Question on 303 identification

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Happy Hippo

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There are 8 different variations of long nail pull 303s. Most can.easily be distinguished by handle pins, spacers, and what is stamped on the blades. But the two that are confusing to me are the Schrade with one spacer, handle pins, and only the master blade stamped and the Camillus with one spacer, handle pins and no model number stamped. How does one tell the difference? I was told to look at the swedge and if it goes past the nail nick, it is a Schrade. But someone told me this is not reliable because there is a lot of variation in the swedging. Sorry if I asked this question already.
 
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Generally, the swedge is pretty reliable, but there are a couple of other things you can look at. The frame for the Schrade is described as more sinuous than that of the Camillus. However, I think you need to look at quite a few knives before you really notice that. Try looking at the sheepsfoot when the knife is closed. The blade is much more prominent on the Schrade than on the Camillus. In the attached photo, the knives, top to bottom, are Schrade, Camillus, Buck/

303 Schrade, Camillus, Buck.jpeg
 
Very good explanation bertl bertl ! Sinuous works and I think of the overall shape of Schrade slipjoints as being slightly more serpentine when compared to Camillus from the same era. Also, the Camillus made version will have visible pivot pins in the bolsters, like can be seen in the middle knife in your photo. Whereas the Schrade has the hidden internal Swinden key pivots. Generally, the Schrade bolsters will be finished more rounded while the Camillus will be hafted and somewhat flattened.
 
plb said:
Very good explanation bertl bertl ! Sinuous works and I think of the overall shape of Schrade slipjoints as being slightly more serpentine when compared to Camillus from the same era. Also, the Camillus made version will have visible pivot pins in the bolsters, like can be seen in the middle knife in your photo. Whereas the Schrade has the hidden internal Swinden key pivots. Generally, the Schrade bolsters will be finished more rounded while the Camillus will be hafted and somewhat flattened.
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Thank you bertl and plb. I plan on going to a show this weekend and I want to be ready to identify ones that I don't have. Although I have a lot of 303s, I only have 4 of the 8 long nail pull versions. I forgot about the bolster pin thingie - one of the primary reasons to switch to Camillus.
 
plb said:
Also, the Camillus made version will have visible pivot pins in the bolsters,
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That's a good point. My brain must have gone on holiday. The lack of visible pins is one of the first things I look for, although sometimes visible pins don't show up real well without a little help.
 
bertl said:
That's a good point. My brain must have gone on holiday. The lack of visible pins is one of the first things I look for, although sometimes visible pins don't show up real well without a little help.
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I have one with 303 on the pile side, and I don't see bolster pins, so I know what you mean. My mind is very mathematical, which is why I became an engineer. I have zero artistic skills, which feeds into how terribly I can observe the features.
 
Happy Hippo said:
I don't see bolster pins, so
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Try breathing on the bolster and then stick the knife in a freezer for a few minutes, or maybe it's the other way around—put the knife in the freezer and then breathe on the bolster. I haven't done that for a while. Of course if you are at a show, that might not be a handy method.
 
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