All About Pocket Knives

My paternal grandfather was Moritz Mayer. I know nothing about him except he "worked" at Camillus Cutlery. I hear he was a character and kept a pet skunk, and a pet monkey at work...Does anyone have any information about him? I saw a post that someone used a "patented punch design" by him, but now I can't find the post. I would love to hear anything about him. Thanks!

Welcome to AAPK.

Do you have an approximate date as to when he worked at Camillus?

One of our members, Tom Williams (CAMCO), worked at Camillus for 30 years, right up until they closed in 2007.
His mother worked there for about 55 years before she retired. I think she started there around the time of WWII.
If you have an approximate time when your grandfather worked there I will email them and ask about him.
I hesitate to post his email address in an open forum.

Dale

I was under the impression he was one of the founders. He would be like 160 years old if he were alive My Father was the youngest of his 6 boys, born 4 years apart, and he would be 99 if he were still here. I believe my grandfather passed away around 1923.
I saw a post that said someone used one of his designs, or punch patents to make a knife, but I can't find the post. I believe the user was "up north" ?? Any infor mation would be nice to know. Thanks VERY much for your help.
Johanna Mayer

J. Mayer,
Welcome.
Here is a post where upnorth talks about the Mayer punch.
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... k&start=15
Here are the results on a search for "Mayer punch"
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... mit=Search
And search results for "Schatt & Morgan Harness jack"
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... mit=Search
Mark

Welcome to the forum, Johanna.
U.S. patent number 895,778 was granted to Moritz Mayer of Syracuse, N.Y,
on August 11, 1908. It was for a "boring tool", and was a simplified leather punch that works very well, as long as it is sharp. It is also one of the easiest punches to sharpen, so all in all a great invention, IMO.
If you've checked back on the links so conveniently provided by Ramrod (thanks RR), you will see I ordered some specially made knives using your Grandpa's punch design. Hands down my best seller!! I owe Grandpa Mayer a debt of gratitude!
Of course his story is much deeper than one invention; maybe others will chime in.
Best Regards, J,
Charlie C.
P.S.
Here's a pic of a bone-handled knife with the punch in it, and a candy striped-handled knife with the pile side of the punch showing. The punch follows Moritz's patent very closely!!

I talked to Tom Williams briefly a couple days ago.
He said Moritz Mayer was the man who ran the factory back when they first started up.
From what he said Mr. Mayer was he man who got the Camillus factory running efficiently.
As I recall, he said Mr. Mayer he was there was there until 1922 or 1926. Sorry I don't remember the exact year.

I will try to find out more next time we talk.

Dale

I have some information on Moritz Mayer.

He was born in Germany in 1859 and died in Syracuse in 1923. His wife was Leonora Toch (born 1868) of New York. They were married in 1891.

I am trying to build a family tree and would appreciate any assistance. I have traced 4 sons - Ralph, Lawrence, Herbert and Walter.

Ralph was a Chemist and Herbert was a Chemical Engineer.

I would very much appreciate any further information on the family as a whole.

Gareth Jones

orvet wrote:Welcome to AAPK.

Do you have an approximate date as to when he worked at Camillus?

One of our members, Tom Williams (CAMCO), worked at Camillus for 30 years, right up until they closed in 2007.
His mother worked there for about 55 years before she retired. I think she started there around the time of WWII.
If you have an approximate time when your grandfather worked there I will email them and ask about him.
I hesitate to post his email address in an open forum.

Dale

..dale, I bet it was tom Williams mother I talked to on the phone several years ago before the plant closed. I called about getting a cap and a tshirt, and she said her son worked for Camillus. she asked me several questions about why I was interested in Camillus knives...she was one of the nicest people I ever talked to on the phone. when I told her about my grandfather always carrying Camillus knives and that I had 2 of his knives, she wanted to know all about him..nice lady!!!...... ...............