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Case Classic Pattern Guide

Roger's Case Classic Knife Resource Center

There were 37 knife patterns manufactured in the early to mid 1990s that make up the original Case Classic line of knives.  This page displays pictures and descriptions of most patterns you might encounter.

If you find a pattern you really like, be sure to stop by the Case Classic category in the AAPK Member store on occasion to see if one or more you must have pop up for sale.


Clasp Knife : Pattern 1072

Case Classic 1072 Clasp KnifeThe 1072 pattern is a single blade clasp knife.  It measures 5 1/2" closed & was first introduced into the regular Case Classic line with a 1990 tang stamp.

The original knife this was created to mimic was first manufactured by W.R. Case in their early 20th century years.  It was configured in several ways.  One of the most sought after was a switch blade variety known as a zipper.  The Classic line recognized this & created some of these with shields & / or blade etches that read "Zipper".

Some collectors call the pattern a bulldog, buffalo, &/or zipper in addition to the common Clasp name designation.


 

Coke Bottle : Pattern 1050

Case Classic 1050 Coke Bottle KnifeThe 1050 pattern is a single blade knife that most collectors refer to as a large coke bottle or folding hunter.  It measures 5 1/4" closed & was introduced into the regular Case Classic knife line in 1990.

The original Case family brand (Case Brothers) large coke bottle pattern that the 1050 knife was made to mimic dates back to the later 19th century.

There are a lot of different variations of this Case Classic knife pattern.  Several bone, & celluloid variations along with genuine stag & exotic materials of various sorts were used for handle slabs.  Case also used several different shields, tang stamps, blade etches & even different blade grinds & nail pull configurations.


Congress (Big or Jumbo) : (Pattern 488)

Case Classic 488 Congress KnifeThe 488 pattern is a 4 blade knife known as a big Congress.  It measures 4 1/2" closed & was first introduced into the Case Classic line with a 1990 dated tang stamp.

The original Case branded Big Congress that this knife was made to reflect was first manufactured sometime prior to 1920.  It was a very popular pattern among knife users & was a regular in the Case catalogs until it was discontinued for a while in 1981.  Case has since brought it back.

An interesting note about this classic is that it was one of only four late 1980s - late 1990s era Case Classic patterns made in house by W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company. The other three included the 2100 Saddlehorn, the 394 Gunboat, & the 254 Trapper.  All other patterns were outsourced to Queen Cutlery.

It was also one of only three patterns that was made with a XXX tang stamp.  The others include the 2100 Saddlehorn & the 394 Gunboat.


Elephant Toenail : Pattern 2050

Case Classic 2050 Elephant Toenail KnifeThe 2050 pattern is a 2 blade knife most commonly known as an Elephant Toenail.  It will generally measure in at 4 1/2" closed, but I believe some early prototype examples exist that measure 4" so there is a remote possibility that you could find one that's 4".

The original Case family brand toenail pattern that this knife was made to mimic was first introduced by Case Brothers in the late 19th century.

The Case Classic Toenail pattern was a favorite of a one Mr. Roger Dongworth who was a dear departed friend of the AAPK community.  He owned a lot of great examples of this knife & he is the reason we have the Case Classic section of our website as it is dedicated to him.  Fortunately, we have pictures of some of the knives he had in his collection that can be viewed here online!


Gunboat : Pattern 394

Case Classic 394 Gunboat Canoe KnifeThe 394 pattern is a 3 blade knife known simply as a Gunboat or Gunboat Canoe. 

It was one of only four late 1980s - late 1990s era Case Classic patterns made in house by W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company.  The other three included the 488 congress, the 2100 Saddlehorn, & the 254 Trapper. All others were made on contract by Queen Cutlery.


Jack Knife (Cigar) : Pattern 2046

The 2046 pattern was never put into the regular Case Classic lineup, but it was made in very low quantities in the form of prototypes & samples. It would be difficult to find many of them. Those that exist measure 3 3/4" and have two blades that extend from the same side.


Moose : Pattern 2075

Case Classic 2075 Moose KnifeThe 2075 pattern is a 2 blade knife known by collectors as a Moose.  It measures 4 1/4" closed & was first introduced into the regular Case Classic line with a 1990 tang stamp.

The original knife this pattern was made to mimic was first manufactured by W.R. Case in its early 20th century years.  It was a popular pattern among knife users for many years.


Moose (Swell Center) : Pattern 2046J

Case Classic 2046J Swell Center Moose KnifeThe 2046J pattern is a 2 blade knife known by collectors as a swell center moose.  It measures 3 7/8" closed & was introduced as a regular in the Case Classic Line in 1990.

There were six different styles of this knife made.  Five varieties of bone handle slabs and one genuine stag version.  Published records show that there were 1000 of each of the six varieties made for a grand total of 6,000 of them.  That figure does not include any prototypes / samples that might have been made.

This pattern along with the 3046 are the only two Case Classic knife patterns that were sold exclusively through a third party jobber.  The Smokey Mountain Knife Works Company was the place to go if you wanted to buy one on the original retail market back in the 1990s.


Muskrat : Pattern 20093

Case Classic 20093 Muskrat KnifeThe 20093 pattern is a 2 blade knife known by collectors as a muskrat.


Muskrat (Cigar) : Pattern 2094

Case Classic 2094 Large Cigar Muskrat KnifeThe 2094 pattern is a 2 blade knife known by collectors as a large muskrat or cigar muskrat.  It measures 4" closed and was first introduced into the Case Classic line with a 1994 dated tang stamp.

Case didn't make a ton of this pattern.  The only tang stamp you will find on the pattern is the "W.R. Case & Sons, Bradford, PA." stamp.

The same cigar style frame was used to make the more popular 3094 stockman pattern.


Physician's Knife : Pattern 2085

Case Classic 2085 Physician's KnifeThe 2085 pattern is a 2 blade knife known by collectors as a Physician's knife or Doctor's knife. The pictured knife has a spear and pen blade, but they were also made with a spear and spatula blade combination.



Saddlehorn : Pattern 2100

Case Classic 2100 Saddlehorn KnifeThe 2100 pattern is a 2 blade knife known by collectors as a Saddlehorn.   It measures ... & was introduced into the original Case Classic line of knives with a 1990 tang stamp.  Designs & production plans were under way late 1980s.

The original Case Saddlehorn that this knife was created to mimic was made by W.R. Case & Sons from the early 20th century up until the end of the tested era (circa 1940).

There are a few unique Case Classic configurations of this knife including a triple X tang stamped version, a Case Brothers Springville tang stamped version & a Case Brothers Gowanda, NY tang stamped version.  It was one of only three Case Classic patterns to ever sport the XXX tang stamp.  The others to do so include the 394 Gunboat Canoe & the 488 Congress.  It was also one of only two patterns that has ever sported the Springville & Gowanda stamps.  The 254 trapper is the only other pattern to feature them.

The 2100 Classic pattern was one of only four late 1980s - late 1990s era Case Classic patterns made in house by W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company.  The other three included the 488 congress, the 394 Gunboat, & the 254 Trapper.  All others were made on contract by Queen Cutlery.


Stockman : Pattern 30093

Case Classic 30093 Stockman KnifeThe 30093 pattern is a 3 blade knife known by collectors as a Stockman.


Stockman (Large) : Pattern 375

The 375 pattern was never put into the regular Case Classic line-up, but it was made in very low quantities in the form of prototypes & samples.  It would be difficult to find many of them. Those that exist measure 4 1/4" and have three blades.


Stockman (Sowbelly - 3 Blade) : Pattern 3039

Case Classic 3039 Sowbelly Stockman KnifeThe 3039 stockman pattern is a three blade knife known by collectors as a sowbelly stock knife.  It measures 3 3/4" closed and was introduced as a regular production Case Classic pattern in 1993.

The original 3039 sowbelly was a W.R. Case design last manufactured in the Tested era (Pre-1940).  The original pattern is hard to find & is highly collectable.

Case also used this sowbelly frame to make a five blade Case Classic stockman (pattern # 5039) and a three blade Case Classic whittler variation (same pattern number - 3093)  version of this knife.  The difference between the whittler version & stockman version is that the secondary blades both open in opposite directions from the master on the whittler.  The back-springs are a split-back design on the whittler version as well.


Stockman (Sowbelly - 5 Blade) : Pattern 5039

Case Classic 1011 Swing Guard Cheetah KnifeThe 5039 pattern is a five blade stockman knife known by collectors as a five blade sowbelly stock knife or sowbelly stockman knife.  It measures 3 3/4" closed & was first introduced as a regular Case Classic knife pattern in 1994.

This pattern is the same as the 3039 pattern listed above except for the fact that it has two additional blades.  All five blades are different, so there is a blade for most any task when this knife is packed around.


Stockman (Large) : Pattern 330

Case Classic 330 Large Stockman KnifeThe 330 pattern is a three blade stockman knife known by collectors as a large stock knife or stockman knife. It measures 4 1/4" closed & was first introduced as a regular Case Classic knife pattern in 1997. It was among the last original Case Classic knives ever made.


Swing Guard - Cheetah : Pattern 1011

Case Classic 1011 Swing Guard Cheetah KnifeThe 1011 pattern is a single blade lockback knife known by collectors as a swing-guard because of the presence of a blade guard that moves into place when the knife is opened.  Many collectors also refer to this pattern as a cheetah  and many of the knives have blade etches with text that reads "Cheetah".


Swing Guard - Lockback Folding Hunter : Pattern 1050L

Case Classic 1050L Jumbo Swing Guard KnifeThe 1050L pattern is a single blade lockback knife known by collectors as a swing-guard because of the presence of a blade guard that moves into place when the knife is opened.  It measures 5 3/8" closed and was introduced into the regular Case Classic line in 1990.

The original W.R. Case Big Swing Guard Lockback that this knife was created to mimic was first made in the 1920s.  It was a tricked out version of the 1050 folding hunter pattern.   The lockback mechanism & swing guard made it safer to operate.  Those without the lockback were more apt to accidentally close & cut the dickens out of a guy!

Case had the knife built on the same frame as the 1050 pattern large coke bottle pattern.  The difference is the addition of the lockback mechanism & swing guard.


Toothpick : Pattern 1096

Case Classic 1095 25 Cent Toothpick KnifeThe 1096 pattern is a single blade knife known by collectors as a toothpick.


Toothpick : Pattern 1095

Case Classic 1095 5 Inch Toothpick KnifeThe 1095 pattern is a single blade knife known by collectors as a toothpick. This version measures 5" closed.


Toothpick - Barn Door Hinge : Pattern 10095

Case Classic 10095 Barn Door Hinge Toothpick KnifeThe 10095 pattern is a single blade knife known by collectors as a barn door hinge toothpick.


Toothpick : Pattern 1098

Case Classic 1098 Jumbo Toothpick KnifeThe 1098 pattern is a single blade knife known by collectors as a jumbo or large toothpick. It is the largest toothpick pattern made in the Case Classic knife line-up.


Toothpick : Pattern 1094

Case Classic 1094 Medium Toothpick KnifeThe 1094 pattern is a single blade knife known by collectors as a toothpick.  It measures 4 1/4" closed & was first introduced into the Case Classic knife line with a 1994 dated tang stamp.

Case made several toothpick knives throughout the years.  All were similar in shape but they measured in at varying lengths.  This 4 1/4 inch version was among the smaller sized versions.  Larger examples included the 98 pattern & 95 pattern.  There are Case Classic patterns that represent both of the larger knives.


Trapper : Pattern 2007 1/2

Case Classic 2007 1/2 Trapper KnifeThe 2007 1/2 pattern is a two blade knife known by collectors as a trapper.  It measures 3 7/8" closed & was first introduced as a Case Classic in 1993.  The original 2007 1/2 pattern that this knife was modelled from was last made in 1915 by W.R. Case & Sons.

Configurations included a variety of bone & celluloid along with genuine stag handles.  Prototypes were made with pearl & other more exotic materials.  You could find many different shield styles on this knife including the bowtie, bomb, raised oval, standard oval among others.

This pattern was one of only four late 1980s - mid 1990s era Case Classic patterns made in house by W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company.  The other three included the 488 congress, the 394 Gunboat, & the 2100 saddlehorn.  All others were made on contract by Queen Cutlery.


Trapper (Jumbo) : Pattern 223

Case Classic 223 Jumbo Trapper KnifeThe 223 pattern is a two blade knife known by collectors as a Jumbo trapper, Big Trapper, or Bullet Trapper.  It measures 4 1/2" closed & was first introduced as a regular production Case Classic in 1992.

It is one of the only Case Classic patterns that was not a resurrection of a vintage Case brand product.  Way back in the old days, Case never made a Jumbo Trapper knife.   The Remington version of this knife is iconic.  Theirs is the most popular & they called it a bullet trapper.  That name seems to have been adopted by many collectors for this pattern no matter who the maker.

Case Classic configurations of this knife include a large variety of bone, celluloid, stag & more with many different shield styles, tang stamps & blade etches.


Trapper : Pattern 254

Case Classic 254 Trapper KnifeThe 254 pattern is a two blade knife known by collectors as a trapper.

It was one of only two patterns that has ever sport  a Case Brothers Springville tang stamped version & a Case Brothers Gowanda, NY tang stamped version.  The 2100 saddlehorn is the only other pattern to feature them.


Whittler (Wharncliff) : Pattern 355

Case Classic 355 Wharncliff Whittler KnifeThe 355 pattern is a three blade knife known by collectors as a Wharncliff Whittler.  It measures 3 7/8" closed & was introduced into the regular Case Classic line in 1993.

It's one of three wharncliff whittler patterns you will find in the Classic line-up.  This particular version is largest.  It is  a rather hefty knife with a split back-spring design.  The other Wharncliff Case Classic patterns include the 3055 & 30055.

One could argue that this is the fanciest of the three as well due to its slanted & pinched bolsters.


Whittler (Wharncliff) : Pattern 3055

Case Classic 3055 Wharncliff Whittler KnifeThe 3055 pattern is a three blade knife known by collectors as a Wharncliff Whittler.  It measures 3 5/8" closed & was introduced in the regular Case Classic line in 1994.

There are three Wharncliff style Case Classic knife patterns.  The others include the 355 & 30055 pattern.  This version is the middle sized variety.  The serpentine shape is more pronounced than the 355 & is sometimes known as a seahorse whittler pattern.


Whittler (Wharncliff) : Pattern 30055

Case Classic 30055 Wharncliff Whittler KnifeThe 30055 pattern is a three blade knife known by collectors as a Wharncliff Whittler.  It measures 3 3/8" closed & was introduced into the regular Case Classic line in 1994.

There are three Wharncliff style Case Classic knife patterns.  This one is the smallest & is accompanied by the 355 & 3055 pattern.  The shape is much more like the 3055 pattern & like it is sometimes known as a seahorse whittler.


 Whittler - (Anglo Saxon - Cigar) : Pattern 3091

Case Classic 3091 Anglo Saxon Whittler KnifeThe 3091 pattern is a three blade knife known by collectors as a cigar whittler or Anglo Saxon whittler.  It measures 4 5/8" closed & was the very first Case Classic pattern made for Case.  It was chosen as one of the patterns to be created for the Classic program in 1989 & is known to have been a favorite of Jim Parker.

There are actually two different frame sizes that this pattern was built on.  There are small frame 2091s & large frame 3091s.  When comparing the two looking straight on, one would notice that the large frame version has wider liners, handle scales, & bolsters.  When flipped over, one would notice  that the large frame version has wider back-springs.

The original Case Anglo Saxon whittlers pattern that this knife was based on were similar in that there were two frame sizes.  Many agree that the larger framed versions were made first & subsequent sub contracting of the pattern resulted in a slightly different shape that made for a slimmer knife.


Whittler (1/2) : Pattern 343 1/2

Case Classic 343 1/2 Whittler KnifeThe 343 1/2 pattern is a three blade knife known by collectors as split backspring 1/2 whittler.  It measures 3 3/4" closed & was introduced as a regular Case Classic pattern in 1992.

There are many variations of this pattern with some sporting a variety of bone, celluloid, genuine stag, pearl & other handle materials.  Several different tang stamps, shields, & blade etches were used as well.



Whittler (Humpback)  : Pattern 3046

Case Classic 3046 Split Backspring Whittler KnifeThe 3046 pattern is a three blade knife known by collectors as a split backspring or hump-back whittler. It measures 3 3/4" closed & was introduced as a regular in the Case Classic Line in 1990.

There were six different styles of this knife made. Five varieties of bone handle slabs and one genuine stag version. Published records show that there were 1000 of each of the six varieties made for a grand total of 6,000 of them. That figure does not include any prototypes / samples that might have been made.

This pattern along with the 2046J moose are the only two Case Classic knife patterns that were sold exclusively through a third party jobber. The Smokey Mountain Knife Works Company was the place to go if you wanted to buy one on the original retail market back in the 1990s.


Whittler (Sowbelly) : Pattern 3039

Case Classic 3039 Sowbelly Stockman KnifeThe 3039 whittler pattern is a three blade knife known by collectors as a sowbelly whittler.


Whittler (3-Spring) : Pattern 30109X

Case Classic 30109X Three Spring Whittler KnifeThe 30109X pattern is a three blade knife known by collectors as a three spring whittler. Most whittler patterns have a split back-spring design that utilizes two springs to operate three blades. These have three springs. One for each blade. The manufacturing process that goes into making the three spring whittler design is especially difficult given the blades open in oposite directions.


Whittler (Cigar) : Pattern 3094

Case Classic 3094 Cigar Stockman KnifeThe 3039 pattern is a three blade knife known by collectors as a cigar whittler.  It measures 4" closed & was first introduced into the Case Classic line with a 1990 dated tang stamp.


Whittler (Swell Center) : Pattern 3083

Case Classic 3083 Swell Center Whittler KnifeThe 3083 pattern is a three blade knife known by collectors as a swell center whittler or balloon whittler.  It measures 3 1/2" closed & was introduced into the regular Case Classic line in 1992.

The original Case brand knife this pattern was made to mimic was first manufactured by W.R. Case & Sons sometime prior to 1920.  The design has always been a big favorite among users of knives.