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- Apr 19, 2005
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Making this its own thread for the knife history aspect. This answers STDK,' I finally got one' thread below. In that thread TinSue, my partner in 303 knowledge, gave a list of things to look for.
"There are a number of ways to distinguish Schrade from Cami made 303's, including (1) a slight difference in overall shape or configuration of the knife itself; (2) pivot pins not visible on Schrades, but are visible on Cami's, but this can be hard to detect; (3) handle scale pins appear larger on Schrades than on Cami's, and later Cami's (after 1971) lacked scale pins entirely, and (4) rivets in the brass liner that hold on the bolsters are visible inside the blade well gaps of Schrades, but not Cami's (I find this one the easiest)."
I am bringing in visual aids.
First is a side by side comparison of the Schrade made 303 vs the Camillus made 303. At first glance you look for scale rivets, larger on Schrade(usually) but can depend on who buffed out the knife, and the shape of the top edge of the clip blade. Also the Scrade sheepsfoot blade stands especially tall. OK blade guys, what do they call that grind on the top front of the Camillus clip blade.(Top knife). The "Swedge", Thanks to Larry O. for ID
NOW FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT:
Schrade made models have hidden pivot pins, Camillus are 99% visible on bolster. Breath moist breath on the bolster and you can see outline of pin. If you have posession of the knife put it in refrig. or freezer then breath on it. Try all the bolsters before declaring it one or the other. Do this carefully, for if you hand me the knife I will also to see if you are right....This is photo of sectioned Schrade made bolster showing hidden pivot pin.
Camillus made 303 pivot pin section.
There are two versions of the Schrade model, one with BUCK stamped on reverse of secondary blades and one that has NO stamping. Several versions of Camillus model over long period of years. See the pivot pin outline in bolster of Cami.
Contract was changed from Schrade to Camillus, MAINLY, because of Buck's forever warranty. The Camillus thru the bolster pivot pin let Buck replace a broken blade. With the Schrade it was generally just a whole new knife.....
Correct box question.
Joe Houser is the authority on this. He has written about dating boxes and papers. There may be a thread on this, I did not search for it. In the photo the oldest box on bottom, newest on top. Papers came out of bottom and middle box. Look at the date on the bottom of the paper for the middle box. Also look at addresses of factory. The blank date paper has the oldest address. It is also a "diamond" surface looking cardboard. See closeup.
Wouldn't you like to get a new 303 for $9.40 today....... Hint: If you really want to save your papers, use steam iron to flatten them out and keep in file, in pencil only, write code number on back corner and then leave number on slip of paper in box. Or not.
So there you go, more than you wanted to know. My thanks to TinSue.
300Bucks
"There are a number of ways to distinguish Schrade from Cami made 303's, including (1) a slight difference in overall shape or configuration of the knife itself; (2) pivot pins not visible on Schrades, but are visible on Cami's, but this can be hard to detect; (3) handle scale pins appear larger on Schrades than on Cami's, and later Cami's (after 1971) lacked scale pins entirely, and (4) rivets in the brass liner that hold on the bolsters are visible inside the blade well gaps of Schrades, but not Cami's (I find this one the easiest)."
I am bringing in visual aids.
First is a side by side comparison of the Schrade made 303 vs the Camillus made 303. At first glance you look for scale rivets, larger on Schrade(usually) but can depend on who buffed out the knife, and the shape of the top edge of the clip blade. Also the Scrade sheepsfoot blade stands especially tall. OK blade guys, what do they call that grind on the top front of the Camillus clip blade.(Top knife). The "Swedge", Thanks to Larry O. for ID
NOW FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT:
Schrade made models have hidden pivot pins, Camillus are 99% visible on bolster. Breath moist breath on the bolster and you can see outline of pin. If you have posession of the knife put it in refrig. or freezer then breath on it. Try all the bolsters before declaring it one or the other. Do this carefully, for if you hand me the knife I will also to see if you are right....This is photo of sectioned Schrade made bolster showing hidden pivot pin.
Camillus made 303 pivot pin section.
There are two versions of the Schrade model, one with BUCK stamped on reverse of secondary blades and one that has NO stamping. Several versions of Camillus model over long period of years. See the pivot pin outline in bolster of Cami.
Contract was changed from Schrade to Camillus, MAINLY, because of Buck's forever warranty. The Camillus thru the bolster pivot pin let Buck replace a broken blade. With the Schrade it was generally just a whole new knife.....
Correct box question.
Joe Houser is the authority on this. He has written about dating boxes and papers. There may be a thread on this, I did not search for it. In the photo the oldest box on bottom, newest on top. Papers came out of bottom and middle box. Look at the date on the bottom of the paper for the middle box. Also look at addresses of factory. The blank date paper has the oldest address. It is also a "diamond" surface looking cardboard. See closeup.
Wouldn't you like to get a new 303 for $9.40 today....... Hint: If you really want to save your papers, use steam iron to flatten them out and keep in file, in pencil only, write code number on back corner and then leave number on slip of paper in box. Or not.
So there you go, more than you wanted to know. My thanks to TinSue.
300Bucks
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