camillus #72

[gsmith7158]

Good blades Kj. That's a reasonable amount for one.

[kootenay joe]

Thanks Greg. My thinking is that $26 is a pretty good deal for me, but i am not that familiar with the 72's.
I note the main clip blade does not have the swage that 'swoops' right to the tip that the earliest blades have. Is this a Gen 2 or 3 ? and what would be the years of production ?
My wild guess is 1970's-1980's.
kj

[gsmith7158]

It is a later knife indicated by the lighter brown delrin handles which was about the fourth change.70's would be about right.

[#goldpan]

KJ thats a good find at that price! I agree with Greg 70's sounds about right.

[jerryd6818]

Changes came along several times over the years and no one that I know of has sit down and documented them beyond 1947 This particular version is not a 72 (note there's no model # stamped on the back of the main blade). It's a #1047 which is the Scout version of the #72. I know you like to get all specific Roland so you should know there are about three model numbers floating around out there for this one. Camillus had one that was just used in the factory for manufacturing purposes. The BSA had one for their stocking purposes. There was another one used in the catalogs and I don't remember all of them, nor am I going to look them up.

This knife was likely made sometime post 1976 when they stopped pinning the handles on, up until sometime in the late 1970s when they started using the italic tang stamp (or maybe into the early '80s. Almost impossible to know with Camillus). That's kind of a very late '70s or 1980s on shade of color for those handles.

It's all by guess and by golly.

[kootenay joe]

Thanks guys for this help.
So not officially a #72 but it does have the 72 frame & blades and blade arrangement. Jerry do you reserve "72" for those knives with only Camillus branding ? i.e. not the Stanley Tools one or the Sears Sta-Sharp, etc ?
kj

[jerryd6818]

Just my way of doing things, your mileage may vary. If it doesn't have Camillus stamped on the tang it's not a 72 or 1047. At my house, all others with that frame and compliment of blades are clones even though they may have been made by Camillus (and there are quite a few of them including the Stanley).

[Colonel26]

........"jerry & co."- I like that!!!....how do we get on the payroll, jerry????.............. ..............................

You're already on the payroll Tommy. In fact, you are probably the CEO since you were probably collecting these before I even knew what a "Camillus" was.

Tsar Bomba, from one neophyte to another, I think Jerry would consider that one a "clone" and would be acceptable. Nice one.

Tony, I do consider it a very acceptable "clone" since it was made by Camillus.

Edit: and then I saw the post that Cuz made and realized that was more accurate than what I had to say. Though "made for Wards" is brand new information to me. Are you sure about that. To my knowledge, Stanley is a stand alone company.

From Wikipedia: "Stanley Hand Tools is a brand of hand tools. It is a division of Stanley Black & Decker, following the 2010 merger of The Stanley Works with Black & Decker."

Since we're on the Stanleys, I have one which was a gift from T.J. that needs a shield. If any of you ever run onto a Stanley shield, please keep me in mind.

Wow! I don't know I I got so far behind and missed this. You are absolutely correct sir. I don't know what I was thinking.

[Tsar Bomba]

Here is a Camillus #72 i just won: Delrin, BSA shield, half saber grind and clip blade secondary opposite end from master.
Odd patina/staining on master blade but otherwise looks good. Would you say $26 is about right for this knife ? There has been a lot of 72 buying action recently so likely price ranges for each 'generation' are getting established.

Yes, and after seeing you are the lucky winner I'm glad I didn't get a chance to bid it up further (technical glitches). I got greedy and was looking for different styles of 72s after I already picked up two. My phone got a little "strange" and by the time it recovered the listing was over.

Couldn't go to a better knife knut. I think you got an absolute steal on that, I think the blades on yours are nicer than the one I just picked up with shrinky-dink handles.

[kootenay joe]

Tony your bad luck became my good luck. The good thing about ebay is that we all will get more chances to win because the knives keep showing up.
No doubt that the interest in #72 shown here in AAPK leads to more bidding for these knives.
I will post my pictures of this BSA 72-like knife when i have it.
kj

[SolWarrior]

Kj, not if you're looking for a particular 72. No pickings whatsoever. I'm still looking for a 1st G user in great to excellent condition. I have not seen a single short line 72 in bone on the bay since that one that's still there going for $150 with the questionable front bone cover. (It's got a big gap too.)

It went down to $127.50 for a few days and then back up to the $150.00. I guess it's some sorta marketing scheme to draw attention. It got 3-4 more watchers, but that's it.

When I bid on the 2nd G. that most felt was too high a price, and it was, but found another 2nd G on here https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... illus%2072 that sold for $99.95 + 5.50 shipping. I wonder who got that one? The other sold for $82.17 and had blades that were also tight, with great snap and "looked as if they were unused" according to the seller. When I saw this one it made me wonder then if I was really off by much with my top bid of $81.17.

I bought one for $5.00 about a week ago just to see how it felt in my hands. (I have big hands) The main blade had a wobble but I hammered it with a rubber mallet and now the blade is slow but coming back slowly. It's not what I want but... I guess it's about hunt too, huh? What else can I say besides that they're addictive?

Pics are from eBay

[Colonel26]

Kj, not if you're looking for a particular 72. No pickings whatsoever. I'm still looking for a 1st G user in great to excellent condition. I have not seen a single short line 72 in bone on the bay since that one that's still there going for $150 with the questionable front bone cover. (It's got a big gap too.)

It went down to $127.50 for a few days and then back up to the $150.00. I guess it's some sorta marketing scheme to draw attention. It got 3-4 more watchers, but that's it.

When I bid on the 2nd G. that most felt was too high a price, and it was, but found another 2nd G on here https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... illus%2072 that sold for $99.95 + 5.50 shipping. I wonder who got that one? The other sold for $82.17 and had blades that were also tight, with great snap and "looked as if they were unused" according to the seller. When I saw this one it made me wonder then if I was really off by much with my top bid of $81.17.

I bought one for $5.00 about a week ago just to see how it felt in my hands. (I have big hands) The main blade had a wobble but I hammered it with a rubber mallet and now the blade is slow but coming back slowly. It's not what I want but... I guess it's about hunt too, huh? What else can I say besides that they're addictive?

Pics are from eBay
Tux.jpg
Tux 2.jpg

I have big hands too. Typically, 4-4.25 inch knives are my sweet spot. But somehow or another the 72 fits just fine. I say it's the biggest little knife you'll ever use.

[SolWarrior]

"I have big hands too. Typically, 4-4.25 inch knives are my sweet spot. But somehow or another the 72 fits just fine. I say it's the biggest little knife you'll ever use."

Yep, I gotta agree with every word, Colonel. Well said. Must be the swell center...and of course, the blade selection... ..and configuration (w/ the 1ST Gs). It's also a lot more pocket friendlier than the 4" stockman for example. I can imagine a 1st G in bone in my right pocket. Perfection.

[carrmillus]

"I have big hands too. Typically, 4-4.25 inch knives are my sweet spot. But somehow or another the 72 fits just fine. I say it's the biggest little knife you'll ever use."

Yep, I gotta agree with every word, Colonel. Well said. Must be the swell center...and of course, the blade type selection... ..and configuration (w/ the 1ST Gs). It's also a lot more pocket friendlier than the 4" stockman for example. I can imagine a 1st G in bone in my right pocket. Perfection.

......I love 'em, too, but my favorite to carry is the first one, the old split spring whittler(1914-1941)....if my grandpa had his pants on, there was one of those in his pocket!!, plus a Camillus sunfish!!................. ............

[kootenay joe]

"my favorite to carry is the first one, the old split spring whittler(1914-1941)"
Hi Carr, i would like to see a picture or 2 of this pre 1941 whittler. I bet others would too.
roland

[carrmillus]

........somewhere on this forum are some photo's of some of mine that jerryd posted for me(thanks again, jerry), I am the world's biggest electronics dummy!!...computers are the reason I'm not working anymore!!......... .............

[SolWarrior]

......I love 'em, too, but my favorite to carry is the first one, the old split spring whittler(1914-1941)....if my grandpa had his pants on, there was one of those in his pocket!!, plus a Camillus sunfish!!................. ............

Tommy, is that split spring whittler you speak of a Camillus? I saw one I believe was selling for $45 originally but sold for $40. Here: https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... 20whittler The listing says c. 1919 - 1941. I would have gone for it but all three blades had wobble and were really worn, especially the two smaller blades. Very nice bone handles though.

PS - It's a love/hate relationship with computers for me. I love all the info and great finds that come with it but it takes me away from the real world and nature.

[Colonel26]

Sol, the first generations are real nice. I have a couple that I occasionally carry. But don't discount the later ones. I have later generation in real good shape that I carry a lot, especially if doing wood work. That small clip is real handy and like a scalpel too.

[carrmillus]

......I love 'em, too, but my favorite to carry is the first one, the old split spring whittler(1914-1941)....if my grandpa had his pants on, there was one of those in his pocket!!, plus a Camillus sunfish!!................. ............

Tommy, is that split spring whittler you speak of a Camillus? I saw one I believe was selling for $45 originally but sold for $40. Here: https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... 20whittler The listing says c. 1919 - 1941. I would have gone for it but all three blades had wobble and were really worn, especially the two smaller blades. Very nice bone handles though.

PS - It's a love/hate relationship with computers for me. I love all the info and great finds that come with it but it takes me away from the real world and nature.

....I saw that one but didn't bid on it, I have one that is in near mint condition, I think I paid $175.00 for it...the other 2 i have are not in as good condition, and that's the two I carry occasionally............ ............

[SolWarrior]

Sol, the first generations are real nice. I have a couple that I occasionally carry. But don't discount the later ones. I have later generation in real good shape that I carry a lot, especially if doing wood work. That small clip is real handy and like a scalpel too.

I get your point. Makes sense to use a newer model for regular & tough jobs. My preference for the earlier models - aside from the blade configuration - comes from noticing that the farther back one goes the better the quality. And that's not only with Camillus. I've noticed that with Schrade and others too. However, I would not use a 1st G on any tough jobs, just smaller ones and to enjoy, and to profile of course.

....I saw that one but didn't bid on it, I have one that is in near mint condition, I think I paid $175.00 for it...the other 2 i have are not in as good condition, and that's the two I carry occasionally............ ............

Tommy, that's awesome! When I have time I'll have to look back on this thread to try and find your split spring whittlers that Jerry posted for you.

[Tsar Bomba]

I have big hands too. Typically, 4-4.25 inch knives are my sweet spot. But somehow or another the 72 fits just fine. I say it's the biggest little knife you'll ever use.

Glad I'm not the only one who feels exactly this way. I love me some Case 75s, but the Camillus 72 just seems to "fit" for a knife that barely peeks out the top of the watch pocket. I avoided the medium/sub-4" whittlers for so long but when I got my hands on my first 72 I couldn't believe how much bigger it feels in hand.

Dipped my toe into the "deep end" of the 72s this week with my newest acquisition. Saber grind on one side only, long-line stamp: 3rd gen? 1970s? Also got a user 72 in the Yello-Jaket pants which turned out to be near-minty itself, but it'll definitely be used.

Anyone know what kind of stainless Camillus used on these later models? 440A? I plan on hitting the newer 72 with a fine DMT later today but I wonder if I should just stick with the Arkansas stones.

[gsmith7158]

Here's my latest, a black composite short line.

[#goldpan]

Nice 72 Greg!

[gsmith7158]

Thanks Randy!

[carrmillus]

Thanks Randy!

...another one I don't have, greg!!..all my short line's are bone handled with the pen paired with the master!!.... ......