All About Pocket Knives

New addition to the herd. I haven't had the time to clean it up a little and can't find any maker marks but weren't these made by Camillus? I don't believe that "CanOperer" was a manufacturer. Thanks.

foxfirerodandgun wrote: ↑Sun Feb 18, 2024 2:44 am New addition to the herd. I haven't had the time to clean it up a little and can't find any maker marks but weren't these made by Camillus? I don't believe that "CanOperer" was a manufacturer. Thanks.
PXL_20240218_011542067.jpg

PXL_20240218_011632830.jpg

PXL_20240218_011702618.jpg

I'm not near my book right now but should be late WW2 to right after the war.

doglegg wrote: ↑Sun Feb 18, 2024 3:14 am

foxfirerodandgun wrote: ↑Sun Feb 18, 2024 2:44 am New addition to the herd. I haven't had the time to clean it up a little and can't find any maker marks but weren't these made by Camillus? I don't believe that "CanOperer" was a manufacturer. Thanks.
PXL_20240218_011542067.jpg

PXL_20240218_011632830.jpg

PXL_20240218_011702618.jpg

I'm not near my book right now but should be late WW2 to right after the war.

Thanks. I would be very interested in any information you could share.

Yes Camillus. Not sure what year they started stamping the year on the tang?

foxfirerodandgun wrote: ↑Sun Feb 18, 2024 2:44 am New.....

See if you can find any useful information here:
viewtopic.php?t=67970

In my opinion the unmarked steel blade knives were Kingston.

Camillus was proud of their knives and used tang stamps.
AFAIK they made this style knife in 1949 as a prototype with brass liners, and then from 1957 to 2006. I believe all the Camillus knives had stainless blades and were well marked.


Kingston was a joint venture between Ulster and Inperial. Formed to make military contract knives during WWII I’m thinking they had little to gain by marking the knives.

There is more info in this thread.


viewtopic.php?t=63086&hilit=military

Many thanks for everyone's input. I will research the links.

From what eleved states in his post and I quote:

"The ones that say us marine corps all spelled out were issued in ww2. They were not made by Camillus. They were Made by Kingston. "

So mine is evidently a WW II example made by Kingston.

With blade and screw driver on the same end it is a “first arrangement”.

Some of the first arrangements had 45 on the bail. So I have to believe that the date on yours would be late 44 or 45. No later. It is one of the earliest versions of this knife. One of the first to have the hook can opener. Probably why it says “pat. pend”

The issued knives before these had bone scales and split can openers.

It’s a nice WW2 knife

Thanks. I just need to clean it up a bit.

Be gentle.

eveled said it all. Great knife and very desirable to those who know.

eveled wrote: ↑Sun Feb 18, 2024 11:13 pm Be gentle.

Time for the #2 pencil but no harsh abrasives, wire wheels.

doglegg wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2024 1:05 am eveled said it all. Great knife and very desirable to those who know.

It just occurred to me someday after I’m gone my kids will go online to research my knives and maybe get advice/info from me! Plus they’ll get to meet all of you!

I thought to write about each one and catalog them but that seems like a lot of work, and it would spoil their fun. Lol.

eveled wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2024 2:45 pm

doglegg wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2024 1:05 am eveled said it all. Great knife and very desirable to those who know.

It just occurred to me someday after I’m gone my kids will go online to research my knives and maybe get advice/info from me! Plus they’ll get to meet all of you!

I thought to write about each one and catalog them but that seems like a lot of work, and it would spoil their fun. Lol.

Cool thought.