Camillus USMC Questions

S

Stephen J.

Joined
Nov 2, 2004
Messages
8
My new Camillus USMC combat knife just arrived today.

I'm convinced that there is no better knife out there for the money.

A couple of questions:

1) Is the lanyard hole at the bottom point of the leather sheath supposed to have a metal grommet or eyelet through it? My sheath has no such grommet or metal eyelet, though it has stamp marks impressed *around* the hole which seem to indicate that one may once have been there. If there is no grommet, I think it would improve the design it one were added.

2) The end of the tang, where it meets the buttcap on the handle, is slightly recessed on my knife. In other words, the end of the tang stops about 1/8" short of being flush with the cap. Is this a potential problem or weakness? It seems to me that the strongest design would be for the tang to extend fully into the cap, so that it is flush. The way mine is, water could easily collect in the gap, and seep into the handle along the tang, causing rot or rust. I am wondering if this is normal, or if it is a minor defect due to mass production?

3) What is the purpose of the "blood groove"? I have heard that it supposedly helps to free the blade after a stab, but I suspect this explanation is a myth. I am thinking that it is simply a cost-saving measure to reduce the amount of metal required to make the blade.

Thanks for any feedback,

Stephen J. (sorry to repeat post--I am new and still learning the format here).
 
Welcome aboard. The "blood groove" is not a blood groove. it is called a fuller. It removes weight from the blade and makes it stiffer at the same time. :)
 
Stephen J,

I have the same knife and I checked mine. There is no grommet in the thong hole of mine either. The tang is recessed in the cap on mine also and others that I have seen. I don't know the reason for this but it seems to be normal. Maybe it's to prevent damage to the end of the tang if the pommel is used as a hammer.

Tom
 
Thanks for the answers guys. Still, though, I don't see how the fuller could stiffen the blade more than just leaving the metal there. If anything, I would think that the fuller would make it a bit more flexible.

Stephen J.
 
Think about an I-beam. It resists bending better than a simple rectangular bar, and is much lighter as well.
 
OK, Fudo's I-beam idea makes sense--and also Tom's thoughts on why the tang would be slightly recessed. I'm glad to know there's nothing wrong with my USMC knife or sheath after all.

By the way, have you heard the reports that the Ontario USMC has a brittle blade? That's why I chose Camillus, which, after all, is the current government contractor (which carries some weight with me).

Thanks again!

Stephen J.
 
Stephen J. said:
1) Is the lanyard hole at the bottom point of the leather sheath supposed to have a metal grommet or eyelet through it? My sheath has no such grommet or metal eyelet, though it has stamp marks impressed *around* the hole which seem to indicate that one may once have been there. If there is no grommet, I think it would improve the design it one were added..
Click to expand...

I defer to those who have already answered. I bought one with a kydex sheath.

2) The end of the tang, where it meets the buttcap on the handle, is slightly recessed on my knife. In other words, the end of the tang stops about 1/8" short of being flush with the cap. Is this a potential problem or weakness? It seems to me that the strongest design would be for the tang to extend fully into the cap, so that it is flush. The way mine is, water could easily collect in the gap, and seep into the handle along the tang, causing rot or rust. I am wondering if this is normal, or if it is a minor defect due to mass production?.
Click to expand...


Mine is about a 1/16" short. The one I bought my brother is even. Manufacturing tolerences I guess.

3) What is the purpose of the "blood groove"? I have heard that it supposedly helps to free the blade after a stab, but I suspect this explanation is a myth. I am thinking that it is simply a cost-saving measure to reduce the amount of metal required to make the blade.
Click to expand...

It's properly termed a fuller, and has nothing to do with the alledged "suction" from a stab wound which is, according to various doctors and other people with knowledge of human physiology I asked, actually the muscle around the wound contracting to prevent the object from penetrating deaper or from being removed. The skin itself would form a seal around the blade which combined with the fact that the volume of the blade would be added to the volume of displaced tissue being compressed by the contracting muscle would actually create a positive pressure. That would be countered by the fact that the tissue being compressed on the increased surface area of the fullered blade would further increase the amount of force needed to remove the blade.

The fullers makes the blade stiffer than a blade of the same length and weight, but does not make the blade stiffer than a blade of the same dimension without the fuller. In other words a knife with knife 1 with a 3/16"x1 1/4"x7" blade with fullers that weights 5 ounces will be stiffer than knife 2 which is unfullered 5/32"x1 1/4"x7" blade with the same profile and weight, but would not be stiffer than knife 3 with the same dimensions as knife 1 but without the fullers.

My thought as to it be a cost saving measure is that it would probably increase cost because it would add more machining. I couldn't prove it but I guessing the fuller are present because the Marine Corp officers who designed the knife based it on a Marble knife and nobody at the Pentagon has ever bothered to change the specs so contracters can manufacture knives without it.
 
The blood groove is actually a "fuller" it helps to lighten the blade while at the same time making it stronger. The "blood groove" is a myth there is no vacum created when stabbing that would require a "release" of pressure (this is nonsense).

The sheath should have no grommet. The tang being recessed at the butt cap is normal. I had an old ontario I used for years. Carried one through desert shield/storm and through 8 years of active duty AF, worked just fine. Came dull, but once I put a good edge on it, it always worked fine.
 
The Marines that I'm stationed with (I'm Navy supporting their endeavors) told me the reason for the hole in the sheath is for:

a) water to drain out should any get in,

b) it's a place to put a shoe lace so the knife sheath maybe tied to your leg,

and

c) it's a place to anchor a zip tie so you can hang it upside down on your flak (most common way of carry out here).

V/R,

Beetle
 
Hi Beetlefang... Thanks for your contibution. I had heard of zip-ties being so used, but had no first hand evidence. By the way, are you sure the Jarheads are not supporting YOUR endeavors?

Take care over there, Godbless and Godspeed, thanks for your service.

I'm sure any pics of Knives hanging on the Marines uniforums/web gear/ ect would be of interest.

Phil
 
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