Case handle, Camillus Blade?

B

BusyBlades

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Oct 4, 2015
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Recently seen a knife that had a Case, wood handle I believe, and a Camillus hawkbill blade. At first sight, I just figured the guy bought some old blades from Camillus when they shut down and put them in Case handle and sell them as "rare", "unique". So I asked the guy and he said he bought it that way. So I was wondering if anyone here had any information on this. Couldn't find anything on Google, and when it comes to knives, Google knows less about knives than the folks here at BladeForums. Thanks for your help.
 
BusyBlades said:
Recently seen a knife that had a Case, wood handle I believe, and a Camillus hawkbill blade. At first sight, I just figured the guy bought some old blades from Camillus when they shut down and put them in Case handle and sell them as "rare", "unique". So I asked the guy and he said he bought it that way. So I was wondering if anyone here had any information on this. Couldn't find anything on Google, and when it comes to knives, Google knows less about knives than the folks here at BladeForums. Thanks for your help.
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He may have bought it that way, but not new, some individual had to put the two together?
 
Was it one of the wood engraved Case handles? My first thought is an attempt at a counterfeit.

Connor
 
Only good pictures will tell the tale!
 
Camillus made a version of the 61011 Hawkbill under contract for Case, apparently starting around 1986 or so (looking at text from Steve Pfeiffer's book on Case knives). It's possible Camillus might've also had a similar or identical version under their own brand. That might've made it relatively easy for someone (beyond the factory) to fit a camillus hawkbill blade into the Case-badged handle. A similar pattern matchup happened with Buck Knives' Camillus-manufactured 307 large stockman (with black handles), for which Camillus also had a completely identical pattern of their own, but with yellow handles.


David
 
Sometimes things get messed up from the factory not saying this is what happened here or even hinting at it. But when I was in my early 40's I thought I would take a stab at selling cars and I knew the general manager of a local Ford dealership and he gave me a part time job selling cars to see if I would like it without having to quit my regular job. During the 6 months I was there we had a new Taurus come in with grey cloth front seats and a brown leather rear seat, we also had a new Ranger come in with Mazda badging on the hood and Ford badging everywhere else. I now own a Cadillac CST, Honda Pilot and a Chevy Trailblazer. No more Fords for me.:D
 
My Father collects Case knives and after seeing a rare "camp knife" up for auction, I decided it would be the perfect birthday present. It was shielded with the Case oval. It is a three layer with a set of pliers. After winning the auction, I come to find out the seller was a custom shop employee at Camillus and he went on to tell me that Camillus made many different case knives under contract. Hawkbill, campers, etc. I recently saw another good example of re-branding a Camillus. It was a Winchester slim trapper, shielded with the Winchester, tang stamped with Buck, made by Camillus.
 
Rockon75 said:
My Father collects Case knives and after seeing a rare "camp knife" up for auction, I decided it would be the perfect birthday present. It was shielded with the Case oval. It is a three layer with a set of pliers. After winning the auction, I come to find out the seller was a custom shop employee at Camillus and he went on to tell me that Camillus made many different case knives under contract. Hawkbill, campers, etc. I recently saw another good example of re-branding a Camillus. It was a Winchester slim trapper, shielded with the Winchester, tang stamped with Buck, made by Camillus.
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Camillus made knives for many companies but I don't think they made knives for Case. I stand to be corrected though.

Best regards

Robin
 
Pipeman said:
Camillus made knives for many companies but I don't think they made knives for Case. I stand to be corrected though.

Best regards

Robin
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See Steve Pfeiffer's book on collecting Case knives; he DOES mention Camillus making a version of the 61011 Hawkbill under contract for Case, as I mentioned earlier. I don't doubt his authority on the subject; he should know. In fact, he also mentions Case's stainless version of the hawkbill (61011 SS) was discontinued when Camillus shut down production. I think Camillus might've also made a version of a rigger's knife for Case as well, and maybe others; some versions of the camp/scout knife (640045R) come to mind, and maybe electrician's patterns as well. At one time or another, Camillus has made knives for many of the mainstream brands in the U.S.


David
 
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I'm no expert, but all I have to go by is this statement from the gentleman that sold me the knife below after I stated that I didn't know that Camillus ever made knives for Case : "Hello Joshua, I am an ex-Camillus employee of 34 years. I ran the model shop and Custom shop. I also did some design and made all samples and prototypes. I bought many items at both auctions including the entire contents of my office. I continue to buy collections and items from persons who worked at the cutlery, and people who bought at the auctions. During the years I worked there Camillus made many Case items. If you would like anymore info feel free to give me a call sometime."

Here is the knife that I picked up for my Dad's Bday. Perhaps it was Frankensteined by Camillus or "skunkworx" employees. I just don't know for sure and I can only go by what the gentleman told me. He seems like a standup guy.


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I believe he is well known and respected. I had my eye on that knife and am glad to see you were the one to win it.
 
Thanks David and Rockon, I learn something every day, sometimes forget it by tomorrow.:D

Best regards

Robin
 
Posted a pic. And don't worry, I already know every dealer and get every knife you put out. Really happy you and GEC finally putting out a scout/camp knife. I emailed you about a year ago asking if you've thought about a camp knife.
 
BusyBlades said:
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BusyBlades said:
My guess is it wade made after factory. I always see blanks for sale from Camillus and schrade
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BusyBlades said:
Posted a pic. And don't worry, I already know every dealer and get every knife you put out. Really happy you and GEC finally putting out a scout/camp knife. I emailed you about a year ago asking if you've thought about a camp knife.
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Rockon, I think you really do have a Case Scout/Utility (as made by Camillus). Camillus made several of the Case "working knives" to include the exact same knife they built under the Camillus and Ulster names for the Official BSA "Scout Knife". The Case pattern number as built by Camillus was 640045R (later 640045R SS). I have a Case made in 2006 - the last year Case cataloged the knife as it was discontinued by the shut down of Camillus in 2007. The actual Case in-house built Scout/Utility knife was the 6445R, a much stouter knife than the one built for Case by Camillus - it was discontinued by Case in the late 1970's. I have never seen a Scout/Utility under the Case name with the pliers - I think you have a very rare knife there for your Dad - cool! What year was that one built - I'm guessing 2001 - and what is the model number on the back of the main blade? OH
 
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