrade names are used on someone elses' products, generally sub-par Chinese imports.

Too bad these companies can't go out of business with dignity.

-Bob
 
Union or non-union.
I know that the non-union folks couldn't talk last year during the strike.
I'm putting together a story for Sunday's Post-Standard about the company's demise and would sure like to hear from you folks. Especially from the folks like Ron who did all they could to keep customers happy during this difficult time.
I was on vacation when you got the word, and I didn't hear until my return to CNY on Saturday.
So if you're interested in talking, union or non-union, call or email me at
315-470-2161, or channagan@syracuse.com

Charley Hannagan
 
Charley,
Please post a link to your story, once it appears. I'm sure we'd all be interested in reading it.

Thanks in advance. :thumbup:
 
And FWIW, the mailman just delivered a Camillus Pilot Survival Knife, received in a trade. It's still mint and in the sealed plastic wrapping, and about to join it's "twin" in storage.

Oh, and the sun is out, too. :D
 
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