Camillus WWII and before!

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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orvet
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by orvet »

WelderBob wrote:That is pretty bone and I like those shield's... ::tu::

I've got a EO Camillus but it's a military model with bail...if that one was mine it would end up a one blade... ::nod::

I like the bone too, but until I get through studying all the different Camillus tang stamps and trying to establish an approximate date range for the different stamps I want to leave it original.


Here is another 4 line scout without the shield. It is in rougher shape than the one I posted earlier. I don’t know if this was military or not, but I suspect it was.
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Camillus 4 line scout a.jpg
Camillus 4 line scout b.jpg
Camillus 4 line scout c.jpg
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by wazu013 »

I was paging through my advertizment knife book when I ran into this knife. It was made in the 40's during a time called the "Streamline era". During this era a myriad of products from automobiles and toasters to blenders and chrome kitchen appliances were re-designed to reflect this era. Even a sleek metal train called the "Streamliner" was made. Naturally the cutlery industry had to jump in as well. It's a nice collectable to have today.
wazu013
The pictures didn't come forward with my note but they are back on page 16 if you need a look see::shrug::
orvet wrote:::dang:: ::dang:: ::dang:: ::dang:: ::dang::
No one has posted to this thread in nearly 2 months!
That is just WRONG!!! :x


Here is one that came today-
Streamline Camillus before a.jpg

I love this blade etch!
Streamline Camillus blade before.jpg
This is the Sword Brand tang stamp-
Streamline Camillus before mark side tang.jpg
This is the 4-line tang stamp on the pile side-
Streamline Camillus before pile side tang.jpg


Think it is worth a few hours of my time to restore it? ::shrug::
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by orvet »

Here is another Streamline jack with a 4 line tang stamp.
This one is in better condition than any other I have found.
The fact that the celluloid is much darker may have made it more stable, (see article by Dennis Ellingsen http://www.oregonknifeclub.org/celluloid_02.html ).

The blade has a nice clean & deep etch, the best etch I have seen on the 4 examples I have.
Camillus Sreamline dark celluloid jack a.jpg

The tang stamps are nicely visible.
Camillus Sreamline dark celluloid jack e.jpg
Camillus Sreamline dark celluloid jack f.jpg
The prongs are barley discernible near the left bolster in this pic of the pile side.
Camillus Sreamline dark celluloid jack c.jpg
There is some dimpling at the handle prongs on the mark side as well, but apart from the dimpling, some spider webbing & spots on the pen blade and some scratches to the blades, this knife is as close to perfect as I would expect to find a knife of this construction, materials and age .
Camillus Sreamline dark celluloid jack b.jpg
I think with the shield and celluloid handles this makes quite a handsome knife!
Camillus Sreamline dark celluloid jack d.jpg
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by WelderBob »

That's a nice one Dale...you got to like that Streamline blade.... ::tu:: ::drool::

Very nice condition for a 4 line with celluloid, it must have been stored right (if there is a right way) or that batch of celliloud was stable.
A handsome knife with those handle's and shield.... ::nod::
Bob

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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by orvet »

Thank you, I agree there is just something about the deep etched blade.

Here is a lightened version of the last picture.
It may show off the colors a bit better.
Camillus Sreamline dark celluloid jack d2.jpg
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by orvet »

I looked a bit closer at the blades; I think the clip blade has been lightly sharpened, but I don't think the pen blade still has the factory edge.
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by glennbad »

That's a beauty, Dale!

The one I have has some obvious signs of preliminary outgassing. Hopefully yours stays intact.
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by Shearer »

Received this easy opener today.Made between 1941-46 going by tang stamp
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P1020230.JPG
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by orvet »

Nice one Shearer. ::tu::
Will that be a user? They have great steel!
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by singin46 »

Wow Dale, you have some very nice examples of Camillus knives there buddy!! ::nod::
Course them EOs are my favs. ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by Shearer »

Dale its older than me so I think I will give it a vacation and just look at it for a while.Any older knives you find in Australia are worn-out that is why we have to purchase knives from USA.
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by orvet »

Look what came in the mail Monday!
It is a Sword Brand penknife.
Camillus Cut Co pen knife D.jpg
It has a 3 line tang stamp. but instead of 'CUTLERY' being spelled out as it was on the 4 line, 1946 & before tang stamps, it is abbreviated, 'CUT. CO.'
Camillus Cut Co pen knife c.jpg

The knife is 3-1/8" closed with celluloid handles.
After cleaning the crud out to the blade pocket, blowing it out with compressed air and a little Quick Release Oil, it walks and talks very nicely!
Camillus Cut Co pen knife a.jpg
Camillus Cut Co pen knife b.jpg

I think the 3 line CAMILLUS CUT. CO. tang stamp predates WW I, but I am still researching that.
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by singin46 »

That's a great lookin handle on the Camillus Dale. ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by orvet »

I got a new old 4 line fixed blade with Rogers bone handles.
The fullest blade I have seen on one of these.
I believe these where supplied to the military at the beginning of WW II.
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Camillus 4 line WW II hunting knife a.jpg
Camillus 4 line WW II hunting knife b.jpg
Camillus 4 line WW II hunting knife c.jpg
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by singin46 »

That's gotta be a hard one to find with that full blade and Rogers bone. ::nod:: Never seen one before Dale. ::ds::
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by orvet »

singin46 wrote:That's gotta be a hard one to find with that full blade and Rogers bone. ::nod:: Never seen one before Dale. ::ds::

That is the second one I have found, but it is by far the fullest blade as you can see in this scan of both knives.
Camillus 4 line fixed blades.jpg
.

As you can see from the differences in the blades, the one on the top has had a of sharpening.
I would love to know the history of those knives, especially the top one. ::nod::
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by carrmillus »

......dale, wish i could post pictures of the two i have, the blades on both mine are near 100% full, one has almost no pitting, the other one just a little more and it has a tiny chip in the bone at the butt end. only one of mine had the sheath, and it wasn't in good shape, but i love this pattern-it's really "old school"!!!! ::tu:: ::tu:: ::tu:: .............
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by singin46 »

Wow, to own 2 is cool Dale. ::nod::
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by WelderBob »

Dale that is nice... ::tu:: ::drool:: ...I've been looking for one of those with a full blade and good handle's, tough to find in that condition.
Bob

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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by WelderBob »

This is a neat one, a 3 1/2" half trapper and I'm thinking it was made around 1915 to 1920. It's still tight and has great snap considering its age. I've been looking for a decent example for several years and was pleased to find this one.
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new stuff 002.JPG
new stuff 004.JPG
new stuff 005.JPG
new stuff 007.JPG
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by carrmillus »

........welderbob, that is a beauty!!!............ ::tu:: ..........i do not have this pattern, will have to keep looking!!!..i think you are right on the date!!...........
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by tjmurphy »

Here's one that I have on the way. Camillus WWII TL-29, four-line stamp. Included in a Signal Corps Lineman's kit.
2.jpg
3.jpg
1.jpg
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by tjmurphy »

That's one great looking knife Bob, and an early stamp to boot. Give that one a ::tu:: ::tu:: ::tu::

EDIT: Looking at that knife is causing my sugar to crash ::woot:: ::woot::
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by WelderBob »

Thank's guys...I got a little goggled eyed when I got it.

TJ looking at that TL 29 has given me the fever...I'd love to fine one that nice... ::tu::
Bob

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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by tjmurphy »

Thanks Bob. I don't think it's been cleaned too hard. Even those old Boker pliers lood to be nearly mint. I'm holding my breath till that set gets here.
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