All About Pocket Knives

A beautiful knife, Marco!

Like that one, Wreichard!

While I normally don't collect knives old (or valuable) enough to be counterfeited, I've been taking more interest in prewar knives. While I know 100% all of my current ones aren't fake, 3/4 of them are basically parts knives. They are good users, but most have a lot of wear and damage--and even crude repair jobs.

When you get into prewar stuff, fakes are really prevalent. The knowledge I have in terms of recognizing them is minimal and mostly involves how knives are restamped--barely scratching the surface.

Here, it seems the go-to reference is Witcher's Counterfeiting Antique Cutlery. However, it's been out of print for some time and is hard to find.

Orvet generously offered to send me a copy he had spare.

Even I was amazed at how complex recognizing fakes can be--and there are some things I didn't even know people did--like turning a six dot into a ten dot; or reprofiling a broken hawkbill to resemble a much rarer maize knife.

The plans are to read this cover to cover and try to comprehend it enough before hitting local flea markets and antique shops this spring. I say there is a good chance I will be running into fakes.
Thank you Dale!

Wreichard wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 7:09 pm Old Camillus just arrived … seems unused. Very small! But would certainly challenge an SAK Classic.

CF8B344D-8292-4A6E-8EF2-628FEC946236.jpeg

Edit: that’s not a Classic in the picture, just so that’s clear.

Nice find! I think there was a series of that same pattern made for Monroe Hardware--I want to say nearly up to the point Camillus closed their doors for good.

Most of my penknives have some sort of advertising, and they are neatly packed away. A few are users. I find them really nice around the house, as their thin blades are easy to profile to a razor's edge (much like the Classic), and in things like sweatpants, they are unnoticeable, and no clips to tear upholstery or scratch furniture.

Thanks for the compliments Dan and Tim!

cody6268 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 9:04 pm

Wreichard wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 7:09 pm Old Camillus just arrived … seems unused. Very small! But would certainly challenge an SAK Classic.

CF8B344D-8292-4A6E-8EF2-628FEC946236.jpeg

Edit: that’s not a Classic in the picture, just so that’s clear.

Nice find! I think there was a series of that same pattern made for Monroe Hardware--I want to say nearly up to the point Camillus closed their doors for good.

Most of my penknives have some sort of advertising, and they are neatly packed away. A few are users. I find them really nice around the house, as their thin blades are easy to profile to a razor's edge (much like the Classic), and in things like sweatpants, they are unnoticeable, and no clips to tear upholstery or scratch furniture.

Thanks — appreciate the info there!

Wreichard wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 7:09 pm Old Camillus just arrived … seems unused. Very small!

Nice score! The SAK looks to be a Swiss Army 1/Solo; am I correct? (Could help me get a better idea of how long the Camillus is.)

cody6268 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 9:02 pm Orvet generously offered to send me a copy he had spare.

That's an excellent pick-up, and a great gesture on Dale's part.

Dan In MI wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 11:13 pm Nice score! The SAK looks to be a Swiss Army 1/Solo; am I correct? (Could help me get a better idea of how long the Camillus is.)

That is it … 1. And the 1 seems slim, until …

That little Camillus is very slim!

I got my Cowboy Granddaddy barlow today. Beautiful sawcut bone with a sterling silver bullet shield. GEC did a fabuulous job on these.

gsmith7158 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 1:58 am I got my Cowboy Granddaddy barlow today. Beautiful sawcut bone with a sterling silver bullet shield. GEC did a fabuulous job on these.

That really looks good gsmith. Those are beautiful scales and everything. Congrats.

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Tue Feb 14, 2023 12:25 am

Wreichard wrote: ↑Tue Feb 14, 2023 12:22 am

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Tue Feb 14, 2023 12:17 am when it gets here.
I suspect it is a true #27, the bail will come off sometimes under rough use...

This is from the ad … didn’t see bail holes, but could have been re-covered? (My Schrade lost its bail along the line somewhere but still has the openings.)
1C98F912-6B5A-42A6-88C2-76E64AA83E9E.jpeg

Was there a tang stamp on the back of the main blade in the photos? Sometimes it might be stamped with the model #.

So here it is. No model number mark that I can see. Doesn’t seem like it ever had a bail unless somebody repinned it, but it doesn’t seem to have been used much. At first I thought the screwdriver blade didn’t lock, then realized the liner isn’t clicking over for some reason. Pulling it up slightly with pliers, I can move it into place, but it snaps back (unlocked) at the slightest pressure. Pull on the screwdriver blade is about 11/10 … I have to use pliers to open. Seems relatively clean so not sure what’s happening there, but the spring on that blade is proud when closed, so maybe something’s warped? Anyway, of interest, hopefully.

Wreichard wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 7:33 pm

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Tue Feb 14, 2023 12:25 am

Wreichard wrote: ↑Tue Feb 14, 2023 12:22 am

This is from the ad … didn’t see bail holes, but could have been re-covered? (My Schrade lost its bail along the line somewhere but still has the openings.)
1C98F912-6B5A-42A6-88C2-76E64AA83E9E.jpeg

Was there a tang stamp on the back of the main blade in the photos? Sometimes it might be stamped with the model #.

That nice! Nice scales Maybe if you post it on the Camillus Knives thread someone there will have more insight. I have a bunch of these knives (Klien and other brands as well) and sometimes the locking bar/lever loses it "bend" or position and won't lock the screwdriver, probably not so uncommon.

Looks like you have an early "long Line" tang stamp. I always looks for these and earlier to add to my "stash"

From AAPK site: This tang stamp was used by Camillus from 1960 to the late 1970s. You have to be careful with this one as it is very similar to a few others. Note that the letters non-italic & the underline extends the full length of the letters in the word "CAMILLUS". Also, there are no dots between USA.

gsmith7158 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 1:58 am I got my Cowboy Granddaddy barlow today. Beautiful sawcut bone with a sterling silver bullet shield. GEC did a fabuulous job on these.

You done good! I looked there at SMKW after seeing the 1st posting and they was already sold out..

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 7:50 pm

Wreichard wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 7:33 pm

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Tue Feb 14, 2023 12:25 am

Was there a tang stamp on the back of the main blade in the photos? Sometimes it might be stamped with the model #.

That nice! Nice scales Maybe if you post it on the Camillus Knives thread someone there will have more insight. I have a bunch of these knives (Klien and other brands as well) and sometimes the locking bar/lever loses it "bend" or position and won't lock the screwdriver, probably not so uncommon.

Looks like you have an early "long Line" tang stamp. I always looks for these and earlier to add to my "stash"

From AAPK site: This tang stamp was used by Camillus from 1960 to the late 1970s. You have to be careful with this one as it is very similar to a few others. Note that the letters non-italic & the underline extends the full length of the letters in the word "CAMILLUS". Also, there are no dots between USA.

Many thanks — will switch over there to continue!

gsmith7158 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 1:58 am I got my Cowboy Granddaddy barlow today. Beautiful sawcut bone with a sterling silver bullet shield. GEC did a fabuulous job on these.

I also got mine yesterday.
Beautiful Barlow!!

gsmith7158 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 1:58 am GEC did a fabuulous job on these.

edge213 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 1:06 am Beautiful Barlow!!

Those look dang good!

Wreichard wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 7:33 pm No model number mark that I can see.

I'm guessing it's a 27 that's been worked on at some time. I'll consult the catalogs for a better idea. Nice pick-up!

Dan In MI wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 4:39 am I'm guessing it's a 27 that's been worked on at some time. I'll consult the catalogs for a better idea. Nice pick-up!

Cheers! I am coming to really like these electricians’ knives. I can see why the design has lasted all this time.

cody6268 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 9:02 pm While I normally don't collect knives old (or valuable) enough to be counterfeited, I've been taking more interest in prewar knives. While I know 100% all of my current ones aren't fake, 3/4 of them are basically parts knives. They are good users, but most have a lot of wear and damage--and even crude repair jobs.

When you get into prewar stuff, fakes are really prevalent. The knowledge I have in terms of recognizing them is minimal and mostly involves how knives are restamped--barely scratching the surface.

Here, it seems the go-to reference is Witcher's Counterfeiting Antique Cutlery. However, it's been out of print for some time and is hard to find.

Orvet generously offered to send me a copy he had spare.

Even I was amazed at how complex recognizing fakes can be--and there are some things I didn't even know people did--like turning a six dot into a ten dot; or reprofiling a broken hawkbill to resemble a much rarer maize knife.

The plans are to read this cover to cover and try to comprehend it enough before hitting local flea markets and antique shops this spring. I say there is a good chance I will be running into fakes.

Thank you Dale!

Man that's a very cool book!!! Congrats Buddy!
Good on you Orvet!

Wreichard wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 7:09 pm Old Camillus just arrived … seems unused. Very small! But would certainly challenge an SAK Classic.

Edit: that’s not a Classic in the picture, just so that’s clear.

I really like that Camillus you found! Especially the advertisement on it. Cool find!

edge213 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 1:06 am

gsmith7158 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 1:58 am I got my Cowboy Granddaddy barlow today. Beautiful sawcut bone with a sterling silver bullet shield. GEC did a fabuulous job on these.

I also got mine yesterday.
Beautiful Barlow!!

gsmith7158 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 1:58 am I got my Cowboy Granddaddy barlow today. Beautiful sawcut bone with a sterling silver bullet shield. GEC did a fabuulous job on these.

Cool additions Gentlemen!
I've always liked those but haven't scored one of them yet. Congrats!

TPK wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 7:25 am

Wreichard wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 7:09 pm Old Camillus just arrived … seems unused. Very small! But would certainly challenge an SAK Classic.

Edit: that’s not a Classic in the picture, just so that’s clear.

I really like that Camillus you found! Especially the advertisement on it. Cool find!

Thanks … I’ve learned since then that Monroe apparently sold these for a bunch of years. Handy that they put the year on them!

My newest addition is a curious find. Spent more than I should or normally do but I had to find out more about it. It was listed on the Bay as a Fight'n Rooster Solingen but the pictures the seller had posted of it only showed a Lackawanna Cutlery Co tang stamp. This really got me curious about it so I sent a message to the seller asking him to clarify that for me. Which he did not do. So to find out more about it, I had to buy it. Yes, "Curiosity killed the cat." so to speak.

Anyways, the answer to the question at hand is..., it has two tang stamps. One Fight'n Rooster Solingen stamp on one of the secondary blades & a Lackawanna Cutlery Co tang stamp on the main blade.

So what does this mean? Your guess is as good as mine but my guess is that Fight'n Rooster produced these in Solingen (it came to me from a Solingen address, wrapped up in a Solingen News Papier) & somehow got the rights to use the Lackawanna Cutlery Co brad name.

Either that or it's some sort of counterfeit but I am guessing my first guess is correct.

Anyways, real or counterfeit, you be the judge. It's a (in my book) "HUGE" 4 1/2" Whittler, NOS, no box, with stag handles. The 2 secondary blades have 1/2 stops, while the main blade does not have one.

I took a lot of pictures of it but I'll look for another thread to post them all. Here are a few of them.
Thanks for looking friends!

Wreichard wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 7:34 am

TPK wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 7:25 am

Wreichard wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 7:09 pm Old Camillus just arrived … seems unused. Very small! But would certainly challenge an SAK Classic.

Edit: that’s not a Classic in the picture, just so that’s clear.

I really like that Camillus you found! Especially the advertisement on it. Cool find!

Thanks … I’ve learned since then that Monroe apparently sold these for a bunch of years. Handy that they put the year on them!

Yes that is handy. I like knives from Hardware stores, knives from the 70's & knives from Camillus so that one checks a number of boxes.

TPK wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 8:06 am

Wreichard wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 7:34 am

TPK wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 7:25 am

I really like that Camillus you found! Especially the advertisement on it. Cool find!

Thanks … I’ve learned since then that Monroe apparently sold these for a bunch of years. Handy that they put the year on them!

Yes that is handy. I like knives from Hardware stores, knives from the 70's & knives from Camillus so that one checks a number of boxes.

Same here … FYI, found it on a certain juggernaut auction site, and it appeared they had more of them, if you’re looking.

TPK wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 8:06 am Yes that is handy. I like knives from Hardware stores, knives from the 70's & knives from Camillus so that one checks a number of boxes.

Looks like Monroe made little knives like these from at least the 50s until the late 80s! Could have a whole collection just of these.