Nice Folding Hunters From Camillus. (lot's of pictures)

[JD Mandrell]

I went to my nearest Gander Mountian store this weekend, and fed my Folding Hunter addiction with 2 Camillus large lockbacks, one domestic the other an import. Both knives are marketed as part of the "Buckmaster" line, endorsed by Jackie Bushman, Founder and CEO of Buckmasters. I gave up hunting many years ago, so if that's a name I should know, my apologies.

First off is the USA made knife, which is a basic Camillus #9 Large Lockback, or in this case it's model number is BM9C. It retailed for only $19.99.

Blade Length:: 3-5/8"
Overall Length:: 8-5/8"
Closed Length:: 5"
Blade Steel:: 420 HC Stainless
Handle Material:: Laminiated Hardwood
Bolster/Guard:: Sintered Brass

The knife.

Blade Etch.

With the excellent heavy leather sheath.

Tangstsamp.

The quality is fantastic, strong lockup and zero bladeplay. The factory edge is extremely RAZOR sharp.

 

[JD Mandrell]

The second knife is an import made in China under the CAMCO name and at first glance I thought it was a copy of the Camillus #9, but it is actually a clone of the Schrade LB7, it's Buckmaster model number is even BMLB7. It also retailed for $19.99 and comes with a very nice sheath.

Blade Length:: 3-5/8"
Overall Length:: 8-5/8"
Closed Length:: 5"
Blade Steel:: Doesn't say.
Handle Material::Stained wood with no sealer.
Bolster/Guard::Brass that has a sort of brushed finish.

Fit and finish on the one I bought are 100%, but I will say that out of about 40 in the store, I looked at 8 before finding one that was perfect. Many of them had the same flaw, a noticable gap between one front bolster and the brass liner.

Lockup on it is totally solid, zero bladeplay and just as sharp as any Benchmade I have owned. Overall the knife isn't quite as pretty as the USA made one, and I was at first suprised that Camillus was contracting knives from China under the CAMCO name. But the knife is a solid user and at $19.99 a real deal. It seems Gander Mountain is replacing the USA made ones with the imports, as they used to have dozens of the USA made BM9C, but only had 2 left and at least 40 of the imports. If you can find one of the USA made ones at $19.99 GRAB IT, you won't regret it.

The Import:

The Knife.

With Sheath.

Blade.

Front Tang.

Rear Tang, this is where they might be accused of being sneaky, nowhere on the knife does it say "China", but instead "P.R.C." which I feel safe in assuming means "People's Republic of China". The packaging however does clearly say Made in China. (also the packaging does not have an American Flag on it, where the USA made BM9C does, so I give them props for that.)

Here are both together.

Overall, either knife is a deal at $19.99.

 

[waynorth]

They might both do the job well, but the lines of the U.S.A. made one are, sculpturally, much more pleasing to the eye!
It just looks more thoughtfully made!
(From 1-2000 miles away anyway!)

 

[Gramps]

either knife is a deal at $19.99.

.......good to know one can still find a solid lock back for under a "Jackson"....I'm impressed....that's 1970's
pricing ! I swear LC, you have a bloodhound's nose for the good deals.

-Best

 

[smiling-knife]

Great photos LC. I really like the autumnal backdrop. Excellent close-ups. s-k