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Ted
01-23-2010, 03:40 AM
I have a couple, one was from WWII, One from Nam era (Camillus 1969) on the blade anyway.
? is, (never being in the armed forces), why does the main blades swing back to a 45 degree angle?

crashdive123
01-23-2010, 09:21 AM
Maybe somebody more familiar with them will weigh in, but my guess is that it is either broken or has something preventing it from opening all the way.

Camp10
01-23-2010, 09:26 AM
I've been hunting for an answer for you but cant find anything (or knife) that swings beyond 180° (or straight) so my guess is that the hinge pin is either loose or the catch is worn.

Ole WV Coot
01-23-2010, 11:38 AM
You lost me Ted. I know they made a 4 blade type back in '64, I didn't get one. It had a can opener, the old screwdriver-bottle cap lifter, leather punch or whatever and a blade. Two backsprings and they went out of business a couple of years ago. Did you mean the blade only opens to a 45 or the other blades also? They sure didn't make them to only open halfway.

Ted
01-23-2010, 12:34 PM
Both of these will swing back to a 45 passed 180,the 1969 has a lever you can flip up to hold at 180, the WWII does not. Their not broken by any means. Obviosly made this way. My stepfather gave me and my brother inlaw each one,he got during WWII, the 1969 was in my fathers knife box I got when he died, the main blade swings back exacly the same.

FVR
01-23-2010, 12:38 PM
Post a pick of the knife.

I have a stainless US knife that was given to me prior to my stay in the Panama jungle. It had the main blade, a punch, a screwdriver/pop top opener, and a little curved pointy can opener to go around the can. It also has a metal loop to carry it.

I did have an Army Ranger knife. It was a switchblade and had a curved blade that was razor sharp that I was told was used to cut parachute cord. Ebayed that years ago.

Ted
01-23-2010, 01:35 PM
Post a pick of the knife.



.

Sorry,can seem to get photos to post on the thread,but did get them to the album on my profile page.Please check 'em out there.(Sorry for any inconvenience!)

crashdive123
01-23-2010, 01:57 PM
Ted - I've owned several (and issued hundreds) of knives identical to the ones you posted pictures of. They are not designed to open that far (225 degrees). Either they were modified or are broken. I doubt they could be from a bad batch since they are separated by quite a bit of time.

Camp10
01-23-2010, 01:58 PM
I have seen these knives before but never noticed that there was a lever to make them retract further. I dont own any like it but have handled them before without knowing this about them.

hunter63
01-23-2010, 02:41 PM
Huh, that a new one on me?
What possible use would that feature be?

Ted
01-23-2010, 03:33 PM
Huh, that a new one on me?
What possible use would that feature be?

Thats what I'm trying to figure out! Never made any sense to me at all!

Pal334
01-23-2010, 03:51 PM
I went and got mine, and was looking at it (USAF issued) It is/ was made by Camilus. I have had at least one of them in my gear for more years than I can remember. It is a handy thing, but would not be my primary pocket knive, but is great for the "dirty work".The current one I have and the others as best I can remember did not have the ability to fold back as far as you are indicating. My best guess is that it is some sort of a modification . Here is a picture of it that I found on the web.

Pal334
01-23-2010, 04:11 PM
THis may be a better picture.

Ted
01-24-2010, 02:29 AM
the lever on the back holds the blade or awl in place at 180

Pal334
01-24-2010, 06:07 AM
WOW,, learn something new everyday! I have never seen one like that. I can't imagine why it is like that

Ted
01-24-2010, 12:54 PM
WOW,, learn something new everyday! I have never seen one like that. I can't imagine why it is like that

Yeah, Pal I've had this thing for 15 years, just dosn't seem at all pratical!