All About Pocket Knives

Gentleman
I’m new to this world of pocketknives and have been enjoying looking through the many and varied forums (Camillus mostly), FAQs and topics. That said, I decided to dive in and ask about one of my knives. I realize its condition is only fair and needs some cleaning (the gray “coating” on the handles for instance), etc. It was a good pocketknife during our many working years and I’d like to give it a sprucing up as it goes into a well-earned retirement.
What I do know. Thank you, forums.
1. Camillus- tang stamp used from late1960s to 1970s.
2. 3 ¾ “ long- closed
3. Single blade- ?spear point style
4. Handle: a black composite material
5. Single bolster
6. No bale/shackle- never had any
Now for your help. What the heck type is it?
I have looked through many of the Camillus posts but have come up empty.
Your thoughts and suggestions on what I can do to clean, refresh, etc. or particular posts to look at, will be gratefully received.
p.s. Now, if you tell me it is a special prototype knife made to test a new style that was never produced but is worth a fortune I… OK, OK never mind- dang reality.

Welcome to the AAPK site. That knife is a "bare-head" jack, meaning a single bolster. Just a regular, work knife. I prefer to leave them as-found, other than a little oil at the joints and a sharpening if you intend to carry it. It's what we here call an "HOK", honest old knife. Good luck with it. J.O'.

Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Wed Mar 25, 2026 7:32 pm Welcome to the AAPK site. That knife is a "bare-head" jack, meaning a single bolster. Just a regular, work knife. I prefer to leave them as-found, other than a little oil at the joints and a sharpening if you intend to carry it. It's what we here call an "HOK", honest old knife. Good luck with it. J.O'.

Thanks for the information, "bare-head" jack, just what I needed to know. "HOK" that fits it exactly.

Unfortunately, the "grey" coating is what happens when you leave a knife in a piece of clothing and it goes through the wash.

The grey coating on the handle is oxidation of the plastic. It can also be caused by leaving the knife in the sun, or sometimes they oxidize just setting in a drawer or a toolbox.
A light machine oil, like 3 in 1, will usually make it dissappear, and restore the original finish, if it is only oxidation.
Handles that have paint or something else on them may require more vigorous cleaning.