All About Pocket Knives

Jerry, I think the pic on the blade of the #72 was probably electro-chemically engraved (or etched if you like).
It is the same method I use for putting my name on knives I customize.

A direct current (DC) is passed from the blade to an electrode through a stencil. Between the stencil and the electrode is a cloth pad soaked in an electrolyte. The pad collects the particles of metal and the blade is left with a nice deep etch that can look like it has been stamped.

Nice knife!



Your POS – that would not be considered a POS in most collections! At the very worst, it is a awesome EDC!

Here's a #97 I just added to my collection

Keith

Reckon why they'd do one for their 99th year? No. 70, 2 5/8" closed, and what I think was probably kind of pricy for the little knife back then.

And Sword Brand to boot, T.J.

Wasn't that the "economy line" for Camillus or am I all mixed up again? Is that Staglon handles I see? Well Camillus may not have called it Staglon but to me it looks like the same stuff Schrade and Uncle Henry used and called Staglon or am I all mixed up for the second time in one post. I've been screwed up and wrong so many times lately, I'm getting gun shy.

Nice knife and worth more than $10 today.

Well Jerry, I think that the Sword Brand was the premium Camillus brand and the handles are called Indian Stag, same as Stagalon. Camillus called the little No. 70 "The Hiker". Hopefully someone will be along to make the call for us.

tjmurphy wrote: the Sword Brand was the premium Camillus brand and the handles are called Indian Stag, same as Stagalon.

Here, give me a minute to dig my foot out of my mouth. I don't feel too bad about the Indian Stag / Stagalon thing (other than misspelling Stagalon) but the Sword Brand makes me feel like an idiot.

Why?? ::shrug::I said that "I think", not sure. The answer is out there somewhere.

No, you're right. I have this little spark of memory in the back of my mind that says you're on the money.

You are on the money - Sword Brand was the top of the Camillus line.
Camco was the economy line, with the regular Camillus knives in between.

Indian Stag was Camillus name for their stag version of Delrin, their closest thing to Schrade Staglon.

Hey Dale, any idea why they would do "Our 99th Year" graphics?? Something special about that year?

tj,

I'm thinking Camillus was trying to promote the company's 100th year anniversary. I also believe that they just added a sticker to the left over 99th year boxes and used them for the 100th.

Keith

Thanks Keith. That's kinda what I thought too when I saw your earlier post, kind of the drum roll before the symbol crash. "Take my wife, please"! ChaaaaaaaaaaaaaaBang!!

tjmurphy wrote:Hey Dale, any idea why they would do "Our 99th Year" graphics?? Something special about that year?

Well as I recall, there were a lot of things going on in 1975 in leading up to the US Bicentennial in 1976. Didn’t the Bicentennial celebration start gearing up about 1974 and end in late 1977 or 78? I think Camillus was just getting in the spirit of things and were essentially preparing to maximize exposure for their own 100th anniversary in 1976. It would be a sort of advertising natural that was probably quite effective. I don’t know this for a fact, but as someone who had to do a fair amount of advertising for businesses, it is something I could see as being very effective.

When you think about it, if a town is having a big festival, like most of the small towns here in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, it only makes sense for the businesses to advertise in conjunction with whatever is happening around them. I think that is probably what Camillus did on a national scale.

Thanks Dale. It makes good sense to me.

Here's a #5 Fisherman's Luck that I just received

Keith

If a person will pay close attention and have a good memory, there is a ton of good information on this website. If I was smart, which I've never been accused of, I could start some folders to accumulate stuff for future reference.

I agree, this site is a great reference site. Have you tried using the search function at the top of the page? It is very powerful, with some great filters. Any time I start wondering about some unusual stamp or maker, I run it through AAPK search and usually find some good information. We are fortunate to have Bryan who has built a top knotch website with all the bells and whistles, plus a lot of very knowledgeable and generous members who are willing to share their expertise.

orvet wrote:Jerry, I think the pic on the blade of the #72 was probably electro-chemically engraved (or etched if you like)...

Were the etched knives of the same premium quality as the stamped Crossed Sword ones, and where does the Silver Sword brand fit in
to the Camillus history?

The Sword Sword brand always was Camillus' top of the line. I don't know when they started, but I think it was pretty early on in the 20th Century.

The difference between the stamped Sword Sword and the etched is that before WWII most were stamped. Post-war they were etched. I think it has more to do with a change in manufacturing techniques than with quality.

Perhaps Phil Gibbs will see this and add his knowledge on the subject. He worked at Camillus for many years.

I have a few Camillus knives. Used to really like the US knife. Also had a knife maker but some blue jean micarta and file work on an older one.

Great file work

DR_MAGOO wrote:Great file work

Thanks DR MAGOO. I can tell you one thing about it, it has the strongest dang back spring on it of any folder I have ever had. It is a nail breaker.

I'm not big on file work.

But every other thing about that knife is GREAT!

Just Plain Dave wrote:I'm not big on file work.

But every other thing about that knife is GREAT!

Funny, when I bought it, the only pics were ones with it open on its side and closed on its side. The file work was by no means a selling point for me. I just loved the style of the knife and the BJ micarta.

Here's a Camillus / York 75th Anniversary Boy Scout Knife

Keith