What-A-Knife, What-A-Saw, What-A-Combo!!

[btb01]

Ever since r8shell fooled me (and many others) with her excellent Whataburger/What-A-Knife April Fools joke (here’s that thread if you missed it — hard to believe that was 10 years ago!), I’ve been a bit obsessed with the little Camillus What-A-Knife. I’ll pick one up any chance I get. (It does help that they can usually be found for a pretty reasonable price).

The cap-lifter version seems to be the most common (it’s at least the easiest to find), but there’s also a single blade version and one with a pen secondary.

My obsession recently reached a new level when I asked Rhidian to make me a Lambsfoot homage to the What-A-Knife, with a cap-lifter secondary, scratted bone handle meant to imitate the diamond stamped pattern in the What-A-Knife’s steel handles, and a What-A-Lamb etch.

While Rachel’s Whataburger promotional giveaway story turned out to be fiction, it actually wasn’t that far from the truth about these knives. The What-A-Knife was offered as a bonus item with a product called the What-A-Saw, a three-blade folding bow saw that was sold via infomercial and home shopping TV channels. “Order your What-A-Saw in the next 10 minutes and we’ll include the What-A-Knife for free!” That sort of thing.

For whatever reason, I never bothered to seek out a What-A-Saw before, but I recently found one online, new-in-box, for a great price, and I couldn’t pass it up.

Could you spot the knife in that last photo? It actually stashes away in the handle of the saw. (There’s a foam wedge in there that keeps it from moving around.)

The What-A-Saw actually seems like a decent bit of kit, and I was thrilled with the condition of this one. The What-A-Knife even has what I’m pretty sure is factory oil in the joints!

The box was one of the biggest selling points for me, particularly because the What-A-Knife is featured on it in a couple places.

Feel free to share your own Camillus What-A-Knife, or your What-A-Saw if you have one. Heck, Whataburger content is welcome as well!

 

[waynorth]

Ever since r8shell fooled me (and many others) with her excellent Whataburger/What-A-Knife April Fools joke (here’s that thread if you missed it — hard to believe that was 10 years ago!), I’ve been a bit obsessed with the little Camillus What-A-Knife. I’ll pick one up any chance I get. (It does help that they can usually be found for a pretty reasonable price).

The cap-lifter version seems to be the most common (it’s at least the easiest to find), but there’s also a single blade version and one with a pen secondary.

My obsession recently reached a new level when I asked Rhidian to make me a Lambsfoot homage to the What-A-Knife, with a cap-lifter secondary, scratted bone handle meant to imitate the diamond stamped pattern in the What-A-Knife’s steel handles, and a What-A-Lamb etch.

While Rachel’s Whataburger promotional giveaway story turned out to be fiction, it actually wasn’t that far from the truth about these knives. The What-A-Knife was offered as a bonus item with a product called the What-A-Saw, a three-blade folding bow saw that was sold via infomercial and home shopping TV channels. “Order your What-A-Saw in the next 10 minutes and we’ll include the What-A-Knife for free!” That sort of thing.

For whatever reason, I never bothered to seek out a What-A-Saw before, but I recently found one online, new-in-box, for a great price, and I couldn’t pass it up.

Could you spot the knife in that last photo? It actually stashes away in the handle of the saw. (There’s a foam wedge in there that keeps it from moving around.)

The What-A-Saw actually seems like a decent bit of kit, and I was thrilled with the condition of this one. The What-A-Knife even has what I’m pretty sure is factory oil in the joints!

The box was one of the biggest selling points for me, particularly because the What-A-Knife is featured on it in a couple places.

Feel free to share your own Camillus What-A-Knife, or your What-A-Saw if you have one. Heck, Whataburger content is welcome as well!

What-A-Collection Barrett!!!

 

[5K Qs]

What-A-Thread, Barrett!!
I'm sorry to say I've got no tools to share (What-A-Waste ), but What-A-Thrill your opening post gave me!
I always admire your vast collection of What-A-Knife examples, and What-A-Revelation it was to see the trio of variations of the knife.
What-A-Surprise to see your examples of What-A-Saw, a tool that was totally off my radar until now!
And What-A-Treat to see your What-A-Lamb from Rhidian. I love the checkered handle; What-A-Grip that must give!

- GT

 

[btb01]

What-A-Collection Barrett!!!

Thanks, Charlie!

What-A-Thread, Barrett!!
I'm sorry to say I've got no tools to share (What-A-Waste ), but What-A-Thrill your opening post gave me!
I always admire your vast collection of What-A-Knife examples, and What-A-Revelation it was to see the trio of variations of the knife.
What-A-Surprise to see your examples of What-A-Saw, a tool that was totally off my radar until now!
And What-A-Treat to see your What-A-Lamb from Rhidian. I love the checkered handle; What-A-Grip that must give!

- GT

Not to worry, GT, because if you act now, you can get in on the What-A-Giveaway!!

Thread 'BUT WAIT!! THERE’S MORE!! What-A-Giveaway!!'

Apr 25, 2025

First things first, if you haven’t already, please have a read through my recent thread about one of my favorite inexpensive little traditional knives, the Camillus What-A-Knife. (Here’s a link to that thread.)

Don’t take too long, though. ACT FAST!! Because if you comment in this thread in the next 10 minutes (ok, ok, let’s say the next four days), you’ll be entered for a chance to win your very own Camillus What-A-Knife, absolutely free of charge!! Just pay an additional $6.95 processing and handling.

(Just kidding, of course. I’ll cover the shipping cost. This...

• btb01
• Replies: 65
• Forum: Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades

• 
• 

 

[5K Qs]

Not to worry, GT, because if you act now, you can get in on the What-A-Giveaway!!

What-A-Deal!
It's already past my bedtime, but I'm going to act NOW so I don't miss the WAGAW!!!

- GT

 

[btb01]

What-A-Deal!
It's already past my bedtime, but I'm going to act NOW so I don't miss the WAGAW!!!

- GT

No real rush, GT. You’ve got until Tuesday.

 

[OldHercDude]

What-A-ICantThinkOfANew-ism! Neat thread, great idea for a giveaway.

 

[r8shell]

Wow, Barrett! I did not know about the What-a-Saw, and where the What-a-Knife name came from. That is very cool, especially the way the knife tucks into the handle.

Your What-a-Lambsfoot knife is fantastic!!!

Even though you've shown it has nothing to do with burgers:

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

That is cool! Whole thing. I didn’t even know about the What-a-saw.
Very enjoyable post. So much enthusiasm.

 

[RickHuf]

Ooo boy. I like my what-a-knife!!

I traded for this one in the Mr knives pass around back before it was fancy knives only.

It's such a nice pattern! The perfect size and shape. Nice and snappy. Stainless. Half stops. It certainly lives up to its name!


So I have something to show and you can call me crazy if you want, but the what a knife pattern is reeeeeeaaaalllllyyy old actually! Not the what a knife itself, just the pattern.

I have this old, thin knife (one of my favorites) and it has stamped bolsters and thin celluloid covers. One day it was sitting on my cool knife shelf right next to the what a knife, and I'll be danged, it's the same thing! You can even balance them on top of each other on the pins. You can find other configurations of this knife just like the what a knife. This just happens to be the single blade. Same half stops and snappy action and everything. They are found with old Camillus brand names Syracuse and Kent, or just USA like this one.




Anyways, I've been (casually) on the lookout for other varieties of the what-a-knife. How cool would the pen blade secondary be?

 

[btb01]

Wow, Barrett! I did not know about the What-a-Saw, and where the What-a-Knife name came from. That is very cool, especially the way the knife tucks into the handle.

Your What-a-Lambsfoot knife is fantastic!!!

Even though you've shown it has nothing to do with burgers:

Thanks, Rachel. As far as I’m concerned, the What-A-Knife will always be associated with Whataburger.

That is cool! Whole thing. I didn’t even know about the What-a-saw.
Very enjoyable post. So much enthusiasm.

Thanks! I’ve been trying to think of where I first heard or read about the connection to the What-A-Saw. Might have been a YouTube video I watched a while back where the guy talked about the What-A-Knife and a couple different Dura-Tool knives.

Ooo boy. I like my what-a-knife!!

I traded for this one in the Mr knives pass around back before it was fancy knives only.

It's such a nice pattern! The perfect size and shape. Nice and snappy. Stainless. Half stops. It certainly lives up to its name!
View attachment 2859082

So I have something to show and you can call me crazy if you want, but the what a knife pattern is reeeeeeaaaalllllyyy old actually! Not the what a knife itself, just the pattern.

I have this old, thin knife (one of my favorites) and it has stamped bolsters and thin celluloid covers. One day it was sitting on my cool knife shelf right next to the what a knife, and I'll be danged, it's the same thing! You can even balance them on top of each other on the pins. You can find other configurations of this knife just like the what a knife. This just happens to be the single blade. Same half stops and snappy action and everything. They are found with old Camillus brand names Syracuse and Kent, or just USA like this one.
View attachment 2859084
View attachment 2859085


Anyways, I've been (casually) on the lookout for other varieties of the what-a-knife. How cool would the pen blade secondary be?

Wow, Rick, that’s very cool. The patterns really do look very similar, and I love how slim that little knife is, and the tip bolsters! Thanks for sharing!

Does your What-A-Knife have a non-Camillus tang stamp? I can’t quite make it out, but it looks different, which is very intriguing. (I don’t think I’ve ever seen one stamped anything else).

I took this pic with the What-A-Knife, What-A-Saw and What-A-Lamb earlier today when I was taking pics, but just realized I forgot to add it to my first post in the thread.

 

[RickHuf]

Does your What-A-Knife have a non-Camillus tang stamp

Thanks!

Sword brand instead of Camillus

 

[btb01]

Thanks!

Sword brand instead of Camillus
View attachment 2859118

Really interesting, thanks again for sharing. You learn something new every day.

 

[Ebbtide]

I’ve had & used my What-A-Saw for decades.
Never knew about the knife till now.

Thank you lol

 

[Jack Black]

What-A-Cool-Thread Barrett

 

[Oldy]

@btbare are those standard size blades for the what a saw or those proprietary to what a saw.

 

[Campbellclanman]

Hey Barrett my friend, that What-A-Knife is very cool!, I don't blame you picking them up- perfect for a young'un to gift to and spark up a new Knife Knut!

Those What-A-Saw's are just darned cool, I'm kinda liking that Rhidian too my friend! man that's a sweet Knife!!

 

[btb01]

I’ve had & used my What-A-Saw for decades.
Never knew about the knife till now.

Thank you lol

Nice! I’ve wondered if they had always included a knife, or if some What-A-Saws were sold without them. I saw an advertising pic a while back (I’ll have to see if I can find it) that showed an included knife that was a completely different design, looked more like a Buck 110 clone.

@btbare are those standard size blades for the what a saw or those proprietary to what a saw.

I believe they’re standard 21” bow saw blades, but I’m not positive.

Side note, it looks like Coghlan’s is still selling the What-A-Saw design, just without the name. Looks like it might only have one blade, though.

What-A-Cool-Thread Barrett

View attachment 2859441

Hey Barrett my friend, that What-A-Knife is very cool!, I don't blame you picking them up- perfect for a young'un to gift to and spark up a new Knife Knut!

Those What-A-Saw's are just darned cool, I'm kinda liking that Rhidian too my friend! man that's a sweet Knife!!

Thanks, guys!

 

[Ebbtide]

My W-A-S has 3 blades.
A pruning/branch blade
A finer wood blade
And a hacksaw blade

Hung the old SvenSaw up when I got this one.

 

[btb01]

I didn’t include these in my original post, since it mostly had to do with the What-A-products, but these Camillus Dura-Tools are identical to the What-A-Knife, with the exception of the added bail. I was lucky enough to pick these up on eBay a while back. All appeared to be brand new, and they all came with the same lanyard string attached to the bail and wrapped around the handle, secured with tape that looked (and felt) like it had been on there for years.

I wish I had saved the seller’s description, I believe he said these all came from some sort of life raft emergency kits, but I really have no way of knowing if that’s true at all. I did save this pic from the listing, in which you can see the wrapped up knives in the background.