Camillus Boy Scout knives

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.
Vit_213
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by Vit_213 »

Real1shep wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:56 am (I've been seeing it spelled 'Jaket')
You're right. The correct name is "Yello-Jaket".
Post a photo of your knife to make it easier for us to talk.
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by Real1shep »

Vit_213 wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 11:25 am
Real1shep wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:56 am (I've been seeing it spelled 'Jaket')
You're right. The correct name is "Yello-Jaket".
Post a photo of your knife to make it easier for us to talk.
Here is a pic. Knife on right is the one I bought when I was 8....around 1961. The other knife is an 80's something I bought. I broke the spring on the '61 and had a knife 'maker' fix it. He put in the wrong pins(copper) on the ends and over-buffed my handles where the copper rivet is....why I don't know.

I was going to sacrifice the 80's whittler handles to put on the '61, but everyone is saying don't ruin the 80's. So now....thinking of just having the correct silver nickle pins put in and calling it good.

Kevin
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by Vit_213 »

Real1shep wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 3:49 pm Knife on right is the one I bought when I was 8....around 1961.
Hmm... ::hmm::
On the right, I see a knife that was made in the second half of the 70s. Maybe until the mid-80s, but excluding the period 1980-1982.
1. Delrin of this color Camillus began to use since the 70s.
2. The round shield on the Whittlers appeared around 1967-1969 (before that it was federal).
3. Camillus began to use one-pin scales in the mid-70s (before that it was three-pin).
Thus, either you are confusing the date of purchase of this knife, or it has been redesigned.
The knife on the left was made sometime between 1989 and 2006.
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by Real1shep »

Vit_213 wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 6:47 pm
Real1shep wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 3:49 pm Knife on right is the one I bought when I was 8....around 1961.
Hmm... ::hmm::
On the right, I see a knife that was made in the second half of the 70s. Maybe until the mid-80s, but excluding the period 1980-1982.
1. Delrin of this color Camillus began to use since the 70s.
2. The round shield on the Whittlers appeared around 1967-1969 (before that it was federal).
3. Camillus began to use one-pin scales in the mid-70s (before that it was three-pin).
Thus, either you are confusing the date of purchase of this knife, or it has been redesigned.
The knife on the left was made sometime between 1989 and 2006.
I hate to say it, but you're wrong on the knife...on the right. Bought when I was 8, 1961. No confusion on my part. I don't know enough about these knives yet to say why you're wrong, but the provenance is rock solid.

I don't see how it's possible the knife 'maker' could have plugged the other two hole and/or used newer handles with the Boy Scout logo. He didn't even have the NS pins, so doubtful he put on used handles from another knife. And they are used because you can see wear on the emblem compared to the 80's Whittler that has never been used.

Kevin
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by Vit_213 »

Real1shep wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 11:57 am I hate to say it, but you're wrong on the knife...on the right. Bought when I was 8, 1961. No confusion on my part. I don't know enough about these knives yet to say why you're wrong, but the provenance is rock solid.

I don't see how it's possible the knife 'maker' could have plugged the other two hole and/or used newer handles with the Boy Scout logo. He didn't even have the NS pins, so doubtful he put on used handles from another knife. And they are used because you can see wear on the emblem compared to the 80's Whittler that has never been used.

Kevin
Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you, but I say what I see. If you are sure that this is really your knife, then the scales have been replaced. After the knife 'maker' disassembled it, nothing prevented him from doing it. I don't see any other options. If this knife 'maker' could not find the correct pins, then he could have installed scales from another era. What reasons he had for this, I do not know.
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by rustyoldknife »

Real1shep wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 11:57 am
Vit_213 wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 6:47 pm
Real1shep wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 3:49 pm Knife on right is the one I bought when I was 8....around 1961.
Hmm... ::hmm::
On the right, I see a knife that was made in the second half of the 70s. Maybe until the mid-80s, but excluding the period 1980-1982.
1. Delrin of this color Camillus began to use since the 70s.
2. The round shield on the Whittlers appeared around 1967-1969 (before that it was federal).
3. Camillus began to use one-pin scales in the mid-70s (before that it was three-pin).
Thus, either you are confusing the date of purchase of this knife, or it has been redesigned.
The knife on the left was made sometime between 1989 and 2006.
I hate to say it, but you're wrong on the knife...on the right. Bought when I was 8, 1961. No confusion on my part. I don't know enough about these knives yet to say why you're wrong, but the provenance is rock solid.

I don't see how it's possible the knife 'maker' could have plugged the other two hole and/or used newer handles with the Boy Scout logo. He didn't even have the NS pins, so doubtful he put on used handles from another knife. And they are used because you can see wear on the emblem compared to the 80's Whittler that has never been used.

Kevin
Kevin,
Can you provide a close up of the knife on the right that is in question? I saved your picture offline and zoomed in and it looks like the handle is pinned deep to make it look as if nothing is there. If it does have 3 pins then your time line would be correct.
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

Real1shep wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 3:49 pm Here.....
Just going by the tang stamps on each pocket knife.
Picture #1 is the date range for the pocket knife on the left.
Picture #2 is the date range for the pocket knife on the right.
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image.jpeg
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by Real1shep »

OK, here are some hopefully better pics.

What were saying here is preposterous. I asked my dad about the knife when I found it. He sad yes, he found it at the base of a tree and threw it in a drawer.

Otherwise, we are proposing that I'm lying, which I have nothing to gain.....or that my dad bought the exact same knife in the 70's, put blood on it and threw it in a drawer.

I can't account for it having the one handle rivet. My dad knew nothing of knives and I never knew him to have one other than on a money clip.

If it was a three rivet knife, then we propose that the knife 'maker' used other handles with the BSA emblem that were the newer one rivet design. Given that he made no effort to find the NS pins for the ends, it's highly doubtful he sources used handles for the knife. But out of all the bizarre possibilities, that's one I can't rule out. He might have broken the original handles when taking it apart. And if we figure these Whittlers were fairly common back in the 80's maybe he sourced one. Couldn't have bought new handles from Camillus(if they sold such a thing), because there is hand wear on the emblem itself from me using it as a boy.

Or....that's not my original emblem at all, but some used handles with a companion used emblem.

*Update;So I looked inside the knife with a flashlight and INDEED I see the remnants of the other rivets on both sides! So Vit was correct and I was correct(sorry Vit). I did buy a three rivet Knife in 1961 and the knife 'maker' further eliminated any evidence of the correct yr it was made. I made it very clear to him that it was an original knife from my youth and I wanted it repaired to exactly how it was. Money was not an issue then and I gave him free rein.

Now this sort of changes everything, because we strayed even further from the knife's authenticity.

Kevin
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New Whittler pic 1.jpg
New Whittler pic 2.jpg
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by Real1shep »

Originally, my emblem might have looked like this? I have no recollection that far back.....a member's knife recently posted.

Kevin
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Older Whittler rivet design.jpg
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by doglegg »

Kevin, glad you researched a little more and am very sorry that the repairman took liberties with your knife. Also, I don't know anyone more upstanding and knowledgeable about Camillus knives that Vit. There are some very reputable knife repairmen here that could probably put the knife back to it's original condition. I am of fan of the Camillus 72 and also understand the emotional attachment one can get with a knife. ::handshake::
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by Real1shep »

I apologize to Vit.....I can do no more than that. I said Vit was "wrong" about when the knife was purchased(not 70's)...Vit said perhaps I was "confused" about when I purchased the knife. The two should cancel each other out. In my defense it is an original 1961 Whittler, but the knife 'maker' took his own liberties.

I just got an idea that if it was a three rivet handle knife, there might be remnants of the rivets inside....yeppers.

This actually makes me more inclined to find the correct used handles and restore the knife. Probably some decent 60's era Whittlers lying around with broken springs.

Kevin
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by Vit_213 »

Kevin, English is not my native language, and I use google translate to write here. Therefore, it is possible that some of my words or phrases look strange to you (Google is unable to accurately translate my thoughts). I'm sorry for that :roll: . Besides, maybe I don't always understand exactly what is written here :oops: .
I tried to explain to you three signs of inconsistency to which I paid attention and two possible reasons for their appearance.
I hope that there is no more misunderstanding between us ::handshake:: .
Once again I will post a photo of the Whittler #1047 from early-mid 60s.
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by Real1shep »

Vit_213 wrote: Fri Jan 29, 2021 12:20 am Kevin, English is not my native language, and I use google translate to write here. Therefore, it is possible that some of my words or phrases look strange to you (Google is unable to accurately translate my thoughts). I'm sorry for that :roll: . Besides, maybe I don't always understand exactly what is written here :oops: .
I tried to explain to you three signs of inconsistency to which I paid attention and two possible reasons for their appearance.
I hope that there is no more misunderstanding between us ::handshake:: .
Once again I will post a photo of the Whittler #1047 from early-mid 60s.
We're good Vit. The emblem is as I suspected....not the round one they had later. So there's no way I'm going to destroy that perfectly good 80's Whittler #1047 to try and replace the handles on my 60's Whittler #1047.

My task therefore, is to find a 60's Whittler #1047 with a broken spring, blade etc with decent handles. Thanks for your help!

How common is it for there to be shrinkage on the ends of the Delrin handles?

Kevin
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by Vit_213 »

Real1shep wrote: Fri Jan 29, 2021 2:01 pm How common is it for there to be shrinkage on the ends of the Delrin handles?
Shrinkage of handles is common on the knives from pre-Delrin age. Delrin handles have no (or almost no) such problem.
Camillus started using Delrin in the mid-late 60s.

By the way, the issue of single-pin and three-pin handles was recently discussed at the BladeForums. I think it will be interesting for you.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/thr ... n.1766615/
Pay attention to the posts of Phil Gibbs. This man has worked at Camillus for many years.
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by Real1shep »

Vit_213 wrote: Fri Jan 29, 2021 3:23 pm
Real1shep wrote: Fri Jan 29, 2021 2:01 pm How common is it for there to be shrinkage on the ends of the Delrin handles?
Shrinkage of handles is common on the knives from pre-Delrin age. Delrin handles have no (or almost no) such problem.
Camillus started using Delrin in the mid-late 60s.

By the way, the issue of single-pin and three-pin handles was recently discussed at the BladeForums. I think it will be interesting for you.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/thr ... n.1766615/
Pay attention to the posts of Phil Gibbs. This man has worked at Camillus for many years.
Yeah, I wasn't sure how Delrin could(or would shrink). I could see it happening with bone. The knife you posted above that is early to mid 60's I assume is bone....hence the shrinkage?

So this member's knife is the 'look' I'm going for now that I discovered my '61 was a three rivet handle knife:

Kevin
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Older Whittler rivet design.jpg
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by Real1shep »

Here's kind of a definitive answer all on the BSA knives. There were handles in the early 60's that had the round BSA emblem for the #1047....more confusion.

Sorry if this link has been posted before:http://www.scoutknives.net/index.php/bo ... 1/camillus




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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

Real1shep wrote: Fri Jan 29, 2021 4:14 pm Yeah.....
That's my picture that you've used twice now, without my permission.
The pocket knife pictured is NOT a CAMILLUS 1047 scout pocket knife.
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by Vit_213 »

Real1shep wrote: Fri Jan 29, 2021 4:14 pm Yeah, I wasn't sure how Delrin could(or would shrink). I could see it happening with bone. The knife you posted above that is early to mid 60's I assume is bone....hence the shrinkage?

So this member's knife is the 'look' I'm going for now that I discovered my '61 was a three rivet handle knife:

Kevin
The photo shows absolutely different model, and this cannot be compared with Whittler #1047. Camillus did not use the Delrin Studs method for all models.
In my photo, the knife has composite handles similar to Delrin, but less stable. Genuine bone does not shrink.
Real1shep wrote: Fri Jan 29, 2021 6:47 pm Here's kind of a definitive answer all on the BSA knives. There were handles in the early 60's that had the round BSA emblem for the #1047....more confusion.

Sorry if this link has been posted before:http://www.scoutknives.net/index.php/bo ... 1/camillus

Kevin
I really appreciate the work of the author of this site, but I am ready to argue with him on many points :mrgreen: . Several years ago he appeared on the forum (I don't remember, here or BF), but I never saw him again.
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by Real1shep »

Vit_213 wrote: Fri Jan 29, 2021 9:25 pm
Real1shep wrote: Fri Jan 29, 2021 4:14 pm Yeah, I wasn't sure how Delrin could(or would shrink). I could see it happening with bone. The knife you posted above that is early to mid 60's I assume is bone....hence the shrinkage?

So this member's knife is the 'look' I'm going for now that I discovered my '61 was a three rivet handle knife:

Kevin
The photo shows absolutely different model, and this cannot be compared with Whittler #1047. Camillus did not use the Delrin Studs method for all models.
In my photo, the knife has composite handles similar to Delrin, but less stable. Genuine bone does not shrink.
Real1shep wrote: Fri Jan 29, 2021 6:47 pm Here's kind of a definitive answer all on the BSA knives. There were handles in the early 60's that had the round BSA emblem for the #1047....more confusion.

Sorry if this link has been posted before:http://www.scoutknives.net/index.php/bo ... 1/camillus

Kevin
I really appreciate the work of the author of this site, but I am ready to argue with him on many points :mrgreen: . Several years ago he appeared on the forum (I don't remember, here or BF), but I never saw him again.
OK, then I'll stick with that pic of the early 60's 1047 that you posted. But is it true that those early 60's 1047's could have the round scouting emblem like the author stated?

Hopefully that's a pic of your own knife and you won't be slammed using it like it's a patent/copyright infringement issue.

Kevin
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by Vit_213 »

Real1shep wrote: Sat Jan 30, 2021 5:06 am OK, then I'll stick with that pic of the early 60's 1047 that you posted. But is it true that those early 60's 1047's could have the round scouting emblem like the author stated?
No, see my post Jan 27, 2021
Vit_213 wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 6:47 pm 1. Delrin of this color Camillus began to use since the 70s.
2. The round shield on the Whittlers appeared around 1967-1969 (before that it was federal).
3. Camillus began to use one-pin scales in the mid-70s (before that it was three-pin).
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

This afternoon, I added this CAMILLUS 1047, 3 blade, swelled center, 3 5/8" closed, scout "whittler" pocket knife to my collection. It's missing the shield. It needed some minor cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by TPK »

New_Windsor_NY wrote: Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:02 pm This afternoon, I added this CAMILLUS 1047, 3 blade, swelled center, 3 5/8" closed, scout "whittler" pocket knife to my collection. It's missing the shield. It needed some minor cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.
Nice find Skip! ::tu:: I'll keep my fingers crossed ::fc:: that you can find a replacement shield. ::handshake::
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

TPK wrote: Sat Apr 24, 2021 1:14 pm Nice.....
Thank you Tom.🍻
You don't have to keep your fingers crossed,
I'm not looking for a replacement shield.
::handshake::
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by TPK »

::hmm:: ::shrug::
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Re: Camillus Boy Scout knives

Post by majorpain1251 »

Does anyone know what happened to "scoutknives.net". It hasn't been up in several days. What a wonderful source of information.
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