questions about the u.s. army demo knife manufactured by camillius

M

mg357

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May 31, 2012
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I have a question about the u.s. army demo knife that was manufactured by camillius how many of you own one of those knives? and how many of you only use the cutting blade on it? the reason that i am asking these questions is because i have one and i only use the cutting blade on mine.
 
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I friggin love the Demo knife.
I`ve had and carry the same one i was issued, It`s an 86. Then i started searching out and buying a few older ones from the 60`s. i`ve got about 10 now from various years in every vehicle and BOB.
I have used every part and tool on these and feel they are the best possible pocket knife for me....but i am totally biased, as it was what i was issued, have used in every environment, and am comfortable with.
I like the weight of the knife and bail for it`s ability to tie on some 550 and get it over a high branch ETC if i need to hoist something.
I use the blade for general cutting and to strike my metal match.
I use the awl for punching bark or animal hide for lacing/stitching.and by keeping the point sharp i can get a small hole when i need one.
can/bottle opener... self explanatory :)
and who doesnt need a flat screwdriver.....
I feel the size and design are perfect...every tool i need, and i have made due without the rest.I have contacted camillus about repairing some of the damaged ones i have picked up over the years,but they dont have the resources/personnel to do that anymore.
I am a fixed blade guy...that being said, the folder i use and respect in the field is an issued demo knife.
 
richard thurman said:
can you put up a picture of it please??
Click to expand...

Here it is.

024.jpg
 
They are an okay knife, and if you don't have any other alternative, they will do. But the weak point of the knife is the back springs. For some odd reasons the contrat for them called for using the same stainless steel through out the knife. You will see many of them at junk shops and collections that have a broken spring in them. They had such a well known reputation for back springs breaking, that our supply sergeant had a surplus of them. All the guys in our unit much preferd the Camillus made TL-29, that had carbon steel blades and was considered a more reliable knife.

Also, the awl comes butter knife dull, and I don't think it's actually designed for being sharp.

For the same money a MKL knife will run you, a Vic pioneer is a way better knife, and offers better utility as well.
 
I've noticed that Ontario Knife Company's version of this knife is a bit pricey at about 50 dollars, more than an alox soldier or pioneer. The only advantage I can see of this model is the bail (I understand some alox's have a bail, but they seem to be rare). Does Camillus still make this knife? And can anyone offer a comparison between the Camillus and the Ontario?
 
This one is a good knife actually, but I only have one, so can not really tell about the overall quality. Like others, I noticed that the back springs are weaker than on similar Victorinox alox models. The other tools function well, but I can't get used to the can opener.
 
I,m sure there are far superior pocket knives out there...as I said n I am biased.I have also heard that the springs break, and they were unreliable because of that problem....but never had it happen to anyone I known student or instructor...and I trained a decent number of people.I myself am not and have never been easy on my knives...but I've never been abusive either. Always used them for their purpose. I would have expected trainees to break them but never seen that either. Has anyone on the forum had one fail on them personally?
 
I have two of them. One was my grandfather's actual issue knife and the other was one I purchased much later. Neither have ever been my daily driver, but I have used all of the blades on both of them and never had any problems. Especially the can opener. I contend that the can opener is better than most modern designs.
 
I had one as a kid, and used everything on it. However, I didn't know its history as a real govt issue knife, so I always considered it a kinda clunky wannabe SAK Soldier, a knife that outshines it pretty much in every way. Once I got a real SAK, the Camillus was more or less abandoned. I'm not sure I even have it anymore, as I haven't seen it in years.
 
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