All About Pocket Knives

Over the weekend I found a Camillus toothpick knife with a scaler, hook remover and bail...this knife has back plastic handles...
approx. 5" long and the knife seems to be in excellent condition...The tang stamp.... Camillus...Cutlery Co....Camillus, NY....U.S.A.
I looked at some of the stamps and seen they were made though 1946... but didn't see one quite like this one...Maybe it's just me but
this knife's tang stamp seems bolder and stronger and of a different font...
Would be interested to know the value and any other information available...Thank you

....wow!!, another one I've never seen!!!!............... ...........................

Man... that sure is a NICE fish knife!

Congrats on the find!

I believe that is a life raft knife that was used in World War II. I think they were made towards the end of the war probably prior to 1946. Usually that's on Sundays

The unique part is the clevis on the joint end. I believe that was only used on the life raft knife.

orvet wrote: ↑Tue Nov 03, 2020 4:07 pm I believe that is a life raft knife that was used in World War II. I think they were made towards the end of the war probably prior to 1946. Usually that's on Sundays

The unique part is the clevis on the joint end. I believe that was only used on the life raft knife.

I believe you are right Dale. Wow would love to find one of those.

Would that be a navy knife or military affiliated if used on the life raft?...Any idea the value or the amount made?
I know it was quite unusual and I appreciate all the good information... I'd seen these type of knives but not like this one!!

doglegg wrote: ↑Tue Nov 03, 2020 6:22 pm

orvet wrote: ↑Tue Nov 03, 2020 4:07 pm I believe that is a life raft knife that was used in World War II. I think they were made towards the end of the war probably prior to 1946. Usually that's on Sundays

The unique part is the clevis on the joint end. I believe that was only used on the life raft knife.

I believe you are right Dale. Wow would love to find one of those.

I sold one the nicest Camillus life raft fish knives that I had ever seen, last year I think. I have several of them, but most of all of them have issues. If they have been used very much at all the clevis is probably removed from the knife and the blade is rather than at the tip and those are often broken and reprofiled.

In the book "Pocket Knives of the United States Military" by Michael W. Silvey they are listed as 'Emergency Fishing Knives' he shows 3 examples on pg 106.
One with the tang stamp of MADE IN U.S.A. and the other two with Camillus tang stamps, one like yours. I have no idea as to the value or how many were made.

I will have to check out the book because I've never heard of it maybe the local library may be able to help...

raincrowe wrote: ↑Tue Nov 03, 2020 2:03 pm Over.....

This one, not mine, sold for $40 at auction.
NOT eBay.
247,380 were made. See picture #2.
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

Wow that is so neat what a great story thanks a bushel!!