I have a Camillus knife I inherited from my father. There is very little information about these knives that I can find. Anyone have any ideas on how to get info, or any opinions?
Thanks...
Thanks...
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Kodiak PA
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 1998
- Messages
- 2,445
Hi Basie,
I like old Camillus knives. Camillus is a huge brand but here is some general info to include value potential and some history behind the company. Generally Camillus cutlery be it through WWII, before or after has a Price* rating guide of 2 stars out of 4. Keeping in mind that this is just a value potential and not an estimation. Like I have been told; A knife is worth whatever a collector is willing to pay for it.
Camillus has had several faces since it was founded in 1894 in Camillus, NY by Sherwood Cutlery Co. and they were in turned bought by Kastor Brothers who renamed the company "Camillus. During WWI they made a number of pocket & military knives. After WWI a salesman named Albert Baer was hired and he landed a large account from Sears & Roebuck and Camillus produced the Sears Sta-Sharp brand. Other large accounts followed such as Kent knives made for Woolworth. The company has had a number of brand names and stampings to include:
Camillus Cutlery Co
Camillus NY USA
CAMCO
Sword Brand
Mumbly Peg
Price in his book quotes: these brands have not become particularly desirable in the collector market but the company has been a major contract manufacturer for dozens of other brands that are in demand to include but not limited to:
O.V.B.
Keen Kutter
Diamond Edge
Van Camp Hardware
Henry Sears & Sons
Buck
As you can see Camillus is certainly a cutlery giant. Interestingly Albert Baer bought the company and operational control is now under Imperial Knife Associated Co. Mr. Baer died in 1997.
Of course the knife you have has a lot more meaning since it came from your dad but this is just some info I compiled. I am by no means an expert, just a new collector interested in knives who likes to look this stuff up to learn.
Enjoy your knife!
*Ref: Official Price Guide to Collector Knives, 12th ed by C. Houston Price 98
These books and others are available from the link section through Amazon.com just to let you know.
------------------
~Greg Mete~
Kodiak Alaska
KnifeKnutt@aol.com
I like old Camillus knives. Camillus is a huge brand but here is some general info to include value potential and some history behind the company. Generally Camillus cutlery be it through WWII, before or after has a Price* rating guide of 2 stars out of 4. Keeping in mind that this is just a value potential and not an estimation. Like I have been told; A knife is worth whatever a collector is willing to pay for it.
Camillus has had several faces since it was founded in 1894 in Camillus, NY by Sherwood Cutlery Co. and they were in turned bought by Kastor Brothers who renamed the company "Camillus. During WWI they made a number of pocket & military knives. After WWI a salesman named Albert Baer was hired and he landed a large account from Sears & Roebuck and Camillus produced the Sears Sta-Sharp brand. Other large accounts followed such as Kent knives made for Woolworth. The company has had a number of brand names and stampings to include:
Camillus Cutlery Co
Camillus NY USA
CAMCO
Sword Brand
Mumbly Peg
Price in his book quotes: these brands have not become particularly desirable in the collector market but the company has been a major contract manufacturer for dozens of other brands that are in demand to include but not limited to:
O.V.B.
Keen Kutter
Diamond Edge
Van Camp Hardware
Henry Sears & Sons
Buck
As you can see Camillus is certainly a cutlery giant. Interestingly Albert Baer bought the company and operational control is now under Imperial Knife Associated Co. Mr. Baer died in 1997.
Of course the knife you have has a lot more meaning since it came from your dad but this is just some info I compiled. I am by no means an expert, just a new collector interested in knives who likes to look this stuff up to learn.
Enjoy your knife!
*Ref: Official Price Guide to Collector Knives, 12th ed by C. Houston Price 98
These books and others are available from the link section through Amazon.com just to let you know.
------------------
~Greg Mete~
Kodiak Alaska
KnifeKnutt@aol.com
Thanks for the info. This seems to be a pretty good knife. I do not know what kind of steel was used for it, but it holds an edge. Also, when held up to the light, none can be seen through the knife. As it was my dad's, there is no price on it. I just like the knife and would like to know more info...thanks for yours!
- Joined
- Nov 11, 1998
- Messages
- 1,714
Basie,
If you send me a picture/description of your fathers knife I will attempt to search our pattern archives & tell you what I can about the knife.
The good folks here at BladeForums have established a Camillus forum & I would be glad to try to answer any questions posted.
If you send me a picture/description of your fathers knife I will attempt to search our pattern archives & tell you what I can about the knife.
The good folks here at BladeForums have established a Camillus forum & I would be glad to try to answer any questions posted.
- Joined
- Nov 11, 1998
- Messages
- 1,714
Basie,
If you send me a picture/description of your fathers knife I will attempt to search our pattern archives & tell you what I can about the knife.
The good folks here at BladeForums have established a Camillus forum & I would be glad to try to answer any questions posted.
If you send me a picture/description of your fathers knife I will attempt to search our pattern archives & tell you what I can about the knife.
The good folks here at BladeForums have established a Camillus forum & I would be glad to try to answer any questions posted.
Mr. Gibbs...
Thanks so much for the reply. A picture...well, I can do that. I do not think that this is an "old" knife. It is no more than 20 years old, as due to curcumstances, I did not see my father much in that time. We spoke a lot, but we were never in physical presence. I would have remembered this knife, so he acquired it after he moved to New Mexico.
What impressed me about the knife was it's craftsmanship and ability to hold an edge. Dad was adept at putting an edge on a blade, a trait he inherited from his father. I have yet to sharpen the blades on this piece and it still has a very good edge, but is in need of a stone. I am almost afraid to attempt to sharpen it for fear of messing it up!
I was curious about the type of steel used in the blades. At one time in my life, I was a fairly avid collector. Circumstances have relieved me of my knife collection. I had several major brands...Case, Buck, Gerber, Schrade, etc...and this one is as good or better than any of them.
I will work on a picture of it, and thank you in advance for your time.
Regards...
Steve
Thanks so much for the reply. A picture...well, I can do that. I do not think that this is an "old" knife. It is no more than 20 years old, as due to curcumstances, I did not see my father much in that time. We spoke a lot, but we were never in physical presence. I would have remembered this knife, so he acquired it after he moved to New Mexico.
What impressed me about the knife was it's craftsmanship and ability to hold an edge. Dad was adept at putting an edge on a blade, a trait he inherited from his father. I have yet to sharpen the blades on this piece and it still has a very good edge, but is in need of a stone. I am almost afraid to attempt to sharpen it for fear of messing it up!
I was curious about the type of steel used in the blades. At one time in my life, I was a fairly avid collector. Circumstances have relieved me of my knife collection. I had several major brands...Case, Buck, Gerber, Schrade, etc...and this one is as good or better than any of them.
I will work on a picture of it, and thank you in advance for your time.
Regards...
Steve