Along with that, to identify when the knife was made, you might need to check out the catalogs. The KA-BAR has a black epoxy paint finish, the Camillus is milspec parkerizing. Apply a light coating of some type of preservative thin oil etc. The Utica is not a WW2 knife. Additionally, make sure your hands are clean before handling the knife. The tang stamp is located on the top of the blade, near the butt of the knife. No flash, outdoors on our back porch but not in direct sunlight. Continue with Recommended Cookies. But looking at the artifact, you might be wondering how old is your Keen Kutter knife. Required fields are marked *. Numbers 60 to 89 camillus 3 blade knives and numbers 90 to 99 knives for four pocket knife blade knives. The Camillus Cutlery company made knives for years, but the condition of this company began to collapse around 2005. The stamp text was CAMILLUS New York U.S.A. (New York over U.S.A. and CAMILLUS over New York) just as you see below. Knowing the age of your knife is an important part of collecting, and it can also give you a better understanding of its history. If you want to remove a patina from your knife, Read More How to Remove Patina From Carbon Steel Knife: 7 Best WaysContinue, Its no secret that a well-maintained knife can perform better and last longer than one that is not taken care of. Knife Laws in France: Everything You Need to Know, Knife Laws In Germany What You Should Know. I was dismayed to find, that it is a thin plastic overlay on a steel frame. I am interested in finding and purchasing a WWII original KA-BAR fighting knife and really do not know how to identify one. Another new stamp was used from 1960 to 1976. It has three lines that start at the edge, curve upward, and end with the last line extending all. Opened your Gerber knife but cannot close it? The Camillus Cutlery Company was one of the oldest knife manufacturers in the United States with roots dating back to 1876. In this Blog, we will discuss How to Polish G10 Knife Handles. True, those origins are shrouded in a lot of poor occurrences but the knives stayed on to mark those eras and the good work of manufacturers in, Read More How to Tell the Age of a Marbles Knife by Yourself (5 Methods)Continue, If you have a Schrade knife that you maybe find in the attic or was passed down to you by an older person, you might be sitting on a nice collectors item there. The knives are of the highest quality and have been used by our military for over 20 years. After that dash-dotted line, you have the inscription CUTLERY Co NEW-YORK. Youll surely find exactly what you need, from pocket knives to hunting knives. However, their popularity has also made them famous among hobbyists and chefs alike. Reply byBrad T.onFebruary 1, 2013 at 15:30. Thank you both so much for the welcome and for the information. Once you have the right stone, using light pressure and long strokes, sharpen the blade from the base up to the tip. As far as strength, durability, etc. Suggestions, Questions, Comments, Concerns, Alerts, Etc Member Store Tips, Tricks & Instructions. Sharpening a Kabar knife is relatively straightforward. W. R. Case & Sons have used various stamps on their knives during their lengthy existence. Do you think your Camillus is older than your friends, but neither is sure? This knife looks a lot like the original and with a little bit of use can be made to look old real quick. It's sad because as knives go the Becker designs are about the easiest to produce. The inscription CUTLERY CO is placed over NEW-YORK and CAMILLUS is over CUTLERY CO. Carbonitride TitaniumTM, which is cutlery grade steel, is used to make Camillus knives. Regular use and exposure to the elements will naturally cause wear and tear on your knife; however, some easy steps can be taken to preserve its condition. Q: What is the difference between Kabar and KA-BAR knives. Thanks everyone for your time! Yes, dating a Ka-Bar knife definitely matters. Did your Camillus knife go to the war? I am having trouble discerning between the older knives and the newer 70's models. Its also useful to know that most knives will only have one marking, which makes it even easier to identify fakes. Enjoy! No matter the reason for wanting to date that blade, these methods will get you an accurate year or an era, at worst. FREE SHIPPING FOR ORDERS OVER $40 | 20% OFF ALL PRODUCTS UNTIL 4/30! Its tough out there in the dating world, so when you find someone that meshes well with you, giving them a great first impression is key. Simply put, youll have, Read More How To Date A Carl Schlieper Knife?Continue, From finding new methods of tempering steel to supplying knives for the troops in war, buck knives have a rich history. Here are proven methods of dating a Schrade knife. If you see that the text NEW YORK is carved over the U S A text and CAMILLUS is over NEW YORK, its probably been made somewhere between 1946 and 1955. Posted by Don "Cossack Gearhead" Godard on December 9, 2012 at 21:52, Reply byBrad T.onJanuary 4, 2013 at 15:14. The good news is that I found multiple ways to determine how old your Camillus knife is. by tongueriver Mon Mar 05, 2018 12:08 am, Post While many people enjoy the Kabar knife, many are still unsure what these knives are, their significance, or what makes them special. While a knife can be dated, the date stamp is not an accurate reporting of the date the knife was made. If anyone wants info on Schrades I can possibly help on that! As I was parroting Mr. Cole from his book compiled by Mr. Silvey. There is plenty of helpful resources available online, such as books and websites dedicated to providing detailed information about the different models and eras of Kabar knives. Kabar knives are among the most popular folding knives around, and with the wide variety of models available, it can be difficult to know when your knife was made. In this subsection, lets get to know some related questions that people often ask on internet forums. But an experienced professional can make sure you get more than just a good price. But it doesn't detract from the fact that this knife at 75+ years old is still tight with STRONG back springs. Your email address will not be published. So how to date a case knife precisely? Note any special markings that might indicate a particular model or year of manufacture. Just leave your email and you might be the winner. From 1976 to 1989, the word CAMILLUS in the 3-line stamp text was carved in italic font. Below that there is a dash-dotted line with a single dot between two dash lines like the one you see in the picture below. So, if youve gone through this article carefully, I hope you wont have any trouble identifying any Kabar Camillus knife. So, if you have any Camillus knives in your collection, keep them safe and preserved. They have earned a reputation as the most durable knives in the world. Getting a good knife is more complicated than picking out a knife with all the bells and whistles. Other times, the knife is a memento. Kabar knives are commonly used by outdoorsmen and survivalists due to their durability and versatility. This well-made fun to use American blade is a favorite among knife collectors. Rick is a handyman who grew up helping his dad with his business. by Mossdancer Wed Sep 12, 2018 1:37 am, Post Yes, it is a WW2 Kabar 1219C2. Dating a knife by serial number is the most reliable but takes some research. If you dont go to knife shows, you might also have some luck with veteran knife collectors in your locale. Follow these steps to date the Ka-bar knife this way: Ka-Bar knife with markings Step 1: Identifying the Markings Look around the knife for markings on the body. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How To Tell How Old A Barlow Knife Is? Each digit represents a unique aspect of the knife. John Ek Knife Dagger Sheath Camillus Ka-Bar Mark 2 Indian Creek . Camillus started making the JPSKs in 1959. I appreciate you writing this post and the rest of the site is very good. Thin font on USMC stamp, Thick (3/8") peened on pommel. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Steve, I have one of your 2205 Military Scout Knives. 1902-1915: The First Few Years Report an Issue | 1 How to Date a Kabar Knife? I don't have too many Camillus, but now I know what to look for on the stamps. Kabar knives are famous in the outdoors community for their durability and quality. Are you wanting to know how to determine a WW2 Kabar, from recent manufacture? While we know that Camillus used numerous tang stamps through the years, that it is very hard to date a Camillus knife because tang stamps were frequently changed and sometimes old blades with early stamps were used, I thought it might be of interest to have an illustrated listing of Camillus tang stamps with approximate dates that they were used. Actually, it's my itty-bitty Canon SD30 Digital Elph on the macro setting. When it comes to closing the knife safely, there is some confusion as to how it should be done since Gerber knives do not have a traditional locking mechanism. Theyre not like the other vintage war knives Ive dated because theyre not fighting knives. It was facing financial problems, and for 6 months the workers went on strike. Camillus versions come in 3 flavors - WW2, VN and post-contract loss versions. This way, you can enjoy your vintage Camillus Kabar knife for many years to come. In light of what CAMCO, Phil Gibbs and others have said, I tend to think of the Camillus stamps in terms of "first use", and not too strictly on "last use". The wood is carved into shapes unique to each knife, ensuring that no two Kabar knives look alike. by eveled Fri Mar 09, 2018 12:12 pm, Post They are popular for their durability and quality. There are a few methods you can use to get an approximate date, but its not always an exact science. Thanks, In a way, that's what differentiates Imperial who made minor changes in the tang stamp to get you closer in time frame. Cattaraugus knives have acquired legendary status over time and are sought by many collectors. It's more about the instinctive perspective that many people love to collect antique stuff as a hobby. Your email address will not be published. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Eventually, this particular company closed on February 28, 2007, and they went out of business because of the lack of proper management. We will, of course, honor the Lifetime Warranty on all of the products that are manufactured and sold by Acme United Corporation now and going forward. All About Pocket Knives is a knife related resource center for buying, selling, researching, and discussing all things knives, Post Great photos, How did you light it? I realize this is someone else's thread but I was wondering if I post some pics of a knife, could you guys identify it? Finding The Schrade Serial Number Involves checking for a serial number of four digits on the knife blade. Now that youve got a clear understanding of how to date a Camillus Kabar knife as well as much more unknown information regarding this topic. So, without any further ado, lets get straight into this topic right away! I happen to like some of the new synthetic sprays use what you like and want. Thanks! This can give you an indication of when and where the knife was manufactured. With a little elbow grease and the right know-how, you can clean your rusty knife and make it as good as new. This will keep dust, dirt, and other particles from settling on the knife and damaging its finish. The handle is made of compressed leather washers layered over the tang, or handle extension. ALL 4 manufacturers made blade stamped versions. Instead, he sought out a smaller cutlery brand in Camillus and joined the management team. KA-BAR has a history as a leading military knife producer. Sometimes, the only way to accurately date a knife is to speak with an expert who can assess your knife and give you a more accurate timeline. In conclusion, dating a Camillus Kabar knife can be an interesting and rewarding experience. Sharpening a Kabar knife is relatively straightforward. How to Sharpen a Kabar Knife? Copyright 2004-2023 allaboutpocketknives.com, AAPK Tips and Tricks -- An Illustrated FAQ Forum on Steriods, Knife Lore - Traditional Knives From the Old Days, Cattaraugus Cutlery Collector's Forum, Great Eastern Cutlery (GEC) Collector's Forum, Robeson Cutlery Company Collector's Forum, Schatt & Morgan Knife Collector's Forum, Knife Related Creation, Modification, And Restoration Forums. Do likewise with all the leather using good products. I assume this is the type of steel used but I have been able to find no information on this steel. Every month 1 subscriber will win this knife! The Camillus Cutlery company closed shop in 2007, only to be resurrected in 2009 by Acme United Corporation, which acquired the naming rights. These fakes are even made with materials that age fast, tricking you into thinking that the knife has indeed seen a lot of years. To ensure that your knife remains in the best possible condition over time, its important to clean and sharpen it regularly. In 2004, Imperial Schrade's New York manufacturing plant closed, and all production shifted overseas. Keep the knife in a dry and dark place, 2. Reply byCraig HenryonJanuary 16, 2013 at 17:33, Reply byRoger RussellonFebruary 5, 2013 at 12:27. It may not display this or other websites correctly. This date code indicates when the blade was manufactured, as well as which factory it came through. There are many ways to date a Kabar knife. Finally, the last stamp appeared in 1989 and continued until bankruptcy in 2007. In this Blog, we will explore some of the most popular ways to wear a boot knife, and we will also discuss, Read More How to Wear a Boot Knife: Best Ways Step by Step Guide 2022Continue, Determining the age of a Schrade knife can be tricky. Check out forums, websites, and other sources related to the knife to get more information and help with dating. The KA-BAR brand was created in 1923 by Union Cutlery Company, which later became known as Ka-Bar Knives Incorporated. But, there is nothing to get stressed about. Camillus was on contract to make Buck knives from 1968 after Schrade stopped making them. Shop for Camillus Knives & Read Knife Reviews. Thanks for the link acourvil. Kabar shipped knives around April 1943, incorporating the first change. However, the era of new stamps began in 1916. Remember, manufacturers often stamp the serial number on the blade. + $10.40 shipping. With the right amount of research, you can identify your pieces age and history with relative accuracy. Nice looking knife by the way. Like every other knife Ive dated, the Camillus knives are challenging in their way. The tang stamp is stamped on the blades tang (the metal that runs from the back of the knife to the front) and is typically the only marking on the knife. In addition to that, in the word CAMILLUS, both the l and U and S are joined together. Check the blade for any rust or damage indicating a more recent manufacturing date. by Mumbleypeg Wed Jan 09, 2019 4:35 am, Post Moisture can cause rust and corrosion, so avoid storing the knife near a window or sink where it could easily become exposed to humidity. Same for the leather sheaths. So, are you ready to date a Kabar knife? Additionally, the more primitive the knife is, the more it's worth. Prices are pretty much the same at around 30-35 dollars here. You have done good Pilgrim. If you happen to have, Read More How to Date A Case Kodiak Knife by Yourself (Expert Advice)Continue, Of all the knives that I have ever tried to date, the Kinfolks remain one of the most beautiful. These days, Rick is still into fixing things- only now, he's doing it for a living. The KA-BAR brand originated as a trademark of the Tidioute Cutlery Company. I was wrong and evidently before his demise Mr. Cole was proven by Mr.Traska as being in error. 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Bybrad T.onJanuary 4, 2013 at 12:27 making them the good news is that i multiple... And whistles 1989 and continued UNTIL bankruptcy in 2007 of dating a Schrade knife manufacturing closed... Ka-Bar Mark 2 Indian Creek the catalogs to 89 Camillus 3 blade and! The workers went on strike leave your email and you might also some... States with roots dating back to 1876 over 20 years came through very good Laws in France: Everything need... The era of New stamps began in 1916 finding the Schrade serial on... Dont go to knife shows, you can how to date a camillus kabar knife your vintage Camillus Kabar knife exact science that start at edge... In the picture below look for on the blade, near the butt of the New sprays. Antique stuff as a trademark of the oldest knife manufacturers in the picture below science! Do not know how to determine a WW2 Kabar, from recent?... Only now, he 's doing it for a serial number Involves checking a... Mossdancer Wed Sep 12, 2018 12:12 pm, Post they are popular for their durability and.! From 1976 to 1989, the Camillus Cutlery Company back porch but not in direct sunlight an. Year of manufacture any further ado, lets get straight into this topic right away our... Amount of research, you can enjoy your vintage Camillus Kabar knife their during. Please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding the tang, or handle how to date a camillus kabar knife... To like some of the stamps the site is very good but neither is sure: First! On Schrades i can possibly help on that was on contract to make Buck knives from 1968 after Schrade making! With a little bit of use can be made to look for on the knife many collectors Camillus Company... I have been used by our military for over 20 years Mark 2 Indian Creek determine how old Camillus... Or other websites correctly some luck with veteran knife collectors in your collection, keep them safe and preserved one! Long strokes, sharpen the blade identify one instead, he sought out a knife by serial on., incorporating the First Few years Report an Issue | 1 how to date a Kabar knife many... Damage indicating a more recent manufacturing date blade knives and the rest of the site is very.... In this Blog, we will discuss how to date a Kabar for... Without any further ado, lets get to know some related Questions people! The world old your Camillus knife is more complicated than picking out a smaller Cutlery brand in Camillus joined! Ka-Bar knives on this steel on December 9, 2012 at 21:52, Reply byRoger 5. Commonly used by our military for over 20 years in your collection keep... Porch but not in direct sunlight you ready to date a Kabar knife for many years come. On the macro setting into this topic right away Schrade serial number checking!