Slip Joint Steel?

Joined
Feb 25, 2001
Messages
6,675
I'm a little lost here on the Camillus line of slip joints. I look at online knife stores and see odd price fluctuations between various stainless steel Camillus pocketknives, all with similar handles. Are all of the stainless steel Camillus slip joints made out of the same steel, or are there various grades of steel used? If there are various grades of slip joint stainless, can somebody tell me which ones have the better grade? I'd like to get a good Camillus pocket knife, but I'm not sure which one to choose.
 
Don't know if this will be much help, but I own a #67 Stockman, and in the catalog it said the blade steel is 440-A. Although I must admit I have not carried it a whole lot (it's not often in my EDC rotation), it seems to be a fairly good stain-resistant pocket knife steel.

In fact, I was pleased enough that I bought a #72 Whittler. I had mistakenly thought because they were side-by-side in the case and have similar handles that it was stainless too, but the 72 turned out to be carbon steel...found out after slicing my first apple with it!:o Although it's only developed a permanent discoloration, not rust.
Jim
 
The steel that is used in the Stainless steel knives made by Camillus are all of the same grade. As stated in some previous threads, 440A is no longer used because it is available only from Japan. Carbon blade knives made by Camillus use varying grades of steel. An example would be the carbon blade in James Y #72 is different than the Carbon steel used in the Becker line. I hope that is not too confusing.
 
Thanks, both of you, for the the great info. I'm starting to think carbon steel now though. I picked up an Old Timer last week, and was blown away by the carbon steel's performance. Maybe I'll try out one of the Abalone celluloid Camillus stockmans. The Shrade carbon steel pocketknives are just too ugly for my tastes, whereas that celluloid abalone looks sweeeeeeeeeet! :)
 
Did a search, but couldn't find the answer. What kind of stainless is Camillus now using in pocket knives, if not 440A. Thank you.

Walter
 
Back
Top