The Camillus connection

[muskrat man]

While my collecting focus has shifted towards knives of German manufacture and of knives whos blades are spring propelled (LT is partially to blame for that) I still pick up the odd schrade or two. And odd is what I got this time. I bought two trappers both NOS one a 94OT the other a 285UH. The first thing I noticed was the blades had half stops, and then I went to open the spey blade and noticed the pull was on the backside of the blade. After that all the oddities came into view, the slightly slimmer frame, the slimmer and shorter profiled clip blade, the more blunt spey blade, the angle of the bolsters, and length of the bolsters. I had a few old stock camillus knives a while back and there were a few trappers in the bunch, and these two schrades ring true of the camillus trapper pattern. I think schrade contracted camillus for these near thier closing. They are both in sharp idea boxes the UH in gray, the OT in brown. I've took some comparison photos of the 285 next to your run of the mill 285. What do YOU think?
knife in question o nthe left


knife in question on top


knife in question on bottom


knife in question on left (notice half stops)

[msteele6]

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Whoever made the knives, one thing jumps out at me. The handles. They seem to be made from the same molds. If you look closely at the "jigging", it is identical. The coloration is slightly different, but the jigging itself is the same. It is clear that the handles were made from the same mold.

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[orvet]

Kaleb, I think you are right about Camillus being the maker.

The only sure way I know to tell if Schrade made it is to look for the Swinden System.
I don't know of a 100% sure way without taking the knife apart, unless you can see a pin in the bolsters, then you can be assured that it MAY not be a Schrade.

According to LT, Dave Swinden said Schrade was the only company that ever put his system to use. Phil Gibbs (formerly with Camillus now with Russell) told me in BF that Camillus NEVER used the Swinden key system.

Therefore, if it is Swinden System Schrade definitely made it, But since Schrade also made non-Swinden knives, it could be Schrade made.
That said, I think all the OT & UH knives that Schrade made, were made with the System, especially after the Schrade-Walden days.

So, if you can see a pin through the bolster, it is probable (IMO) that Camillus made it.

I have seen a 61OT, post-Walden, that was made with pin-through –bolster construction. I was later able to confirm through Camillus S-cards from Tom Williams that Camillus did indeed made some 61OTs for Schrade.
Camillus also made a lot of parts for Schrade that Schrade then assembled. This was verified by Tom.

Dale

[muskrat man]

neither are in my posession any longer, but they both had visible pivot pins. so no swinden

[greyelm]

As a collector of Camillus knives I am always pleased to read threads about the knives the company made for so many other makers. Yet occassionally you see threads that offer the opinion that Camillus knives were not as good as other makes (eg. Case) is it that these people do not know that their superior knives may have been made by Camillus?

Still it does mean that Camillus knives can still be found at a reasonable price.

[upnorth]

Camillus made superior knives, and made them under various brands, including their own. They made knives for Schrade, Keen Kutter, Sears/Craftsman, Case (yes Case!!!), later Remingtons, and others.
If you can show some others, please post them here.
These stockman pattern knives, are very well made, and attractive I might add, and would serve you well for many years.
Let's see some more Superior knives by Camillus!!!!

[Sauconian]

I don't have many Camillus, but this oldie is a favorite. Fran

[upnorth]

I like that nice deep jigging, Fran! Great Jack!!

[chuckv]

HI EVERYBODY I am a brand new member about one hour.obviously my first post. Ijust wanted to say I am very impressed with what i have seen so far .I am more of an acumulator than atrue collector simply stated because i have never seen aknife ididnt like. Realy found the info on camilus and SCHRADE very interesting.thanks for leting me in.ChuckV HALIBURTON COUNTY ONTARIO CANADA.

[orvet]

Hi Chuck

Welcome to the friendliest knife forum on the web.

Dale

[upnorth]

Welcome Chuck! My fellow Canuck!!

You will learn a lot if you hang around here, and keep an open mind!!

Chuck the other Canuck

(Charlie, actually! the only ones who called me Chuck were my parents!)

[gino]

This camillus has been a edc for some time with me (as you can see)

I still carry it sometimes

still has awesome snap to blades and is very trusty