Camillus "Trench Titanium Bonded Tool" (Demo knife copy): Any good?

hsherzfeld

hsherzfeld

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Hello everybody,

This is my first new thread that I've posted here. I was looking for some version of the famous Camillus "Demo Knife" on Amazon and, to my surprise, I found this Camillus knife that appears to be simply a slightly modified version of the Demo Knife, for $17.52. The full name is "Camilus CMICM19184 Trench Titanium Bonded Tool". There was only one review on Amazon that simply said that it was a good quality knife. I'm looking for more information about this knife. I would appreciate it if anybody who has one of these knives could give me their impression of it, especially the blade quality and sharpen-ability. Note, I don't own an original Demo Knife, so comparisons between the the Demo Knife and this knife won't tell me much of anything.
 
Not sure who Camillus is these days. The factory was closed in 2007.
The Camillus knives web site has a couple of positive reviews about it.
 
Not famiar with that particular model.
It should be ok.
Another you might want to look at is the Marbles version. An almost exact duplicate of the original Camillus Demo knife. The only difference is the Marbles is made in China, and the can opener blade is not stamped "CAN OPENER" as are the originals. I guess whoever owns Marbles thinks we be smart enough to figure out the can opener blade is a can opener.
I do have an original Camillus Demo, the Marbles is just as good, if not better than the Camillus, and costs a lot less.
 
Somebody called Acme bought the Camillus name. They make some good knives, but it still outrages me when people buy a name and take credit for the traditions of the defunct company.

Just don't mix their anvils and rocket sleds.:D
 
Most of the original Camillus can be readily found, and they're inexpensive. Might want to consider one of those.
 
You should be able to find an older original one for not much difference in cost to the $18 being asked. While the Amazon description states the origin is USA, I would want to verify that before you buy. The Marbles knife at about half the price is probably made in the same factory as the version you are looking at marked Camillus if it made overseas. The only important difference in the Chinese versions compared to the original Mil spec 818s is that the bottle opener will not fit most bottles without being reground a bit. As long as you prefer twist off tops this is not much of an issue, but if you like the imports or craft beers you may need to do some fitting....
 
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The packaging of the one listed on Amazon states the blade and tools are Sandvik 12C27 steel. If so, I'd say it's got the potential to be pretty good; that steel has a lot of fans here (think: Opinel, Mora knives in their stainless versions). I don't have one of these newer ones, but it might be worth a look at the price listed.


David
 
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Me neither. I'm a senior in college at the moment. It's hard to sustain a knife-buying habit with the cost of tuition these days!
 
You might look around in re-sale or antique shops for an original, if you have those locally, I have picked them up for under $30, often for less. If it doesn't need to be an original Camillus, the Marbles Chinese version works well for everything but opening bottles.
 
These are often found at flea markets for very reasonable prices.If I were you I'd keep looking for an original.
Ontario knives used to make these in the U.S. they may still.
 
Thanks for all of the advice and information. I went ahead and ordered the Camillus "Trench" knife, but I also decided to check out the Marbles demo knife based on the advice I received here. I think I'll keep both and alternate carrying them, because each has advantages over the other, from what I have seen after handling both.
 
hsherzfeld, when they come in, kindly let us know if the Camillus bottle opener works. If it does, I may need to try one out myself! Thanks!
 
After I started to keep a lookout, I had the chance to examine one of the Camillus 19184 knives at the local dealer's shop. While not really a copy, it is an interesting variation of the US Mil-k 818. It is made with three springs rather than two, so the blades are straight and not crinked. The backsprings are thicker, but the liners are thinner than the old military knives. The implements are about the same size as on the originals, except for the screwdriver/caplifter which is a bit thinner (but properly profiled to open bottles, unlike the Marble's version). All of the implements had metal washers on each side, no side play noticed in my quick once over.

The scales were thicker and bevelled all around (I suspect they were cast rather than stamped), and the handle was pretty comfortable in comparison to the real deal. It would make a good user, however, it is more of a variation than a reproduction. I may end up getting one to add to the collection.
 
Have a look at the Marbles 278 G.I., it's a little shorter & a bit wider than the Mil-k 818.
The 278 G.I. blades are 440A the same as the original Mil-k's.
The 278 G.I. fits the blades into the frame differently than the Mil-k's but that actually might make it a better knife.
The finish of the back springs is better than the original Mil-k's.
A little shopping and you can get one delivered for $10.

Mil-k on the left

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Mil-k on top
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As mentioned, the bottle opener on the Marbles is poorly designed. I don't know how they managed to bungle that, but they did. The rest of the knife is pretty nicely made.

One recurring problem with original Camillus models is the back springs being brittle. I think I've come across as many with snapped back springs as without. On the Marbles I own, it looks like they went in the opposite direction. I opened up two implements halfway on the same spring, and it took a slight set, resulting in lower "snap" opening and closing. So it looks like they may be more prone to bending than snapping. Which may be a good thing, as long as you avoid doing like I did, and only open one implement at a time.
 
scrteened porch said:
Somebody called Acme bought the Camillus name. They make some good knives, but it still outrages me when people buy a name and take credit for the traditions of the defunct company.

Just don't mix their anvils and rocket sleds.:D
Click to expand...

Skis, a fan and an ice making fridge.
Meep meerp
 
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