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.
Post Reply
User avatar
jerryd6818
Posts: 39458
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:23 am
Location: Farther down the road.

Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

carrmillus wrote:
jerryd6818 wrote:Thanks for the heads up Josh but it's not a 72. It's a small serpentine "Midget Stock Knife", probably about 2¾" - 3" or so closed. Maybe equivelant to a Camillus 77 (I couldn't find the equivelant Camco number). I almost jumped on it but managed to put on the brakes in time. I shot from the hip one time, looking at blades and not reading and ended up with a little #70, really, really small.
.........jerry, I've got a #77 like you are describing, and I've also got a #48, which is identical except different handles, both are long-line stamped?????................. ::shrug:: ........................
And small.
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
User avatar
carrmillus
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 6293
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:22 pm
Location: tupelo, miss.

Re: camillus #72

Post by carrmillus »

jerryd6818 wrote:
carrmillus wrote:
jerryd6818 wrote:Thanks for the heads up Josh but it's not a 72. It's a small serpentine "Midget Stock Knife", probably about 2¾" - 3" or so closed. Maybe equivelant to a Camillus 77 (I couldn't find the equivelant Camco number). I almost jumped on it but managed to put on the brakes in time. I shot from the hip one time, looking at blades and not reading and ended up with a little #70, really, really small.
.........jerry, I've got a #77 like you are describing, and I've also got a #48, which is identical except different handles, both are long-line stamped?????................. ::shrug:: ........................
And small.
...........both 2 3/4" closed!!!.........but I like 'em!!!........... ::tu:: .....................
User avatar
Shearer
Posts: 2352
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:11 pm
Location: Australia

Re: camillus #72

Post by Shearer »

wlf wrote:Grant,did you pressure cook the KMnO4 :D or just apply to the surface to get your result? Nice bone on that...... Also was it cured?
I made a small vacuum chamber and left in in for a while to get the colour I wanted and coated it with Zap CA( thin super glue ).
I tried Musketman way to apply to another knife .I used water instead of alcohol ( I could not get the alcohol to mix he must have used a different alcohol )

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 37&t=39463

Hope this helps
Grant
Politicians should be like a good pocket knife ." Sharp and useful "
GP Hill
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Aug 18, 2013 1:39 pm

Re: camillus #72

Post by GP Hill »

Picked up a beautiful "72" High Carbon Steel on eBay last week. This has what looks like Rogers bone handles, a saber ground clip master with a match striker long pull , a pen blade next to the master and a coping blade on the other end. The eBay number is 360815571086. Maybe someone that knows how can post a link.
User avatar
IMBand
Posts: 2915
Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 5:12 pm
Location: S.E. Alaska

Re: camillus #72

Post by IMBand »

AAPK #6581
User avatar
Shearer
Posts: 2352
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:11 pm
Location: Australia

Re: camillus #72

Post by Shearer »

GP Hill wrote:Picked up a beautiful "72" High Carbon Steel on eBay last week. This has what looks like Rogers bone handles, a saber ground clip master with a match striker long pull , a pen blade next to the master and a coping blade on the other end. The eBay number is 360815571086. Maybe someone that knows how can post a link.
I was after that knife .I am glad someone from AAPK won it.
Grant
Politicians should be like a good pocket knife ." Sharp and useful "
User avatar
jerryd6818
Posts: 39458
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:23 am
Location: Farther down the road.

Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

Oh, I didn't see that one. That's a nice'un. 1st generation blades, 1946-1947, made by Camillus for Sears. Look to see if you can see the vestigages of a blade etch. Should have had "Sta-Sharp" etched on the main blade. You done good, I like it.
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
GP Hill
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Aug 18, 2013 1:39 pm

Re: camillus #72

Post by GP Hill »

jerryd6818 wrote:Oh, I didn't see that one. That's a nice'un. 1st generation blades, 1946-1947, made by Camillus for Sears. Look to see if you can see the vestigages of a blade etch. Should have had "Sta-Sharp" etched on the main blade. You done good, I like it.
No blade etch visible but this knife has nickel silver liners and pins and the center liner is milled. This is one of my favorites.
User avatar
jerryd6818
Posts: 39458
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:23 am
Location: Farther down the road.

Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

GP Hill wrote:
jerryd6818 wrote:Oh, I didn't see that one. That's a nice'un. 1st generation blades, 1946-1947, made by Camillus for Sears. Look to see if you can see the vestigages of a blade etch. Should have had "Sta-Sharp" etched on the main blade. You done good, I like it.
No blade etch visible but this knife has nickel silver liners and pins and the center liner is milled. This is one of my favorites.
Oh, well, then the milled liners and nickle silver liners & pins make it a #80 DeLuxe Carpenter's and Whittler's knife, not a 72. It still could have had a blade etch "Camillus DeLuxe" on the main. Seller claims there's an etch but I can't see one in the picture.

The "High Carbon Steel" still makes it a Sears knife made by Camillus. I haven't seen one of the early ones like that.
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
User avatar
Shearer
Posts: 2352
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:11 pm
Location: Australia

Re: camillus #72

Post by Shearer »

Here is a picture of the knife.
Attachments
$_3.JPG
$_3.JPG (25.56 KiB) Viewed 1812 times
Politicians should be like a good pocket knife ." Sharp and useful "
GP Hill
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Aug 18, 2013 1:39 pm

Re: camillus #72

Post by GP Hill »

The quality, fit and finish of this knife is outstanding. It is actually nicer than my 83 pattern case whittlers from the same time period.
User avatar
jerryd6818
Posts: 39458
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:23 am
Location: Farther down the road.

Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

I'm with ya all the way. I'm hooked on them. I bought another one last night. I didn't need it. It's not unusual but the price was right. ::facepalm::
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
User avatar
Shearer
Posts: 2352
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:11 pm
Location: Australia

Re: camillus #72

Post by Shearer »

jerryd6818 wrote:I'm with ya all the way. I'm hooked on them. I bought another one last night. I didn't need it. It's not unusual but the price was right. ::facepalm::
Was it a scout ??

I purchased one about a hour ago didn't need it but I could not help myself.
Grant
Politicians should be like a good pocket knife ." Sharp and useful "
User avatar
jerryd6818
Posts: 39458
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:23 am
Location: Farther down the road.

Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

Nah, it's a Schrade 863 or Ulster 63 with no tang stamp or marking of any kind except for something scratched into the shield. It has a couple of issues but for $13 shipped I can overlook 'em. It will make a good EDC for someone. Pictures are bad (These are copies I cleaned up) so I missed a couple of things like the rocker pin crack on the mark side and the place on the pile side that looks like it got into a sander or grinder or something. ::shrug:: Tell ya more about it once I get it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190988555374?ss ... t_63wt_882
Attachments
Schrade 863 or Ulster 63.jpg
Schrade 863 or Ulster 63-2.jpg
Schrade 863 or Ulster 63-3.jpg
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
User avatar
Shearer
Posts: 2352
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:11 pm
Location: Australia

Re: camillus #72

Post by Shearer »

Here's the one I purchased a Camillus Scout.Needs a good clean.I put one bit four days ago.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vintage-Cami ... true&rt=nc
Attachments
Camillus  Scout early.JPG
Politicians should be like a good pocket knife ." Sharp and useful "
User avatar
jerryd6818
Posts: 39458
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:23 am
Location: Farther down the road.

Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

What makes you say that's a Scout?
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
User avatar
Shearer
Posts: 2352
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:11 pm
Location: Australia

Re: camillus #72

Post by Shearer »

Jerry: I was wrong again .Had scout on the brain and slow to loss it. ::doh:: ::doh::
Politicians should be like a good pocket knife ." Sharp and useful "
User avatar
jerryd6818
Posts: 39458
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:23 am
Location: Farther down the road.

Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

No worries mate. You're not the first one to have that happen to you. :lol:

He says the rust will just wipe right off. I guess we'll see about that. ::skeptic::
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
User avatar
Shearer
Posts: 2352
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:11 pm
Location: Australia

Re: camillus #72

Post by Shearer »

Here a Camillus scout (1047) that's abit different.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Rare-Wh ... 3a89a59d78
Attachments
Camillus 1047 pearl.jpg
Politicians should be like a good pocket knife ." Sharp and useful "
User avatar
carrmillus
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 6293
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:22 pm
Location: tupelo, miss.

Re: camillus #72

Post by carrmillus »

.........shearer, is that real pearl or synthetic?????...................... ::tu:: ..................
User avatar
jerryd6818
Posts: 39458
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:23 am
Location: Farther down the road.

Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

Tommy -- That came in with my saved searches this morning and I'm 99% sure it's real pearl. I'm also 99% sure it's a long line that's been rehandled.

I sent an email to Wallace Rockwell this morning asking about the knife (Wallace was The Custom Shop at Camillus until they closed their doors and he's also the guy that put the Gold Lip Pearl and Elephant Ivory on my two custom 72s). This is Wallace's response:

"Not while I was there. But this does look to be factory made. Rivets and shield look correct. May have been done by an employee. I do not think it was a production item. First time I have seen one. I have done the only pearl ones I know of.
Wallace"


I also sent a query to Tom Williams who is an AAPK member and also a long time Camillus employee, as is his mother. No answer yet from Tom.

It's pure speculation but I suspect the knife is either a recent re-handle or one other possibility, it may have been a lunch box special. I don't think we'll ever know for sure.

Edit: Another thing. I would have thought if Camillus made the knife, they would have had the template for the shield and the sheld would be inlet in the handle. To me, this one looks like it's glued on.

All that said, it's a VERY good looking knife.

Edit #2: It is from the late '40s or very early '50s because the blade is saber ground on both sides AND it is a genuine #1047 Scout because there is no pattern number stamped on the back of the maine blade. So that leads me to believe it originally had those black synthetic "shrinky dink" handles from that era, thus prompting a rehandle.
Attachments
Camillus 1047 MOP Handles.jpg
Camillus 1047 MOP Handles - No Pattern Stamp.jpg
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
User avatar
Colonel26
Bronze Tier
Bronze Tier
Posts: 10404
Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2012 3:35 am
Location: Kentucky

Re: camillus #72

Post by Colonel26 »

Ohh, that's purty! I like it.


I had a new 72 come in yesterday. When I finish cleaning it up I'll post it up and see if ol Cuz can accurately diagnose its lineage. It's a gooder'un.
“There are things in the old Book which I may not be able to explain, but I fully accept it as the infallible word of God, and receive its teachings as inspired by the Holy Spirit.”
Robert E. Lee
User avatar
bestgear
Silver Tier
Silver Tier
Posts: 6226
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:58 pm
Location: Oak Island NC
Contact:

Re: camillus #72

Post by bestgear »

I too took a peek at the MOP Scout Whittler this morning and after about 2 hours of research in my knife books, BSA National Supply Catalogs, Boy's Life Magazines and Boy Scout Handbooks I can find no evidence of Camillus ever "officially" producing a BSA Model 1047 with MOP. To be generous, this eBay seller has previously "improved" the condition of standard production BSA knives through rehandling and backspring file work.

I agree with Jerry that this is most likely a black handled 1047 rehandled with MOP.

On the other hand you could spin a great story about it being a 1 of 1 example of the 1047.......I'm sticking to my research and gut on this one.
Tom
AAPK Administrator
https://www.tcjr-leatherworks.com
User avatar
jerryd6818
Posts: 39458
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:23 am
Location: Farther down the road.

Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

bestgear -- I think we nailed it. Thanks for all that research. That helps a lot.


This one came in yesterday. It's not a Camillus and it has no tang stamp or factory markings of any other kind (someone has scratched something on the shield that looks kind of like Yogi).

I'm 99% sure the knife was made by the Schrade/Ulster/Imperial consortium. Handle pin placement, main blade pull and the jigging in the Delrin all just scream Schrade/Ulster to me. She's in pretty good shape for the shape she's in. Good snap, full blades and no wobble. It does have a rocker pin crack on the mark side and a couple of gouges in the pile side handle, one of which is rather large. It was reasonable and it would make a very good EDC so why not.
Attachments
Schrade-Ulster 863-63 -- Open Mark.JPG
Schrade-Ulster 863-63 -- No Tang Stamp.JPG
Schrade-Ulster 863-63 -- Pile Side Chunk Missing.JPG
Schrade-Ulster 863-63 -- Closed Mark.JPG
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
User avatar
Colonel26
Bronze Tier
Bronze Tier
Posts: 10404
Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2012 3:35 am
Location: Kentucky

Re: camillus #72

Post by Colonel26 »

I just finished sharpening and cleaning up a pile of knives for a friend. This Camillus 72 was included along with the instructions to keep it for myself as payment! Well, you can't beat that with a stick! I think you'll like it, and probably recognize where it came from. Sadly it was real gunky. I polished it up. Oiled it up, and did a touch of needed reprofiling of the clip. It'll make a nice edc.
Attachments
image.jpg
image.jpg
“There are things in the old Book which I may not be able to explain, but I fully accept it as the infallible word of God, and receive its teachings as inspired by the Holy Spirit.”
Robert E. Lee
Post Reply

Return to “Camillus Cutlery Collector's Forum”