Camillus Collectibles

Here is an older STA-SHARP, that I believe was made for Sears, by Camillus. If this isn't the case, maybe Tom or one of you folks can correct me. I've shown the milled liner on this knife before, but never the old soldier in profile. The bolsters are a little rough, and I believe the master blade may have been tipped...but, all in all, a good old knife.

Bill

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Most of the posts here today are about things I can do anything about. I can't mediate a strike, can't resolve world wide trade issues and can't do anything at all about the high cost of health care. And who needs my opinion anyway?

So here is one of my favorite Camillus knives. Have one hanging on it's neat little cutting board in the kitchen for when I make myself a Southern Comfort and coke and need to slice up a lime for the twists. It will also open up cans, bottles, and stab olives out of the jar. True 1960s pop culture.

Same handle as used on the inexpensive boy's hunting sheath knife I show in the dealer's display case, third shelf down in the first pic that started this thread. I think I have seen these handles used on camco steak knives as well (but not sure).

Nice old folder there, Bill!

Phil

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No, the paper only shows what the knife will do. As the knife is stainless steel with that composition handle, it would probably never need any case whatsoever.
Phil
 
Phil,

I think to properly care for that knife, it needs to occassionally be used to stir the Southern Comfort and
Coca-Cola...just to keep it happy. :D

Bill
 
I've got a couple.Stumbled on this one in a local gunstore that was selling a customer's collection.
"200" stamped on the back of the tang,"8725" on the bolster,"Camillus over 1876-1976" on the shield.
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I wonder how many were made in this series?
Ron
 
Nice knife, Ron. I like white handles on a knife. I can't tell ya how many were made, that kinda info is just so tough to find. None of my references showing commemoratives tell me. But as an aside, there were two knives made for the 100th anniversary. The other one was a 3 1/2" 2 blade stockman. Where yours has 200 on the tang, this one has '100'.

Phil
 

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Phil,
The guy had one of them also.He quoted a price and when I pointed out that the secondary blade was bent a little and was rubbing on the liner,he wouldn't budge an inch.
I know it could have been "tweaked",but since I buy a lot off this guy,I passed it up on general principal.
A case where two hardheads met,I guess.:thumbdn:
Ron
 
Ron & Phil,
Those are good looking knives. I have expanded my collecting to include Camillus. It this keeps up I will have to go back to work just to afford my knife collecting habit. :D

Dale

PS- Phil, did you notice that no one bid on the WWII fishing kit? I think he started a bit too high on his asking price.
 
This isn't really a collectable...but a nice Camillus that resides at my work area.

Bill
 
El Lobo-You are correct about Sta-Sharp being a Sears brand made by Camillus. Around 1991 Frank Kethcart was visiting the Camillus factory and we were looking through some old Sta-Sharp ad cut-outs. Frank was a knife buyer for Sears for many years and recalled this brand that was probably from the 1930's. Camillus was just phasing out the use of milled linings when I started working for them in the 1970's.

Texas Toothpick-You have a model #188 Hostess Knife with the cutting board (the knife was a model #187). Camillus made many of these for an ad specialty company called Newton. I used one of these knives this morning to cut a grapefruit in half. The guard is a caplifter and can-opener.

relodr36-There was approximately 10,000 pieces of the models #100 and #200 Camillus 100th anniversary knife made.

Tom Williams
 
textoothpk said:
Nice knife, Ron. I like white handles on a knife. I can't tell ya how many were made, that kinda info is just so tough to find. None of my references showing commemoratives tell me. But as an aside, there were two knives made for the 100th anniversary. The other one was a 3 1/2" 2 blade stockman. Where yours has 200 on the tang, this one has '100'.

Phil
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Phil,
Stopped in that gunshop today and that knife was still there.The guy gave a little so I have both now The serial numbers are close,but no match 8729 and 8725 - at least,I think they are serial numbers.
Ron
 
Thank you CAMCO (Tom)...your very knowledgeable input is always appreciated by all.

Bill
 
Bill.. You know this: What is a 'collectible' is entirely in the eyes of the collector. I like the orange handles.

Back to the nylon handled inexpensive knives. Here's a closer up view of the 'boys' knife as I call it. I've given a few away to young guys as their first real knife. Guys in the Blade discussion forum would have a fit giving a kid a cheapie like this, but I promise you all, the kid will be wayyy more happy with this little thing than some high priced item that Dad will worry about him losing. Yes, Nylon handles I have been told. I think that at the time this knife came out, Dupont was pushing it's new miracle material pretty hard. I have had a few old fishing reels made almost entirely of the stuff. And here's another of my 'Host Knives', advertising liquor. Thanks for the information, Tom.

Nice that you have a full set of the anniversary knives now, Reloader.

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The Emergency fishing kit.. I was surprised it didn't get a bid. I considered it, but passed, everytime I get involved in Military knives I regret it. Takes up too much room to store/display them. I keep a few old 'veterans' on hand for when I set up a table at an antique military arms show, but that's mostly an excuse for me to be able to set up at the show. I sell more modern knives at those events. Seeing what some old mil junk sells for, that kit was a bargain.
 
Here's a neat 5" lockback I dug out to show off. It's Camillus' premium 'SilverSword' brand and is a very nice knife. The company made several different models in this series; This is the 'Sheriff' #818. There was a 'Deputy' (#817), a 'Swordfish' (fillet knife, #1007), a cool looking stockman (834) and the little 'Gambler' #40/862). I'm showing the 'Sheriff' at the bottom of the first pic, the 'Deputy' at the top)

But this one... I'm showing a pick comparing it to the obivious competition, the Buck 110. See how slender the Sheriff is? Only 5/16", half as thick as the Buck. Weight is 4.7 onces for the Camillus, and 7.3 for the 110. All hidden pins on the Sheriff, very cool with that brushed stainless finish and the wood inlay.

Of course the sheriff came with a very trim black leather sheat, just as the Buck did. Classy knives, I have always liked the Silver Swords.

Phil

I wish all you at Camillus, both management and labor, the very best. I hope things get resolved soon. I'm keeping this thread alive just to remind us all what great things a fine American company can do.


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