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The bone handle shortline has the second generation blade configuration but is still apretty rare find these days. Both will give you exemplary service at a bargain price. 
Good scores!Doc B wrote:Until a couple of weeks ago, I was a Camillus 72 virgin. I'm happy to say, that phase of my life is over. I think I may have stumbled in to a decent deal...
First, I got the bottom, delrin handled knife, off "the bay". At $35, I don't think I got any special deal. It had been described as having excellent action; however, when I got it...all snaps were good, except for the closing of the main blade had no snap. I was torqued!!! Turns out, after cleaning and lubing, it does actually have pretty good snap. But...before I got it cleaned up...I had decided I liked the pattern enough, to try to find another one with good snap. I found the top one, in an Etsy store. I thought I was getting another Delrin one. It came today and I started noticing the differences. Bone and different tip shape to the main blade. I realize the main blade isn't full, walk & talk is about perfect. It turns out I got a bone/ short line. There really isn't much to compare / find in the sold prices, on Ebay. Am I correct it's probably from 1948-50? At $34, did I do OK?
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I’m sure I sound like a broken record, but I’ll say it again. I’m not a fan of little knives. But the 72 is the biggest little knife you’ll ever use. If you’re not careful you’ll become an all out junkie like the rest of us.Doc B wrote:Thanks, Gentlemen. I have to agree with TJ's 2012 assessment and Jerry's by-line endorsement...It's pretty darn close to a perfect knife. I've enjoyed carrying the Delrin, the last week or so.
..col., I like the #72 a lot, but my favorite whittlers are the old split-backspring whittlers!!.....Colonel26 wrote:I’m sure I sound like a broken record, but I’ll say it again. I’m not a fan of little knives. But the 72 is the biggest little knife you’ll ever use. If you’re not careful you’ll become an all out junkie like the rest of us.Doc B wrote:Thanks, Gentlemen. I have to agree with TJ's 2012 assessment and Jerry's by-line endorsement...It's pretty darn close to a perfect knife. I've enjoyed carrying the Delrin, the last week or so.
.........I love those too, especially the bigger ones. If I ever run across one, it’s at the top of my list!carrmillus wrote:..col., I like the #72 a lot, but my favorite whittlers are the old split-backspring whittlers!!.....Colonel26 wrote:I’m sure I sound like a broken record, but I’ll say it again. I’m not a fan of little knives. But the 72 is the biggest little knife you’ll ever use. If you’re not careful you’ll become an all out junkie like the rest of us.Doc B wrote:Thanks, Gentlemen. I have to agree with TJ's 2012 assessment and Jerry's by-line endorsement...It's pretty darn close to a perfect knife. I've enjoyed carrying the Delrin, the last week or so.
My favorite biggest little knife is a jr cattle, which is 1/4" shorter than the 72. For me it comes down to the flawless aesthetics of a cattle knife but both are similar in function. If I could only have a 72 I wouldn't complain one bit.Colonel26 wrote:I’m sure I sound like a broken record, but I’ll say it again. I’m not a fan of little knives. But the 72 is the biggest little knife you’ll ever use. If you’re not careful you’ll become an all out junkie like the rest of us.Doc B wrote:Thanks, Gentlemen. I have to agree with TJ's 2012 assessment and Jerry's by-line endorsement...It's pretty darn close to a perfect knife. I've enjoyed carrying the Delrin, the last week or so.
KnifeSlinger#81 wrote:My favorite biggest little knife is a jr cattle, which is 1/4" shorter than the 72. For me it comes down to the flawless aesthetics of a cattle knife but both are similar in function. If I could only have a 72 I wouldn't complain one bit.Colonel26 wrote:I’m sure I sound like a broken record, but I’ll say it again. I’m not a fan of little knives. But the 72 is the biggest little knife you’ll ever use. If you’re not careful you’ll become an all out junkie like the rest of us.Doc B wrote:Thanks, Gentlemen. I have to agree with TJ's 2012 assessment and Jerry's by-line endorsement...It's pretty darn close to a perfect knife. I've enjoyed carrying the Delrin, the last week or so.
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I’d say you’re right. I don’t know if any single pattern that evokes this kind of response from so many.Edgewise wrote:Going through this thread is enough to convert anyone to the #72 and it's not even a Case.
Not to seem disloyal but is there another thread devoted to a single pattern to match this one? (
Great Eastern came close with the 33 Conductor but you know how the saying goes, close only counts in hand grenades and horse shoes (and washers if you're from the SouthColonel26 wrote:I’d say you’re right. I don’t know if any single pattern that evokes this kind of response from so many.Edgewise wrote:Going through this thread is enough to convert anyone to the #72 and it's not even a Case.
Not to seem disloyal but is there another thread devoted to a single pattern to match this one? (
I’m surprised that a pattern so popular hasn’t been picked up by another maker. I’d think this would be annatural for someone like GEC.
) ....................You’re right, close. They need to stretch it out a bit and add a blade.jerryd6818 wrote:Great Eastern came close with the 33 Conductor but you know how the saying goes, close only counts in hand grenades and horse shoes (and washers if you're from the SouthColonel26 wrote:I’d say you’re right. I don’t know if any single pattern that evokes this kind of response from so many.Edgewise wrote:Going through this thread is enough to convert anyone to the #72 and it's not even a Case.
Not to seem disloyal but is there another thread devoted to a single pattern to match this one? (
I’m surprised that a pattern so popular hasn’t been picked up by another maker. I’d think this would be annatural for someone like GEC.
Thank you Jerry and yes it has bone covers.jerryd6818 wrote:David, that's a good start you have going there. The Craftsman looks like it has bone handles.
Thank you Colonel.Colonel26 wrote:Great pile of 72 clones there David.
..................Floyd, those were made in the early '90s. I don't know if that was a factory special for Sears but I do know it was in a 1991 Sears Christmas Catalog (or advertisement?). see belowdoglegg wrote:I had been watching for a 72 with bone handles and found them to be few and far between. Saw this little special edition and decided that would be a good choice. They have been posted here before but not this one. Thanks for looking.DSCN5377.JPGDSCN5378.JPG
Tommy, Rogers Bone was no longer available in the '90s when those knives were made. So now you know. As far as I am aware of, those three knives were the only bone handle knives Camillus made after they stopped using bone for handles somewhere in the late '50s or very early '60s.carrmillus wrote:.....why they didn't do that one in rogers bone i'll never know???................
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