Camco Camp Knife

[Jerlin]

I have had this Camco Camp Knife since I was a boy in the Boy Scouts in the early 1950's. It has been in my tool box forever. I took it out the other day and noticed it had some rust on it and the plastic handle material had cracked and shrunk. Otherwise the knife is in pretty good shape. I have attached some photos of the knife.

I decided to clean the knife up and see about replacing the handles. Since I have no experience working on knives, I started doing some on-line research. That is where I came across AAPK. I joined today and have been doing quite a bit of research in the tutorials and Knife Repair and Restoration Forum. I have found a lot of good information, but now I am at a point where I could use some help.

After cleaning up the knife, I removed the handles by prying them off. Two end pins stuck in the handles and two stuck in the liners (one on either side). Also, I pryed the handles off the center pin, so it remained in the knife. However, the center pin is bent on both ends towards the bale end of the knife.
The original handles have a radius surface on the top side.

I found some radius brown jigged bone handle material on the internet. I believe they will work on my knife. However, I have some questions about replacing the handles.

Is it best to replace the center pin to make sure there is enough length to peen the ends over when the new handle material is installed? The new handle material is the same thickness as the original handles, but I'm not sure the existing pin will be long enough. If the center pin needs to be removed, I assume I can cut off one peened end and punch it out. Is there a reason the center pin is bent? Was it possibly to make the plastic handles fit tighter? If I attach the bone handle material with an adhesive, it seems to me the pin is more for looks and not functional. Of course I can install the center pin with adhesive as well. The same for the end pins. Can I reuse them and install them with adhesive?

One other question. What grit sand paper is best to use on a belt sander to shape the bone handles to the liners once the handles have been installed?

Thank you in advance for any advice anyone can offer.

Jerry Johnson

[Doc B]

Jerry, Hi! and welcome to AAPK!
Ahh...you walk down the slippery slope of knife repair...from which you can have a lot of fun.
First, the center pin is very functional. It anchors your spring. You are correct about the way to remove the pin. The two other pins on each side do somewhat help in holding your scales (handles) on...however, with epoxy, they could probably be left off. I usually replace them...because I like the looks of them. I'm not sure what bent your pin...but in an ideal world, it wouldn't be bent...the peening process is what will hold the knife (and scale to some extent) together. I've only done a couple of 4 bladed knives...so I'm not sure how much tension, the spring is under. It was my impression that it isn't near as much tension as a single blade...on a single spring. Yours has two blades per spring. If it's under much tension...the springs will need to be compressed, to get the holes to all line up, when replacing the new pin. You may be able to do that with a vise. There are various ways to approach spring compression. When the pin comes out...make sure and orient the springs, as to direction and side...for replacement. They look symmetrical and you think there's nothing to putting them back...but trust me...there is enough difference, you need to replace them exactly in the order and direction they are in the knife. I'm sure others will chime in.
Personally, I find it easier to work on by taking it all the way apart...but that could require more tools than you have available.
Here's one I did for my nephew...
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=61436&hilit=camco
A lot of good info here.

[Reverand]

Welcome to AAPK!! I also recommend taking the knife completely apart. I have tried to replace handles without taking the knife apart, and I had a rough time of it. It can be done by experienced mechanics, but without the tools and experience it is just too hard to do. At least, it was for me.
If you are hesitant to do that on such a sentimental knife, you might want to buy a couple of cheap knives off of eBay and try them first. It is a lot of fun!
Either way, you will probably want to replace all of those pins. When that center pin comes out, the springs will as well. Be sure to mark them so they go back in the same place, and the same orientation. Getting one flipped around backward can ruin your day!
Then again, be willing to think outside the box and do things that others do not, if you want.
I haven't been able to work on knives in a couple of months, but it really can be a lot of fun. I hope that this project is for you, too!

[herbva]

Hi Jerry, and welcome to AAPK! Ditto to all the good advice above. The center pin (also known as the "rocker pin") shouldn't be bent like that. You can remove it quite easily by grinding or cutting one of the heads off and then can tap it out with a punch of a slightly smaller size than the pin. But first, it will be much easier to tap it out if you straighten it out as much as you can with a pliers. Unfortunately, this knife is a bit more complicated, with 4 blades and 2 springs. I also urge you to buy some inexpensive knives to practice on (ebay is a good source), and look at the many good tutorials that have been posted here on AAPK and elsewhere. Just google "pocket knife repair" and you will see lots of videos. I started tinkering with knives 10 or 12 years ago, and I must reiterate the warning - BEWARE, THIS IS ADDICTIVE! If you are mechanically inclined and have a reasonable working knowledge of hand tools and some power tools like a drill press, rotary tool (Dremel or the like), and belt sander, it is a lot of fun and very rewarding. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Good luck and let us know how you are progressing.

[Jerlin]

Hi Doc B, Reverand and herbva, Thank you for the warm welcome to AAPK and encouraging words about knife repair. I also appreciate the advice given about replacing the scales (handles) on my knife. I especially like the idea of practicing on a some cheap knives first to get some experience. I'm sure I will have more questions as I get into the project, but in the meantime thanks again for your interest and assistance.

Jerry Johnson

[glennbad]

I would also recommend practicing on a single blade knife. Trying to put together a multiblade knife, if you don't have alot of experience, can be frustrating, and a spirit breaker.

[Jeffinn]

I would also recommend practicing on a single blade knife. Trying to put together a multiblade knife, if you don't have alot of experience, can be frustrating, and a spirit breaker.

LOL! I remember an early camp knife that I worked on and got the blades and springs mixed up. I figured it’s only four blades and two springs, how hard can it be! Needless to say that knife sat on the bench for days while I moved blades and springs around. I eventually looked up a photo of the knife to get the blades in the right place then interchanged springs until it went back together. It was a learning experience for sure.
Jeff

[Meridian_Mike]

I would also recommend practicing on a single blade knife. Trying to put together a multiblade knife, if you don't have alot of experience, can be frustrating, and a spirit breaker.

Very true!
I agree with Glenn whole heartedly. Get a little experience under you belt with a single blade folder before you tackle a multi-blade folder. Once you learn how to pin in the new scales and get the pivot pins in correctly, then move on up to the multi-blade knives. Getting a pivot pin in correctly is a bit ticklish.
One thing for sure.... if you do decide to take this one apart, take a LOT of pictures during disassembly. AND place the blades down on the bench in the order they came off along with THEIR spring and make sure it is in the correct orientation when you are taking pictures.
Get on in there and get started! Knife repair is FUN and rewarding!

[Jerlin]

In my original post I mentioned I had found some radius top jigged bone handle material on the internet. I placed an order for them from Knife Supply on May 23, but have never received confirmation of my order, except from PayPal. I have tried to contact Knife Supply by email and phone without any success. I wonder if anyone else has had problems with Knife Supply, or if it is just because of the current situation.
In the meantime, I would like to find some handle material so I can finish restoring my knife. I have searched the internet, but I have only come up with one other source for radius top jigged bone handle material and they are more than I want to pay. Does anyone know where I can get this handle material, or even simulated jigged bone? I'm thinking somewhere in the price of $10.00. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jerry Johnson

[Reverand]

I usually buy from Culpeppers.
https://www.knifehandles.com

Shipping can make it expensive to buy only one set of handles, but if you buy a few sets it makes more sense.
Be sure and check out their "Monthly Specials", "Discounts/Seconds", and "Sale/Factory Overruns" pages. Sometimes you can get really good deals on some great handle material! I usually buy several sale items at a time. Be sure and check the sizes on the sale items - some are too short for your Scout knife.

[Jerlin]

Thank you Reverand. I have looked at Culpeppers, but not their "Monthly Specials", "Discounts/Seconds", and "Sale/Factory Overruns" pages. I'll check them out.

Jerry Johnson