All About Pocket Knives

Started with some pretty crumby plastic scales(no pic). Went with bocote again, I love the grain and contrast of that stuff. After rescaling, it still looked sorta plain with no character. I tried my hand at doing a swedge. The long pull had nearly no access so I lowered the kick on the pen blade so it would recess just a bit more. That did the trick but in doing so I nearly buried the nail nick. I anticipated that would happen and thought sanding a small divot to fix that problem. I've always liked those "divots", anyone know what those are called? I like the way this one turned out. A little big for what I'm used to but I'm sure it'll grow on me.

Great looking work! That turned out awesome!

Very nice I like that 23 pattern Just something about Jack Knives.

Nice job looks great

Good bocote can make a knife & it is very forgiving & easy to work with.
Nice job!

Great job on the swedge! Did you do it on the belt sander or file it in?
Also, the little "relief cut" to access the pen looks perfectily natural to the knife!

Pretty knife for sure! Two thumbs up on that one!

... Joe

Great job on the swedge. You really dressed up that #23.

Thanks guys! Yup, I used a file. I figured I'd have more control that way.

I think you did a great job on that knife. There's a lot to like about a Camillus 23, but the two I have have lousy scales. I guess yours did too.
If you could come across a short line 23 you would have your swedge.


Would you consider working over another 23?

Nice work! That's a great combo with the Bocote and the long pull.

A little history on the #23 for those who might be interested.


It's in the 1946 catalog with "Grain White Pyroxylin" handles (Celluloid). It had a shield, long pull and a swedge.

In the 1948 catalog, it's the same knife but the shield was gone.

Still in the 1955 catalog with the same "Grain White Pyroxylin" handles, long pull and swedge.

No changes in the 1965 catalog. Line drawing still shows the swedge main.

It's listed in the distributor price list, effective 1/1/74, and shown in the 1974 catalog with the same handles and the swedge main.

Shown in a 1975-1977 pamphlet. The handles are now described as "Smooth Simulated Ivory" and the swedge is gone.

Shown in a 1976 catalog with the swedge but the handles are described as "Genuine Grain White Handles".

In the 1977 catalog, the swedge is now gone and the description says "ivory propionate handles". The dictionary says "propionate" is: A salt or ester of propionic acid.

In the 1978 catalog we're back to "Smooth Simulated Ivory Handles"

In the 1979 catalog, they are once again, "ivory propionate handles".

Then in the 1982 catalog we are again back to "Smooth Simulated Ivory Handles".

The 1984 catalog looks like it's pretty much a reprint of the 1982 catalog.

The 1993 Price List says the #23 is "Subject To Availability"

By 1994, the #23 is no longer in the catalog.

Good information Jerry. Thanks. You must have some nice catalogs.

I wish I would have said to the original post that your swedge is really well done.

Thanks Joe. I have the same catalogs everyone has access to. I copied them off the Camillus Collectors website. http://www.collectors-of-camillus.us/Ca ... talogs.htm

Weee Doogies .......... Jerry it's tough here in Connecticut where we don't get out much...... Thanks!

Great job! You really brought back a great old Camillus. I love Bacote and have it on several different GECs.

FRJ wrote:it's tough here in Connecticut where we don't get out much

I've been to Connecticut (several times) and I can tell you, that's a good thing because that state is just one big nut house.

I'm kidding of course. I enjoyed my trips to Connecticut.

Oh, it's a big "left" nut house. I think when everyone says they'd give their left nut for something ...... it wound up here......

Okay. That was a good one.


Something like the song? "I left my nut. In Greenwich Connecticut."

FRJ wrote:Would you consider working over another 23?

I'm not sure, never once thought about it. I've done some things for friends and family but never even thought about a "customer". I think I'd be a nervous wreck, afraid to screw someone's knife up. Let me give it some thought.

OK, thanks.