Camillus #23 restoration

[orvet]

Well, I thought I had before pics of this knife but I can't find them.
This was a fair example of a worn Camillus #23 that was an ad knife.
The stamping on the handles was worn and faded so I thought stag would look good in place of the old handles.

I used a light stain on the stag, but haven't decided if I like it or not.
I may darken the stag with another coat of dye.

What do y'all think, would it look better darker or should I leave it lighter?

[0078]

Nice job dale, I like the lighter color. Will you add a shield or leave it as is. Either way a great looking knife. I have a remington knife that looks exactly the same as that camillus?

[Paladin 51]

Love it the way it is. I have picked up 3 of these recently for a redo... and yes...a shield would look awesome on there

[glennbad]

Love it! I always thought those 23s were good knives, but kinda ghetto with the white comp covers.

The stag really gives it some class!

[orvet]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input on the color.
Sometimes when I am doing these I get in a rut of doing them the same.
There is some detail in the stag that is more visible in the lighter color, like the natural checking of the stag where it is hafted. I like that but wasn't sure if anyone else would like it.

Nice job dale, I like the lighter color. Will you add a shield or leave it as is. Either way a great looking knife. I have a remington knife that looks exactly the same as that camillus?

I thought about a shield, but the #23 does not usually have a shield as it was primarily used as an ad knife, at least all I have had were. I don't know if Camillus made this under the Remington name or not. I have not seen one.


So the question now would be what shield would look best on this knife?
Perhaps a bowtie shield like this Streamline?

[jerryd6818]

You're right Dale. The #23 never had a shield so leave it plain as a footprint of it's roots. JMO


Edit: Of course if you had used Culpepper's Marigold plain bone, I would then have to suggest a Corporal chevrons tie tack as the shield.