All About Pocket Knives

Picked up these two on eBay. They're not valuable and the cost reflected that but to me, they're cool. They've both lost their bails along the way. I'm figuring, maybe 1950's for both knives??

The main blade for the Camillus is lazy but full and there's an awl. The ends of it's handles are slightly curled. On what I would call the front side of the main blade is the word "Sword" over crossed swords. Hey all you Camillus geeks! What's the story on that?

The Utica has snap to spare on all blades and even though the main blade has been sharpened several times more than once or twice, there's still plenty of blade for another 50(?) years of use.

I was surprised to find both knives have plastic handles. I guess I expected Delrin. Anyway, they showed up yesterday in the mail and all in all, I'm quite pleased with them.

BTW, how the heck do you work that can opener blade. All the other designs I've seen look fairly intuitive but this one has me stumped.

vikingdog wrote:"This is a vintage curved jack knife pattern stamped S&M (Schatt & Morgan) Titusville, PA. on both blades, 1896 - 1931 .It is 3 1/8" overall length closed."

This one arrived today. Love those Pennsylvania made knives! BTW not my photo.

Mike

Mike, I like that one a lot. Is she as slim and trim as she looks? Good find.

Nice finds!

Thanks Jerry and Froggy. Yep, it's slim and trim and a beautiful old knife that feels good in the hand. My new favorite.

I'll bet someone around here has replacement bails for those two scouts Jerry.

Keep the photos coming!


Mike

3 1/2 inch Hen and Rooster stag came yesterday!

Some nice knives everybody . vikingdog that's a sweet old Schatt & Morgan I really like that one! MrBlister that Red Bone XX is dandy also!

jerryd6818 wrote:Picked up these two on eBay. They're not valuable and the cost reflected that but to me, they're cool. They've both lost their bails along the way. I'm figuring, maybe 1950's for both knives?? ................................

BTW, how the heck do you work that can opener blade. All the other designs I've seen look fairly intuitive but this one has me stumped.

Jerry,

I have a Senica like your Utica. The Senica was made by Utica from 1932-1942 so your knife is likely a bit older than you estimated. That style of can opener went out of vogue about the time that Senica did.
I'm no expert on how to use that style can opener either, but best I can figure you poke a hole in the can while the can is laying on its side. Next you stand the can upright and begin making short horizontal cuts in the side of the can while gripping it firmly ( I couldnt show holding the can cause I was holding the camera ) until you have cut most of the way around the can. Then you carefully lift the top back avoiding the sharp edges of the can your cutting has produced.

If I'm doing it wrong someone please set me straight!

Phil

Phil, are you sure about that?
I thought the different style knife can openers were designed to penatrate the lid, then go in a circle around the edge next to the rim.
I could be wrong.
By the way, what is that you were having for supper?

Paul

Queen honey amber teardrop w/liner lock and D2 steel. Cattaraugus 22459 3 3/4" jack

Knife Nut wrote:Phil, are you sure about that?
I thought the different style knife can openers were designed to penatrate the lid, then go in a circle around the edge next to the rim.
I could be wrong.
By the way, what is that you were having for supper?

Paul

Paul,

I'm not sure at all about it but that is the only way I can figure out how to make it work. Actually it works pretty well. It took me about 30 seconds to open that can. You are making a straight line horizontal cut rather than a circular cut so there is much less resistance to overcome.
FYI that was a can of mushroom soup which I ate for lunch while posting those photos.

Phil

I didn't want lima beans for supper tonight but if I had, I think I could have opened the can like this. Stick the blade into the top of the can near the edge and rock the blade against the rim of the can on the notch in the back of the blade, forcing the "sharp" rounded portion of the blade up, cutting the can lid.

I have a can of field peas and snaps but I didn't want those for dinner either (I just made a big pot of pinto beans. Mmmm Mmmmm)

Maybe someone will try this and tell me if I'm wrong.

Okay, now I need to open a can.

Awesome knife Blister.

Blisterman, don't get no better than that......BEAUTIFUL.

Paul

Gentlemen love those knives Some I got in Wesson, Ms. during the Artisans Event

I received this one in the mail yesterday, the true pocket worn handles sure do look nice.

JerryD did you try the can openers on the scout knives yet? I'm curious...

Mike

Here's my latest purchase and I didn't waste any time putting her to work!

vikingdog wrote:JerryD did you try the can openers on the scout knives yet? I'm curious...

Mike

Yes. It works but it's flippin' dangerous. I used the Utica to open the can and ended up taking two passes to get it completely open. I didn't have the lick it's done with for the first 2/3 of the can lid and ended up too far away from the rim. I think you can see where I backed off and started closer to the rim to finish it and it worked much better. You have to be very careful of those sharp edges.

You can see in the pictures, the differences in the camming surface of the opening blade on the two knives. I think the rounded edge might make the Camillus work better once you get the hang of it.

The author of this post makes no recommendations as to the use of any blade on any knife that is presumed to be, assumed to be or advertised as a can opener. Owner of said knife uses blade as he or she sees fit and at the individuals own risk.

Good job! It works, but I wouldn't want to open very many cans that way.

Mike

Many nice knives you are picking up!
GregFL,
Those Sodbusters are made to work!

Interesting with the can opener testing! I've never tried that variety...

I always wondered if the can openers would still work like they did in the old days. They don't make cans the way they used to, so I didn't think there would be any "lip" to grab on to.

Jerry thats funny man ,it does look mighty dangerous! Ouch! LOL!

I guess if you were starving and all you had was a can of peas and one of these knives, it would be a God send.

What with all the easy-open cans on grocery shelves now days, by the time I have great-grandchildren and they're old enough to open a can, a can opener will be ancient history. "You had to do what to open your can of beans?"