Camillus Indian Stag Handles

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.
User avatar
orvet
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 19359
Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 6:23 am
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by orvet »

There have been a number of discussions here on the handle materials Camillus used.
One that is often mentioned because if is nice looking and not the most common material Camillus used is their handles which they named "Indian Stag."

I am posting these pictures for Tom Williams and I will allow him to comment on them.

I do believe these were made of DuPont Delrin, is that right Tom?
I was also wondering if the name "Indian Stag" was trademarked by Camillus?


There is one of my knives which I sold about a year ago.
It believe it had Indian stag handles.
Camillus 78 b.jpg

Here is a catalog page from Tom.
Cam Prestige - Indian stag.jpg

This page is also from the catalog showing a couple knives with Indian Stag handles.
Cam - Indian stag.jpg


Now I will let Tom comment on the Indian Stag.
If you guys have some Indian Stag Camillus knives, post the pics here.
Dale
AAPK Administrator

Please visit my AAPK store: www.allaboutpocketknives.com/orvet

Job 13:15

“In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” - George Orwell
User avatar
jerryd6818
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 39184
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:23 am
Location: The middle of the top of a bastion of Liberalism.

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by jerryd6818 »

Dale -- I believe your Yello-Jaket is also "Indian Stag". (This is not yours of course. I stole the picture off eBay.)
Attachments
Camillus #72Y Yello-JaketM.jpg
Camillus #72Y Yello-JaketM.jpg (45.16 KiB) Viewed 4643 times
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

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
User avatar
jerryd6818
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 39184
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:23 am
Location: The middle of the top of a bastion of Liberalism.

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by jerryd6818 »

This little #70 Sword Brand Hiker matches the catalog page so I would call it "Indian Stag".
(I decided the other two didn't fit the bill so I deleted them)
Camillus 70 - '60 to '76 Sword Brand Hiker open.JPG
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

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
User avatar
orvet
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 19359
Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 6:23 am
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by orvet »

jerryd6818 wrote: This little #70 Sword Brand Hiker matches the catalog page so I would call it "Indian Stag".
Absolutely Jerry!
It is the top knife in the middle column of the catalog page on Prestige Knives, (see my post above).
Dale
AAPK Administrator

Please visit my AAPK store: www.allaboutpocketknives.com/orvet

Job 13:15

“In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” - George Orwell
Vit_213
Posts: 1130
Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2011 6:57 am
Location: Moscow, Russia

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by Vit_213 »

My small collection of Indian Stag Handles knives in this topic http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 63&t=30416 :)
User avatar
orvet
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 19359
Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 6:23 am
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by orvet »

I got an email from Tom (CAMCO) this morning with 2 more Camillus fliers.

This first shows the color pretty well on the Indian Stag handled knives.
Tom said these are made of Delrin. The same material Schrade made Staglon® from.
img369.jpg

This flier shows an assortment of Indian Stag knives and the display offered to dealers.
If one you folks have a display and need to know which knives are correct for the display you might want to save a copy for your records.
img370.jpg
Dale
AAPK Administrator

Please visit my AAPK store: www.allaboutpocketknives.com/orvet

Job 13:15

“In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” - George Orwell
travman
Posts: 140
Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2010 5:58 am
Location: central mass

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by travman »

Dale
here is my collection of the Prestige Line Deluxe Indian Stags
They all have boxes and sheaths and unused
I believe 1972 was the first year with 8 models # 19,26,31,70,71,73,89 and 97
adding the models #6,7,8 and 88 a couple years later.The #7 and 88 are
the sliding lok models

Trav
Attachments
indian stag.JPG
User avatar
orvet
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 19359
Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 6:23 am
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by orvet »

Cool Trav! 8)

It looks like you have all the knives needed to fill up the #121 display I posted above.
It would be nice to find an insert for that display and copy it, or make a reasonable facsimile of one and put together a copy of a #121 display!

Maybe Tom has an insert he could copy and you could use the copy to make a display?
At any rate, you have a very nice display of the Indian Stag knives! ::tu:: ::tu::
Dale
AAPK Administrator

Please visit my AAPK store: www.allaboutpocketknives.com/orvet

Job 13:15

“In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” - George Orwell
travman
Posts: 140
Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2010 5:58 am
Location: central mass

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by travman »

Thanks Dale
the future plans are to make or find that bicentenial display 1976
Trav
User avatar
wazu013
Posts: 2383
Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:58 pm

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by wazu013 »

Nice thread ::tu:: I'd like to see the #97 Outdoorsman knife. It's a scout/camper pettern I've never seen.
wazu013
Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez
travman
Posts: 140
Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2010 5:58 am
Location: central mass

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by travman »

Here ya go wazu
a Camillus #97

Trav
Attachments
100_3346.JPG
100_3345.JPG
User avatar
orvet
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 19359
Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 6:23 am
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by orvet »

Hey, now that is really nice looking! ::tu::

I like it! ::drool:: ::drool::
Dale
AAPK Administrator

Please visit my AAPK store: www.allaboutpocketknives.com/orvet

Job 13:15

“In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” - George Orwell
User avatar
Old Hunter
Posts: 8394
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:14 am
Location: Beaufort County, NC

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by Old Hunter »

This Remington R14 Whittler and R12 Trapper appear to have Indian Stag handles. OH
Attachments
Remington Whittler  R14-D (Camillus).JPG
Remington Trapper R12 (Camillus)opt.jpg
Deep in the guts of most men is buried the involuntary response to the hunter's horn, a prickle of the nape hairs, an acceleration of the pulse, an atavistic memory of his fathers, who killed first with stone, and then with club...Robert Ruark
User avatar
knifetime
Posts: 1986
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2012 12:28 am
Location: Ohio

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by knifetime »

What would this be called?I believe it was out in the early 60s to late 70s.
Attachments
Camillus67.jpg
-"...and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby If the iron be blunt,and he do not whet the edge,then must he put to more strength....Ecclesiastes 10 10 ;So the good book says
sharpen your knife !!!
User avatar
carrmillus
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 6293
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:22 pm
Location: tupelo, miss.

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by carrmillus »

travman wrote:Dale
here is my collection of the Prestige Line Deluxe Indian Stags
They all have boxes and sheaths and unused
I believe 1972 was the first year with 8 models # 19,26,31,70,71,73,89 and 97
adding the models #6,7,8 and 88 a couple years later.The #7 and 88 are
the sliding lok models

Trav
....i have a#89 stockman with indian stag handles that has the 3 line mark with the short line under camillus-1946-50................. ::shrug:: ::shrug:: ::shrug:: ...........................
User avatar
jerryd6818
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 39184
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:23 am
Location: The middle of the top of a bastion of Liberalism.

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by jerryd6818 »

kandymiki -- Welcome to AAPK. Glad to have you aboard. Just dive right in.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

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
msteele6
Posts: 1964
Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 8:29 pm
Location: Houston, TX

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by msteele6 »

I've been collecting these Camillus Indian Stag knives for a while now and thought I'd post them in this old thread.

As you can see I'm not a stickler for absolutely mint knives, I don't mind if an old knife has some honest wear. I find that these handles are pretty stable and I haven't really seen any deteriorate to any great extent. Maybe someone can comment if they've had any problems.

Anyway, here is my small collection;
Attachments
CamillusIndianStag.JPG
CamillusIndianStag2.JPG
User avatar
orvet
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 19359
Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 6:23 am
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by orvet »

The Indian Stag is made of Delrin. The reason Delrin is used so widely is because it is so stable.
About the only problem I have seen with Delrin is oxidation, usually for environmental reasons; exposure to chemicals or long exposure to direct sunlight.

Camillus' Indian Stag is one of the closest synthetics to stag when it comes to capturing the look of real stag. The only other synthetic that can come close, IMO, to the look of real stag is Schrade's Staglon® which is also made of Delrin.
Dale
AAPK Administrator

Please visit my AAPK store: www.allaboutpocketknives.com/orvet

Job 13:15

“In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” - George Orwell
User avatar
carrmillus
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 6293
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:22 pm
Location: tupelo, miss.

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by carrmillus »

.....my favorite non-bone handle material!!!!............. ::tu:: ::tu:: .....................
User avatar
jerryd6818
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 39184
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:23 am
Location: The middle of the top of a bastion of Liberalism.

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by jerryd6818 »

I have several.
  • (2) #14's
  • (2) #18's
  • (2) #29's
  • (1) #70
  • (1) #72 w/yellowjacket shield
  • (2) Remingtons (72 Clones) - An R14 with brown handles. - An R14 with black handles
  • (1) Rigid (72 Clone) - An RG70


The handles don't all look alike. Some look like that "worm groove" stag while others (especially the #29s) look more like real stag.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

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
msteele6
Posts: 1964
Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 8:29 pm
Location: Houston, TX

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by msteele6 »

I might be a little prejudiced but I really think that this is the most attractive of all the imitation stag materials.
User avatar
carrmillus
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 6293
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:22 pm
Location: tupelo, miss.

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by carrmillus »

.......I agree!!!.....!))%!!!!............. ::tu:: ................
User avatar
carrmillus
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 6293
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:22 pm
Location: tupelo, miss.

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by carrmillus »

............my mystery is still not solved???.....if they introduced the staglon in 1972, how come I've got a #89 stockman with the short line 1946-1950 tang stamp???................. ::doh:: ...................
User avatar
jerryd6818
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 39184
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:23 am
Location: The middle of the top of a bastion of Liberalism.

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by jerryd6818 »

First off Tommy, Staglon is a Schrade trademark.

Now, I'm sure you mean Indian Stag so here's your answer. Indian Stag was introduced in 1972 as was the Camillus #89 (the #89 didn't exist before 1972). Either the factory made a mistake and stuck an old blade in your knife OR the blade in your knife has been changed at some point in time.

What follows is a copy of a page from the 1972 Camillus catalog.
Attachments
1972 Camillus Catalog - Indian Stag.jpg
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

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
User avatar
carrmillus
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 6293
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:22 pm
Location: tupelo, miss.

Re: Camillus Indian Stag Handles

Post by carrmillus »

................ ::facepalm:: .......thanks, jerry!!......I think it's the old blade in a new knife deal, this knife doesn't look like it has ever been apart or tampered with!!..... ::tu:: .................
Post Reply

Return to “Camillus Cutlery Collector's Forum”