Peanuts--comparison of different makers?

[Eric H]

Since you guys all seem to love the peanut pattern so much, I decided to give one a try. My problem is, I don't care for the shape of Case's peanut, so I picked up a model grom a different maker.

Since I didn't/don't know what to expect quality-wise in these small knives, I'm going to hold off on comments until I hear from others with more experience.

What I am looking for are fit/finish and quality comparisons from folks who own or have owned peanuts from different makers.

Thanks!

 

[Railsplitter]

This won't be much help but for whatever it's worth, I have four Case Peanuts and one Rough Rider Peanut.

The Case's are a cut above the Rough Rider in F&F. Not by a long shot, but they are better in that respect. They are very, very close in design but I like the shape and feel of the Case's better too.

 

[Railsplitter]

One thing I wanted to mention but forgot:

Two of my Case Peanuts are handled in G10. One Black G10 and one Ruger Red G10.
These two have a slightly better feel to them than my bone handled Case Peanuts. They seem to be more squared off around the edges which gives them a slightly sturdier feel and appearance.

Although the difference is much more apparent in hand, I've included some photos for comparison.


Key Lime Bone

Ruger Red G10

Bermuda Green Bone

Black G10

 

[Eric H]

Thanks Railsplitter--

It's been my own personal experience that knives with rucarta/micarta/carbon/G10 scales, whether traditional or modern, have had a better scale fit to frame 100% of the time over natural scales (bone, stag, pearl). I always just chalked it up to the ability to consistently form the synthetic to a closer standard size.

 

[Eric H]

Maybe I could re-phrase my original question like this,

Should I expect the same level of fit/finish and overall quality in a peanut, that I could expect in a larger model from the same maker during same era?

 

[dalee100]

Hi,

I think you can definitely expect the same over-all quality of fit and finish for a maker. Individual specimens can vary of course. But if a maker is know for making good knives, all their products should be good as a rule.

I tend to agree with you about the Case Peanut. They don't really feel right in my hand and I don't like the blade arrangement of them, (I admit I'm generally too lazy to turn the knife over to open the other blade ).

I prefer the old Camillus #21 &#22 models. Slim and slender and to my eye anyway, graceful to look at. I also have 2 older Schrade #272's, though one is marked as a Van Camp, (a generous gift from a member here). And a single China made Camco.

What is odd to me is that I don't really think of the Schrade's as Peanuts. I see them as tiny Jacks. They feel much more robust and tougher in the hand than the Camillus' models. Though they are pretty much the same size. But I don't underestimate the Camillus versions for strength, my one Grandfather carried one and used it for everything around the farm.

The Camco, while a very well made knife for fit and finish, just isn't a Peanut. It's a bit too wide and tall. It's just a small Jack that doesn't feel quite right.

Dale

 

[Eric H]

Dale,

It's actually one of the Camillus models (don't know whether it is a 21 or 22) that prompted me to start this thread.

I just won an auction for one of the black composite handled, brass bolstered, two blades models marked 'Camillus' over 'Made in USA' on the main blade. I've since found out that these were most likely made and marked for Sears, then re marked by.Camillus.

I love the shape, the brass/black color pattern, and the blades, but the knife overall just seems to fall short to me. (Could be that I've been spoiled by GEC though.)

The blades seem to be quality, and are good steel, and have nice snap, but the composite handles seem like cheap plastic (which, I suppose, they are...). The bolsters are much thinner than I expected--almost simply flat pieces of brass. The ends of the back springs that come in contact with the back edge of the blade when open, were each rounded off for some reason--probably cosmetic. The result is a much smaller and less.stable contact area between the blade and the springs.

Maybe a bone scaled version would feel more solid to me. I really do like the fact.that it is the "mini-me" version of my GEC #48 Trapper. I'm going to give it a chance riding for awhile in my watch pocket, but I think I might look around for a Queen version to try.

 

[dalee100]

Hi,

Don't sell 'em too short, they're plenty tough.:thumbup:

Here is a photo of a few of my Camillus Peanuts. The only difference between the #21 & #22 is the scale color. The scales are made from delrin. The two jigged ones are #21's. The lighter jigged brown one was my Grandfather's knife. I have yet to find another #21 with that scale type. All the others I have are like the dark jigged one. The two yellow (or maize as Camillus called them), are #22's.

The two brass bolstered models are almost a different pattern. The blades are made differently. They are full flat grinds and no swedges. Rather than the 1/2 sabre, 1/2 full flat with swedges of the #21 & #22's. The other oddity, is one is tang stamped Camillus and 710 on the reverse. The other knife is simply etched with Camillus on the clip point blade. No other marks. Does your knife look like any of these?

Dale

 

[Eric H]

Dale,

Here are some pics of mine (first one with my GEC #48 to show size comparison and the similarity of the frame shapes). You can see the Camillus writing, and also the rounded backsprings.

I do plan on giving this one a chance, I think that I just paid way too much for it (my eyes were bigger than my brain for that auction!), and that I'm realizing that I really like bone scales better than wood or composite. (I do like your yellow knife with the fluted bolsters though...)

 

[dalee100]

Hi,

That's the same as the two brass bolstered ones I have. Only difference is your tang appears to be etched rather than stamped like one of mine. The stamped tang one I have is also stamped 710 on the back of the clip. Which I think is a model number for the 'CudaMax.

I honestly see these knives as cheaper to make knife than the #21 &#22's. And not really the same thing.


Hmmm, send me a PM. I think you should have something more proper.

Dale

 

[Eric H]

Email incoming...