It is called a “Demo” knife because you would find two of that knife inside each demolition kit issued to engineers or SF teams, or whoever was issued the demolition kits.
I actually found one of those when I was in the Air Force in the early 90s. I gave it to my Dad and he still keeps it in his tool box. They are a very tough knife.
The story on the whole "can opener" writing is that Imperial introduced that style of safety can opener in 1944, and the powers that be decided to label the new safety can opener for the benefit of the GI's who weren't the most savvy.
Thanks for the quick reply. It sounded as though he carried that particular knife - wouldn't have paid it any mind, but '93 was the year I joined the US Air Force (my oldest son is in the Navy). I have several 1760s - bought most of them, but got one in Iraq, and about a year and a half ago, a friend of mine gave me one dated 1969 - it was his dad's in Vietnam. Very useful knives, I carry one everyday. Sure, the old Victorinox Soldier (model 1961) is much better (IMHO) as far as fit and finish, but the Camillus 1760 got me through Iraq, and I haven't had one fail me yet! If you want some in- depth info about the. 1760, there's a great article by Don Rearic that's easy to find online...
That company made several models for the services. The Air Force model is a two bladed liner lock with a black handle. Just a blade and a locking common screw driver. Somewhat useful but not enough variety of tools to be useful for say a crew chief or armorer.
Camillus is credited with making 12 million knives of this design. Those made earlier than 1957 were made by other companies. Once they switched to stainless steel from brass back springs is when the breakage problem started. The steel is a bit more brittle than the brass, so when you open 2 tools on the same spring, you stand a chance of breaking that spring! It was not a sign of a bad design but of stupid users! Mine is dated 1986, and I like it a lot! There were these knives issued to all branches of the services USMC, USN. Army and air force just marked US. After Camillus contract ended with the military, many were repurposed for the BSA with different scales and emblem but same 4 tool design. This is the US equivalent of the SAK.
Check the Bail the WW2 models were marked there by Stevenson the Kingston models some are marked some are not. if it has brass liners it's from 1944-45 Main blade will be marked U.S.A.
everyspec.com/MIL-SPECS/MIL-SPECS-MIL-K/MIL-K-818D_19599/ You can check out the specs here. The page also includes technical drawings and material specifications info. Best wishes.
Me, as a snot-nosed 20-something back in 1993 USAF: "turns up nose, meine Buck ist Superior!!!" Me, in 2021: *pays usurious rate in ebay for pristine unmolested 1993 example* Yeah. Nostalgia. Pain of an Old Wound. it's a Thing..... (I HATE HATE HATE that Camillus folded 2007!!!!!! Auugh! How much more USA manufacturing must we lose?!?!)
Sorry, but those knives SUCK, they break easily . Had some from the 70’s that my dad got and I was issued several while I was in the military. All broke.
i have several 2 of them from 1944 with brass backsprings have had mine for over 40 years and NONE have ever broken. they are NOT combat knifes theey are utility knives! most people that break them do so because they dont know how to use them NEVER take out two tools at the same time or try to display all tools out by fanning the tools this is what breaks them!!!!!!!! and definetly do not use as a pry bar. these knives are extremely hardy and built like a tank and will last hundreds of years if used properly. to say they SUCK is not entirely fair!!!! quite a few collect this style of knives because in FACT their well built american icons when in the hands of those who KNOW how to use them as intended. unfourtanetly the dont do this instructions are not issued and people end ip breaking them which is not hard to do if again u dont know what your doing.
I still have mine that got when I was in the infantry. My 1st unit in 1985. Kinda a safe queen for me now... really special to me.
It is called a “Demo” knife because you would find two of that knife inside each demolition kit issued to engineers or SF teams, or whoever was issued the demolition kits.
One neat things about all stainless steel knives used for food prep and eating is they can be boiled for cleaning without damage. Easy.
These were also issued to Canadian soldiers. The Canadian version has no markings on it and was called the C5.
I actually found one of those when I was in the Air Force in the early 90s. I gave it to my Dad and he still keeps it in his tool box. They are a very tough knife.
Thats awesome! Same time period as this one. Thanks for watching.
Still have mine, made in 2000, issued to me before I deployed in 2002, still love that knife.
The story on the whole "can opener" writing is that Imperial introduced that style of safety can opener in 1944, and the powers that be decided to label the new safety can opener for the benefit of the GI's who weren't the most savvy.
Thats fascinating
There great knives, I still carry mine.
They labeled it can opener because there were different can opener designs. This is called a hawkbill, and was relatively new at the time.
I have one labeled 1985. It's a sturdy knife.
Operation Desert Storm ended in February, 1991. How was a knife made in 1993 carried in a military operation that ended two years prior?
He was in for 5 years, had multiple knives like this and probably got this one after.
Thanks for the quick reply. It sounded as though he carried that particular knife - wouldn't have paid it any mind, but '93 was the year I joined the US Air Force (my oldest son is in the Navy). I have several 1760s - bought most of them, but got one in Iraq, and about a year and a half ago, a friend of mine gave me one dated 1969 - it was his dad's in Vietnam. Very useful knives, I carry one everyday. Sure, the old Victorinox Soldier (model 1961) is much better (IMHO) as far as fit and finish, but the Camillus 1760 got me through Iraq, and I haven't had one fail me yet!
If you want some in- depth info about the. 1760, there's a great article by Don Rearic that's easy to find online...
Is it normal for half of the latch to be missing, it's there for the bottle opener side but not the knife side
That company made several models for the services. The Air Force model is a two bladed liner lock with a black handle. Just a blade and a locking common screw driver. Somewhat useful but not enough variety of tools to be useful for say a crew chief or armorer.
Camillus is credited with making 12 million knives of this design. Those made earlier than 1957 were made by other companies. Once they switched to stainless steel from brass back springs is when the breakage problem started. The steel is a bit more brittle than the brass, so when you open 2 tools on the same spring, you stand a chance of breaking that spring! It was not a sign of a bad design but of stupid users! Mine is dated 1986, and I like it a lot! There were these knives issued to all branches of the services USMC, USN. Army and air force just marked US. After Camillus contract ended with the military, many were repurposed for the BSA with different scales and emblem but same 4 tool design. This is the US equivalent of the SAK.
I have one BUT it isn't marked US on the side BUT its marked USA on the main blade NO makers anywhere... So. I don't know who made it......
Check the Bail the WW2 models were marked there by Stevenson the Kingston models some are marked some are not. if it has brass liners it's from 1944-45 Main blade will be marked U.S.A.
Enjoyed the video
I remember a family day on the J.F.K.my ex-wife was on the carrier and we had an air show on the ship it' was cool to be on that ship
the original multi tool
Desert Storm ended in 1991
Wow. My grandpa gave me his and I never thought anything of it. It’s a noice knoife. Heads up my grandpa would be turning 100 this year
everyspec.com/MIL-SPECS/MIL-SPECS-MIL-K/MIL-K-818D_19599/
You can check out the specs here. The page also includes technical drawings and material specifications info.
Best wishes.
I have camillus knife 1971 i just want to sell it
Me, as a snot-nosed 20-something back in 1993 USAF: "turns up nose, meine Buck ist Superior!!!"
Me, in 2021: *pays usurious rate in ebay for pristine unmolested 1993 example*
Yeah. Nostalgia. Pain of an Old Wound. it's a Thing..... (I HATE HATE HATE that Camillus folded 2007!!!!!! Auugh! How much more USA manufacturing must we lose?!?!)
The U.S. Military calls these the MIL-K 818 Utility Knife
Sorry, but those knives SUCK, they break easily . Had some from the 70’s that my dad got and I was issued several while I was in the military. All broke.
i have several 2 of them from 1944 with brass backsprings have had mine for over 40 years and NONE have ever broken. they are NOT combat knifes theey are utility knives! most people that break them do so because they dont know how to use them NEVER take out two tools at the same time or try to display all tools out by fanning the tools this is what breaks them!!!!!!!! and definetly do not use as a pry bar. these knives are extremely hardy and built like a tank and will last hundreds of years if used properly. to say they SUCK is not entirely fair!!!! quite a few collect this style of knives because in FACT their well built american icons when in the hands of those who KNOW how to use them as intended. unfourtanetly the dont do this instructions are not issued and people end ip breaking them which is not hard to do if again u dont know what your doing.