What drives us to buy knives and tools?
For most the "want" is probably bigger than the "need", if the latter even applies.
I know I, myself am guilty to that for sure.
Where does the want come from?
Materials used? Heritage of the brand? Brand love? Historic models?
Whatever the reason, this post today is about... Nostalgia!
I can imagine many former servicemen and -women got issued the misnamed "Demo knife" back in their military days of the past. Many got abused and tortured to the point they just gave up.
Though many survived and started a second life in a tackle- or fishing box.
Camillus was the first brand to produce the knife, some others followed.
To many, the Camillus will always be the one true Demo knife.
Whatever happened long after that initial period of overflood, it caused a fall in availability of the Original Camillus knives.
Prices have been going up, availability went down. Even though they're usually "only" around the $40-50 mark when found nowadays, they were worth pocket change just over a decade ago.
What happened next?
Colonial rebooted the design in this modern age and decided to release it to the general public, having everyone who wants one back out of nostalgia the option of filling the void.
Or didn't they?
Colonial front, Camillus backThe overall feel is quite similar, even though the diamond shaped holes are only superficial on the modern Colonial.
This does make the scales more pleasing on the eyes.
The overall size has been shortened and narrowed, allowing a little easier pocket carry without loosing functionality.
The bail is shortened, widened and rounded instead of flat; removing any chance of hardpoints on the bail.
Camillus left, Colonial right 
Camillus up, Colonial downCustomer reviews online read about how the Colonial version feels better built in hand compared to what the former GI's can remember.
I
disagree.
The Colonial seems well built, with only a small gap between a liner and backspring.
Not much of an issue since the original Camillus has that too
.
However, the rivets are peened way worse.
The heads feel like thick nailheads that can snag on the lining of your jeans. Consider me unimpressed!
The Camillus, however, has nicely rounded peens that sit flush with the scales.
No matter how nicely finished the Colonial can be otherwise, these rivetheads are truly horrible and bring an annoying feeling to the knife that could have been easily avoided.
The US mark on the scales are lasered on the Colonial instead of stamped.
I can believe the cost cutting factor, but a true Demo knife should have it stamped to my feel.
Especially when you consider the $47, MRSP in the US (add tax and import duties overseas) a stamp would have been a nice touch.
Colonial didn't only shrink the overall size of the tool, but also the inner tools like the cap lifter/screwdriver:
The can opener, which isn't marked as such on the Colonial:
No matter how silly it was, the lack of the can opener stamping leaves me a bit hanging again on the Colonial.
These tools were not shortened on the Colonial because of a lack of real estate. The Colonial isn't that much smaller that it should have such a drastically shorter opener layer to begin with.
It's simply because blade crinking was not used on the Colonial, where Camillus did.
The awls are about the same size even though my Camillus one might have been shortened. I have no reference myself to clear that up.
The Camillus used a rounded, sharp tipped awl that looks perfect for leatherwork whereas Colonial used a spiked, sharpened awl similar to Victorinox' design which could prove more functional in the 21st century.
Blade size and grind are similar, but the Camillus has it's nail nick way more upfront to the tip of the blade.
Camillus on the left, Colonial on the right.Personally I prefer Camillus' original way, since Colonial's bottle opener is partially in the way of the nail nick to open the blade.
The writing in the Colonial blade is also lasered on, and will wear out with moderate use just like the "US" mark on the front scale.
All in all the Colonial is a good, everyday knife that'll do all the cutting you'd require from a Swiss Army Knife sized tool.
It does leaves me hungry about some details that make a Demo knife a Demo knife. Especially since some details wouldn't be that hard to add. It's a fun tool to see it "evolved" into a little more modern day knife but honestly; nice peening of the rivets alone would make a world of difference.
If you can pick one up for a good deal, do it! Just don't expect it to replace an OG Demo completely.
If you can't, I'd advise picking up a good condition Camillus for $60 over a new $47 Colonial any day.
As a side note, Colonial does not seem to have a US production facility any more, even though their knives are offered as "US made".
People requesting for more info from Colonial never got a reply, so it's their conclusion that these GI knives must be made in partnership with another US company.
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