What does a Camillus #15 SUPPOSED to look like?

[Meridian_Mike]

I got a Camillus #15 in a bunch of knives I got off the bay specifically for restoring. Well, to say the very least.... the one I got is a train wreck. The blades aren't too bad. But the scales gassed and self destructed.

I looked out in the bay for a current auction to see what a #15 is supposed to look like. Well...... here is the result of that search.

ONE Camillus #15....

Not in the best shape.....

SO, then the bright idea hit me to look at ALL THOSE #15s that were on the finished auctions......
Here is the result of that search.....

only TWO more..... in the same auction.

SO..... are these #15s just that RARE or have most just been ruined by cell gassing and pitched?

Have y'all got any good ones?

Mike

[carrmillus]

....that's one I do not have, mike!!.................. ..................

[Meridian_Mike]

....that's one I do not have, mike!!.................. ..................

This is a head scratcher..... Are these #15s just not out there? I guess they were not very popular or something.

[carrmillus]

..only catalog I have is a 1976, and it's not even listed !!!........... ................

[Meridian_Mike]

I searched around and I found ONE thread here that showed one.

Were they just too ugly to buy back in the day?


viewtopic.php?f=63&t=58537&p=670007&hil ... CK#p670007

[carrmillus]

...........I don't think I would have bought one!!!.......... ...............

[New_Windsor_NY]

I thought I had one. Surprisingly enough, I don't. I have a "14" & a "16" but no "15." I do have the printer block for advertising the "15" but that's all. Good luck with that Mike!

[Sharpnshinyknives]

I got a Camillus #15 in a bunch of knives I got off the bay specifically for restoring. Well, to say the very least.... the one I got is a train wreck. The blades aren't too bad. But the scales gassed and self destructed.
IMG_5133.JPG

I looked out in the bay for a current auction to see what a #15 is supposed to look like. Well...... here is the result of that search.

ONE Camillus #15....
s-l1600 (1).jpg

Not in the best shape.....

SO, then the bright idea hit me to look at ALL THOSE #15s that were on the finished auctions......
Here is the result of that search.....

only TWO more..... in the same auction.
s-l1600.jpg

SO..... are these #15s just that RARE or have most just been ruined by cell gassing and pitched?

Have y'all got any good ones?

Mike

Mike have you checked other brands that might be the same? Such as Keen Kutter. Seems to me I have seen that but it wasn’t a Camillus. Thinking I saw this in the KK line. Just a hunch.

[Meridian_Mike]

Mike have you checked other brands that might be the same? Such as Keen Kutter. Seems to me I have seen that but it wasn’t a Camillus. Thinking I saw this in the KK line. Just a hunch.

No, I actually haven't yet but I will.
Thanks for that heads up.

[msteele6]

Here is a 15 pattern. Photo's aren't great, the knife is a little redder than shown, however, this is a typical Camillus handle material that most will recognize.

[Meridian_Mike]

Yep..... interesting looking scales for sure.....
Thanks for the pics of your knife. Scales sure do look good. I hope they don't explode when you aren't looking.

I found the #15 in the 1948 Camillus catalog. Looks like the only difference between the #14 and the #15 is that the #14 handle material is called "stagged" and the #15 handle material is called "red horn pyroxylin"....
Otherwise.... same blades, same length, same style.

[msteele6]

... I hope they don't explode when you aren't looking.

I'm always looking.

[Meridian_Mike]

I'm always looking.

GOOOOD.... that way, they will behave!

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Is this the Stagged one? This is a Keen Kutter I had. Pretty sure Camillus made this one, but I sold it quite some time ago so I might not have that correct.

[Meridian_Mike]

Well.... not exactly sure.
I have a Camillus #14 with a shield. It looks like this here....

I figured this is what "stagged" means.

[jerryd6818]

This is the 14 & 15 from the 1946 catalog. In Camillus speak, "stagged" is just their standard Delrin jigging used from 1965 or so and on up.
While I love the 14's and have several of them (about 15 or so), I have no interest in the 15's. It's the Celluloid handles that turn me off.

[Meridian_Mike]

Yep.... and my #15 is about to get some Culpepper smooth red bone.

[Meridian_Mike]

like this here.....

[Vit_213]

My #14

[jerryd6818]

My #14

Vit, do you have a bone handled #14?

[Meridian_Mike]

And WOW.... Vit.... that is sure 'nuff a nice #14 too.
Thanks for showing!

Mike

[jerryd6818]

Vit, do you have any knives that are not in perfect condition?

[Meridian_Mike]

Vit, do you have any knives that are not in perfect condition?

LOL.....
Well, Jerry, If you want to see some knives that don't look NEW, I can always show my collection.....LOL.

[rea1eye]

I don't have a Camillus. Those old knives should look real good after a rehandle.

Don't forget to show us the before/after pictures!

Bob

[jerryd6818]

I don't have a Camillus.

Bob

Not one of any pattern? None, zip, nadda? Are you serious?