yellow jacket pic and question

They're hard to come by and I haven't seen those handles very often on any pattern. I collect Camillus 72s and their clones and the only reason I have one with those handles is because it was gifted to me by a very generous fellow collector. During my search, I think I only saw one on eBay.

Those handles don't show up in any of the Camillus catalogs I have access to so any guess as to the years made would just be that, a guess. I hope someone comes along who has some information on them. I too would love to know.

 

Those were a special order made for Smoky Mountain Knife Works. I don't remember the exact year but ballpark would be 2002. They were made in a couple different patterns also.

 

I have this Yello-Jaket. It has pretty bad f&f, but comes in a nice wooden box and is very affordable.

 

It is not Camillus Cutlery, this is new chinese Camillus

 

Lynn -- I asked Tom Williams about those knives because I'm also interested. Looks like you already have your answers but just in case there's an unposted nugget in Tom's answer, I'll post it anyway.

"Jerry,
Nice hearing from you. I remember seeing these knives in the factory around the early 2000's, maybe 2002-2003. They may have been a special knife that Camillus made for Smoky Mountain Knife Works. We made many knives for SMKW using available parts. For several years Camillus owned 50% of Smoky Mountain Knife Works and knives made for them were very reasonably priced since Camillus would share the profits when the knives were sold.
You will not find this knife or any other knife made for Smoky Mountain Knife Works in any of the Camillus catalogs. They may have been in SMKW's catalogs.
I hope this information is helpful.
Tom"

 

Anybody have SMKW catalogs the early 2000s?

 

You are correct.

 

I used this topic to show a picture of my new purchase.
Nothing unusual, just a Camillus Yello-Jaket Whittler #72Y
Yellow as this smile .

 

Very nice!!

 

The Yello-Jaket Stockman (made for Smoky Mountain Knife Works)

 

Nice knife! :thumbup:

 

Ancestor of Yello-Jaket Series
Camillus Small Pen Knife #48

 

I have wanted this particular knife for a long time to carry. Camillus Yello-Jaket 715. 3 1/8" lock back with a drop point blade. Very nice feeling knife in my hand.