Codger_64
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- Oct 8, 2004
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To most of us who frequent this forum, the Camillus Collector's Forum of BladeForums.com, the history and relatively recent dissolution of Camillus Cutlery is familiar. For a few who worked there for years, it is intimate.
Most of you, not all, are aware of the fact that I am writing a manuscript for a book on the history of Imperial Schrade and what was once the Baer Cutlery Empire. It has for quite some time been apparent to me that it is impossible to do so in any complete fashion without the inclusion of Camillus Cutlery since the companies were connected "head and toe", "fore and aft", or however it might be stated.
The theme of the book is to be history, with emphasis on the beginnings, the rise and expansion, the owners and the adaptation to changing markets and technology over the years. As I have researched and studied Camillus (and Schrade as well), I cannot help but admit that none of the 133 year history of the cutlery would have happened had it not been for the hard work and dedication of literally thousands of men and women who worked there. Sometimes their whole lives, often generation after generation.
A sad fact is that with each passing year, month even, we lose an important portion of that former workforce who hold key memories of the past. Once those memories are gone, they can never be recovered and added to the compiled history of Camillus Cutlery.
A few quick examples:
Olga Lott - March 16th, '08
Olga Tracz Lott, 92, of Germantown, TN, formerly of Fairmount, joyfully returned to eternal peace on Sunday, March 16. A 1932 graduate of Solvay High School, Olga worked for Camillus Cutlery during the Depression and World War II.
Nicholas Petrocci - January 10th, '08
Nicholas "Nick" Petrocci, 92, of Camillus, passed away peacefully on Thursday at St. Camillus Health & Rehabilitation Center. Born in Geres Lock, he was a lifetime resident of the Camillus area. Nick was formerly employed by Frazer & Jones Co. and Camillus Cutlery.
Gunther Grieshaber - December 25th, '07
Gunther S. Grieshaber, 93, of the village of Camillus, died Tuesday at home. Born in Solingen, Germany, he lived in Camillus most of his life. Gunther was employed by Pass & Seymour for more than 40 years and worked at Camillus Cutlery in the 1930s.
Aside from these examples, many more recent employees have moved on with their lives, some finding other employment in the local area or commuting daily some distance. Some have moved to other areas of the country and maintained connections with the cutlery industry where they are able to continue contributing their hard-earned skills. Some, stung and disheartened by the turn of events at both companies, avoid talking about their contributions.
I personally believe that their recollections of Camillus and Schrade are as important, if not more so, than those of the principal owners whose stories have been somewhat preserved and recorded. And indeed more important than the artifacts, the knives which they produced. Those, afterall, are durable goods which will be around for many years after we are all gone. But an artifact without context is meaningless.
I know well the ending and the lingering feelings associated with the way things went in the last few years of Camillus' and Schrade's existance. It has to be briefly explored and discussed in the book, but in neither case, Schrade or Camillus, is it to be the focus of the book. Enough is known that I do not need more information on the subject from contributors. Rather the book is intended to recognize achievements of over a century, not failures of a few years, and be something which the workers can be proud to have been a part of, proud to say they worked for Camillus and Schrade. I intend to dedicate the book to them.
All this wordy gobble-d-gook said, I would like to invite former employees and industry associates of every ilk to participate. You will be given credit or not, as you prefer. You can be quoted or paraphrased, or just give me hints of directions to research resources. Have any photos or clippings you wouldn't mind sharing of people or events pertaining to life and work at the cutlery?
A bit about me:
I have never been to Camillus or Walden or Ellenville. I've never worked in the cutlery industry in any capacity. I do not sell knives in a store, flea market or on eBay and no part of my income is derived from knives. A lot of it goes to those venues though.
I am not a professional writer or journalist. My resume would include graphic artist, patent illustrator, manufacturing process engineer, construction contractor and a few more hats that have slipped my mind at the moment. I am a rank amateur collector of knives and a devout researcher of their history.
I make no claim to being an expert. I'll leave that to those who make their bread and butter in the industry. Speaking of which, I do not expect to get rich from the publication of this book. I'll feel fortunate if I sell enough copies to cover my expenses of researching and production. I've been working on it for about four years now off and on as time and materials allow, and don't expect to finish a worthy illustrated manuscript in the near future.
Most of what I have accumulated so far has been through the generosity of other collectors, many publications and the unselfish sharing of archived materials by Mr. Williams and others.
Anyone wishing to contribute may email me from my profile.
Michael Little (aka Codger)
Most of you, not all, are aware of the fact that I am writing a manuscript for a book on the history of Imperial Schrade and what was once the Baer Cutlery Empire. It has for quite some time been apparent to me that it is impossible to do so in any complete fashion without the inclusion of Camillus Cutlery since the companies were connected "head and toe", "fore and aft", or however it might be stated.
The theme of the book is to be history, with emphasis on the beginnings, the rise and expansion, the owners and the adaptation to changing markets and technology over the years. As I have researched and studied Camillus (and Schrade as well), I cannot help but admit that none of the 133 year history of the cutlery would have happened had it not been for the hard work and dedication of literally thousands of men and women who worked there. Sometimes their whole lives, often generation after generation.
A sad fact is that with each passing year, month even, we lose an important portion of that former workforce who hold key memories of the past. Once those memories are gone, they can never be recovered and added to the compiled history of Camillus Cutlery.
A few quick examples:
Olga Lott - March 16th, '08
Olga Tracz Lott, 92, of Germantown, TN, formerly of Fairmount, joyfully returned to eternal peace on Sunday, March 16. A 1932 graduate of Solvay High School, Olga worked for Camillus Cutlery during the Depression and World War II.
Nicholas Petrocci - January 10th, '08
Nicholas "Nick" Petrocci, 92, of Camillus, passed away peacefully on Thursday at St. Camillus Health & Rehabilitation Center. Born in Geres Lock, he was a lifetime resident of the Camillus area. Nick was formerly employed by Frazer & Jones Co. and Camillus Cutlery.
Gunther Grieshaber - December 25th, '07
Gunther S. Grieshaber, 93, of the village of Camillus, died Tuesday at home. Born in Solingen, Germany, he lived in Camillus most of his life. Gunther was employed by Pass & Seymour for more than 40 years and worked at Camillus Cutlery in the 1930s.
Aside from these examples, many more recent employees have moved on with their lives, some finding other employment in the local area or commuting daily some distance. Some have moved to other areas of the country and maintained connections with the cutlery industry where they are able to continue contributing their hard-earned skills. Some, stung and disheartened by the turn of events at both companies, avoid talking about their contributions.
I personally believe that their recollections of Camillus and Schrade are as important, if not more so, than those of the principal owners whose stories have been somewhat preserved and recorded. And indeed more important than the artifacts, the knives which they produced. Those, afterall, are durable goods which will be around for many years after we are all gone. But an artifact without context is meaningless.
I know well the ending and the lingering feelings associated with the way things went in the last few years of Camillus' and Schrade's existance. It has to be briefly explored and discussed in the book, but in neither case, Schrade or Camillus, is it to be the focus of the book. Enough is known that I do not need more information on the subject from contributors. Rather the book is intended to recognize achievements of over a century, not failures of a few years, and be something which the workers can be proud to have been a part of, proud to say they worked for Camillus and Schrade. I intend to dedicate the book to them.
All this wordy gobble-d-gook said, I would like to invite former employees and industry associates of every ilk to participate. You will be given credit or not, as you prefer. You can be quoted or paraphrased, or just give me hints of directions to research resources. Have any photos or clippings you wouldn't mind sharing of people or events pertaining to life and work at the cutlery?
A bit about me:
I have never been to Camillus or Walden or Ellenville. I've never worked in the cutlery industry in any capacity. I do not sell knives in a store, flea market or on eBay and no part of my income is derived from knives. A lot of it goes to those venues though.
I am not a professional writer or journalist. My resume would include graphic artist, patent illustrator, manufacturing process engineer, construction contractor and a few more hats that have slipped my mind at the moment. I am a rank amateur collector of knives and a devout researcher of their history.
I make no claim to being an expert. I'll leave that to those who make their bread and butter in the industry. Speaking of which, I do not expect to get rich from the publication of this book. I'll feel fortunate if I sell enough copies to cover my expenses of researching and production. I've been working on it for about four years now off and on as time and materials allow, and don't expect to finish a worthy illustrated manuscript in the near future.
Most of what I have accumulated so far has been through the generosity of other collectors, many publications and the unselfish sharing of archived materials by Mr. Williams and others.
Anyone wishing to contribute may email me from my profile.
Michael Little (aka Codger)
