MINT & RARE! Camillus/Santa Fe Stoneworks Prototype Knife

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This is an extremely rare Camillus/ Santa Fe Stoneworks knife that was made as a prototype for sales--long ago, before Camillus closed its doors in 2007.The knife is a 3-1/8" single blade lock knife with a 2-1/8" drop point blade. PLEASE NOTE : the blade is slightly loose in the open and locked position. Since this knife was assembled as a prototype to see what the design would look like, normal production tolerances didn't matter. The left side of the blade is marked with the Santa Fe Stoneworks logo; the left side of the tang is marked: "Camillus/ New York/ U.S.A."The handle is made of Lapis Lazuli and Mother-of-Pearl--it is spectacular! The right side of the handle is made of brown Eastern Birch. (Since this was a prototype, only the left side had the fitted inlay work--the factory sales guys would look at it, and decide if they wanted to have it in production.)As you know, Camillus owned an interest in Santa Fe Stoneworks for many years; Santa Fe put premium quality handles on many knives for Camillus, through the years. This knife was one of the last ones that Santa Fe did for Camillus before they dissolved their financial relationship; and it was one of the few prototypes left in the Camillus factory when Camillus closed their doors forever. We got the knife at the Camillus auction in September 2007.With this knife is a letter from Bill Wirtel, President of Santa Fe Stoneworks about this knife.Here are some excerpts from that letter:"...Congratulations on getting the Santa Fe Stoneworks/ Camillus prototype knives at the Camillus Auction!These were the only prototypes of this type that were ever made; they were made in 1999, which was during the period that Camillus had a financial interest in Santa Fe Stoneworks. As you know, we purchased all the Camillus interest in Santa Fe Stoneworks previous to the closing of the Camillus factory and the auction of 2007.These knives are prototypes, with the inlaid design, exotic wood or Dinosaur Bone on one side of the handle and a hardwood cover on the other (back side). Camillus (and we)felt that if we would inlay only one side of the handle, that would let us see what the final design would look like, with both sides fitted with inlay, and being prototypes, the knives didn't have to work properly, and some don't. We started with "Skeletons" or knives without handles, just assembled and sharpened.Each of these knives measures 3-1/8" closed and has "Camillus/ New York/ USA" struck on the left side of the tang and the Santa Fe Stoneworks logo side-marked on the blade. The right sides of the tangs have a pattern number "864"; the bolsters are nickel silver.#CS12--Handle material is Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan with Mother-of-Pearl and turquoise accents and strips with Nickel Silver spacers. Back side is brown Eastern Birch..Bill, these knives were a "one-shot"--we made them one time only, for Camillus, using Camillus skeletons, and now Camillus is closed and gone...out of business....Best Personal Regards Bill Wirtel President-Owner Santa Fe Stoneworks, Inc."You get this original letter from Santa Fe Stoneworks with the knife.Rare, mint prototype knife, with factory documentation.No reserve.Business stuff: We accept Paypal. We ship to any address in the US via USPS insured for $5.95. For international and other areas, please send us your address and we will quote shipping. We will combine items into one shipment for largest single item shipping charge. We usually ship in two business days. We guarantee your satisfaction with our merchandise here.Welcome to the Knife Drawer! "SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!" We guarantee everything we sell--satisfaction or your purchase price back! If you're not happy with any item we sell, for any reason, just email us and return it to us within three days after you get it, in the same shape it left here, and we'll gladly refund your purchase price. We've been in the knife business for over 30 years, and want to treat you fairly. You, the customer are the only part of this business that can't be replaced! No refunds on shipping. read more

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