Questions on 1980's Camillus Pilot Knife

[Gorquin]

Hello All,

First time here!!

I purchased a 1984 (stamped on the pummel) Camillus Pilot Survival Knife on line, haven't received it yet but was wondering what info could be shared.

The Sheath is very light colored, with, what looks like an anodized metal wrap around from the back (4-5"?)to the tip of the front.
On the back is stamped, among others: MIL-K 8662-E or F
On the sharpening stone is says: C280 PV A Product ? Norton Pike

There is mild rust on a few spots on the blade and guard, the handle has some stains that look like tarnished copper, the leather looks to be in VG condition and it doesn't look like it's ever been sharpened. The metal parts of the knife seem to have a dark gray coating on them and they do have a scattered blue/green dots here and there.

Should this just be sharpened or taken down to bare metal or?

Thank you !!

 

[GIRLYmann]

the last owners of camillus
made those.
today only ontario knives remaines
as sole manufacturer of the mil spec jet pilots knife.
so you might want to consider
not doing a single thing
that would alter its original finishing,
which is zinc phosphate coating.
its there to help prevent rusting.
the surface is intentionally meant
to be dull to cut reflection.
hence it is slightly prone to entrap
particles which might get embedded.
the coating wears off when its worked over with abrasives....
green stains sounds like
verdigris

1. a bright bluish-green encrustation or patina formed on copper or brass by atmospheric oxidation, consisting of basic copper carbonate.

 

[Gorquin]

OK, thanks ! I'm not a collector and intend to use the knife as needed. Based on it's rep it should last for decades if not abused.

Thanks

 

[GIRLYmann]

rust spots can and will appear
on the guard and pommel nut
due to the stack leather handle.
and leather sheath
(especially if left unattended during longterm storage)
such rusting would have damaged
the zinc phos finishing or coating
for good.
once that happens,
consider metal polish
to prevent pitting.
frequent usage
is probably the best way
to prevent rust build up
on the blade itself
the golden rule
for carbon knife storage,
is to leave the blade unsheathed,
and well oiled.

 

[Blue Sky]

Use that knife. I have been a fan and user of the AFSK for a long time, it (they) have have served me well in general field use (mostly wood carving/cutting, fire prep). Clean it up and treat all the leather with a good waterproofer like Sno-seal. I sharpened mine to about 15 degrees/side and it cuts well. Takes a while, the factory edge is usually not too good, and thick, but it’s worth it. They don’t get much credit, and truthfully there are better looking, and stronger, knives out there, but I don’t care about that much. One thing you don’t want to do is throw it! Not made for that, and my guess is that is responsible for probably 90% of the breakage complaints you will see. Don’t throw it!

BTW, welcome to BF!

 

[catspa]

Also, the sawback is for cutting through wrecked aircraft skin. It’ll kinda work a little bit on soft wood or plastic, but not really for that.

Parker

 

[Gorquin]

Hey Parker, I was watching a video on YT of a guy refurbishing a Camillus knife and as I'm watching I'm thinking to myself. This guy may know what he's doing but he doesn't know how to properly use a file. Files, unlike sandpaper, only cut in one direction so one needs to lift the file at the end of each stroke so you don't dull the file teeth. Later, he's also using the file in both directions to sharpen the teeth on the knife. LOL

 

[catspa]

Used to be, most males knew how to use a file correctly, because high school metal shop teachers taught it first thing. Not so much now.

Pike abrasives was an old quarry and natural stone company that Norton bought in the 1930s and ran as a sideline to their synthetic stone and grinding machine tool business. Later Norton diversified but I think Norton Pike stuck pretty much to abrasives. They’re all owned by a French corporation now.

I think you’ll like that knife, my ‘81 is well used but still has plenty left. Love those stacked leather handles!

Parker