All About Pocket Knives

Always wanted a traditional whittler pattern, particularly a good one. I'd had my eye on a #72, and found this one, $14 w/free shipping on the big auction site, so I bought it--quick.

There is a very long thread somewhere here in AAPK dedicated to the Camillus #72 pattern. Have a look to see hundreds of examples.
Although Camillus called this a "whittler", it is not a "traditional whittler" which is what you state you wanted.
A whittler is defined by: 3 blades, 2 springs, in which master blade bears on both springs when open.
That said, the Camillus #72 is one of the all time greatest USA folding knife patterns, whether called a whittler or not.
kj

The Scout version of the Camillus 72 is a 1047 and doesn't have a pattern number stamped on the pile side of the main blade's tang. That particular one was made sometime after 1976 when they stopped pinning the handles on and went to the post attachment system (look in the blade well. You'll see a ~¼" circle of the handle material sticking through the liner.) Probably '76 - early '80s or so. I predict you're going to like it. DM11 carries one just about every day and I carry one that Rob (whitebuffalo58) Frankenized for me.

Yep.... that thread has sold more Camillus #72's than obama sold guns back during his time in office.

(yes, I have a few)..... 72's....

Mike

I don't like little knives as a rule. But the Cammillus 72 is the biggest little knife I've ever handled. I'm a fan for sure. I'm sure you'll like it.

Meridian_Mike wrote:Yep.... that thread has sold more Camillus #72's than obama sold guns back during his time in office.

Mike

Folks just have to see for themselves what the hubbub is all about and once they get one in hand, they're hooked.

Good pick up. I've got one of the scout models and several others in various brands that Camillus made for. I carry a 72 everyday.

My dad, who is not on line at all, is like me and a fan of bigger knives. But I gave him a couple of 72's a while back including one Glennbad custom. He's hooked too. He packs on a lot. It's a shame a current knife maker doesn't revive the pattern.

Colonel26 wrote: It's a shame a current knife maker doesn't revive the pattern.

I've often entertained that same thought. GEC came within a quarter inch and one more blade of doing that with the 33.

Definitely a nice looking knife though.... even if it's not perfect.

Mike

Have the same knife in my pocket and love it

jerryd6818 wrote:

Colonel26 wrote: It's a shame a current knife maker doesn't revive the pattern.

I've often entertained that same thought. GEC came within a quarter inch and one more blade of doing that with the 33.

3 3/8 is just too small for these big mits. The 72 works for some reason, but any smaller and I can’t gwt these fingers wrapped around a knife.

A GEC #33 "carpenter's whittler" run would go absolutely gangbusters, I have no doubt of that. Also opens up something nice like a true sabre-ground split-spring whittler on the same frame (say, under the Northfield marque). Oh well, a knifer can dream, right?

I also just bought one of these from the Great Auction site. It is my first 72 pattern knife.
As you can tell mine needs handles badly, and I need to clean the rust off these blades, but it has great snap and tight blades.
I am thinking about trying to put stag handles on it, but I haven’t worked with stag yet. If not, I have some great black micarta, but I think this knife needs something better than that.

By the way, it's okay to say eBay on AAPK.
Ah, yes. You got one with the old "shrinkie dink" handles. That one is probably from the '50s - very early '60s.

Here is some handle options.

Rob swapped out the blades on this one and you would have to ask him but I think that's Whitetail antler handles. Self explanatory

Those are so beautiful! (Well, the printed circuit board is not so pretty, but I find it hilarious!). Thank you for sharing that!

Colonel26 wrote: It's a shame a current knife maker doesn't revive the pattern.

Glad I'm not the only one that thinks so! Somebody is missing out on a great opportunity.

Ken