Three-pin scales vs. single pin

B

buckthorn

Joined
Mar 20, 2006
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When did Camillus switch from traditional three-pin scales to single-pin with two molded protrusions inserted through holes in the liner? Did the change happen all at once? Can the type of pinning be used to date a knife? Thanks!
 
There are two models of Uncle Henry knives which were made by Camillus for Schrade from 1979-1982. Both the smaller 898UH @ 3.4" and the larger 886UH @ 3.9" had the single pin construction.

898UH
L7tAb8z.jpg


886UH
tL4BLrv.jpg
 
Perhaps something like the #67 stockman as an example. I believe it was made (sequentially) with both type scales and also (again sequentially) with both 1095 and one of the stainless grades.
 
I believe the original Delrin Stud design occured early on in the 300 series Bucks in the early 70's.
 
Phil Gibbs said:
I believe the original Delrin Stud design occured early on in the 300 series Bucks in the early 70's.
Click to expand...
Thank you Phil. Can I assume it then took a few years until most of the Camillus had also been switched to the Delrin stud construction?
 
I just searched though the 1976 and 1977 catalogs, as reproduced here. Looking at the basic "Cabone" scale knives (such as the #67, for example) they were three-pin in 1976 and one-pin ("Delrin stud") in 1977. I imagine that some of the actual production during each of those years did not reflect this but it seems can we assume that 1976-1977 is the date for the switchover to have occurred. It's interesting to note that this change would not have coincided with the change from 440A to 420HC that we suspect happened around 1990. I'm surely no expert so any clarification (or confirmation) would be welcome! Thanks everyone.
 
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Phil Gibbs said:
I believe the original Delrin Stud design occured early on in the 300 series Bucks in the early 70's.
Click to expand...

That sounds right to me. The 300 Series made by Camillus for Buck quit using handle pins in about 1971-1972 and went to the Delrin Studs.

Bert

scale rivets.jpg
 
From this image it appears that this liner could be used with either single-pin (Delrin stud) or three-pin (traditional) construction. Is that correct?
 
black mamba said:
There are two models of Uncle Henry knives which were made by Camillus for Schrade from 1979-1982. Both the smaller 898UH @ 3.4" and the larger 886UH @ 3.9" had the single pin construction. As always, thanks!

898UH
L7tAb8z.jpg


886UH
tL4BLrv.jpg
Click to expand...
Did these Camillus-made Uncle Henry models use Swinden Key construction or conventional pivot pin construction? And can they be identified as Camillus-made by the "SCC" tang stamp?
 
buckthorn said:
From this image it appears that this liner could be used with either single-pin (Delrin stud) or three-pin (traditional) construction. Is that correct?
Click to expand...

I don't know the answer, but my guess is that parts for the earlier pin construction were modified for the Delrin stud. There isn't any reason to throw inventory away if it can be modified.

Bert
 
Thanks Bert. What you say makes sense-all that would have been required was to drill (or punch) a couple of extra holes.
 
The liners with both delrin stud & rivet holes would be quite rare I think.
These would have been made in the transition, & would likely have been the first “single pin” knives made.
 
buckthorn said:
Did these Camillus-made Uncle Henry models use Swinden Key construction or conventional pivot pin construction? And can they be identified as Camillus-made by the "SCC" tang stamp?
Click to expand...

I thought only the Schrade built knives used Swindon key construction, but not positive about it. I do believe you're right about the S.C.C. tang stamp, but also the blade shapes are not typical Schrade.
 
black mamba said:
I thought only the Schrade built knives used Swindon key construction, but not positive about it. I do believe you're right about the S.C.C. tang stamp, but also the blade shapes are not typical Schrade.
Click to expand...

Thanks black mamba. That was also my assumption, but I was wondering only because these are particular Uncle Henry models. I haven't looked carefully enough to notice blade differences. Otherwise, if someone liked the Uncle Henrys, but not Swindon construction, these S.C.C. stamped knives might be the ones to seek!
 
black mamba I just realized I have a Schrade-built 897UH in my pocket and compared it with the image above. I can't discern any differences except the California clip main blade might be a bit wider in the Camillus version, but that could also be a function of the optics. What blade differences are you aware of? Thanks.
 
Camillus never did any Swindon Construction. I spent 2 weeks at Schrade learning how to tool up for it under Dave Swindon. We just never bothered following through with it at Camillus. Although that method of assembly pretty much eliminated rejects for pin-shows, it had it's own problems & challenges.

If I recall the Uncle Henrys we built were using Schrade made blades, springs, center-scales & handles along with Camillus made bolster-scales.
 
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