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 have a couple of those.
Camillus 72 - 2000s swapped secondary blades - Open Mark.JPG
The coping blade is different.
Camillus 72 - 2000s swapped secondary blades - Coping blades comparison (Schrade).JPG
The small clip is different.
Camillus 72 - 2000s swapped secondary blades - Clip secondary comparison (Schrade).JPG
And they ground off the Stanley tang stamp and etched on the Camillus tang stamp but left the Stanley pattern number stamped on the pile side of the tang.
^Camillus 72 - 2000s swapped secondary blades - Combined Tang & Pattern.JPG

This one is the 2nd one.
Camillus 72 Backwards blades - Mark.JPG
They relieved the handle to make it easier to open that goofy little clip blade.
Camillus 72 Backwards blades - Pile - Notch Circled.jpg

And then I have a Yello-Jaket that never received the blade etch nor had the pins ground down and finished. I have another at this stage of the finishing process. The other one is tang stamped Harley Davidson (HD-21).
Camillus 72 - '89 to Close, Yellow - Unfinished.JPG
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
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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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carrmillus
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Re: camillus #72

Post by carrmillus »

orvet wrote:I received a first generation 72 from ebay today.
Strictly a parts knife, but the Rogers' bone handles are good on it.
The secondary blades are all broken and clip is short 1/2" and ground way down.

I will have to add some newer blades to it, put it together and polish it up.
It should look good then! ::nod::
......dale, I have a first gen. #72, short line, bone handled, that has decent blades in it ,if you would like to have it, i'll be glad to donate it to you. actually the bone is in pretty good shape, too, what's wrong with the knife is the shield is crooked(antigogglin') as my grandpa used to say!!....let me know if you can use it!!................ ::tu:: .........................
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caddyman1973
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Re: camillus #72

Post by caddyman1973 »

Picked up this lil #72 on the Hwy. 127 yard sale. I'm starting to accumulate a few of these. Great little knife!
029.JPG
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Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

That's a really nice one Billy. I love the handles on the early long-lines. The jigging and color of the Delrin are both great and the hafting of the handles is superb.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
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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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caddyman1973
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Re: camillus #72

Post by caddyman1973 »

Yeah I couldn't pass on that one for $25...
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Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

You didn't get hurt none. That's about low end for that one.
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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Shearer
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Re: camillus #72

Post by Shearer »

caddyman1973 wrote:Picked up this lil #72 on the Hwy. 127 yard sale. I'm starting to accumulate a few of these. Great little knife!
029.JPG
Nice knife and not a bad price.
Love them 72's . I have a couple or a few or many. :lol: :lol:

Grant
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Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

Shearer wrote: Love them 72's . I have a couple or a few or many. :lol: :lol:
Grant
I have 12 pounds. :lol: :lol:

caddyman1973 wrote: I'm starting to accumulate a few of these.
I can understand why but I kinda hate to hear that. More competition. :mrgreen:
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

Post by carrmillus »

jerryd6818 wrote:That's a really nice one Billy. I love the handles on the early long-lines. The jigging and color of the Delrin are both great and the hafting of the handles is superb.
....you're right, jerry, that is some of the best looking delrin ever produced!!..I've got 2 or 3 like that and they are hard to distinguish from bone!!!.......... ::tu:: ::tu:: .................
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Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

Well lookee here folks what Tommy (Carrmillus) sent to me. Tommy, I'm deep, deep, deep in debt to you.

1940s Camillus 72 with the rough black handles.
DSC06557.JPG

AND

This absolutely gorgeous Santa Fe Stoneworks with handles made of several types and shades of wood on the mark side and what I believe is Walnut on the pile side. It's a dirty shame my photographic skills SUCK 'cause this one is a real beauty.
DSC06554.JPG
DSC06555.JPG
DSC06556.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
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Shearer
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Re: camillus #72

Post by Shearer »

Jerry is the first knife does it have the short line tang stamp.The only one I have with the rough black short line is a 1047 scout.
Like the Santa Fe Stoneworks

Grant
Politicians should be like a good pocket knife ." Sharp and useful "
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Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

Yes, it's a short line.
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

Post by carrmillus »

....glad you like 'em jerry!!!......I'm sure the pile pile of the santa fe knife is walnut, what the mark side wood is, I hope someone knows???.......I've never seen another "72" like that one!!!....on the short line, does anyone have one like this where the master is paired with the coping blade???......all I've seen have the large pen blade paired with the master???.....also are the handles delrin or bone?????................... ::shrug:: ...............................
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Re: camillus #72

Post by Colonel26 »

Those are some mighty fine ones right there! Way to go Cuz and Carmillus!
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Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

Tommy, as I understand it, Santa Fe Stoneworks makes short runs and custom one of's so this one could be truly unique or one of not very many. What ever the case, it's a beautiful knife and I certainly appreciate it.

As for the short line you sent, the handles are a synthetic often times referred to as "rough black". There's another name for them but I can't recall what it is right now (Gumby? Gumbo? Something in that neighborhood.). I have two others with the short line, "rough black" handles and coping blade paired with the main blade but neither one has a shield. No, it didn't fall off they just never had one.

Once again, until you are better paid, thank you very much for your generosity. Thanks to you my 72 pile may now be up to 13 pounds. I'll have to weigh it again sometime soon. :lol:
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Camillus_72_Rough_Black_No_Shield .JPG
Camillus 72 Short Line '46-'50 -- Open.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
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Colonel26
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Re: camillus #72

Post by Colonel26 »

Cuz, is that rough black material what they used to call gutta percha, or something like similar to that?
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Re: camillus #72

Post by orvet »

From what I remember LT saying, gutta percha was not used for knife handles much beyond the time of WWI.
I don’t know how widely it was used, but my understanding is that not a lot of knife handles were made of gutta percha.

Info on Gutta Percha: http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1456

AAPK thread on Gutta Percha: http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... =2&t=40668


EDIT:
More links on Gutta Percha:
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/7203325

http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/ ... 01-06.html

http://www.theodora.com/encyclopedia/g2 ... ercha.html

Will & Fink push dagger-
http://www.soldusa.com/rainworx/detail. ... &pic=0#img

Civil War Surgeon’s kit with gutta percha handles-
http://www.mcpheetersantiquemilitaria.c ... em_002.htm
Dale
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Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

Over a week later, it just popped into my brain cage. (It's what I like to call instant recall.) "Gum Fuddy". Here's something I found on it.

http://www.iknifecollector.com/group/ca ... /gum-fuddy

""Gum Fuddy"!
Posted by Craig Henry on October 31, 2012 at 16:19 in Case Fans

Most likely have never heard the phrase, “Gum Fuddy.” Those familiar with vintage pocket knives, however, recognize this nickname given to some special Case knives made during a pivotal time in American history. Now W.R. Case & Sons has brought back these old favorites back with a “Rough Black” family of knives.

The story behind Case’s Rough Black pocket knives begins in the 1940’s with the advent of World War II, when many raw materials used to produce consumer goods were diverted to support the war effort. Materials traditionally used to make pocket knife handles were no exception. A race to market knives with new, never-before-seen materials ensued between competing knife manufacturers.

In that search, Case product developers came upon a hard black synthetic material which demonstrated high durability, strength and overall appeal. A special jigging pattern was applied to the material surface to create the unique “Rough Black” knife handle slabs. The knives that resulted became known as “Gum Fuddy” knives at Case, a nickname quickly adopted by the consumer market as sales of Rough Black knives grew.

Case phased out production of “Gum Fuddy” knives after the war, as traditional handle materials made their way back to market. The knives have since become highly sought after collection pieces."
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

Post by jerryd6818 »

A case of delayed gratification, I bought this one back in July and just got it this weekend (my cousin picked it up from the seller and held it until I saw her this weekend)

Another for the pile. A little bit different Camillus made Remington R-14 with wood handles. It's a clone of the Camillus #5 made in the early 2000s only it has N/S bolsters instead of brass.
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Remington R-14W (Aug '14) - Open 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
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Re: camillus #72

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jerryd6818 wrote:A case of delayed gratification, I bought this one back in July and just got it this weekend (my cousin picked it up from the seller and held it until I saw her this weekend)

Another for the pile. A little bit different Camillus made Remington R-14 with wood handles. It's a clone of the Camillus #5 made in the early 2000s only it has N/S bolsters instead of brass.
.....jerry, is it just my worn out eyes or do the nickel silver bolsters on this knife make it look longer than the #5 Camillus?????................... :roll: ....................
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Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

I hate to tell you this Tommy but it's just your eyes. As far as I know, they're all 3-5/8" closed.

Edit: I cut this out of the 2003 catalog.
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Camillus #5 B.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
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Re: camillus #72

Post by Shearer »

carrmillus wrote:
jerryd6818 wrote:A case of delayed gratification, I bought this one back in July and just got it this weekend (my cousin picked it up from the seller and held it until I saw her this weekend)

Another for the pile. A little bit different Camillus made Remington R-14 with wood handles. It's a clone of the Camillus #5 made in the early 2000s only it has N/S bolsters instead of brass.
.....jerry, is it just my worn out eyes or do the nickel silver bolsters on this knife make it look longer than the #5 Camillus?????................... :roll: ....................
I took a couple of pictures so you can compare could see the difference.

Grant
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Re: camillus #72

Post by carrmillus »

..............thanks, shearer!!.......it looks to me like the rear bolster on the Camillus is bigger, or else the primary is set lower into the frame. also, the handles on the Camillus are not rounded off like the Remington????.................... ::shrug:: ....................................
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Re: camillus #72

Post by Shearer »

Here a yellow handled McGrew that turned up today .
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Re: camillus #72

Post by jerryd6818 »

When do you start the new addition to the house, Grant? Or is she making you keep them out in the barn? :lol:
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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