camillus #72

The Camillus Cutlery Company was one of the oldest knife manufacturers in the United States with roots dating back to 1876. The company manufactured Camillus branded knives and was a prolific contractor for other knife brands up until its last days in 2007 when the company filed for bankruptcy.
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jerryd6818
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Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

I just don't feel like I'm missing out on anything by staying out of it.
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Re: camillus #72

Post by gsmith7158 »

Here's one I just got. Not a First Generation but it has the short line tang stamp and Bone handles. I thought that might be quite desirable, plus it's in pretty good shape.
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Re: camillus #72

Post by carrmillus »

,,,,,,greg, the primary blade on that one looks like 1st. gen. to me???............. ::tu:: ............................
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Re: camillus #72

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carrmillus wrote:,,,,,,greg, the primary blade on that one looks like 1st. gen. to me???............. ::tu:: ............................
Probably pretty close Tommy but the coping blade is next to the master. So I'm guessing a little later?
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Re: camillus #72

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gsmith7158 wrote:
carrmillus wrote:,,,,,,greg, the primary blade on that one looks like 1st. gen. to me???............. ::tu:: ............................
Probably pretty close Tommy but the coping blade is next to the master. So I'm guessing a little later?
.......yep, that should be reversed if it's a first gen., but the master blade has a pronounced curve on top of the blade from the match striker to the tip that is the same as the 3 1st. gen. knives I have. on the later ones it's more of a straight line from the pull to the tip!!............. ::shrug:: ........................
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Re: camillus #72

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carrmillus wrote:
gsmith7158 wrote:
carrmillus wrote:,,,,,,greg, the primary blade on that one looks like 1st. gen. to me???............. ::tu:: ............................
Probably pretty close Tommy but the coping blade is next to the master. So I'm guessing a little later?
.......yep, that should be reversed if it's a first gen., but the master blade has a pronounced curve on top of the blade from the match striker to the tip that is the same as the 3 1st. gen. knives I have. on the later ones it's more of a straight line from the pull to the tip!!............. ::shrug:: ........................
Ahh but the pile side of the master is flat ground. I'd say very early 50's but what do I know. I don't have a feel for when they stopped saber grinding both sides of the main. They continued to use bone until 1955 when they changed to "Brownstag" which was a synthetic. In addition, I think they continued to use the short line stamp into the early 50s but that's just speculation.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
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"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: camillus #72

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jerryd6818 wrote:
carrmillus wrote:
gsmith7158 wrote:
Probably pretty close Tommy but the coping blade is next to the master. So I'm guessing a little later?
.......yep, that should be reversed if it's a first gen., but the master blade has a pronounced curve on top of the blade from the match striker to the tip that is the same as the 3 1st. gen. knives I have. on the later ones it's more of a straight line from the pull to the tip!!............. ::shrug:: ........................
Ahh but the pile side of the master is flat ground. I'd say very early 50's but what do I know. I don't have a feel for when they stopped saber grinding both sides of the main. They continued to use bone until 1955 when they changed to "Brownstag" which was a synthetic. In addition, I think they continued to use the short line stamp into the early 50s but that's just speculation.
....somebody should write a book and title it "CAMILLUS MYSTERIES"!!!............. ::doh:: ..........
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Re: camillus #72

Post by gsmith7158 »

Still it is a pretty nice knife with bone handles . I'm happy.
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Re: camillus #72

Post by #goldpan »

That's a right nice 72 you have there Greg ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: camillus #72

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gsmith7158 wrote:Still it is a pretty nice knife with bone handles . I'm happy.
......and well you should be, my friend!!, don't get me wrong, I wasn't criticizing your knife, it just seems every one I've picked up here lately has something out of the norm !!!.......... ::tu:: ...........
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Re: camillus #72

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carrmillus wrote:
gsmith7158 wrote:Still it is a pretty nice knife with bone handles . I'm happy.
......and well you should be, my friend!!, don't get me wrong, I wasn't criticizing your knife, it just seems every one I've picked up here lately has something out of the norm !!!.......... ::tu:: ...........
I hear ya Tommy. I thought bby the time they changed the blade and the configuration that boNE handles were gone. Shows what I know !
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Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

Oh ya did, didja. Yeah, me too until I saw this little beauty. Bone handles and a long line tang stamp. Hmmm ::hmm::
Where's that book Tommy suggested?
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Camillus 72 '60-'76 Bone Handles  12-2-14.jpg
Camillus 72 '60-'76 Bone Handles - Mark Handle close up.jpg
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Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

There's ten years missing in the Camillus line.
Short line stamp 1946-1950
Long line Stamp 1960-1976
Three line stamp with no underline ????-???? (for a while in the '50s??? Maybe??? Or maybe it post dated the four line stamp for a short time???)

How about this? Short line stamp was used until sometime in the 1950s
Started using the long line sometime in the 1950s.
The no line stamp? Well who the heck knows?

Camillus makes my head hurt. ::dang::
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"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
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Re: camillus #72

Post by gsmith7158 »

A ten year mystery period. No telling what we might find in that era! ::shrug::
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Re: camillus #72

Post by Colonel26 »

That's a fine looking knjfe there Cuz! Real nice.
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Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

Thanks Cuz. I was surprised to find it. It's one of the one of's in my pile. So far, I haven't seen another.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: camillus #72

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.........ok, here goes.....72 pattern...master blade is saber ground both sides....sword brand mark on mark side...4 line mark on pile side...no marks on the secondary blades.......smooth caramel bone handles.......large oval shield with 4 points....all 3 liners are gimped......clip blade is paired with master..from the looks of the pins, knife has never been apart........????????........ ::facepalm:: .............
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Re: camillus #72

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Tommy, this is one of those times when you're going to have to have a picture. Get one of your kids or grandkids to take some pictures and post 'em up. I'm sure they all have cameras in their phones and know how to use them.
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Re: camillus #72

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jerryd6818 wrote:Tommy, this is one of those times when you're going to have to have a picture. Get one of your kids or grandkids to take some pictures and post 'em up. I'm sure they all have cameras in their phones and know how to use them.
Yeah, I want to see that one too!
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Re: camillus #72

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...........also got a Camillus splitback whittler, same shield and handles, outside liners are gimped(not the wedge)....4 line stamp on master blade, secondary blades are not marked......guess it's time to get out my ARGUS and see if it will work!!!......... ::facepalm:: ......................
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Re: camillus #72

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jerryd6818 wrote:
carrmillus wrote:
gsmith7158 wrote:
Probably pretty close Tommy but the coping blade is next to the master. So I'm guessing a little later?
.......yep, that should be reversed if it's a first gen., but the master blade has a pronounced curve on top of the blade from the match striker to the tip that is the same as the 3 1st. gen. knives I have. on the later ones it's more of a straight line from the pull to the tip!!............. ::shrug:: ........................
Ahh but the pile side of the master is flat ground. I'd say very early 50's but what do I know. I don't have a feel for when they stopped saber grinding both sides of the main. They continued to use bone until 1955 when they changed to "Brownstag" which was a synthetic. In addition, I think they continued to use the short line stamp into the early 50s but that's just speculation.
Jerryd there ia a short line 67 with bone handles that I am watching that also has the flat grind on the pile side. That would be a significant date to determine!
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Re: camillus #72

Post by gsmith7158 »

Ok 72 fans ,here's one I got in today courtesy of a heads up from none other than Mr. 72 himself, JerryD. Thank you Jerry.
An Olsen OK clone.
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011.JPG
012.JPG
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Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

It looks good Greg. Those appear to be Schrade handles. ::uc::
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"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: camillus #72

Post by gsmith7158 »

Well JerryD now that you mention it I don't see a sign of bolster pins. Could it be? ::hmm::
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Re: camillus #72

Post by gsmith7158 »

Just snatched this little jewel off the bay. I am ecstatic!
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Camillus Ole Smokey.jpg
Camillus Ole Smokey 2.jpg
Camillus Ole Smokey 3.jpg
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