Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

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Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by rexstubbins »

I just picked up an early Camillus Rogers bone Army Knife. I am going to rehandle and refurb it. I need help with what everyone thinks the best Culpepper match is for this one. I'll be posting my progress in this thread as I go.

My thoughts are the RJB Goldenroot as being the best match. Anyone have a better suggestion?
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20130921_134020.jpg
20130921_134044.jpg
20130921_134245.jpg
20130921_134351.jpg
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by Miller Bro's »

That`s a pretty scarce knife.

I would find one with the USA shield, they are plentiful and cheap, and take a good scale off the back side and the bail and restore it back to original condition with the proper bone. ::nod::

But that`s just me ::nod::
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by rexstubbins »

Miller Bro`s wrote:That`s a pretty scarce knife.

I would find one with the USA shield, they are plentiful and cheap, and take a good scale off the back side and the bail and restore it back to original condition with the proper bone. ::nod::

But that`s just me ::nod::
Yeah. I was thinking that myself because I could not find reference to the "Army Knife" pattern in Price & Zalesky or from the 1941 Camillus drawings.
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by Miller Bro's »

I am pretty sure I have the proper bail for it on hand, it`s yours for the taking if you want it.
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by rexstubbins »

By the way was this WWI era? I have seen all of the WWII knives with the short pull on the cap lifter/screwdriver. This one has the long saw cut pull.
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by Miller Bro's »

WWII era ::tu::
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by rexstubbins »

Miller Bro`s wrote:I am pretty sure I have the proper bail for it on hand, it`s yours for the taking if you want it.
Yeah. I'm interested. I'll send a PM.
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by rexstubbins »

By the way. I'm fairly new to rehandling folders and I thought that I would use the "split it" method on this one with a razor and rubber mallet. Does this method work?
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by tjmurphy »

Hey Rex. I see that the cap lifter/screw driver blade is stamped with the four-line stamp. Are the other blades stamped? I'm thinking that your knife dates 1919-1941, pre WWII. Also, I've just gotten in a knife that is a complete Frankenstein, to my way of thinking, and if you think that the bone matches close enough, I'll send it to you as a donor. It is the exact same size as my CAMILLUS USA utility knife. I'll add pics in just a few. The color of the bone in the pics is really, really close to the actual color, dark, red-brown. Pay particular attention to the notch for the punch access on the donor knife. Is it the same as yours?
Donor Knife
100_0646.JPG
100_0647.JPG
My USA utility for comparison
100_0600.JPG
100_0595.JPG
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by rexstubbins »

tjmurphy wrote:Hey Rex. I see that the cap lifter/screw driver blade is stamped with the four-line stamp. Are the other blades stamped? I'm thinking that your knife dates 1919-1941, pre WWII. Also, I've just gotten in a knife that is a complete Frankenstein, to my way of thinking, and if you think that the bone matches close enough, I'll send it to you as a donor. It is the exact same size as my CAMILLUS USA utility knife. I'll add pics in just a few. The color of the bone in the pics is really, really close to the actual color, dark, red-brown. Pay particular attention to the notch for the punch access on the donor knife. Is it the same as yours?
Donor Knife
My USA utility for comparison

Hey TJ. Yes. Only the Cap Lifter/Screwdriver & the Spear blade is stamped. The can opener & the punch are not stamped. As for the Frankenstein. The color really looks the same. I wouldn't mind using it for the pile side scale. Have you ever split a knife with a razor & hammer? Looking for someone that has done this & has had some success. Don't really want to drill because of the small diameter pin for the bail.
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by tjmurphy »

I think your knife will fall into the 1919-1941 range based on two blades stamped. I've never taken a knife apart, but Muskrat Man posted a video awhile back about taking apart a folder. I'll see if I can dig it up and post the link.

SEE HERE
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OElhlDk1G0w[/youtube]
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by Joe Dirt »

Your answer to using a razor blade to disassemble a knife is YES it works VERY WELL, Rex!!!
It just won't work on Swindlin keys...

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... =38&t=5236

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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by rexstubbins »

I think Muskrat's done more of these than I have. He splits them with a kitchen knife. Not that confident yet. Think I'll try the razor first.
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by rexstubbins »

Joe Dirt wrote:Your answer to using a razor blade to disassemble a knife is YES it works VERY WELL, Rex!!!
It just won't work on Swindlin keys...

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... =38&t=5236

...... Joe

Thanks Joe. TJ recommended that I try this on a junker first so I'll be doing this sometime today on a POS that I have. I'll post pics.
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by carrmillus »

Miller Bro`s wrote:That`s a pretty scarce knife.

I would find one with the USA shield, they are plentiful and cheap, and take a good scale off the back side and the bail and restore it back to original condition with the proper bone. ::nod::

But that`s just me ::nod::
................that's what I would try to do with it!!!!........the 4 line stamp is supposed to be 1919-1941(all blades stamped)........................ ::tu:: ::tu:: .................
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by rexstubbins »

carrmillus wrote:
Miller Bro`s wrote:That`s a pretty scarce knife.

I would find one with the USA shield, they are plentiful and cheap, and take a good scale off the back side and the bail and restore it back to original condition with the proper bone. ::nod::

But that`s just me ::nod::
................that's what I would try to do with it!!!!........the 4 line stamp is supposed to be 1919-1941(all blades stamped)........................ ::tu:: ::tu:: .................
TJ's sending me a donor that looks like it has the same bone & jigging. We'll see how close a match it is when it gets here.
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by rexstubbins »

OK. I probably picked the wrong trial knife to start with but the purpose was to see if I could easily split the pins with a razor. The Imperial that I started with has swinden keys. Cut right through those.

I hope the Camillus doesn't have swinden keys. I'm 99.9% positive it doesn't but if it does can someone chime in?
Attachments
Chose an Imperial scout knife as a test.
Chose an Imperial scout knife as a test.
Here's where I positioned the razor to cut the bail end.
Here's where I positioned the razor to cut the bail end.
After the first pin cut. Used the clearance hole in my drill press table to clear the knife as I was hammering on it. This worked great by the way.
After the first pin cut. Used the clearance hole in my drill press table to clear the knife as I was hammering on it. This worked great by the way.
Other end.
Other end.
Now center pin.
Now center pin.
And done.
And done.
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by rexstubbins »

Got the donor knife (AKA Frankenstein) from TJ. I guess we both failed to think about the length of the scale on Frankenstein vs Army Knife.

Army Knife much larger. (By .075")

Might have to go Culpepper on this one.

Thanks again Tom for the donor but on it's way back.
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20130925_183206.jpg
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by tjmurphy »

Sorry Doug, wish that it would have worked out :(
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by rexstubbins »

tjmurphy wrote:Sorry Doug, wish that it would have worked out :(
No problem. Did you get Frankenstein back yet?
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by rexstubbins »

Allright! Finally got some scales from Culpepper. I opted for the Amber RJB (Their rendition of Rogers Bone jigging.) Was able to disassemble tonight. Here are pics:
Attachments
Here are the scales that I got. They will lighten up around the edges when I sand & polish. Should look good when I'm done.
Here are the scales that I got. They will lighten up around the edges when I sand & polish. Should look good when I'm done.
Interesting design with a small diameter nickle silver pin used to attach the bail inside of a larger diameter brass pin. Luckily I was able to almost slide out the center pin.
Interesting design with a small diameter nickle silver pin used to attach the bail inside of a larger diameter brass pin. Luckily I was able to almost slide out the center pin.
Center pin out.
Center pin out.
I wanted to re-use the brass (what I am calling) bail tube so I pressed it out with a 3/32" stainless rod. Used the drill press as a press instead of a drill.
I wanted to re-use the brass (what I am calling) bail tube so I pressed it out with a 3/32" stainless rod. Used the drill press as a press instead of a drill.
Bail tube almost out.
Bail tube almost out.
Can opener out.
Can opener out.
Punch out.
Punch out.
Doug

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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by rexstubbins »

Sorry. I broke this into 2 posts because I think there is a picture limit for each post.

Anyway. Continuing on.
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Bail barrel completely out.
Bail barrel completely out.
Used a razor to split the center pin. A bit tougher to split nickle silver than brass but still was fairly easy to do.
Used a razor to split the center pin. A bit tougher to split nickle silver than brass but still was fairly easy to do.
With center pin split and knife spread open to see innards.
With center pin split and knife spread open to see innards.
More guts.
More guts.
After the last end pin split.
After the last end pin split.
Completely dismembered!!!
Completely dismembered!!!
Now to document the carnage.
Now to document the carnage.
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by tjmurphy »

rexstubbins wrote:
tjmurphy wrote:Sorry Doug, wish that it would have worked out :(
No problem. Did you get Frankenstein back yet?
Yeppers, got it back the other day, came in on a bolt of lightning, just like the movie. I think you made a pretty good choice in bone material. Should turn out pretty nice ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by rexstubbins »

Was able to work a little more on it today. Removed the scales and shield from the liners.

Didn't get too far today. We'll do some more tomorrow.
Attachments
Used a dremel to grind off the very edge of the pin on the inside of the liner.
Used a dremel to grind off the very edge of the pin on the inside of the liner.
Then used a punch to push the pin out. Rear liner was easy. Only one pin.
Then used a punch to push the pin out. Rear liner was easy. Only one pin.
Now the front. Was able to push out one of the shield pins.
Now the front. Was able to push out one of the shield pins.
Was able to wedge the razor between the liner & scale to split the other pins. Wanted to save the scale if I could but you can see that didn't work too well.
Was able to wedge the razor between the liner & scale to split the other pins. Wanted to save the scale if I could but you can see that didn't work too well.
Scale off and shield off.
Scale off and shield off.
Flitz!!!!
Flitz!!!!
New front scale sanded to fit.
New front scale sanded to fit.
You can start to see the amber/bone color on the sanded portion.
You can start to see the amber/bone color on the sanded portion.
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Re: Camillus rehandle suggestions (New Project)

Post by Miller Bro's »

I am going to move this thread to the knife repair forum ::tu::
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