camillus #72

[jerryd6818]

And the handles look like they're behaving themselves. That's a good'un Greg.

[gsmith7158]

And the handles look like they're behaving themselves. That's a good'un Greg.

Thank you Jerryd! There is a small chip in the pile side
Handle but no shrinky-dink yet.

[rexstubbins]

I looked around the house and found a few more Camillus #72, so now i have 14. However not even one has a double saber grind and only 1 or maybe 2 have bone handles, plus many have been used, so a rather low end 72 collection. Now i will focus on bone examples.
Of the 3 with yellow Delrin only one is marked "72" on back master tang. Any significance to "72" not being there ?
kj

You sure those top two on the left don't have a double sabre grid? Lets see em open.

[rexstubbins]

Rex, love those two 72s with Rogers bone. The one on the left looks like it's a 1st G. The middle one looks like it might be a 2nd G. The Rogers bone on that one is especially nice. Nice new addition too.

Tony, I think you're right on the Rogers bone. It's just a darker scale than the other. Camillus wasn't very particular sometimes about matching its covers. The knife I bought from Harold (stockman) also has handle covers that don't match. The front one has an olive greenish color and the back is a reddish brown. Both are nice Rogers bone but as for them matching

Glad the mystery is finally solved. You got yourself a winner there, buddy!

KJ, I only see one in bone. The top left one but it would not be unheard of if I were wrong.

yes sir 1st & 2nd gen. Can't complain. 2 of my favorites.

[Colonel26]

Those are right nice guys. Real nice.

[jerryd6818]

Just noticed. This thread has 104 pages??? No wonder I have trouble finding a decent 72 for a decent price.


Edit: Do I really need another standard everyday #72?

[Colonel26]

Just noticed. This thread has 104 pages??? No wonder I have trouble finding a decent 72 for a decent price.

Maybe we ought to start a thread about how horrible the 72 is so that we can find deals like we used to again.

[kootenay joe]

Quote Rex: "You sure those top two on the left don't have a double sabre grid? Lets see em open"
Sorry i have put them away now but i did check every knife in that picture and none had a saber grind on both sides of the master clip blade.
kj

[carrmillus]

This boy scout with double side sabre ground master came today and I was pleasantly surprised. It looks better than the sellers pictures and with a little 3in1 and some flitz is a pretty doggone good knife.

....that's definitely a winner, greg!!!!, the one I have isn't near that condition!!!.... ..........

[kootenay joe]

Is this a Camillus U.S.A. made # 72 and is it rare & valuable ?
kj

[carrmillus]

.............that's the prototype fot the "yello jacket" series and they're pretty scarce. I had one , but I gave it to jerryd to help him round out his collection!!.......... ................

[SolWarrior]

Is this a Camillus U.S.A. made # 72 and is it rare & valuable ?
kj

IMO it might be somewhat rare but certainly no where near $375 valuable.

[kootenay joe]

Thanks. What is meant by "prototype" here ? This one was made first and then a run of them happened ? How close to 2007 is this knife ? i.e. built by Camillus employees prior to 2007 closure ?
kj

[jerryd6818]

Yes Roland, it is a Camillus 72. Made for SMKW, I think in the 1990s, they don't show up very often. Are they valuable? All depends on your definition of valuable. When they surface, they typically sell for more than the run of the mill Yello-Jaket.

Edit: And yes, Tommy gave his to me as he did with a couple other 72s that are hard to come by and I appreciate that very much. This is the first time I've heard it said that it's a prototype.

[carrmillus]

......jerry, maybe "prototype" wasn't a correct term, the later ones had the smooth yellow delrin handles and the yello-jaket shield.............. .........................

[SolWarrior]

Here's the 72 I won last week on eBay. It arrived Monday. The first couple of photos are before I cleaned it. The 3rd & 4 are after. I flushed the inside with WD40 and soaked the joints and blades with 3 in One oil then attempted to sand off the pepper spots with 1500 grit and it cleaned up well but not all of it came off. I then decided to soaked it over night (in 3 in One oil) and sand it once more. I finished it off with Flitz polish and rubbed it with a pencil on those spots.

Any ideas as to what else I can do to get rid of the remaining spots/pits - particularly on the front side of main blade? If not, it's still great 1st G. 72! Thanks for looking!

When the 1st Gen. 72 that Greg gifted me (below) arrived I told him that I felt luckier with it in my pocket. Apparently my gut was right on as a few days after this 72 popped up after waiting for months and nothing. Thanks Greg, for the gift and the good omen that came with it! I've been carrying it since the day it arrived, buddy... ..and will continue to do so!

[kootenay joe]

Felix, i am not certain but i think i came in second in that 72 auction.
I used to soak old bone folders in mineral oil but i stopped because it spoils the bone, makes it look oily and softens it. Now i rub the bone with a few very light coats of mineral oil and the bone looks fine.
I also used to try to get the oxidation areas cleaned off but they don't really clean off and you leave superficial scratches on the blade. Now if a graphite pencil won't get it off, i leave it as is.
I think any more cleaning of that 72 will not improve it and could possibly detract from current state.
kj

[Colonel26]

It's been around since 1946, it has obviously been used, it should look like it's been used. Trying to make the metal "pristine" imo will devalue the knife and to me would just look silly. KJ is right. Stop now. It looks good.

That's just my opinion. But it's your knife. Whatever floats your boat!

[gsmith7158]

Yeah I would agree. The only way to get the rest of the oxidation and pitting off is more sanding. I think I would leave that be.

[SolWarrior]

Thanks for your input, guys. I agree with every comment. They were right on. It pretty much confirmed what I felt was it. No more sanding/metal removing. The Flitz polish I used sparingly. I just tapped the tip of the cloth on the tube and I didn't try to remove all the scratches from the blades or bolsters, just some light polishing. I tried to avoid from getting any oils on to the bone covers but when flushing it out it's almost impossible to do. I Love a nice patina on all my users and once it gets one it'll be less noticeable.

[SolWarrior]

Felix, i am not certain but i think i came in second in that 72 auction.
I used to soak old bone folders in mineral oil but i stopped because it spoils the bone, makes it look oily and softens it. Now i rub the bone with a few very light coats of mineral oil and the bone looks fine.
I also used to try to get the oxidation areas cleaned off but they don't really clean off and you leave superficial scratches on the blade. Now if a graphite pencil won't get it off, i leave it as is.
I think any more cleaning of that 72 will not improve it and could possibly detract from current state.
kj

KJ, believe it or not but you were my biggest concern going in to that bidding war. I sensed that you'd be the one to beat because of the 72 streak you were on at the beginning of this month. I think you bought something like 3 or 4 72s in one day, maaaybe two and then disappeared. Like the quite before the storm. I said nothing. Not a word but, I was more worried about you more than all the other 72 hounds.

Greg said he wasn't going after this 72 because he was going to focus on a couple Empires. (His true love) Jerry, I thought has plenty and so did several other old 72 hounds so they wouldn't bid as high... ..or at least those were my thoughts at the time. But you! You came in with a renewed purpose for the 72s.

You really had me worried so, I emptied out the piggy bank; the old "oil can". It's a Foster's Lager can - an imported beer from Australia. I've had that can since my 20s and cleared well over $100. Back then it was called "the oil can" because of it's shape, and colors and was filled to the very top with quarters, dimes and nickels but a few pennies sneaked in there somehow.

To this day I felt it was you who came in second but didn't want to ask. Good luck next time, my friend.

[gsmith7158]

Just so you know Felix I'm back in the hunt for the next one.

[kootenay joe]

Felix would you PM me a link to that auction. I bid and lost on a couple of 72's but i'm not 100% sure yours was one of them and i would like to know.
thanks, kj

[kootenay joe]

I just found this knife in my ebay "didn't win" list. I did not come in second in auction for the First Gen won by Felix. Cheapo me came in 6th ! $33.20 under winning bid.
kj

[#goldpan]

I bid on that one too. I thought my 55 dollar bid would take it.... Its a good thing I lost out, I really didn't have the cash! But I do have an old wooden cigar box full change! Next time.....