Camillus 72 Clones

The Camillus Cutlery Company was one of the oldest knife manufacturers in the United States with roots dating back to 1876. The company manufactured Camillus branded knives and was a prolific contractor for other knife brands up until its last days in 2007 when the company filed for bankruptcy.
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

Yesterday afternoon, my trip to the post office produced this CAMILLUS 72, wannabe, clone or variation, pocket knife. It now becomes the latest example to be added to this topic or thread and to my CAMILLUS 72, clones, pocket knife collection. It is a WATERVILLE, three blades, swelled center, 3 5/8" closed, three tang stamps, a long matchstrike or blade pull, pocket knife. The main blade front tang stamp says "WATERVILLE (over) CUTLERY CO.(over) CONN." The secondary blade back tang stamp says "WATERVILLE (over) CUTLERY CO.(over) CONN." The third blade front tang stamp says "WATERVILLE (over) CUTLERY CO.(over) CONN." The three blades have NO wobble at all. The three blades ALL have a good, crisp half stop. The three blades ALL have a good, crisp snap. Overall, it is in EXCELLENT condition. I just wiped it off.
I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.
Attachments
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The Main Blade Front Tang Stamp.
The Main Blade Front Tang Stamp.
The Secondary Blade Back Tang Stamp.
The Secondary Blade Back Tang Stamp.
The Third Blade Front Tang Stamp.
The Third Blade Front Tang Stamp.
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by C-WADE7 »

Nice bone and shield on that one Skip.
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

C-WADE7 wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 11:03 pm Nice.....
Thank you, Coley. 🍻
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by jerryd6818 »

Skip, that right there is a jewel. ::tu::
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
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This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

jerryd6818 wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 11:43 pm Skip.....
Thank you, Jerry. 🍻
Kid: "Wish we had time to bury them fellas."
Josey Wales: "To hell with them fellas. Buzzards got to eat, same as worms."
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by doglegg »

New_Windsor_NY wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 9:00 pm Yesterday afternoon, my trip to the post office produced this CAMILLUS 72, wannabe, clone or variation, pocket knife. It now becomes the latest example to be added to this topic or thread and to my CAMILLUS 72, clones, pocket knife collection. It is a WATERVILLE, three blades, swelled center, 3 5/8" closed, three tang stamps, a long matchstrike or blade pull, pocket knife. The main blade front tang stamp says "WATERVILLE (over) CUTLERY CO.(over) CONN." The secondary blade back tang stamp says "WATERVILLE (over) CUTLERY CO.(over) CONN." The third blade front tang stamp says "WATERVILLE (over) CUTLERY CO.(over) CONN." The three blades have NO wobble at all. The three blades ALL have a good, crisp half stop. The three blades ALL have a good, crisp snap. Overall, it is in EXCELLENT condition. I just wiped it off.
I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.
::tu:: ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

doglegg wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 3:22 am ::tu:: .....
Thank you, Floyd. 🍻
Kid: "Wish we had time to bury them fellas."
Josey Wales: "To hell with them fellas. Buzzards got to eat, same as worms."
Clint Eastwood-The Outlaw Josey Wales

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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by Ripster »

Very nice Waterville Skip. Had to look twice when I saw that spear blade instead of a clip ! Nice addition to your stash ::handshake::
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

Ripster wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 12:44 pm Very.....
Thank you, JP. 🍻
::handshake::
Kid: "Wish we had time to bury them fellas."
Josey Wales: "To hell with them fellas. Buzzards got to eat, same as worms."
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by GSPTOPDOG »

This is not exactly a Camillus 72 Clone ::paranoid:: but it looks pretty close ::hmm:: anyone 'recon this was their answer to the #72? ::shrug::
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DSCF0065.JPG
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by doglegg »

I have a couple of those made for Sears. No model numbers. I supposed them to be pre war but don't know for sure. Great pick up.
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by GSPTOPDOG »

doglegg wrote: Wed Dec 21, 2022 3:35 am I have a couple of those made for Sears. No model numbers. I supposed them to be pre war but don't know for sure. Great pick up.
Thanks D.L. ::handshake:: There are Two different tang stamps; ::paranoid:: looks like a 1921-24 and a 35'-40 stamp.
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by doglegg »

Camillus is noted for using up old stock, so that isn't surprising.
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

GSPTOPDOG wrote: Wed Dec 21, 2022 2:31 am This.....
Nice looking NON CAMILLUS 72 clone, variation or wannabe.
I see absolutely no resemblance to a CAMILLUS 72.
Does it measure 3 5/8" closed? I see no swelled center
and the blades configuration is wrong. ::shrug::
But, like I said it IS a NICE whittler. ::tu::
Kid: "Wish we had time to bury them fellas."
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by GSPTOPDOG »

New_Windsor_NY wrote: Wed Dec 21, 2022 6:17 pm
GSPTOPDOG wrote: Wed Dec 21, 2022 2:31 am This.....
Nice looking NON CAMILLUS 72 clone, variation or wannabe.
I see absolutely no resemblance to a CAMILLUS 72.
Does it measure 3 5/8" closed? I see no swelled center
and the blades configuration is wrong. ::shrug::
But, like I said it IS a NICE whittler. ::tu::
I think "NON CAMILLUS 72 clone" is the best way to put it :wink: That being said, I was super happy with it when I picked it up :) and the blades are firm and have some life left in them for a little EDC work. Not a "safe-queen" so into the pocket it will go... ::nod::
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by royal0014 »

GSPTOPDOG wrote: Wed Dec 21, 2022 11:27 pm I think "NON CAMILLUS 72 clone" is the best way to put it
Looks like a sleeveboard to me .... isn't 'sleeveboard whittler' an acceptable description ??
::shrug::
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by jerryd6818 »

royal0014 wrote: Thu Dec 22, 2022 11:25 am
GSPTOPDOG wrote: Wed Dec 21, 2022 11:27 pm I think "NON CAMILLUS 72 clone" is the best way to put it
Looks like a sleeveboard to me .... isn't 'sleeveboard whittler' an acceptable description ??
::shrug::
I think you're right Chris. Larger clip blade on one end & two smaller blades (one a coping blade, one a pen blade) on the other end, I would call it a whittler.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
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This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by DM11 »

New_Windsor_NY wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 9:00 pm Yesterday afternoon, my trip to the post office produced this CAMILLUS 72, wannabe, clone or variation, pocket knife. It now becomes the latest example to be added to this topic or thread and to my CAMILLUS 72, clones, pocket knife collection. It is a WATERVILLE, three blades, swelled center, 3 5/8" closed, three tang stamps, a long matchstrike or blade pull, pocket knife. The main blade front tang stamp says "WATERVILLE (over) CUTLERY CO.(over) CONN." The secondary blade back tang stamp says "WATERVILLE (over) CUTLERY CO.(over) CONN." The third blade front tang stamp says "WATERVILLE (over) CUTLERY CO.(over) CONN." The three blades have NO wobble at all. The three blades ALL have a good, crisp half stop. The three blades ALL have a good, crisp snap. Overall, it is in EXCELLENT condition. I just wiped it off.
I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.
Very nice knife but it isn't a 72 clone or wannabe. That knife was made and Waterville Cutlery Co was out of business long before the Camillus 72 came along.
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

DM11 wrote: Thu Dec 22, 2022 2:38 pm Very.....
Thank you David, I know that Waterville was gone before the Camillus 72 showed up.
I have said this before in a couple of posts. When I made up the title for this topic,
I rushed and didn't give it much thought. I wish now that I never heard of the word,
clone. I only recently started adding variation, wannabe, etc. to soften the harshness
of the word clone. I really wish I could rename the title of this topic, but I can't.
If I could, it would be called "Pocket Knives That Are Similar To The Camillus 72."
The criteria being, three blades in the proper configuration. 3 5/8" closed length
and a swelled center. The Waterville is SIMILAR to the Camillus 72. ::tu:: ::handshake::
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by DM11 »

New_Windsor_NY wrote: Sat Jan 07, 2023 12:17 am
DM11 wrote: Thu Dec 22, 2022 2:38 pm Very.....
Thank you David, I know that Waterville was gone before the Camillus 72 showed up.
I have said this before in a couple of posts. When I made up the title for this topic,
I rushed and didn't give it much thought. I wish now that I never heard of the word,
clone. I only recently started adding variation, wannabe, etc. to soften the harshness
of the word clone. I really wish I could rename the title of this topic, but I can't t.
If I could, it would be called "Pocket Knives That Are Similar To The Camillus 72."
The criteria being, three blades in the proper configuration. 3 5/8" closed length
and a swelled center. The Waterville is SIMILAR to the Camillus 72. ::tu:: ::handshake::
::tu:: ::handshake::
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by Reverand »

Here is one that I plan on using for EDC - a Craftsman 9494.
The main had been tipped and reprofiled, and sharpened on a grinder. I made some repairs today, and am fairly happy with how it turned out.
This one was made for Sears by Schrade.
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

Reverand wrote: Thu Mar 30, 2023 10:16 pm Here.....
L@@ks g@@d! GREAT job, Scott. ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by OLDE CUTLER »

I just recently got this 72 like Remington by having it dropped on me from high attitude in the form of a bomb from doglegg (Floyd). It is a number R14-W and is new in the box.
Thanks Floyd!
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by doglegg »

You are.more than welcome OC. I bet it doesn't stay new in the box.
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Re: Camillus 72 Clones

Post by Papa Bones »

Hey guys, Look who's back. But thought I would submit a couple of items for your perusal. First is another 72 clone that's I've never seen the tang stamp before, It appears to be produced by either Ulster or maybe Schrade, but my opinion is Ulster. The tang stamp on the master clip blade appears to be "TW" with the "T" on top of the "W" Below that is possibly a s/n or pattern number of 36810, with USA below that. I figure it was a SFO for some company, I've searched some but not found any logos like this. Here are some pictures, If any of you happen to know what company this was for, feel free to post it.
As for the knife, it has great snap on all blades, no wobble, but does have scratches and some wear.
72 clone WT36810_a1.jpg
72 clone WT36810_b.jpg
72 clone WT36810_c.jpg

Next, is a nice Schrade 863 I picked up. Feels like new, and looks it with some age spots.
Schrade NY USA 863_a.jpg
Schrade NY USA 863_b.jpg
And lastly, I have this little oddity. First it has a bone handle with a Craftsman shield. But the master clip blade is an Imperial tang stamp. So was it a bone handle Craftsman that someone replaced the master Clip blade, or was it an Imperial that someone replaced the shield on. It has great snap, no wobble, and I cant really see any signs that it's been apart. Either way, I love the handles, and it functions well.
Craftsman_Imperial_Bone_9494_a.jpg
Craftsman_Imperial_Bone_9494_b.jpg
Craftsman_Imperial_Bone_9494_c.jpg
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