awaiting my first Camillus

[313 Mike]

I was wondering if any of you knowledgeable Camillus collectors here could drop a little info on me about this knife I won on ebay. I know it is in rough shape but for 5$ I'm pretty sure I won't be too dissapointed. Hopefully it will clean up well. I would appreciate any info you would like to share. thanks.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260930636743?ss ... 1439.l2649

[garddogg56]

That will be a nice one for ya

[travman]

Mike
looks like you got youself a camillus model 78 stock knife
Indian stag (delrin) handles
sword brand etched on main blade
Made from around 1972 thru 1982-83 doesnt show in 1984 catalogs
They are a decent knife well made it will serve you well enough

Trav

[jerryd6818]

Here's a better picture. Make a good carry knife.

[313 Mike]

Thanks for the info. I will post again when I get it in hand and clean it up a little, hopefully make it into a sturdy little user!

[TripleF]

Congrats!! Knice score!!

[313 Mike]

Alright! Got the 78 stock knife in hand today, cleaned it up a little bit, honed up the edges and she is good to go. Straight into the pocket. So far.. Lovin my first Camillus. Main blade has been re-shaped at the tip and doesn't have much snap but is still good to go, and the tang stamp is clean. The other two blades are both snappy and ready for action. I really like the "heft" of the knife, really solidly built. Handle scales are tight and pleasing to the eye, and the large size of the knife fills the hand nicely. The slanted bolsters are a nice touch, and the blades have a nice thickness to them for doing some actual work. Can anyone tell me what kind of steel Camillus was using at the time this knife was made? And is there any way to narrow down the year this was made a bit from the 1972--1983 range? Pretty psyched to have picked this one up for $5. Thanks again for the help, I know this will not be my last Camillus...

[TripleF]

Add some Quick Release Oil to that main blade Mike, that'll put some umph back in the snap!

[313 Mike]

Add some Quick Release Oil to that main blade Mike, that'll put some umph back in the snap!

I blew it out with some Beechwood Casey Gun Blaster, then lubed it up with a shot of the Slick 50 One Shot, and she regained a bit of pep and springs open a little, but is still kind of lazy on the return trip down. That's ok though, she's obviously been a workin' knife and I'll be proud to carry her. As Meatloaf would say, two outa three ain't bad.

[313 Mike]

Carried this one at work today and showed it off to some people that had never heard of Camillus before...got some nice oooh's and ahhh's. They could tell right away it that it had some character and was a quality tool. Even the non-knife people commented on the fact that it "had some heft" to it and felt real solid. Gave me a chance to share some of my (limited but growing daily) knowledge of the history of US made knives and the character contained in these surviving pieces of American history...