Clear Camillus

Timstools · Post by **Timstools** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:42 am

Here is an unusual knife i purchased recently, clear on one side and normal on the other so that the inner workings of the locking mechanism can be seen.

Bob W. · Post by **Bob W.** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:58 pm

Do you think that was a demo sent to dealers? Or prehaps a training tool from the factory?

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:36 pm

Kinda looks like it shows how a lockback works.

lt632ret · Post by **lt632ret** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 4:40 pm

Actually everyone is correct yours is a version carried by salesmen, to show customers. The nicely finished side is indicitive of that. Rougher versions sometimes with removable rivits ( in some cases both sides lexan ) were used as training and visual helps for employees. There was at least one other reason in some cases some companies sold these clear knives ( both sides clear ) as retail knives I have attached pics of all of these aspects of this type of production . The black handled frontier All American was a salesmans, the one side wood UH LB-7 style LB-5 and 44OT were training and employee tools. The small one with a key chain was sold over the counter that way. LT

Timstools · Post by **Timstools** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:35 pm

LT, I thought you might have 150 of them

Do you think that was a demo sent to dealers? Or perhaps a training tool from the factory?

The guy who sold it to me said he was at the Camillus auction and said that this one was in the Camillus factory office. He sold it at a prototype. I would not call it a prototype but I think it is rare.

The handle was roughly cut one the clear edges when I recieved it so I spent some time smoothing and polishing the edges by hand, it came up very nice. I used this method in link below: (dont use a buffer on clear)

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... php?t=5250

LT, they are not bad photos for the old Mavika?

Tim

lt632ret · Post by **lt632ret** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 12:01 am

It is nice If I had seen it he would have never gotten it. LT

W5RWU · Post by **W5RWU** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 3:10 am

Very nice knives !!!
Randy

Phil Gibbs · Post by **Phil Gibbs** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 2:47 pm

I made about 9 or 10 of them.

They were for the salesmen to show the customers how the new patented spring design provided more room for a larger blade in the closed position of the model 716.

Timstools · Post by **Timstools** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 6:49 pm

Thanks Randy and Phil
You probably made it then Phil?? Thats interesting info on the spring, I noticed that it looked a little different and that it had a hole where a lever extends from it.

I wash some of my knives under running tap with soap even when they are new as I find they often have a thin residue on them, I was concerned water would go into this one.
Regards Tim

lt632ret · Post by **lt632ret** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 7:45 pm

Say Phil any idea where another one of the 8 left is? LT

Phil Gibbs · Post by **Phil Gibbs** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 3:54 am

Wish I did LT!

I don't even have a clear one myself.

But then again I do have a couple of 716's that no-one else has even seen!! I will try to locate & photo for you this weekend.

lt632ret · Post by **lt632ret** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 5:13 am

Twas only a stab at levity and to let Tim know he caught one I admired. Thankyou for confirming my conclusion that it was for salesmans use. LT