All About Pocket Knives

I picked up two of these at a country store in Durham NC. There is a gentleman running this store that has been selling knives for more than 30 years! I picked these up because they looked interesting, and they were only $20.00.... The first one I purchased is sealed in a bag that is stamped US Coast Guard approval 160.043/1/0. Here are some photos of the one I picked up today, which was loose. Any help with this would be appreciated! I would like to know when it was made, what the handles are made of, or any other info anyone has. Thank you!

This is a model #S702 Coast Guard knife. This knife is a #425 pattern and is similar to the the WWII Sailor's knife with the addition of the can-opener. The blades are made of stainless steel and the handles are molded acetate.

Tom Williams

CAMCO wrote:This is a model #S702 Coast Guard knife. This knife is a #425 pattern and is similar to the the WWII Sailor's knife with the addition of the can-opener. The blades are made of stainless steel and the handles are molded acetate.

Tom Williams

Thank you! Any idea when this was made???

CAMCO wrote:This is a model #S702 Coast Guard knife. This knife is a #425 pattern and is similar to the the WWII Sailor's knife with the addition of the can-opener. The blades are made of stainless steel and the handles are molded acetate.

Tom Williams

Thank you! Any idea when this was made???

I will be visiting the Camillus factory next week and I will check the records for the model #S702 Coast Guard knife.

Tom Williams

The model #S702 Coast Guard knife was first made in 1949.

Tom Williams

A little late here, but Tom sent me a flyer, and here is part of it showing some Camillus knives with marlin spikes.

Phil

I picked up this US Navy Marlin Spike after noticing a banner showing knives & scissors on the side of the road. Normally I would not have stopped but the sign did say knives . He had the usual everything made in China knives but I found this wedged in the back.

This Camillus Marlin Spike is one of the best made knives I have owned. It's almost industrial in workmanship and quality, it reminds you of opening and closing your car door when opening it. It came with box and instructions and evidently the design was a government approved design.

Notice the tab in the picture, when looking at them in pictures I visioned a handle or rope harness. Instead it's the locking mechanism that holds the spike in place when opened and only depressing this lever will it close...

Nice design and a fun knife, one I never would have picked up if I had not seen this post on these knives...

Sunburst

hey sunburst, nice find. that locking bail is a neat feature. too bad case never figured that out.

Nice one, sunburst! Is that jigged Delrin I see for handles?

upnorth wrote:Nice one, sunburst! Is that jigged Delrin I see for handles?

Thanks waynorth..Yes it's jigged delrin..

One good pic of a 697 deserves another, so here is mine, along with a couple of others .. Yep, the 697 is a sturdy -built knife. The locking marlin spike great for unknotting rope or splicing. The Top knife in the pic is an old Camillus ad knife for Columbian Rope. I should have photoed it open to show the wickedly serrated blade. The middle knife is all stainless, 'Seto' Japan knife with a locking spike, a screwdriver at one end, and a big loop tool called a shackle key. Necessary if one is crewing a sail boat.

Hi Sunburst that's a great looking knife. I've noticed you are buying some different (extremely nice) knives lately... does that mean you have recovered from your case of the Schatts? s-k

Please show us the wickedly serrated blade gr8scout! Serrated blades can form the basis of a collection, (or a thread) as there are so many variations.

When I see these particular posts, it just reminds me of the Great loss

of Camillus Cutlery and it's American history.

Wow Gr8Scout I want to see more of your knives open some up for us...I have a new found appreciation for these mechanical beauty's...

Mitch, your right it does make one sad to know the history and quality of another American factory will soon go away. I purchased the Marlin Spike with that thought in mind, knowing I may never get another chance..

Sunburst

There is a company called Columbian Rope in Auburn, New York which is 20 miles west of Camillus, New York. I have seen several knives in the factory records that were made for this company.

Tom Williams

Funny how this history thing goes. Once I had the Columbian Rope advertising knife, I had to find out about the company. Was in Auburn NY, so a neighbor of sorts of Camillus Cutlerys'. And like the Cutlery, the rope company did it's part during the war. See pic I am adding.

Here is a poster for Columbian of an old salt. I'd like to find a nice example of a Camillus ad knife (I have seen another model besides mine) and combine the two in a display.

Phil

Good stuff Phil.

I am glad you reminded me, I just ordered a CM695.

Dale