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Comment by Syd Carr on August 22, 2021 at 23:52

Buck make this style/type of traditional knife in their factory until after 1986, before that the entire 300 Series line was made first by Schrade Cutlery for Buck, and from 1972-1986 by Camillus Cutlery. In 1986 Buck moved that series production to in-house, eliminated several models but kept a few. However, up to the turn of the 21st century Buck still had Camillus make special editions and Special Factory Orders, (SFO). The Buck 333 California Toothpick in the photo is a Special Factory Order knife, never listed in Buck's catalog and only sold at Smoky Mountain Knife Works, (SMKW, world's largest knife retailer in Tennesee). They sold these both in their retail store and in their online catalog. Buck had a relationship with Camillus until that factory closed in 2006. Any new knife marked Camillus nowadays is Chinese. Camillus made knives for many different companies from WWI through WWII and beyond, and they were the largest supplier of knives/bayonets to the US Government up through the late 20th century, all that remains of them is their brand name, and these remaining US-made knives, and that is a true pity.

Comment by Lars Ray on August 22, 2021 at 9:07

Hey Syd...it's time to teach me something please....

How did you know this is a Camillus-made Buck knife? What are the hallmarks or characteristics on the knife that tells you its Camillus?

Thanks

Comment by Syd Carr on July 28, 2021 at 15:24

Thanks Mike. I'm very experienced with ebay, (which isn't a good thing sometimes), I know how to tell a real deal from a professional seller's bulls**t listing practices, (like calling a two year old knife "Vintage" or "Old"). One thing I have learned is that you must know what you are looking at on the bay, and know the relative value or you will get screwed. Haven't been skunked yet and most of my collection came from the bay, (60 something knives and counting).

Comment by Mike Bryant on July 28, 2021 at 15:00

Congrats on your addition  to the collection!!  Yes some times you do wind up with Gems because of Bad Photography!  Back in the early days of ebay I got a couple like that. Usually from sellers that were just trying to get rid of a knife for a few extra $$   HOWEVER  You can also wind up with junk if you get too excited about the knife and bid reckless and don't study the pictures very closely.  I also did that but was blessed to be able to return the counterfeit knives and get a refund of my bid.   NOW  I always copy the picture  in the Auction and use my computer to enhance the pictures to determine what I want to bid on the knife.  Their are Some knives I don't mind having Duplicates.  I am betting they will go up in value  for those I leave behind.  

KnifeMaker Comment by Paul S on May 18, 2021 at 5:31

It likely cost less because of the poor listing and photograph.  I keep my collectible knives listed in a word format, broken down into categories (Barlow, hunter, etc. ) It can save you from getting duplicates.  You can list more info such as how much you paid, who you got it from. year of purchase.  I even mark the knives with paper tags. You can use Microsoft Publisher later to add photos to your listings. Good knife to bargain for a partial payment at a show.Love Bucks!