Camilius Camp Knife

Pacu · **on:** July 07, 2009, 11:50:38 PM

I picked up a 1969 dated Camilius camp knife while i was in Ohio last week at a local flea market. It seems well built and doesn't appear to have seen much use. The guy wanted 10 and i haggered to 8 +buy him an RC cola. I think i got the better end of the deal.

pretty much everything else i saw was cheap junk or was out of my price range.

LatinoHeat · **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2009, 01:27:04 AM

How is it compared to the Farmer? I mean, I know it doesn't have the saw. I'm asking quality. How is it compared to an alox SAK? From what I've read, it doesn't come close to the Vic quality, fit, and finish.

Leatherman123 · **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2009, 01:28:50 AM

I have a Camillus Boy Scout knife which is very similar. It's not bad quality but it's not nearly as good as Vics! It's quality is equivalent to a Wenger SAK!

american lockpicker · **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2009, 01:29:19 AM

Its better than a BAK.

2xTap · **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2009, 04:45:08 AM

Pacu,

That particular pattern of Slip was original military issue at one time. They can also be found with U.S.M.C. stamping as well. Since Camillus' demise Ontario has picked up the pattern and is currently making them now.

2xTap

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #5 on:** July 08, 2009, 07:01:03 AM

That was a good deal

gafftapegreenia · **Reply #6 on:** July 09, 2009, 03:07:17 AM

Two things:

That has to be an older one because on the stud on the screwdriver blade.

The ones made by Ontario, where can I find them, and are they worth the money?

ducktapehero · **Reply #7 on:** July 09, 2009, 03:09:59 AM

Are the new ones made any better than the old ones?

Sean · **Reply #8 on:** July 09, 2009, 04:10:45 AM

those are really neat camp knives. I did put a bid on one from 1964 (year born) but lost out. Nice find Paco and good price.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #9 on:** July 09, 2009, 04:14:31 AM

I have not seen one in person yet...but I'm guessing that Ontario has purchased the Camillus tooling and remaining parts...they could just be assembling old stock right now.

2xTap · **Reply #10 on:** July 09, 2009, 04:58:32 AM

I haven't got to handle a new one from Ontario either, so I can't say for sure.

2xTap

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #11 on:** July 09, 2009, 05:34:14 AM

Someone has to be first

LatinoHeat · **Reply #12 on:** July 09, 2009, 11:21:34 PM

Hey guys. I finally got one of these all stainless steel "demo" knives I've been hearing a lot about. I've been wanting one forever, and I figured I'd post my initial reaction to it.
I've heard a lot of bad things about these knives, about how the springs weren't very good, they broke often, they made the blades nail breakers to open, the finish was rough, etc.
Well, I will say this. The finish IS rough. It is definitely not a Vic Soldier or Wenger SI. However, this knife is a tank. I have alot of hefty, tough knives, but this one feels like you can through it at a train that's comin at you and it will stop the train!! LOL. Of course I exaggerate, but you get the point. Not the heaviest of knives, but just feels rock solid. I guess it's what you'd expect from an all steel knife.
Now, I know Camillus went out of business, but this one says Camillus 2006 on the main blade. Other then the US on the scale, there are no other marks on the knife. Wasn't Camillus out of business by 2006? Maybe this is from Ontario? Using stock parts and just putting them together?
As I said, it is a rough knife. The metal scales are not sharp, but not smooth either, like a Vic or Wenger. Plus, the grinds at the ends of the springs aren't exactly even, and the liners are not polished, but I guess since it was made for the Military, strength and durability are more important then style and finesse. However, there is no space between the scales, springs or liners, and the springs all match up evenly. The walk and talk on this knife is fine. Not too strong, not too weak. Almost to Vic standards, which surprised me as most spoke about how hard it was to open the blades, specially the can opener. Mine are good. The can opener says "can opener" on it, as is customary on these knives, but the blade is not sharp and pointy, like on a Wenger. However, it will still do the job. The bottle opener is the standard "scout knife" bottle opener, with the long flat head screw driver end. The Awl has been modified, however. The tip has been ground down and flattened to make it a small flat head screwdriver head, capable of working phillips head screws!! This is interesting. This knife apparently has never been used, as the blade is untouched and there really are no scratches anywhere else on this entire knife. It looks like this si the way it came out of the factory. Granted, someone some where might have modified it, but I actually like it. I use the drivers more day to day then I would an awl, and since these blades are sooo solid, I could use this as a small pry bar too. There is a small bit of wobble on the main blad,e but not too bad, and the other blades are pretty solid. The bail is different from the bail on the Wenger SI, in that it is attached to the pin that goes through the body of the knife. This bail is going nowhere. Tough as the rest of the knife. Not sure of the edge retention ability of this steel, so I can't comment on this yet, but over all I like this knife. Definitely a workhorse, and believe it or not, probably the toughest of all my slippies, SAKs or not. I used to think my SI or Case Sodbuster were my toughest go to knives, but wow. Like I said, this is a tank.

2xTap · **Reply #13 on:** July 09, 2009, 11:29:17 PM

LH,

Camillus closed on February 28, 2007 which puts the one you got as regular production from Camillus, New York.

2xTap

LatinoHeat · **Reply #14 on:** July 10, 2009, 12:05:46 AM

Quote from: 2xTap on July 09, 2009, 11:29:17 PM

LH,

Camillus closed on February 28, 2007 which puts the one you got as regular production from Camillus, New York.

2xTap

Cool. I got an actual Camillus Demo knife!! Made in the good ol' US of A!!!

Pacu · **Reply #15 on:** July 10, 2009, 01:59:52 AM

This thing is built like a russian tank. It has that quality heft when you hold it in your hand. Would i take it over let's say a Farmer? No. But it's a fine knife, well built, and ready for its intended purpose..hard use in the field.
Now i need to get one with USMC on it. My dad would like that. I'll have to ask him if he ever got issued one.....and if he still in possession of it.

LatinoHeat · **Reply #16 on:** July 10, 2009, 02:12:24 AM

And I feel the opposite. I am putting my Wenger SI away and going to EDC this guy. I just like the feel of a tough, no nonsense, no frills knife. I feel like I could take on the world with this thing. The Wenger now feels like a toy.

Pacu · **Reply #17 on:** July 10, 2009, 02:22:50 AM

Ok i'm in..I will EDC this for a week and report back here with my low down..

It will pair up with my Crunch just so i will have to use it more. No Wave next week..just to kill the need for the outside opening blades.

I do after all want to give it a fair shake.

Pacu · **Reply #18 on:** July 10, 2009, 02:24:02 AM

Then we can compare notes LatinoHeat

LatinoHeat · **Reply #19 on:** July 10, 2009, 03:03:48 AM

10-4, Pacu. One week of EDCing this bad boy sounds fair to me. Granted, I am semi retired for now, not really doing much, but yeah, I will use it for whatever I need a knife for. LOL. Since I got it this afternoon, I have been fondling it like a worry stone, playing with it, opening it, closing it, sharpening it, etc. You gotta understand, I have wanted one of these for years. Ever since I read the Don Rearic article on it. As a matter of fact, I originally got the Wenger SI because it kind've looked like the Camillus Demo knife. LOL. Silly, I know, but there you have it. I just figured, if it is tough enough for the military to use out on the field, it should do well by my use, and last forever, you know?
One week.
Here we go.

ringzero · **Reply #20 on:** July 10, 2009, 09:11:46 AM

Quote from: LatinoHeat on July 09, 2009, 11:21:34 PM

I've heard a lot of bad things about these knives, about how the springs weren't very good, they broke often, they made the blades nail breakers to open, the finish was rough, etc.
Well, I will say this. The finish IS rough. It is definitely not a Vic Soldier or Wenger SI. However, this knife is a tank.

I've had maybe four or five demos over the years. Never broke one, mine were all stolen or lost.

Used to be able to pick these up at Army surplus stores for as little as $5, and don't believe I ever paid over $10.

Never had one that was a nail breaker and never had one where the springs went bad. Finish on mine varied from kind of rough to fairly decent - finish on the best one was nowhere near as good as typical Case or Vic.

As you say, these knives are like little tanks. Heavy compared to a SAK, but very, very tough.

I quit buying them because of the greater weight, and because the surplus places in my area stopped offering them at low, low prices.

.

Pacu · **Reply #21 on:** July 17, 2009, 12:18:16 AM

After one weeks worth of EDC here is my mini-review.

Pros- Stayed sharp after a week of cutting cardboard
The lanyard holder was a lifesaver--I put a piece of paracord on it so i could retrieve it from my pocket easier.
I used the can opener....and guess what? It works very well. Made fast work out of a can of Bush's beans.
The awle is awesome too.

Cons- The blades are super stiff to open up. It hurts my thumbnail to deploy any of the tools/blade.
The thumb deployer on the bottle opener needs to go. It pokes my leg and catches on everything. Especially trying to dig it out of your pocket.

Would i trade it for my Vic? No. But it is good for camping, using as a backup when you don't want to f' up your nice knife.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #22 on:** July 17, 2009, 08:10:58 AM

I appreciate your thought's on it mate

LatinoHeat · **Reply #23 on:** July 17, 2009, 02:51:35 PM

My review after using it for a week......
My blade doesn't get very sharp at all. I will go back to give it another edge here today. For some reason, I get into funks sometimes where I can't sharpen a friggin pencil, much less a knife. I don't know why, but there you have it. Anyway, I'll try to sharpen it again today. It held an ok edge, totally functional. Just not what U am used to.
The Can opener on mine isn't very sharp at all, but again, it worked well. Used the screwdriver blade on the bottle opener as a prybar a few times, and it worked well. The awl on my was grinded down into a small flat head screwdriver. Not sure about this, as I really don't have too much need for it, although I did use it to remove the phillips screws on my door knob for a replacement, so, I may keep it. I don't REALLY need an awl, nor use one often. Just a good feature to have, I guess.
No need for the bale this week, but good to know it's there, specially if I ever work out on the water. A lanyard attached there will keep the knife from getting lost.
Pros - Heavy, Sturdy knife which feels like it can take on anything.
- Big belly on the blade. Makes cutting easier as it digs into material, even with a so-so edge.
- smooth opening of tools. Unlike other Demo knives, mine has smooth opening blades, no nail breakers.
- love the all steel construction. Ugly duckling to be sure, but bullet proof and tough.
cons - Heavy, sturdy knife which feels like a ton of bricks in your pocket.
- Blade steel doesn't get a good edge. Granted, this may be user error on my part, but the steel on this knife is suspect to me.
-rough fit and finish. Scales have sharp edges, kind've like the PST, making it a little painful to hold while doing heavy work.
Will it continue to be my EDC? Nah, probably not. I tend to like my pocketknives small. Peanuts, pen knives, Vic classics, etc. However, it would DEFINITELY make a good camping knife, or even a "dirty" use knife. This guy is a workhorse, so definitely a welcome addition to the family.

ducktapehero · **Reply #24 on:** July 17, 2009, 04:51:18 PM

Quote from: LatinoHeat on July 17, 2009, 02:51:35 PM

My review after using it for a week......
My blade doesn't get very sharp at all.

You know, I had a Case scout knife(the old one made by Camillus) and I had the exact same problem. For some reason I couldn't get a decent edge on that knife to save my life. I've been able to sharpen every other knife I've ever owned, except that one. Maybe it's not you that's the problem.

LatinoHeat · **Reply #25 on:** July 17, 2009, 06:44:31 PM

Quote from: ducktapehero on July 17, 2009, 04:51:18 PM

Quote from: LatinoHeat on July 17, 2009, 02:51:35 PM
My review after using it for a week......
My blade doesn't get very sharp at all.
You know, I had a Case scout knife(the old one made by Camillus) and I had the exact same problem. For some reason I couldn't get a decent edge on that knife to save my life. I've been able to sharpen every other knife I've ever owned, except that one. Maybe it's not you that's the problem.

Hmmm....... maybe Camillus put low end steel in these knives? If I'm not mistaken (which I usually am in these intances), The old Case Scout knives and the Camillus "Demo" knives are basically the same knife, scale not withstanding. So, Yeah, it would make sense.
I hate not being able to put a good edge on it because I will become obsessed. I will keep sharpening until damn it, it DOES shave...... and there's 1/4 of the blade missing. LOL.
If I can get a decent edge, I might carry it a while longer. I know some steels, even stainless ones, are higher in Carbon then others, so this one may be a bit harder and maybe also a bit harder to sharpen. Let me have at it again...

Pacu · **Reply #26 on:** July 17, 2009, 06:55:04 PM

i used my arkansas bench rock with it soaked in remington gun oil. It took a bit to sharpen it up but it got real close to razor sharp. Still sharp after using it for things i would dare with a vic or case

After i used the rock i swiped it a few times through one of those cheapo ceramic rod sharpeners. I think it helps smooth the blade a bit.

Pacu · **Reply #27 on:** July 17, 2009, 07:34:29 PM

more pics of this little workhorse

LatinoHeat · **Reply #28 on:** July 17, 2009, 08:26:07 PM

Well I'll be damned if I didn't get a great edge on it now!! LOL. Sometimes I just have to put a knife away and come back to it after a couple of days. I used the diamond file on my Wave, and then some ceramic rods, and presto. Instant, hair poppin edge. Not necessarily a smooth shave, but a shave nonetheless. I also filed down the small screwdriver into an awl, as it should be. Hmmm. Now I have to carry it for another wek and see how it goes. It's interesting. This knife is heavy, but after putting some other knives into my pocket minutes ago, I realize it's still pretty comfortable. I don't know it's the flat profile of the metal scales or what, but, like I said, even though it's a bit hefty, it lays flat in the pocket, so it is actually pretty comfortable. Ok, I'll give it a little more time and see how it goes. I have to admit, there's just something about it's Spartan look that I just love (and by Spartan, I don't mean the Vic. LOL!)

Sazabi · **Reply #29 on:** July 24, 2009, 12:01:48 AM

Just a curious question, but is the Ontario factory using a better spring steel for the springs? Even on my new 1992 Demo, the blades are almost impossible to extend, and I know whoever signed off on the design decided to use poor spring steel, giving it much less longevity over a period of openings. :/

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