Camillus Sunfish

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.
Post Reply
justsaymo
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2021 5:27 pm

Camillus Sunfish

Post by justsaymo »

Probably my best garage sale knife find I've ever - very low bar, first time I've ever bought a knife at a garage sale was today... but I did buy two. ::tounge::

Camillus Sunfish.

1.jpeg
2.jpeg
3.jpeg

I think it's the first one I've ever seen. Interesting knife. The pull on it is a solid 9 - my fingernail stayed on, barely.
doglegg
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 23896
Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2017 2:35 am
Location: Grand Prairie, Texas

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by doglegg »

justsaymo wrote: Sat Sep 09, 2023 2:35 am Probably my best garage sale knife find I've ever - very low bar, first time I've ever bought a knife at a garage sale was today... but I did buy two. ::tounge::

Camillus Sunfish.
https://imgur.com/UyOEN5q

https://imgur.com/uR4qzP4

https://imgur.com/BydbIil

I think it's the first one I've ever seen. Interesting knife. The pull on it is a solid 9 - my fingernail stayed on, barely.
You did very good.
User avatar
Ripster
Silver Tier
Silver Tier
Posts: 5036
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2020 6:37 pm
Location: Wi.USA

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by Ripster »

Agree with you Dogleg. Very very nice find . And at a garage sale ! Curious as all get out to know what you paid ? That knife in that condition is worth a few bucks . Thanks for sharing.
JP
justsaymo
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2021 5:27 pm

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by justsaymo »

What were these knives used for? It's an impressive knife, maybe that is the reason...

The bolsters obscure most of the tang stamps. On the smaller blade I can just make out the A when partially open. Four lines in that script = 1930-1945?
User avatar
New_Windsor_NY
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 14012
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2018 4:50 pm
Location: I'm On The Far Right On The Left Coast In Commiefornia

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

justsaymo wrote: Sat Sep 09, 2023 2:35 am Probably.....
There are other CAMILLUS Sunfish pocket knives
posted and discussed on the AAPK site.
Attachments
image.jpeg
Kid: "Wish we had time to bury them fellas."
Josey Wales: "To hell with them fellas. Buzzards got to eat, same as worms."
Clint Eastwood-The Outlaw Josey Wales

Skip
stockman
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 4119
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2006 3:19 pm

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by stockman »

Sweet

Harold
Reverand
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 4459
Joined: Mon Oct 22, 2018 6:45 pm
Location: Pisgah, AL
Contact:

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by Reverand »

justsaymo wrote: Sat Sep 09, 2023 3:44 pm What were these knives used for? It's an impressive knife, maybe that is the reason...

The bolsters obscure most of the tang stamps. On the smaller blade I can just make out the A when partially open. Four lines in that script = 1930-1945?
That is one of the older tang stamps.
Open the blade half way, so that it is standing out 90-degrees from the frame and see if you can see the rest of the stamp.
Attachments
Screenshot_20230909-201051.jpg
Jesus is life.
Everything else is just a hobby.

~Reverand
justsaymo
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2021 5:27 pm

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by justsaymo »

The last (4th) line is USA

It is only partially viable at certain points of the blades rotation.

The stamp is most similar to the "1941-1946" picture

There is a very faint etch of crossed swords and the word 'BRAND' on the main blade. VERY faint and can only be seen at certain light angles.
Reverand
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 4459
Joined: Mon Oct 22, 2018 6:45 pm
Location: Pisgah, AL
Contact:

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by Reverand »

Aha!
"Sword Brand" is one of the high-end Camillus knives from "back in the day".
It sounds like you have a winner!
Jesus is life.
Everything else is just a hobby.

~Reverand
User avatar
1967redrider
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 21469
Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:23 pm
Location: Alexandria, VA
Contact:

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by 1967redrider »

Attachments
IMG_20191023_194257641.jpg
IMG_20191023_194306065.jpg
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter


CHRIST IS KING
Reverand
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 4459
Joined: Mon Oct 22, 2018 6:45 pm
Location: Pisgah, AL
Contact:

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by Reverand »

Wow, sweet Sunfish knives!
Jesus is life.
Everything else is just a hobby.

~Reverand
justsaymo
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2021 5:27 pm

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by justsaymo »

Only part of the USA is ever visible
https://imgur.com/jdeeWrv

The Sword etching is faint and very difficult to capture in a picture.
https://imgur.com/1sbGgNE

https://imgur.com/a3YS545

https://imgur.com/jmXKBIT

https://imgur.com/B9lVBiE
justsaymo
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2021 5:27 pm

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by justsaymo »

1967redrider wrote: Sun Sep 10, 2023 11:48 pm One I had repaired. https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... oe#p788846
That is AWESOME!
User avatar
1967redrider
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 21469
Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:23 pm
Location: Alexandria, VA
Contact:

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by 1967redrider »

justsaymo wrote: Mon Sep 11, 2023 12:10 pm
1967redrider wrote: Sun Sep 10, 2023 11:48 pm One I had repaired. https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... oe#p788846
That is AWESOME!

Thank you! ::handshake::
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter


CHRIST IS KING
User avatar
GSPTOPDOG
Posts: 9114
Joined: Sat Jun 22, 2019 10:03 pm
Contact:

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by GSPTOPDOG »

1967redrider wrote: Sun Sep 10, 2023 11:48 pm One I had repaired. https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... oe#p788846
Oh... such a sweet knife...😍🥰😘😍🥰
Please visit my AAPK store: https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... er_id=2383

They say, “Hard work never hurt anyone”, but I'm still not willing to risk it.
User avatar
GSPTOPDOG
Posts: 9114
Joined: Sat Jun 22, 2019 10:03 pm
Contact:

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by GSPTOPDOG »

justsaymo wrote: Sat Sep 09, 2023 2:35 am Probably my best garage sale knife find I've ever - very low bar, first time I've ever bought a knife at a garage sale was today... but I did buy two. ::tounge::

Camillus Sunfish.
I could go to 100, 200, 300 garage sales .... I would NEVR find something as good as this fine looking SUNFISH :shock: ... ::tu:: You did good ::handshake::
Please visit my AAPK store: https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... er_id=2383

They say, “Hard work never hurt anyone”, but I'm still not willing to risk it.
User avatar
1967redrider
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 21469
Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:23 pm
Location: Alexandria, VA
Contact:

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by 1967redrider »

GSPTOPDOG wrote: Tue Sep 12, 2023 12:08 am
1967redrider wrote: Sun Sep 10, 2023 11:48 pm One I had repaired. https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... oe#p788846
Oh... such a sweet knife...😍🥰😘😍🥰

Thank you, Sir. ::handshake::
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter


CHRIST IS KING
User avatar
Ripster
Silver Tier
Silver Tier
Posts: 5036
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2020 6:37 pm
Location: Wi.USA

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by Ripster »

1967redrider wrote: Sun Sep 10, 2023 11:48 pm One I had repaired. https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... oe#p788846
Can’t tell it’s been repaired. Nice old Camillus there John . Whoever fixed it up did a great job .
JP
User avatar
1967redrider
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 21469
Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:23 pm
Location: Alexandria, VA
Contact:

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by 1967redrider »

Ripster wrote: Tue Sep 12, 2023 11:25 am
1967redrider wrote: Sun Sep 10, 2023 11:48 pm One I had repaired. https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... oe#p788846
Can’t tell it’s been repaired. Nice old Camillus there John . Whoever fixed it up did a great job .
Gary Claxon gets the repair credit.
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter


CHRIST IS KING
User avatar
Dan In MI
Posts: 4339
Joined: Sun Apr 04, 2021 2:00 am
Location: United States

Re: Camillus Sunfish

Post by Dan In MI »

Some most excellent pick-ups! ::tu::
USN 2000-2006
Adaptable and (usually) affable knife enthusiast, unsure of his knife collecting destination but enjoying the journey
Case taste, Rough Ryder budget
Post Reply

Return to “Camillus Cutlery Collector's Forum”