Camillus military knives

[cwlongshot]

Mornin guys,

I have a couple and prefer them to Kabars. To me they are finished better and simply feel better in the hand.  At least when compaired to the later Kabars. I do have one given to me from my grandfather thats about as nice, but also carries centimental value... I guess its the current painted finish that turns me off most.

The only Gerbers I have are current (within ten years) or copies of military issue. I have seen a number and do like the feel, but are cost prohibitive for me.

Any how, Im looking for a nice Vietnam pilots knife.  (That I don't have to mortgage the house to get)
This brings to mind a question...What is your favorite US military (Camillus, Gerber or Kabar) and why?

CW

[drdougrx]

Hey CW....I have one I'd be willing to part with.  I haven't looked at it in years, have had it for years and expect it's surplus.  PM me and I'll dig it ouit if you'd like.

[SHOOTALL]

I have a Camillus i got in a surplus store in Ar. 33 years ago. It is well worn and working great. Picked up another later but so far havent needed it. I looked at the Case copy its nice and I have a Kabar and the grip shape is different , seems longer not that it is better just different. The last one I got as a gift was Camillus silver color with black plastic grip seems good but the old one has not had a problem with the leather stacked washer grip covered in something I don't know the name of.
 Last year I came back from Tx and the old surplus store was gone , shame .
I have a friend who sells Gerber knives and gives them to me at a good price or as a gift. THEY ARE HEAVY but nice knives.

[azimuth]

I collected Camillus military knives some time ago and have sold off most of them. I still have around twenty or so left. About half are the Mark 2 series and the others are a mix of Mark 1's, M4, M3, Pilot and an assortment of US Army and Coast Guard folders. One is a Sword Brand in the style of a Mark 2 that was sold through the PX (?) at the USMC base at Quantico, VA. According to a letter from the former management at Camillus, they were made especially for sale at that particular base. You will occasionally see them in a brown foldover sheath, but the ones from Quantico were all sold with a black leather sheath made like the earlier mark 2's.

[pastorp]

My best friend brought his marine corp. issue Kabar back from vietnam in the late 60s. Always seamed to hold a edge well and was a very useful knife for camp chores. Bigger than I liked for a hunting knife though.   
I think collecting military knives would be a interesting hoby.  When I was younger I started colections of many things but as I grew older felt I needed to narrow my fields of interest. Gone are my stag handle case knives and the Randalls as well. Now days I only have using knives.    Odd concept I know....
 
Regards,

[gcrank1]

Some years back I asked my grandson, who was then about 7, "so....how many Hot Wheels cars do you have?". He cocked his head and looked at the ceiling," More than 9", he says.
Im kinda that way with my blades.........
I have no big Kabar or Camillus , never have, and sometimes wish I had a USMC model as a commemoration to my uncle, and namesake, who died in the Pacific going into the tunnels. I do have a Cattaraugus 2250 (or is it a 225Q?), its bigger and heavier (and 'clumby') than the typical 'Kabar' style or the Navy/Pilot's knife, great steel, and should last another 2 or 3 lifetimes.
The couple of Camillus folders I have are very good steel and hold an edge well. From what I have seen of the brand through the years I would never be disappointed in one.