Recommendation? Recommend me a Camillus knife

Railsplitter said:
Thanks for that info. With that in mind, I'm not sure if all of the patterns I've looked at are Camillus originals or not.

The knives I've been looking at are all in mint condition but I don't know if they are new or if they are new old stock.

Do the Acme Camillus knives also have the "Camillus New York U.S.A" tang stamp? Is there a visual method of distinguishing the Acme knives from the originals?
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It looks like it shouldn't be that hard. The only "Camillus" knives on their site that look at all traditional are the woven-looking yello-jackets and the rigging knife.
It also looks like Acme always uses a little dagger for the "I" in Camillus.
 
Railsplitter said:
Thanks for that info. With that in mind, I'm not sure if all of the patterns I've looked at are Camillus originals or not.

The knives I've been looking at are all in mint condition but I don't know if they are new or if they are new old stock.

Do the Acme Camillus knives also have the "Camillus New York U.S.A" tang stamp? Is there a visual method of distinguishing the Acme knives from the originals?
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Rick, here's a thread on the various Camillus tang stamps through the years:

Camillus Tang stamps and dates

Any Camillus pocket knife made after 2007 is likely made off-shore.

Here are the Camillus USA Yello-Jakets:

vetpijv.jpg



There's one other version of the Camillus USA Yello-Jaket that was made for Smoky Mountain Knife Works...
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There were at least 4 knives in the SMKW Yello-Jaket series: Stockman, Trapper, Whittler, and small Lockback.

At one time, Camillus owned 50% of SMKW.
 
u6Exshw.jpg

I found this 23 at an antique mall, can't remember what I paid, maybe 30 bucks. Its been recovered and has some simple file work on the blades and backsprings. Its a robust knife for sure. Bit beefy at 4-3/16 closed though. I like it quite a bit:thumbsup: I've been keeping an eye out for a nice navy utility to.
 
Misplaced Hillbilly said:
u6Exshw.jpg

I found this 23 at an antique mall, can't remember what I paid, maybe 30 bucks. Its been recovered and has some simple file work on the blades and backsprings. Its a robust knife for sure. Bit beefy at 4-3/16 closed though. I like it quite a bit:thumbsup: I've been keeping an eye out for a nice navy utility to.
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Sweet knife, David!
 
Well, my first Camillus arrived yesterday and it's just OK. It's an 18 pattern from late 1970's-1988 if I researched the tang stamps correctly.

I really like what Camillus did with Delrin. It's a good looking knife with tight blades and great snap.
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Unfortunately, both blades rub the left side liners when closing. I'm keeping the knife because it's my first Camillus but I probably won't be carrying it.
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I got a couple more and this time they were both gifts from my friend @navaja who saw my thread and graciously sent these my way. Thanks again, my friend!

These are both from the 1960-1976 era and they are both covered in jigged delrin.

This little 41 pattern is a really neat little knife with good snap and tight blades.
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And this 67 pattern is a real gem. A very well made knife with some heft to it and a great size. I like this one a lot and it will going into my EDC rotation.
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My first Camillus (the 18 pattern in the post above) was a bit of a disappointment but these two have rejuvenated my interest in the Camillus brand. I'll be seeking out a few more as time and funds permit.
 
Railsplitter said:
I got a couple more and this time they were both gifts from my friend @navaja who saw my thread and graciously sent these my way. Thanks again, my friend!

These are both from the 1960-1976 era and they are both covered in jigged delrin.

This little 41 pattern is a really neat little knife with good snap and tight blades.
View attachment 1111094
View attachment 1111095

And this 67 pattern is a real gem. A very well made knife with some heft to it and a great size. I like this one a lot and it will going into my EDC rotation.
View attachment 1111096
View attachment 1111097
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My first Camillus (the 18 pattern in the post above) was a bit of a disappointment but these two have rejuvenated my interest in the Camillus brand. I'll be seeking out a few more as time and funds permit.
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That 67 is a beauty, Rick!
 
Railsplitter said:
Well, my first Camillus arrived yesterday and it's just OK. It's an 18 pattern from late 1970's-1988 if I researched the tang stamps correctly.

I really like what Camillus did with Delrin. It's a good looking knife with tight blades and great snap.
View attachment 1109685
View attachment 1109686
View attachment 1109687
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Unfortunately, both blades rub the left side liners when closing. I'm keeping the knife because it's my first Camillus but I probably won't be carrying it.
View attachment 1109697
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Sorry you were disappointed with your 18 Rick. I'm glad you got a nice 67, it looks great and is a good stockman pattern.

There is something I like to keep in mind about the delrin camillus knives (and also schrade) is that they were produced in absolutely huge numbers to a market that used them as tools, they were never intended to be perfect but just functional. Good quality is at the core but there also had to be some room for error with the amount of knives they produced. They are generally good but sometimes you will get one that is lacking what we desire as collectors but usually doesn't effect its functionality as a tool. Sometimes will you get one that is truly defective. I've had my share of "duds" from schrade and camillus and have moved them on, save for one that had an actual factory defect the rest were perfectly useable. They fulfilled their purpose by their makers but were lacking for my picky preferences.
 
The Fort said:
That 67 is a beauty, Rick!
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Thanks, Lance!

TheChunk91 said:
Sorry you were disappointed with your 18 Rick. I'm glad you got a nice 67, it looks great and is a good stockman pattern.

There is something I like to keep in mind about the delrin camillus knives (and also schrade) is that they were produced in absolutely huge numbers to a market that used them as tools, they were never intended to be perfect but just functional. Good quality is at the core but there also had to be some room for error with the amount of knives they produced. They are generally good but sometimes you will get one that is lacking what we desire as collectors but usually doesn't effect its functionality as a tool. Sometimes will you get one that is truly defective. I've had my share of "duds" from schrade and camillus and have moved them on, save for one that had an actual factory defect the rest were perfectly useable. They fulfilled their purpose by their makers but were lacking for my picky preferences.
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Very good points, Paul. I kind of knew this in the back of my mind. The disappointment was more from it being my first Camillus but I completely understand and agree with your comments.
 
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