I found this old Camillus survivor the other day and decided I had to save it for some possible field adventures with a bow. I believe it dates to the Vietnam- Nam era and later because of the black sheath. It was in pretty sorry shape; dull and rusty. I know the purists may cringe but I made an executive decision and decided to buff it some to make sure the rust wouldn't be a future problem. The sheath was moldy and the snap retainer doesn't snap so I'll make a new one to match the original. It cuts now and isn't rusty any more. I've included some b&a photos. Thanks for looking. Lance

Nicely done Lance.

That KNIFE probably has some stories to tell! Glad that it has come to a new home!

Those are good old knives. Not the prettiest, but man they are rugged and durable.

Thats awesome! all my thrift store ever has is used underwear and old cardigans.

Lance you really find a lot of nice stuff. When I was in the Army there were a few guys who carried the black Camillus.

Another good find, look’s good too, Lance.

Knifeguy, I didn't know you were into knives!!!!!

Couldn't resist, Lance, nice find, the rust has to come off, you did fine.

I had my dad's knife from WWII it was a Kabar, very similar, tough knife no dought...

Looking good lance, way to bring it back to life!

Cool knife. Good call cleaning it up. I have an old Cammilus pilots knife, well made and very tough

Yep, that Marine Combat knife looks just like the one I carried for about 9 months in Vietnam. I traded a flight suit for it in August or September 1968 while serving with HMH-463 at Marble Mountain. I was able to smuggle it home with me, carried it hunting for many years and used it to gut alot of deer. A few years ago I gave it to my son for safe keeping.

The cool factor is off the chart also.

That is awesome! I am glad someone like you found it who will appreciate it. Dave

Good save. After my buddy got shot he lost his K-Bar. Like YH2268 I smuggled mine home by taping it to my calf. Looked up my buddy years later and gave him my K-bar as a gift.

That's one cool knife.

Great save Lance! RKK

Nice find!

I was never that fond of the handle. My buddy in the Corps put a great wrap on one with 550 cord. That was a sweet pig sticker after that.

Good job!!

Very nice find!!!

For future reference guys ... if you find leather with mold, wipe it with 1 part malt vinegar ( kills off the mold spores) 1 part biological washing powder (enzymes destroy the mold cells) in 3 parts water. Then .. dry with a clean cloth and finish off with saddle soap or Neatsfoot oil to swell and lubricate the leather cells.

Great tip Phil, I have some holsters to restore. Btw great job on saving the life of the knife. nybubba

Great job on the restoration. I have a leather hat I've had forever. I buff and oil it and mold keeps coming back. I will try your home brew. Thanks John

Phil...we always used regular cider vinegar to kill mold on horse tack back when I used to ride horses and work cows for a livin'. That idea about the washing powder is a good one.

Nice find and even better rescue.

Nice find and a great rescue. I received a knife just like it. The leather handle was crumbling off, so I had had a nice piece of black walnut that I cut and used some copper from a old gutter to to put in the middle of the handle. It came out really great and took a great edge when I put on my diamond stone. Matched it up with a old axe I had from my Boy Scout days and had a leather sheath made for them. It came out so good my son asked to have it. So I passed it on. He does alot of winter camping and loves it!

Very nice. I always liked the old Camillus knives

Aviation electronic technician, United States Navy anti-submarine warfare 1968-1969 Vietnam campaign.

This is my air crewmen survival knife from that time. I don't find the name on it and it has a stone in the pouch for sharpening. The solid steelhead for hammering, sawtooth on the upper blade. I receive this in 1969.

Carl <------------<<<<

Sharpening stone in the pouch

DeerSpotter, Looks like a Camillus to me. Some of those were stamped on the under side of the guard at the ricasso. Yours might have just escaped the stamping process. Lance

I like my Western knife better, my go to for skining a deer, I've had that since I was a kid. In the woods of Michigan.

Thanks Lance

Carl <------------<<<<

"DeerSpotter" that is a Camillus for sure. Believe it was referred to as a Aviator or Pilots knife. I have one in mint condition that did not see action in Vietnam. Great all around carry knife, a little shorter than that carried by the infantry. I keep mine close at hand when camping or hunting. The back of my sheath has a light weight metal backing to protect your leg in case of a hard blow. At least that is what I think its for.

Deerspotter, you might you have an Ontario there. Look on the side of the pommel for markings. Awesome looking knife whatever it is.

Nice find there and restoration. I was afraid to try to smuggle mine home from Vietnam for fear of getting held back..lol. I passed it on to a buddy.

Deno

Great job Lance! Anyone would be proud to own that knife in the condition it's in now!

You made the right choice to clean it up for sure, nice work.

Great job Lance. All of us have some sort of regrets. When I was a kid, I was playing in the woods with a knife my Dad carried throughout the Pacific from 1942-1945. I don't recall the maker of the knife but I feel sure there was more than one manufacturer at that time. I lost the knife. I sure regret losing that knife. I do remember the scabbard had the metal on it so it could be attached to a web belt.

I had a Gerber Mk.II in Vietnam that I passed on to a buddy. Wish I could have brought it home.

Murray

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