Camillus Centennial and Other Memorabilia

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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orvet
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Camillus Centennial and Other Memorabilia

Post by orvet »

One advantage of joining a local knife club is the contacts you make and the people you meet. My local club is OKCA, (Oregon Knife Collectors Association).

If you are a long time Knife World reader you may remember the name of ibdennis; a.k.a. Dennis Ellingston. A number of his articles have been published in Knife World.
Here are a few items shared with me by Dennis Ellingston.

About 1976 Dennis made a trip back to the Camillus factory. He shared with me (thank you Dennis), a few of the things he brought home from his visit.

The first is a medallion from the Camillus Centennial.
Camillus Medallion from ibdennis a.jpg
Camillus Medallion from ibdennis b.jpg
Next are some matches.
Camillus 100 Anniv matches.jpg
Lastly is a sticker from the first 100 years of Camillus Cutlery Co.
Camillus 100 Anniv sticker.jpg
I hope you enjoy these.

Dale
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Re: Camillus Centennial

Post by junebug »

i was born in 1976................................ :roll:




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i'd put the sticker on ma' tool box 8)
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Re: Camillus Centennial and Other Memorabilia

Post by orvet »

Here is some more memorabilia from the Camillus factory. Both items are courtesy of Tom Williams, who was the Camillus company Historian.

Tom worked for Camillus for 30 years and his mother worked for Camillus for 53 years. His father worked there for a few years as well as did many members of his family. Camillus Cutlery Co. was really the industry around which the Village of Camillus NY revolved.

The first item is a Camillus patch that Tom Williams gave me. It could be used on a ball cap or on a jacket.
Camillus patch.jpg
This next item is unique. It is a bag-velope by Curtis 1000 Inc. It is too big to scan on my scanner at one time so I scanned it with folded.
Camillus repair envelop a.jpg
Camillus Repair envelop b.jpg
Camillus repair envelop c.jpg

These are a combination envelop and bag that Camillus used for knife repairs. The incoming knife was placed in the bag-velope until such time as repairman fixed the knife. Then they could be used to mail the repaired knife back to the customer.

Do any of you recall getting a repaired Camillus knife back in such a bag-velope?

Dale
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Re: Camillus Centennial and Other Memorabilia

Post by RobesonsRme.com »

That is all great stuff.
The OKCA is the best knife club, without doubt.
Dennis and I have communicated for years, now, and I displayed at the Eugene April show in 2001. Great trip.

I don't think Dennis has a "t" in his name, though. It's just "Ellingson"

Too bad there wasn't some "Stimulous" money to keep Camillus in business.

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Re: Camillus Centennial and Other Memorabilia

Post by orvet »

I just checked the latest issue of OKCA "Knewsletter."
We were both wrong. :oops:

He spells it: Ellingsen.

Dale
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Re: Camillus Centennial and Other Memorabilia

Post by travman »

Here is a centennial #23
Its like new in the box unsharpened and dont think it was even carried much or at all
The second knife is a 100th anniversary penknife with a medalion
Attachments
100_2310.JPG
100_2311.JPG
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Re: Camillus Centennial and Other Memorabilia

Post by orvet »

The US Bicentennial was the 100th Anniversary of Camillus.
Here is a 1976 Camillus stockman.

Dale
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Camillus Anniv stockman.jpg
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Re: Camillus Centennial and Other Memorabilia

Post by travman »

Nice knife Dale ::tu::
Is that a #69 stockman itlooks to be in great shape
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Re: Camillus Centennial and Other Memorabilia

Post by orvet »

Yes Trav it is.
It looks like your 23 was left in the box as well.

Here is a #23 ad knife I have had for 2 or 3 years.

Dale
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Camillus #23 after.jpg
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Re: Camillus Centennial and Other Memorabilia

Post by tjmurphy »

Here's one, not quite centennial, but real close. Nice LITTLE knife, 2 5/8" closed.
MVC-006F.JPG
MVC-008F.JPG
MVC-007F.JPG
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Re: Camillus Centennial and Other Memorabilia

Post by travman »

Tj those Indian stags are some of my favorites ::tu::
and Dale those #23s are a handfull of knife shes a beeeuty :)
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100_2308.JPG
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Re: Camillus Centennial and Other Memorabilia

Post by tjmurphy »

Indian Stag = Delrin or some other man-made material, right.
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Re: Camillus Centennial and Other Memorabilia

Post by travman »

Yes its a delrin , in the catalogs they call it Indian Stag
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Re: Camillus Centennial and Other Memorabilia

Post by tjmurphy »

You know, as I think about it, and I know I shouldn't, that little No. 70 was pretty expensive at $10 in 1975. I do believe that if Camillus had used natural materials instead of man-made, they would have been much more collectible. The knife itself is way better than the handles.
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Re: Camillus Centennial and Other Memorabilia

Post by greyelm »

These are long service pins given to Camillus employees. I have 10, 20, 25, 30 & 40 years, I don't know if other years were used. I got these off eBay just after the factory closed.

Image
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