Educate me on Camillus

stingray4540

stingray4540

Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
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Well, I've been looking for a round bolstered serpentine jack knife with carbon blades. So far I've been informed about the old Case 62087, and the GEC 66.

Somehow in my searching, I came across the Camillus 14. There seem to be a couple on Ebay, one particularly fine example in bone(at least it appears to be).

But, I know nothing about Camillus other than they seem to be a well respected brand that is no longer in business.

So my real question is what kind of steel did Camillus use? And if they used both Carbon and SS, how would I know which is which if the blades are still shiny?!

Thank you for your help, I am really falling in love with this pattern, and there seem to be a few more available than the Case 62087 right now.


P.S. Feel free to share any and all info on Camillus in general, I like to learn ;)
 
Others will chime in with much more knowledge than myself,but i can say that Camillus made damn fine knives and are without a doubt my favourite of the old school makers...... FES
 
http://www.collectors-of-camillus.us/

Great old knife company. The Camillus 14 and the Case 087 knives are pretty much the same pattern in blades and size. Stainless vs Carbon is tough without seeing the knife. Older Camillus knives had high carbon steel that looks very much like Case CV. Very shiny. Most of the 14 patterns were imitation bone or imitation stag, but there are always exceptions. This 1955 catalog has a good representation of common Camillus pocket knife patterns and their numbers.

http://www.collectors-of-camillus.us/Catalogs/1955-Camillus.pdf
 
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Thank you for the replies.

Yeah, in doing some of my own research I came across a bunch of old catalogs. I've seen the #14 in the 1946, 48, and 55. I quit looking as they all looked identical, and I couldn't figure out how it would help answer any of my questions.

So Camillus offered no way to distinguish what metal was used? Unless you can guess how old the knife is, which apparently isn't easy?
Well that makes bidding on ebay listings difficult...

Bummer to hear about the handle material. I suppose it's a minor form of mental retardation, or perhaps a character flaw, but I have a hard time getting attached to plastic pocket knives.

Well, anyways, for the sake of argument, this is the listing that caught my eye.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/310560089717?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
 
stingray4540 said:
Thank you for the replies.

Yeah, in doing some of my own research I came across a bunch of old catalogs. I've seen the #14 in the 1946, 48, and 55. I quit looking as they all looked identical, and I couldn't figure out how it would help answer any of my questions.

So Camillus offered no way to distinguish what metal was used? Unless you can guess how old the knife is, which apparently isn't easy?
Well that makes bidding on ebay listings difficult...

Bummer to hear about the handle material. I suppose it's a minor form of mental retardation, or perhaps a character flaw, but I have a hard time getting attached to plastic pocket knives.

Well, anyways, for the sake of argument, this is the listing that caught my eye.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/310560089717?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Click to expand...

A nice knife, but it has imitation handles (plastic).
 
I agree with Charlie, synthetic handles, but I would guess carbon on the blades. Seems to have some patina and spotting.
 
Thanks for all the help so far!
I suspected as much about the imitation handles, but couldn't tell for sure with the poor quality pictures, and my lack of experience.
That being said, I still my try and bid on it if the price stays low. Or maybe I'll find one whose handles are in bad shape and take a stab at re-handling it.
 
Just my nickles worth (inflation affects everything) - The Camillus knives like the one you are looking at were well crafted and intended to be used. The delrin scales are probably done as well as anyone has ever done faux bone or stag in delrin. If you expect this knife to be a collector piece or an everyday user, I'd just keep it as is. Find a knife in much more used and abused condition to practice re-handling on. Unless you've done it several times before. You won't make a $300 knife out of a $30 one even if you do a super duper job on it.

It's a good knife in good condition. I'd keep it that way and use it. Camillus knives are among the best users out there. I personally like them better than Schrade but a bit lower than the old Case. One other thing, delrin is a fine handle material, if not a glamorous one.

Ed J
 
No intentions on re-handling one as nice as the one I linked to. If I did that, I would do it on one whose handles are warped, cracked and falling off. Not likely I'd have the ambition though, got too many other half projects in the garage as it is.

Yeah, I generally hear a lot of praise for Camillus, so if the price stays low, I might buy this one despite the delrin.
Problem is, I'm a sentimental, one knife kind of guy. There is something specific I'm looking for though, so if I'm going to spend the money, and share pocket space with my current knife, it's gotta meet my requirements. Like I said, if I can get it cheap, I would love to experience what all the fuss is about with Camillus.
 
Camillus was my first real pocket knife, still have it 28 years later... still a brand i keep an eye out for when im at gunshows, flea markets, etc.
they made good quality, dependable knives, alot of variety and they did contract work for almost every name in the cutlery industry, Case, Buck, Cold Steel etc.
Left a big void when they closed in 2007
Good luck to ya
Gene
 
Delrin is and has been used by most knife makers because of the toughness of the material. It is not just cheap plastic. Camillus was a maker of knives for many many knife companies. They made many knives for the military and those knives still have a value far greater than the original price. TL-29 (Electrician's knife), MIL-K-818D (Demo knife) (http://www.donrearic.com/demoknife1.html), and the pilots survival knife (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/242649-pilots-survival-knife-dates-on). Feel free to stop by the Camillus area of the forum and meet with some people who previously worked for Camillus. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/695-Camillus-Collector-s-Forum
 
Woah, there's a dedicated Camillus forum? I should have made this thread in there to begin with. Thanks, looks like I got some lurking to do.
 
Just to clarify, in terms of collecting, there are 2 Camilluses (Camilli?), just as there are 2 Marbles and 2 Schrades. The early/original versions of the companies were the originals and were all made in the US. They went out of business, like a lot of companies did and eventually the rights to their names and designs were purchased. I believe Marbles and Schrade are both entirely made outside of the US and Camillus is mostly or entirely made outside of the US.

One feature of the old US made versions of these knives that I'm pretty sure you won't find is the modern versions is the use of good quality carbon steel. You can ask for reviews on current steels and current fit and finish.

Another aspect is the collectability and future value of the knives. I think it's fair to say that the originals are more sought after.
 
I just picked up an old Camillus Electricians knife. It is marked Camillus New York. Definitely lots of patina on the blade, but it snaps real well and only a slight bit of play in the main blade. I think a simple oil, shapen and carry is in order!

camillus.jpg
 
Sting, the dates can be found in the areas of the forum that are setup for these companies.

Bobby, sharpen the main blade only. The screwdriver blade was only edged for wire stripping, never was sharpened. After some oil, it should be good for another 50 years.
 
For what it's worth, the knife you're watching (pic of tang stamp below) seems to have a date stamp from 1960 - 1976 or a little later. The earlier stamps (pre-1960) didn't have the full width line (underline) under the 'CAMILLUS' mark.

$(KGrHqV,!oMFC3H2(IrrBQ60s5f,yQ~~60_3.JPG


Compare to 1960 - 1976 stamp:
Camillus1976.jpg


And the late '70s/early '80s stamp (looks almost identical to the '60 - '76)
Camillus1976b.jpg


The above comparison pics can be found in this thread, in the Camillus Collector's Forum:

Camillus Tang stamps and dates


David
 
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