Hello:

 

I am interested in US knives from the WW2 period. I have not obtained a guidebook yet but will soon. In the interim I am curious about a knife I purchased. (This is not a 'How much is it worth?' post. The blade is a mess but it was cheap.) It is configured identically to the one in the 2nd picture of the link below and is also a Camillus. It came with a sheath that seems a bit too big but looks like it might be military too. I will post pictures later if needed for comment.

 

Anyways my questions; this knife type is listed as 'combat' but to whom exactly in the USN would it have been issued to? Also, did it remain in issue throughout the war or was it replaced by another type? I will appreciate any insight into this. I tried searching but could not find any discussion of this knife type in the forum.

 

USN Mark 1

 

USN Mark 1 (other)

Anyways my questions; this knife type is listed as 'combat' but to whom exactly in the USN would it have been issued to? Also, did it remain in issue throughout the war or was it replaced by another type? I will appreciate any insight into this. I tried searching but could not find any discussion of this knife type in the forum.

 

Hello, and welcome to the Forum.

 

The Navy Mark I knives were basically a utility knife. While some undoubtedly saw combat, particularly with Naval Aviators, these blades were mostly used for everyday functions aboard ship and ashore. The Mark I knives were Navy issue throughout WW2 and remained in inventory through the Viet Nam war. They were purchased in huge quantities so replacements were not needed for many years.

 

From a collecting standpoint the beauty of the Mark I knives is in the wide variety of makers and blades that can be found. As for values, like most things USGI blades are evaluated based on scarcity and condition. If you have a knife without its proper sheath, that dramatically affects the value downward as does something like sharpening. Posting photos here will allow other members to assist you much more easily.

 

For more information I recommend that you take a look at Frank Trzaska's site http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/ . Frank is a member here and is recognized as perhaps the most knowledgeable researcher and writer on US Military blades anywhere.

 

Educating yourself on these blades is critical. I strongly recommend that you buy just two books first:

 

1. Military Knives: A Reference Book published by Knife World. (Frank was a major contributor) http://www.knifeworld.com/milknivrefbo.html

 

2. The Best of US Military Knives, by MH Cole. Frank sells it on his website. http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/cole.htm

 

Read those two books first and 95% of your potential questions will be answered. Other good books are out there as well. And this place has some very helpful and informed USGI blade collectors as well to assist you.

 

I hope this helps you.

 

Regards,

Charlie Flick

If you have a knife without its proper sheath, that dramatically affects the value downward as does something like sharpening.

 

Posting photos here will allow other members to assist you much more easily.

 

 

Charlie:

 

Thank you for your detailed reply, especially the reference to the books. You answered my question spot on. I suspected the MK1 was a general purpose 'swabbie' knife rather than a dedicated fighter. Once I get a proper sheath for it, I am putting it back into service as my hiking knife. I will post pictures of it later although I suspect no one will have much to say beyond the obvious.

 

I appreciate the welcome!

Wouldn't you need the "hard to find" ---- Short GRAY USN fiberglass scabbard. to be correct ??

 

Carey

Wouldn't you need the "hard to find" ---- Short GRAY USN fiberglass scabbard. to be correct ??

 

Carey

 

I was looking at the sheaths made by Savage and perhaps getting an original type made for it.

 

His prices seem reasonable as well as not me coming across the sheath type you mention.

Here are pics of my MK1 Camillus -

 

 

Many of the MKIs came with a leather scabbard.I would say yours is period correct.

 

Nice knife

 

RD

Indeed, very nice knife. I have seen much worse.

 

The sheath looks correct for the era.

 

But I still love my MkII, isn't that right sugar?

 

 

T-Bone

Many of the MKIs came with a leather scabbard. I would say yours is period correct.

 

Nice knife

 

RD

 

I agree that is is period correct but I am not sure it went with this knife as it really flops around in the case. The case also looks like it had the outline of a larger knife impressed into it. The guy I got it from had a number of different ones and my gut tells me sheaths got swapped along the way. Oh well. As far as condition, the handle & pommel are VG-EX whereas the blade looks like someone attempted to sharpen it with a reasonably smooth river rock. I ordered some Oxpho-Blue from Brownells & I am going to touch the finish up so it isn't as noticeable then sharpen it with my Lansky. I am not worried about decreasing the value as it really doesn't have any except its utility (& why I bought it).

Indeed, very nice knife. I have seen much worse.

 

The sheath looks correct for the era.

 

But I still love my MkII, isn't that right sugar?

T-Bone

 

I am presenting the better side of the blade. The other side is "Wow, that person should have thought that through a little more.".

 

All said, it is a great balancing knife and the blade is stout. I doubt it will be the only one I get buy.

Thanks Charlie!

 

That is the correct type sheath for the Camillus Mk1 pattern knife. It may have been with another knife you are right but still it is correct.

 

As Charlie stated the Mk1 came in all sorts of makers and models and is a tough challenge to find even most of them. I remember as a kid buying them for a few bucks at the Army Navy stores and promptly loosing or breaking them. They used to be plentiful but not anymore. They are good using knives and over time they got all used up!

 

All the best

Frank Trzaska