Let's See Your Camco Knives!

[PocketLance]

Got this Camco 450 as part of an online auction lot that included a Stag Ireland Camper, a Sheffield multi-tool and an unnamed folder knife. It was the worst of the lot in terms of condition - all blades were stuck shut, and it took a number of shots of WD-40 to start to release them. Even now, the slotted bottle opener takes a lot of effort to open (sometimes I need pliers!), so more work to be done. But, it is in much better shape now!

Camco 450

Camco 450 Detail

[DM11]

Got this Camco 450 as part of an online auction lot that included a Stag Ireland Camper, a Sheffield multi-tool and an unnamed folder knife. It was the worst of the lot in terms of condition - all blades were stuck shut, and it took a number of shots of WD-40 to start to release them. Even now, the slotted bottle opener takes a lot of effort to open (sometimes I need pliers!), so more work to be done. But, it is in much better shape now!

DSCN0158[1].JPGDSCN0157[1].JPG

Good score!

[DM11]

Camco Barlows. I been after one of these red covered ones for some time.

[Edgewise]

Camco Barlows. I been after one of these red covered ones for some time.

Have you identified the handle material on all?

[DM11]

Camco Barlows. I been after one of these red covered ones for some time.

Have you identified the handle material on all?

No sir, I have not. The red one and the black one on the other end appear to be the same and different than the middle three. I suspicion red and black one might be celluloid? But I dont know for sure.

[Edgewise]

Speaking of Camco…… and Bakelite……. (back up this page a few posts)…..

I will have to revise what I said about the Bakelite probably not being on Camco knives.
It seems I have a CamcoTL-29 with Bakelite handles. It tested positive for Bakelite on 3 out of 3 tests (surface magnification, rubbing & Simichrome), so I think it is Bakelite.

I don’t know the date it was made, but I would think the 1950 or the 1960 at the latest.

Does anyone have any ideas?


But as regards Paul's Barlow; he thought might be Bakelite….. Has anyone ever seen a Bakelite product that didn’t have a smooth surface? I have never seen Bakelite sawcut like those handles. I am inclined to think the Barlow is not Bakelite due to the finish on it, but by evidence of the TL-29, they did make some knives with the Bakelite handles.

jwissandsons.com has an old Boker Tree Brand catalog with the Barlow jacks (sheepfoot and pen blades) advertised as a "utility jack" with saw cut delrin handles. They also listed barlows with what looks like smooth handles like DM11's barlows and they call it ebonite. Wikipedia says it's vulcanized rubber, formerly called vulcanite and was used for bowling balls, hockey pucks, pipe mouth pieces, among other things. So both delrin and ebonite were used in the same catalog. I couldn't find a date in the whole catalog so I don't know how old it is but I just thought the Camcos may have used the same materials of the period.

[DM11]

Interesting info edgewise. Thank you.

[Quick Steel]

[DM11]

Camco QS!

[Quick Steel]

David, I like this Camco Barlow but when I got it I didn't care for all the carbon spotting on the blades. So I forced the patina and much prefer the look of it today.

[Beag1eGal]

Dale, there is/was a couple of these whistle knives for sale at the moment on eBay, and I was very keen to try and get one, but the sellers wouldn't ship outside of the USA....

I have some of these

[Beag1eGal]

I have the Camco Rocket Whistle knife.
One on Red, One in yellow.
Has Rail City Museum Sandy Pond, NY on blade.
They are unused.

[Rotten]

Camco Robeson 771

Camco Robeson 771 stockman

Camco Wards Powr-Kraft 772

Camco Wards Powr-Kraft 772 stockman

[Beag1eGal]

Really nice Wards nice!

[Vit_213]

Camco Pony Jack Knife #512

[Meridian_Mike]

Hmmmmm..... That is a nice little Jack you have there Vit.... SO, it's a #512?
I just found this #702 out there in the bay. There is a couple more up for sale out there right now.
Yourn sure looks a lot like my #702.
The #702 measure up at about 2-3/4"....
.

.
How long is your #512?

Mike

[Vit_213]

Hmmmmm..... That is a nice little Jack you have there Vit.... SO, it's a #512?

Yes

2-7/8" closed

[doglegg]

Vit, Mike, two sweet jacks.

[knife7knut]

Here are a few:
The Barlow is a bit unusual in that the liner extends past the end of the knife with a hole drilled in it for a lanyard.

[knifegnome]

Just picked up this little Camco ,going to try and fill up my Camco display case I have had for a few years,will be looking for the colorful handled Camco knives.

[Papa Bones]

Just got through binge reading this thread. A great variety of CAMCO knives all you guys have posted. I will have to dig a few of mine out for photos. I've always liked the Camco's although a lot of people consider them cheap low end. But they hold fond memories for me as a kid back when each mom & pop store used to have at least 1 card of Camco's to look at.

[woodwalker]

Camco Barlow

[Ripster]

Got a few Camcos out today ,put a little oil on them . Do use the Barlow a bit ,it holds a good edge. Had most of these for some years now. All seem to be decent knives.

[woodwalker]

Got a few Camcos out today ,put a little oil on them . Do use the Barlow a bit ,it holds a good edge. Had most of these for some years now. All seem to be decent knives.

Nice knives Ripster!

[Ripster]

Got a few Camcos out today ,put a little oil on them . Do use the Barlow a bit ,it holds a good edge. Had most of these for some years now. All seem to be decent knives.

Nice knives Ripster!

Thank you Sir, that’s a nice Barlow you got there , the Camco brand was a good old affordable knife.