Case XX Knives by Name S-Z

Toothpick:

Often called a Texas toothpick and sometimes switch knife or tickler.

The toothpick is a clasp style jack knife that is reported to be the first type of switch knife.  Owners of these knives would often place a matchstick between the blade and the spring that would cause the tip of the blade to stick out.  This would allow the operator of the knife to catch the tip on the seem of a pant leg or pocket to quickly open it with one hand.  Over the years, Case has manufactured these knives in many different sizes ranging from 5 1/2" to 3" closed.  The most popular patterns from largest to smallest include the following: 098, 093, 0094, and 0096.  The larger knives are almost always the most valuable.

Pattern # 093

Measures 5"
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Pattern # 0094

Measures 4 1/4"
More About Pattern # 0095

Pattern # 095

Measure 5" closed.
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Pattern # 0096

Measuring 3" closed
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Pattern # 098

Measures 5 1/2"
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Trapper:

A true trapper is a jack knife that has two blades of the same size; usually consisting of a clip master blade and a long spey blade.  The style was developed around 1920 and was quickly embraced by fur trappers.  The blade configuration made them very useful for skinning. Case has manufactured trappers in several shapes and sizes. The most popular is the 54 pattern. Others include the 048, 40, 07, and 154.

Pattern # 54

Measure 4 1/8"
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Pattern # 048

Measures 4 1/8"
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Pattern # 40

Measures 4 7/16"
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Pattern # 07

Measures 3 1/2"
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Pattern # 154

Measures 2 3/8"
More About Pattern # 154

Whittler:

Sometimes known as a split back or split-backspring whittler. Some whittlers have three springs and are referred to as three spring whittlers.

Any knife that uses a split-back spring construction falls into the whittler category.   The split-back design uses two springs that support a large single blade on one end, and two smaller blades on the other.  The larger blade uses both springs, and each small blade rides on its own spring. See illustration  All knives that work in this manner are referred to as whittlers regardless of the shape or design of the handle.   This allows for many different styles of whittler knives with numerous names.  Some include balloon whittler, seahorse whittler, equal end whittler, sleeveboard whittler etc.  There is more work that goes into their construction than almost any other styles of knife.  They have always been very collectable patterns. Case's most well known whittlers include the following patterns: 08, 80, 83, and 55. A few whittlers have three springs and are usually known as a three spring whittlers.

Pattern # 08

Measures 3 1/4"
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Pattern # 55

Measures 4"
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Pattern # 80

Measures 3 7/8"
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Pattern # 83

Measures 3 1/2"
More About Pattern # 83