All About Pocket Knives

Camillus called their #23 a "Large Equal End Jack." The first listing I see a bit is in the 1946 catalog and it may well have been manufactured prior to the war as well. Most of these that I have seen have advertising on them and have handles made of French ivory celluloid. French ivory celluloid seems to be a bit more stable than some of the other celluloid patterns I have seen, but I have encountered a number of knives with French ivory handles that are well into the offgassing process. This particular handle was beginning to shrink and I knew it was not long for this world given its current state.

I took the knife apart and removed the handles, cleaned and polished the inside of the knife then reassembled it with sandbar stag.
Kind of a basic re-handle, but I like the results!

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

(The knife is currently available in my AAPK store, Orvet Customs).

That turned out beautiful Dale. Stag really dresses it up.

Beautiful work Dale! I never thought of using stag on one of those 23's but you have inspired me. I have a few of them waiting in the "on-deck" box.

Saw that one in the store this morning. Looks great!




It still confuses me why Camillus only seemed to sell it with either ivory cell or Delrin handles in the years it was produced. I have never seen bone versions. The mechanics here have really made this pattern shine.


I'm probably going to do an orange G-10 or synthetic version, as I want one that is lose-proof.

Those 23’s are a handful!
Great looking stag! Excellent job as always Dale!
Jeff

Beautiful!! Those stag handles really set it off.

Nev

Outstandingly beautiful knife!
That stag turned out perfect for that 23 - just enough "gnarly", and the perfect thickness.
You've got me drooling with that one, Dale!

Dale,
Great looking rehandle!
Those old 23s are a comfortable handful, been tempted several times to carry one.
Treefarmer

Very handsome Dale! Those stag covers look spectacular!

I LIKE it!!

I like this!

You know what a fan of stag I am Dale! Knife looks great, nothing too fancy(doesn't need to be), just some nicely hafted stag.

Love it!

Very nice work Dale!
I have a couple of the Cam 23s and I want to try the same thing.

It is a beauty.

BTW.... I just went to your store and I think yours has been snatched up.

Dale

Great looking knife I want one.

gordonjohn wrote: ↑Sun Apr 17, 2022 2:12 am Great looking knife I want one.

You an' me both Gordy!

Meridian_Mike wrote: ↑Fri Apr 15, 2022 1:16 pm Very nice work Dale!
I have a couple of the Cam 23s and I want to try the same thing.

It is a beauty.

BTW.... I just went to your store and I think yours has been snatched up.

Mike I kept thinking about it and thought, if I wait some other lucky soul will get it. So now just waiting on the mailman. Pictures to follow. Thanks Dale.

doglegg wrote: ↑Sun Apr 17, 2022 1:45 pm
Mike I kept thinking about it and thought, if I wait some other lucky soul will get it. So now just waiting on the mailman. Pictures to follow. Thanks Dale.

SWEET!

That knife is a sure 'nuff beauty!
Dale does some AMAZING work!
Congrats!!

I was fortunate enough to purchase this knife from Dale. He did a great job on it. I received it yesterday and here are a few fresh pics.

YES!
Very nice knife! Dale does beautiful work!

MAN.... I like the photography you have done.
The background really sets off the beauty of the knife!

My goodness doglegg. A very fine knife; very fine photos. A great combination.

Treefarmer

Thank Mike, QS, Philip. Dale's work and my wife's flowers and I get to enjoy both.

Very nice.