Camillus Saber ground blade?

mykel m

mykel m

Joined
Sep 11, 2009
Messages
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Hey all,I've got a question about this recently acquired Camillus 22 Pony Jack in Maize Pyroxylin.(I assume Pyroxylin is a celluloid type material)
The blades look like heck, but the covers are solid & the edges are good, plus I like an old knife with character.That and it only cost me an Opinel #6 in a trade with a guy at work.
Anyways, I was wondering what the reasoning was for the two different blade grinds on the main blade.
Saber on the mark side & flat on the pile side.
I thought I had read something about the grinds here somewhere awhile back, but don't remember what thread it was in or what was said about it.
I know I could ask over in the Camiluss collector forum, but I was also wondering if any other traditional companies besides Camillus used the same grind.
Any info would be appreciated & pics of similarly ground knives welcomed.
Thanks in advance,
Myke

DSCN2385.jpg


DSCN2383.jpg
 
I've only seen that grind on the Camillus 'whittler' pattern, and I assumed it was for woodworking, maybe to guide the blade along the wood like a plane, although I've never actually seen wood carving knives with a similar grind. Hmm... I expect someone more knowledgeable will show up soon.

 
I'm not sure about the utility of the Saber grind, but I like the looks of the grind and assume it takes more of the cutler's skill to grind saber grinds, swedges, and other unique grinds. I also think it makes for a stout blade, but with a thinner edge.
 
Is this not a "Single Grind"?
Single grind means basically what you described- flat on one side- with the Sabre Grind on the other - I have owned the same such blades.
Please correct me if I am wrong- but I thought the "Single Grind" a blade that would sharpen every easily.
 
mykel m said:
Hey all,I've got a question about this recently acquired Camillus 22 Pony Jack in Maize Pyroxylin.(I assume Pyroxylin is a celluloid type material)
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I can't answer the question about the grinds, but your assumption on the cover material is correct. "Pyro" because it burns furiously.
 
One thing that occurs to me about the sabre grind mark side is that it leaves more material for a deep, positive nail nick.
 
I never knew that the saber was only on one side. I have handled the Scout whittler and didn't notice that that was the case.

Kind of makes me wonder if it's just for looks like the crocus mark/satin pile. Kind of hope that isn't the case and there is a utilitarian explanation. Regardless, it is cool looking. Makes me wonder too if the grinds are symmetrical? Almost looks like the saber side might be more obtuse.
 
mykel m said:
Hey all,I've got a question about this recently acquired Camillus 22 Pony Jack in Maize Pyroxylin.(I assume Pyroxylin is a celluloid type material)
The blades look like heck, but the covers are solid & the edges are good, plus I like an old knife with character.That and it only cost me an Opinel #6 in a trade with a guy at work.
Anyways, I was wondering what the reasoning was for the two different blade grinds on the main blade.
Saber on the mark side & flat on the pile side.
I thought I had read something about the grinds here somewhere awhile back, but don't remember what thread it was in or what was said about it.
I know I could ask over in the Camiluss collector forum, but I was also wondering if any other traditional companies besides Camillus used the same grind.
Any info would be appreciated & pics of similarly ground knives welcomed.
Thanks in advance,
Myke

DSCN2385.jpg


DSCN2383.jpg
Click to expand...

I've heard this type blade called the Chisel grind, used mainly for wood carving. (same profile as wood chisel)
 
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MIKE MACINTOSH said:
I've heard this type blade called the Chisel grind, used mainly for wood carving. (same profile as wood chisel)
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Technically, a chisel grind has a bevel only on one side. Meaning an edge bevel. The Emerson tacticool knives are chisel ground. I have a SAK Trekker that has a chisel edge. It's weird. Sharp, slices fine, but you can only really whittle or perform "shaving" cuts with the bevel "up." No clue why Victorinox chose that grind for the Trekker.

That Schrade is dead sexy. Any chance it's a Camillus in disguise? I note that you can see pins in the bolsters.
 
MarkPinTx said:
That Schrade is dead sexy. Any chance it's a Camillus in disguise? I note that you can see pins in the bolsters.
Click to expand...

thanks! It very well could be? I'm not sure. I think this one was made before schrade started using the swinden key construction, though.

a visible pivot pin is one of my pet peeves, but I found it at a yard sale for <$5 - so I guess I can live with it :D
 
I've seen that flat one side saber the other on a couple of peanuts with different brand names, and on a Camillus thumb-hump skinner.
I started a thread a while back asking why, and didn't get any convincing answers. Maybe someone on the Camillus collecting forum would know.
I've also seen it on cheap stamped knives, where I think the purpose is cheapness.
 
r8shell said:
I've only seen that grind on the Camillus 'whittler' pattern, and I assumed it was for woodworking, maybe to guide the blade along the wood like a plane, although I've never actually seen wood carving knives with a similar grind. Hmm... I expect someone more knowledgeable will show up soon.

Click to expand...
Nice Whittler,that's one pattern I need to get.
I love the little clip blades vs a pen blade.
Thanks for the pic.

george65 said:
schrade walden 272 uses the same grind


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Cool,my newer Schrade USA 272 is flat on both sides.



MIKE MACINTOSH said:
I've heard this type blade called the Chisel grind, used mainly for wood carving. (same profile as wood chisel)
Click to expand...
Geez,I didn't even think of chisel grind,but you're right.(I just never associated a chisel grind with traditional folders)


edbeau said:
I have two old Imperials one with the grind and the other not.

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Cool,thanks for the pics ed.All my Imperials have full flat grinds.

Primble said:
My old Camillus

PBCamillusRDSII_zpsc4d4dbaa.jpg~original
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That's a beauty Primble,love the jigging on that old bone.
 
george65 said:
thanks! It very well could be? I'm not sure. I think this one was made before schrade started using the swinden key construction, though.

a visible pivot pin is one of my pet peeves, but I found it at a yard sale for <$5 - so I guess I can live with it :D
Click to expand...

Well, I guess I can understand that, but a loose swinden key is much more peevish, imo! :P
 
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