Camillus steel issues

R

ras

Joined
Jan 9, 2002
Messages
1,533
I recently received two Camillus folding knives, the CM61 and CM62 which were described on Knife Center as "Carbon Steel Series Folders", which I took to mean non-stainless. The knives I received appear to be 420/440 stainless, not what I was expecting. When did Camillus change from carbon steel to low-end stainless for the blades on these knives?

I find low-end carbon steel (eg, 1095) to be superior to to 420/440 in both ease of sharpening and edge holding. The fact that carbon steel corrodes easier is not important to me, so when a knife is advertised as being carbon steel, that is a plus.

Regardless, does Camillus manufacture any folding knives in carbon steel? Using the 0170-6C high carbon steel in the BK&T line would be outstanding.
 
What do you mean "appear" to be??. The knife in the photo looks to be carbon steel, I can see some mild spotting on the blade. Clean a blade off with a bit of windex and wipe some instant gun blue on a part near the spine of the blade (easiest to polish off afterwards). If it blues it's carbon, if not it's stainless. Don't use the factory blade finish (mirror polish, satin) as any sort of indicator, mirror polishes work especially well on carbon steel because it helps with rust resistance.
 
Actually, I used vinegar on both knives and waited. The usual response with 1095 is a near instant surface oxidation. These knives didn't appear to oxidize at all. I have some 44/40 Bluing, so I'll try that too.
 
... they are definitely carbon steel blades. The 44/40 Blue got an entirely different response and now all three blades have a very nice deep blue hue.

I apologize for the false alarm.
 
Spring strength on the CM62 was very good on both blades. Same with the CM61 and it has a lockback which works just fine. The deep blue blades give the knives a different look, kinda nice. The knives arrived sharp enough. Juries still out on the plastic grips, but for $23.95 each, it's a good value.

BTW, the word from Camillus is that the CM61 is 1095 and the Cm62 is 01706C.
 
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