Finding a reputable knife cutting expert isnt easy. With decades of experience under his belt, Adolph spearheaded the growth and expansion of the Camillus knife company into what we know it as today. You might have noticed that in the previous text, the alphabet O was in lower case. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. While many people enjoy the Kabar knife, many are still unsure what these knives are, their significance, or what makes them special. Thanks for the link acourvil. This can give you an indication of when and where the knife was manufactured. In a way, that's what differentiates Imperial who made minor changes in the tang stamp to get you closer in time frame. Amazing. But, there is nothing to get stressed about. Buck Knife Collector's Forum; Camillus Cutlery Collector's Forum; Case Knife Collector's Forum; . Klein knives are clear vintages, and theyre one of those knives that went to the war. 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. 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. You can use light mineral oil for this purpose, which should be applied liberally to the blade and wiped off with a soft cloth. Besides use as a fighting knife, the Ka-Bar has proved useful as a utility knife, for opening cans, digging trenches, and cutting wood, roots, wire, and cable. Each digit represents a unique aspect of the knife. The Company produced millions of knives until it filed for bankruptcy in 2007. The last photo shows a general timeline of Soldier knives on the left side and Officers knives on the right side. But, theres a little difference. The sheath looks like it says boyt 43, but I remember reading somewhere that there's supposed to be 9 rivets on the back of the sheath and those that have 6 or 7 are newer. The wood is carved into shapes unique to each knife, ensuring that no two Kabar knives look alike. I've learned to take John Goins' listings with a grain of salt. Until I ran across Mr. Trzska's article, I had a bunch of misconception about MK2s/1219C2s. Kabar is an icon of the Pacific Northwest, and over time the company has become an authority on knife-making. Following these steps should help you determine the age of your Camillus Kabar knife. In 1985, the company became the Imperial Schrade Corporation. . Knowing the year, model number, and reference number are all essential elements when dating these knives. 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. By understanding the different types of blades, as well as how to determine the age of your knife, you can make sure that youre getting the best possible knife for your needs. All About Pocket Knives is a knife related resource center for buying, selling, researching, and discussing all things knives, Post However, how nice of a Schrade knife you have is also dependent on what era the knife came from. Whetstones and diamond stones work best on high-carbon steel while ceramic stones are better suited to stainless steel. Yes, we should collect them, and if they were customized for the Army or Navy then it is definitely worth collecting. Reply byCraig HenryonJanuary 16, 2013 at 17:33, Reply byRoger RussellonFebruary 5, 2013 at 12:27. Finding The Schrade Serial Number Involves checking for a serial number of four digits on the knife blade. Required fields are marked *. Cheerio. No flash, outdoors on our back porch but not in direct sunlight. Fortunately for those needing direction in this arena, Kabar knives have got your back. They have earned a reputation as the most durable knives in the world. Note any special markings that might indicate a particular model or year of manufacture. From 1976 to 1989, the word CAMILLUS in the 3-line stamp text was carved in italic font. How To Date A Case Knife? Finally, be sure to clean your vintage Camillus Kabar knife after each use. The tang is marked AUS 34. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It can't make it lose value as with the current shrunken scales it can't be worth much. Q: Where can I find more information on dating a Kabar knife? Then there are the non-Camillus VN versions, Conetta and Utica. by Roy Ritchie and Ron Stuart. Manage Settings both are probably identical, as they are contructed pretty much the same way using the same materials. Do you think your Camillus is older than your friends, but neither is sure? The disadvantage of trying to date a Camillus Kabar knife is that there isnt much information available about the manufacturers production history. How to Sharpen a Kabar Knife? Are you wanting to know how to determine a WW2 Kabar, from recent manufacture? Here are proven methods of dating a Schrade knife. With one exception, these all came from electrician's knives (i.e., TL-29 or signal corp. style knives). When speaking with them, make sure youre clear that youre not looking to sell. All MK2s/1219C2s issued during the Korean War were WW2 production knives issued during the war. But an experienced professional can make sure you get more than just a good price. I guess this is an ignorant question. Here is an image I have for some of the older Schrade tang stamps. . The only difference is whether they are stamped USMC or USN-MK2. Numbers 10 to 39 mean your knife is a two blade dating knife. Make Sure the precautionary measures are followed chronologically. Knowing the age of your knife can also give you a better understanding of its value and how to care for it properly. by tjmurphy Sat May 18, 2013 3:47 pm, Post Pay attention to what your knife is made from many Kabar knives are made from high-quality steel, so you can be sure the materials used in your knife are up to standard. This can cause the metal to weaken over time, potentially leading to it becoming brittle or even rusting. I am interested in finding and purchasing a WWII original KA-BAR fighting knife and really do not know how to identify one. I've been corrected on misinformation more times than I can remember. Here, youll have a line in both the upper and lower portion of the word CAMILLUS, But, the upper line doesnt reach the full length of the letters of the word CAMILLUS. The Ka-Bar company continues to make this knife today, having bought it from Schrade in 1985. by Christian3309 Wed Jan 09, 2019 4:11 am, Post All of these make the recipe for a truly great knife that deserves our attention. . Reply bySteve HanneronFebruary 1, 2013 at 15:49. How to Wear a Boot Knife? Thin font on USMC stamp, Thick (3/8") peened on pommel. I don't have too many Camillus, but now I know what to look for on the stamps. So, when you collect a Ka-Bar knife, dating the knife will create its own identity of historical involvement. I do have two examples of the Schrade Walden Korean war pilot survival knives. If Camillus couldn't get those right, it makes me question the overall quality of their other offerings back in the early 2000's. Camillus Manufactures a Quality Hunting Knife, Folding Knife & Fixed Blade Knife with a Lifetime Warranty. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your Kabar Knife will last for many years to come! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Not only is rust on a hunting knife Unsightly, but it can also, Read More How to Clean a Hunting Knife: Useful Ways 2022Continue, Your email address will not be published. by zzyzzogeton Wed Sep 12, 2018 1:24 am, Post by Christian3309 Tue Jan 08, 2019 8:08 pm, Post Maybe that will give me a smaller date range. zzyzzogeton Joined Feb 17, 2013 Messages 6,112 Apr 30, 2018 #4 And, there is also an underline below the word Camillus. However, the era of new stamps began in 1916. 2023 Cuts & Carves - Designed by O. Christopher, How to Date a Camillus Knife Effectively (1902 2007), How to Date Klein Knives to A Specific Year or Era (5 Methods), How to Tell the Age of a Marbles Knife by Yourself (5 Methods), How to Date a Schrade Knife (+ Schrade Knife Collection Tang Stamp Chart), How to Tell If A 1918 Trench Knife Is Real (5+ Unique Methods), How to Date A Case Kodiak Knife by Yourself (Expert Advice), How to Date A Kinfolks Knife to A Specific Era. Its important to remember that despite their strength and sharpness, Kabar knives must be treated with respect always use caution when handling them. From your picture that side of the knife usually has the "CAMILLUS NY" showing on that side of the blade stamped examples. Look how deep that color is! Reply byBrad T.onDecember 10, 2013 at 9:57, Tiny 1945-55 Hammer Brand watch fob knife. US The name "Ka-Bar" comes from one of two spelling variations of the company's name. Mike, Your email address will not be published. Reply byWayne WhittedonDecember 19, 2012 at 17:55. Great photos, How did you light it? Leather sheath is correct. The sheath looks correct to me. by Mossdancer Wed Jan 09, 2019 5:14 am, Post The ricasso is the part of the blade just in front of the guard before you get to the end of the edge. I was dismayed to find, that it is a thin plastic overlay on a steel frame. But how would you know the value of a Carl Schlieper knife if you dont know when it was made? Be sure to use the correct technique for any task you are performing if youre not sure, refer to the instructions that came with the knife or seek advice from an expert. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase . If you plan on storing your vintage Camillus Kabar knife, its a good idea to disassemble it and wrap the blade in an oiled cloth. Since the manufacturers maintained it themselves, its a reasonably accurate way to tell the era that a knife came from. The markings are found on the blade, near the handle. Look for older catalogs. My opinion only, if anything is on the knife that will cause further damage. In 2004, Imperial Schrade's New York manufacturing plant closed, and all production shifted overseas. Kabar knife company was founded in 1924, the year prohibition ended. What are the specific "characters " to look for besides age appearances which can be manipulated. A butt cap holds the washers in place. You mustve been excited to see any materialistic object that your grandfather or great-grandfather used. I'd like to see a dating list (in the SAK group?) So, if youve gone through this article carefully, I hope you wont have any trouble identifying any Kabar Camillus knife. They were also overridden by poor management decisions, culminating in a six-month workers strike in 2007. Kabar knives often have a serial number stamped on the blade (if they do, its usually near the guard). The turning point of his life was when he created a new path for himself when his uncles factory was not going well. All 4 made guard stamped versions. by Christian3309 Wed Jan 09, 2019 8:23 pm, Return to KA-BAR Knife Collector's Forum, Powered by phpBB Forum Software phpBB Limited. One of the most important things to remember when dating older knives is that most collectors dont date them. Theres no line over the letters C and S. Here is a different Queen image tang stamps I found online. Thanks Steve, I really appreciate the informatiion. explain how observations are used when working in partnership; maytag neptune dryer beeps 3 times; daniel dimaggio injury Dating a knife by serial number is the most reliable but takes some research. The quality of the finish on the Camillus blade is nowhere near as nice as that on the Ka-Bar produced Becker blades. I do have a question though. Most knives have a date code stamped along the blade. Buying via the links on CutsandCarves could earn us a commission on the sale. I have a few left inventory and currently selling them "in new" condition for $69.99 each while they last-American made knife-Ranger series, Reply byCharles SampleonMay 15, 2013 at 10:48. At the end of the war, the decision to ramp up capacity paid off as Camillus could now make its knives and still churn others out under contract. Bunch of misconception about MK2s/1219C2s any materialistic object that your grandfather or great-grandfather...., these all came from each use created a new path for himself when his uncles factory was going. Can also give you a better understanding of its value and how to care for it properly indicate a model. Nice as that on the knife will last for many years to come using the same materials durable! Often have a serial number of four digits on the right side rusting. Should help you determine the age of your knife can also give you indication... 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