While I can't speak to the rest of the camillus line, I can speak to the 18669, and I thought I'd do my part, as I couldn't find any real information out there when I bought the knife. Before we get any further, we are talking about a VG-10 and g-10 knife for 32 Dollars on amazon. You have got to be kidding. I've had the knife for about a month and a half now, and I am happy to report it is easily worth every cent, perhaps even twice what it costs. Yes, this knife is only referred to as the 18669, it doesn't have a true name beyond it's model designation number. But then, neither does the ducati 1198, and it's never been held back by it's name.
This thing has seen some use...
List time!
Pros:
-VG-10 steel with an adequate HT
-Classy looking, medium friction G-10 handle scales
-Lightweight, single liner design
-Handsome blue anodized liner
-100% perfect lockup and centering
-smooth opening, low friction with sensible thumb-stud
-Gorgeous looking design
Cons:
-Clip (More on that in a minute)
-liner lock too advanced (More later)
-Initial sharpness and bevel centering (I'll get to that as well)
Here we can see in the above image the knife's decent lines and ergonomics. You can also faintly make out the light blue anodization of the liner, it is much nicer in person.
Note in this picture the hourglass shape of the thumb stud, which it shares with other folder models. Also note the jimping. This sets it apart from it's contemporaries in the camillus line-up. The jimping and handle scale shape set it apart from the 18668. you can also see some wear on the thumb stud, and a chip in the G-10. This was a result of a drop (closed) onto cement. The G-10 hasn't deteriorated any further in use since the drop. The G-10 is medium to smooth friction, it's been perfect in EDC but is probably inadequate in a tactical role. The size of the blade makes it "impractical for tactical" anyways. I've never worried the g-10 would wear out pockets, and I've even worn it in the silk inner pocket of a suit jacket with no issues.
This is the best picture I could take of the anodization I mentioned earlier. VERY subtle. Note the polished pillar construction (More on that in a minute) and the single liner. The clip end shape here I have found to be near perfect, I would love for it to be deep carry, but I'll get to the clip more later. It goes into and comes out of pockets with no issue, and I've never had it catch anything as I was walking past.
Here is the clip shape and the other side of the pillars. "Where are the other hex-screw heads"? You may be wondering. There aren't any. And what then are those silver dots? I THINK the hex heads screw directly into the G-10, from one side, and thread into the other scale. Why haven't I checked? All of the screws bed very weakly into the G-10. I tried to switch the clip from TD to TU carry, and in the process learned the holes tapped for TU carry won't hold the clip. Now I'm afraid if I take the knife apart to satisfy my curiosity, I won't be able to get it back together properly. None of the screws protrude uncomfortably however, and it has never interrupted the function of the knife. Note also the wear on the knife. When I first got 18669, I put a convex edge on it (figuring it would be the easiest way to correct a poor bevel on a VG-10 blade) and then later decided I wanted a conventional edge after all. Besides that, the finish has never worn further.
In this picture, the locking liner is obviously over too far for a knife that's only seen a month of use. In fairness, the liner broke into this position after one week or so and hasn't advanced since.
The jimping on the liner is functional and comfortable. Note the symmetrical bevel. The knife did NOT come this way. The knife came with an uneven bevel grind and a dull edge. I took it to a local knife shop (Vacuums and More, in longview WA, awesome guy BTW, stop by if you're in the area) And he used an EPA to re-profile the edge at a dollar an inch for the <3.5 inch blade. I then stropped and polished the edge, and it's been easy to keep sharp since. I use a Smith's consistent angle system, and get great results. The steel is good, extremely hard, and no chipping so far, even cutting solid-core wire, which has a reputation for ruining blades. Note also the beveled scale for access to the thumb stud, the end of the thumb stud is essentially in line with the curvature of the scale, so it doesn't stick out away from the knife, but the space provided by the beveled scale gives your thumb plenty of room to open the blade. Whether the liner and how advanced it is is responsible for the supreme lockup, I can't say. It locks open as tight as a lock-back. Centering open and closed is perfect, from the factory.
Conclusions
In my opinion, as far as materials go, this is the best knife currently available at this price point. You do, however, lose some things. Poor foundations for the clip screws and a poor initial grind haunt an otherwise outstanding knife. This is now carried equally as often as my delica, and I have no regrets. At the price point it's at, I recommend this knife to anyone who doesn't mind a foreign produced blade. 8.75/10 before fixing awful bevel, 9.25/10 after re-profiling and breaking in.
This thing has seen some use...
List time!
Pros:
-VG-10 steel with an adequate HT
-Classy looking, medium friction G-10 handle scales
-Lightweight, single liner design
-Handsome blue anodized liner
-100% perfect lockup and centering
-smooth opening, low friction with sensible thumb-stud
-Gorgeous looking design
Cons:
-Clip (More on that in a minute)
-liner lock too advanced (More later)
-Initial sharpness and bevel centering (I'll get to that as well)
Here we can see in the above image the knife's decent lines and ergonomics. You can also faintly make out the light blue anodization of the liner, it is much nicer in person.
Note in this picture the hourglass shape of the thumb stud, which it shares with other folder models. Also note the jimping. This sets it apart from it's contemporaries in the camillus line-up. The jimping and handle scale shape set it apart from the 18668. you can also see some wear on the thumb stud, and a chip in the G-10. This was a result of a drop (closed) onto cement. The G-10 hasn't deteriorated any further in use since the drop. The G-10 is medium to smooth friction, it's been perfect in EDC but is probably inadequate in a tactical role. The size of the blade makes it "impractical for tactical" anyways. I've never worried the g-10 would wear out pockets, and I've even worn it in the silk inner pocket of a suit jacket with no issues.
This is the best picture I could take of the anodization I mentioned earlier. VERY subtle. Note the polished pillar construction (More on that in a minute) and the single liner. The clip end shape here I have found to be near perfect, I would love for it to be deep carry, but I'll get to the clip more later. It goes into and comes out of pockets with no issue, and I've never had it catch anything as I was walking past.
Here is the clip shape and the other side of the pillars. "Where are the other hex-screw heads"? You may be wondering. There aren't any. And what then are those silver dots? I THINK the hex heads screw directly into the G-10, from one side, and thread into the other scale. Why haven't I checked? All of the screws bed very weakly into the G-10. I tried to switch the clip from TD to TU carry, and in the process learned the holes tapped for TU carry won't hold the clip. Now I'm afraid if I take the knife apart to satisfy my curiosity, I won't be able to get it back together properly. None of the screws protrude uncomfortably however, and it has never interrupted the function of the knife. Note also the wear on the knife. When I first got 18669, I put a convex edge on it (figuring it would be the easiest way to correct a poor bevel on a VG-10 blade) and then later decided I wanted a conventional edge after all. Besides that, the finish has never worn further.
In this picture, the locking liner is obviously over too far for a knife that's only seen a month of use. In fairness, the liner broke into this position after one week or so and hasn't advanced since.
The jimping on the liner is functional and comfortable. Note the symmetrical bevel. The knife did NOT come this way. The knife came with an uneven bevel grind and a dull edge. I took it to a local knife shop (Vacuums and More, in longview WA, awesome guy BTW, stop by if you're in the area) And he used an EPA to re-profile the edge at a dollar an inch for the <3.5 inch blade. I then stropped and polished the edge, and it's been easy to keep sharp since. I use a Smith's consistent angle system, and get great results. The steel is good, extremely hard, and no chipping so far, even cutting solid-core wire, which has a reputation for ruining blades. Note also the beveled scale for access to the thumb stud, the end of the thumb stud is essentially in line with the curvature of the scale, so it doesn't stick out away from the knife, but the space provided by the beveled scale gives your thumb plenty of room to open the blade. Whether the liner and how advanced it is is responsible for the supreme lockup, I can't say. It locks open as tight as a lock-back. Centering open and closed is perfect, from the factory.
Conclusions
In my opinion, as far as materials go, this is the best knife currently available at this price point. You do, however, lose some things. Poor foundations for the clip screws and a poor initial grind haunt an otherwise outstanding knife. This is now carried equally as often as my delica, and I have no regrets. At the price point it's at, I recommend this knife to anyone who doesn't mind a foreign produced blade. 8.75/10 before fixing awful bevel, 9.25/10 after re-profiling and breaking in.
