Dad's Old Camillus/Imperial

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hawaiianhawk

Joined
Dec 25, 2009
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953
Good morning. I usually post in the Kabar and Becker forums, but I found a pair of my father's old pocketknives today while digging around through some of his old toolboxes. I'd like a bit of advice and some help in identifying what I have here.

The first knife is a fairly large knife with two blades. The scales are black plastic and the bolsters are aluminum; it has a bail on the butt end. The blades are heavily patina'd, so I believe they're carbon steel. The main blade is a long spear point, stamped "CAMILLUS" ( :eek: :D ) at the kick. The other blade is very interesting: It's as long as the spear blade, with a flathead screwdriver tip, but sharpened along the edge; it also has a brass linerlock mechanism.

The second knife is in better shape. It has a large spear point blade, what looks like an awl, a can opener and a flat screwdriver/cap lifter, with what look like stamped aluminum scales marked "U.S.". The main blade is stamped "Imperial STAINLESS U.S.A. 1976" with the Imperial crown above. :D

Excuse my excitement, but I never expected to find these, and from such legendary companies! I will post some pictures later when I have some better lighting, as it's very cloudy and overcast today. The Camillus is in pretty rough shape but the blades are both complete and not pitted, so I was hoping you folks could give me some tips and advice on how to get it into working condition again correctly.

Thank you in advance.
 
Hi hawaiianhawk!

Well, that´s hard to say, for me. Some pics of theese old beauties could help.

Kind regards
Andi
 
one sounds like a TL-29 or electrician's knife (the camillus) and the imperial sounds like a camp or scout knife. :)
 
Is the "awl" about as long as the handle? If so it is a marlinspike for knot work.. Good knife I'd like to get one myself, my brother has one he received as a gift 15 + years ago (but he ain't letting go of it ;)) I think it's called a scout knife or camp knife like Pete said..:D
 
TheSharpStuff said:
the first is a tl 29 and the second is a scout knife probably a kamp king
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What he said, a TL-29 and a scout knife (probably mil issue stainless). Don't mess with them. Keep Dad's patina on there.

Mineral Oil on the blades, oil the joints and wipe down. That's it.

orig.jpg


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Weah you stay?
 
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Electricians knife as already shown and the second on is a scout knife ( Kamp King as guessed already) with the plastic cover over the aluminum scales removed. My guess.
 
the Imperial is a "Demo" knife. The handles are steel. There should be a date on the ricasso of the main blade. That will let you know how old the knife is. The Camillus is definately a TL-29 style electrician's knife.
 
As for the patina, it's a heavy red patina that's kept the blades from pitting, but there is some red rust there and I'd like to clean them up. The screwdriver blade is especially hard to open and close. Any advice?
 
AKC said:
What he said, a TL-29 and a scout knife (probably mil issue stainless). Don't mess with them. Keep Dad's patina on there.

Mineral Oil on the blades, oil the joints and wipe down. That's it.

orig.jpg


3238.jpg


Weah you stay?
Click to expand...

Bingo nice finds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Dude you just been bit....good luck
 
JFYI - the NSN for the Demo is still valid - $18.74 from GSA Global. I'll see if the TL-29 still comes up also, wouldn't be at all surprised.
 
The screwdriver blade will be stiffer because of the lock rubbing on the blade. I would say to use your favorite oil and open and close it until it works easier.
 
hawaiianhawk said:
The first knife is a fairly large knife with two blades. The scales are black plastic and the bolsters are aluminum; it has a bail on the butt end. The blades are heavily patina'd, so I believe they're carbon steel. The main blade is a long spear point, stamped "CAMILLUS" ( :eek: :D ) at the kick. The other blade is very interesting: It's as long as the spear blade, with a flathead screwdriver tip, but sharpened along the edge; it also has a brass linerlock mechanism. That's a TL-29 electrician's knife, issued to military electricians since WWII

The second knife is in better shape. It has a large spear point blade, what looks like an awl, a can opener and a flat screwdriver/cap lifter, with what look like stamped aluminum scales marked "U.S.". The main blade is stamped "Imperial STAINLESS U.S.A. 1976" with the Imperial crown above. :D I have the exact same knife, down to the date. It is an all steel utility pocketknife, commonly known as the Demo Knife. It's a pattern that was issued to soldiers for years, and was developed in 1947 a a way to make the popular scout pattern knife Marine Recruit resistant (nothing will ever be Marine Recruit proof)

Excuse my excitement, but I never expected to find these, and from such legendary companies! I will post some pictures later when I have some better lighting, as it's very cloudy and overcast today. The Camillus is in pretty rough shape but the blades are both complete and not pitted, so I was hoping you folks could give me some tips and advice on how to get it into working condition again correctly.WD-40 and some time should work
Click to expand...
Hope I cold help!
I know quite a bit about the Mil-K "Demo", any questions, ask.
 
Thanks for all the information, gents! It's always interesting to see old military-issue knives and the evolution of such to today's tools.
 
Fun Demo fact- There originally was a "thumb assist stud" on the bottle opener/screwdriver for use when field stripping the M-1 Garand rifle, and the stud was dropped when the Garand was replaced.
 
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