Camillus model 64

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
TuckersDad
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2019 5:08 pm

Camillus model 64

Post by TuckersDad »

Just picked up a Camillus model 64 at an antique store today for 15$. It was in overall pretty good shape, has good snap and blades are ok. I know it has a punch on it. My question is why is there a punch on it? Why does the punch have spirals on it? Maybe they used punches more back in the day? What was the application for a punch? May seem like a stupid question. If someone asks me though when I whip this thing out I just wanted to be able to tell them. Thanks a lot guys!
User avatar
gsmith7158
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 8548
Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2015 7:25 pm
Location: Canton, Ga. 100% of the time
Contact:

Re: Camillus model 64

Post by gsmith7158 »

Punches on knives are usually associated with stock knives and were used by farmers and ranchers for tasks like punching through a cow's hide to relieve bloating or punching holes in harnessing. Leather work is their forte.
------------------

Greg

IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.

PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
User avatar
orvet
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 19336
Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 6:23 am
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Re: Camillus model 64

Post by orvet »

100 years ago people drove horses more than they drove cars. Horses required leather harness, leather reigns, leather straps and leather belts. The punch was used to "punch holes" in leather for repairing harnesses.
I grew up on a ranch and that was a common tool on the ranch. The nice thing about leather punch on a pocket knife is you have everything there to make a hole and a couple pieces of leather without bringing anything else along, it fits right in your pocket.
You don't need an anvil or a rock to put behind the leather and you don't need a hammer to strike the punch, like some of the other leather punches require.

Probably the main thing most people use them for now days is to put an extra hole in their belt if they have lost or gained weight.
Dale
AAPK Administrator

Please visit my AAPK store: www.allaboutpocketknives.com/orvet

Job 13:15

"Buy more ammo!" - Johnnie Fain
“Evil is Powerless If The Good are Unafraid.” – Ronald Reagan
User avatar
orvet
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 19336
Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 6:23 am
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Re: Camillus model 64

Post by orvet »

Oops Greg beat me.

Greg, have you seen the punch blade actually used to relieve bloating?
We always use the clip blade because it was longer. Some of the short clip blades won't reach past the ribs far enough to puncture the stomach.
Dale
AAPK Administrator

Please visit my AAPK store: www.allaboutpocketknives.com/orvet

Job 13:15

"Buy more ammo!" - Johnnie Fain
“Evil is Powerless If The Good are Unafraid.” – Ronald Reagan
User avatar
gsmith7158
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 8548
Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2015 7:25 pm
Location: Canton, Ga. 100% of the time
Contact:

Re: Camillus model 64

Post by gsmith7158 »

orvet wrote:Oops Greg beat me.

Greg, have you seen the punch blade actually used to relieve bloating?
We always use the clip blade because it was longer. Some of the short clip blades won't reach past the ribs far enough to puncture the stomach.
Dale I have not seen one used that way but have always heard that tale.
------------------

Greg

IF YOU AIN'T BUYING OR LOOKING AT A KNIFE THEN YOU AIN'T LIVING.
Always looking to buy good quality Empire knives.

PROUD MEMBER AAPK, NRA.
TuckersDad
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2019 5:08 pm

Re: Camillus model 64

Post by TuckersDad »

That’s the only thing I could think of was leather. You see that’s good I asked that. Now I can share the information you guys shared with me. I appreciate it. I could have used that on my belt instead of my dewalt and a drill bit. Thanks for the answers guys
User avatar
orvet
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 19336
Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 6:23 am
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Re: Camillus model 64

Post by orvet »

A sharp punch would no doubt pierce the hide but I doubt it would reach far enough to pierce the stomach.
Something to remember if you ever watch someone stick a bloating cow: BE SURE YOU ARE NOT DOWNWIND! ::barf::
It can be pretty wretched. ::nod::
Dale
AAPK Administrator

Please visit my AAPK store: www.allaboutpocketknives.com/orvet

Job 13:15

"Buy more ammo!" - Johnnie Fain
“Evil is Powerless If The Good are Unafraid.” – Ronald Reagan
User avatar
cody6268
Posts: 3866
Joined: Fri Apr 10, 2015 7:51 pm
Location: Southwestern Virginia

Re: Camillus model 64

Post by cody6268 »

Great thing to pair with the Leatherman Wave, since unmodified, it doesn't have an awl. And to start a screw, you've got to have one. I use a Cub Scout knife, as the bottle opener on the Wave isn't good either.
kootenay joe
Posts: 13373
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2016 5:36 pm
Location: West Kootenays, B.C.

Re: Camillus model 64

Post by kootenay joe »

A punch blade (aka "awl") can be used any time you want to poke at something. We see at lot of tipped clip blades mostly because the blade was used to poke and or pry. Save your clip tip, use the awl.
An awl and a saw blade means you can do a lot of things with your pocket knife.
kj
User avatar
Colonel26
Bronze Tier
Bronze Tier
Posts: 10322
Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2012 3:35 am
Location: Kentucky

Re: Camillus model 64

Post by Colonel26 »

A punch blade on a stockman is a right handy thing to have in the farm and in the shop. Like the others said it works great in leather, but can be used in other materials too. And they work for making small pilot holes to start screws.

As to using them like a trocar, I agree with Dale. I just don’t think it would be long enough for a cow, maybe a goat. And yes, hold your breath!!!
“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”