Ode To The 07

[Papa Bones]

I've seen a couple of the 6107 easily accessible.

6107W, you say?...I like hearing that because it means you're speakin' my language (Monkeyspeak).

Smitty, very nice Carhartt...I do love that Barnboard jigging.

I think jerryd and I are on the same wavelength...a blue one, that is.

Here's what I picked up recently in the "technically-not-07-but-still-a-mini-trapper" category...although even that may be pushing it a bit since without the spay blade this might more appropriately be called a "Dogleg Jack" (official nomenclature resides in the mind of the beholder).

Call it what you will, it's a 3½" 2004 Schatt & Morgan "Dollar Knife Co." (#51) in Sky Blue Jigged Bone
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Appreciate it "Q".

As far as the "Mini-Trapper" / "Dog Leg Jack" issue, I tend to look at them as the same knife with the same lineage but only a different secondary blade. Kind of like a rose by any other name. But I actually am not as fond of the spay blade and think the secondary pen looks more appealing on a 07 style knife.

Beautiful Shatt & Morgan you've got there. A classy addition to any 07 / Mini-Trapper Clone collection.

[Papa Bones]

My humble 07 collection.. Love this pattern..IMG_1364.JPG

Wecome to AARP. A nice group of 07's for sure.

[Modern Slip Joints]

Jerry D & Q are singing the Mini-blues this week. Nice looking knives.

Along with all other knives that have a short and long blade pivoting in the same end I do like calling Q's Schatt & Morgan 51 (S&M 51) a jack knife. My Webster's writes jack knives are large folders so maybe Webster would agree to mini-jack. However, I choked reading the O7 and S&M 51 patterns called "dog leg." I don't see a dog's hip shape in them. The only pattern that I'm aware of Case naming Dog Leg is the 4 1/2" *240 which is almost always a Trapper. Its left end is a lot broader than its right making it more like a dog's rear leg. Maybe Q sees a small dogs front leg shape in the 07? The long spey in my 6240 is oddly very broad only near its tip. That does give it more useful cure but the high peak of its spine is a little uncomfortable while using the clip blade. Case did make a small number of 5240s with a pen blade instead of a spey. Now there's a dog leg jack. I'd love to own one.

By the way, my only S&M 51 has two long blades, a clip and a spey.

[toomanyknives]

My humble 07 collection.. Love this pattern..IMG_1364.JPG

Wecome to AARP. A nice group of 07's for sure.

Thank you, sir...

[jerryd6818]

MSJ, I don't see a "Dog Leg" there either. Oh well, to each his own.

Received these Mini-T's today.

[Papa Bones]

MSJ, I don't see a "Dog Leg" there either. Oh well, to each his own.

Received these Mini-T's today.

As we say here in the south......."Nice 'Uns"

[jerryd6818]

MSJ, I don't see a "Dog Leg" there either. Oh well, to each his own.

Received these Mini-T's today.

As we say here in the south......."Nice 'Uns"

Why thank you Smitty. They look even better in hand.

[QTCut5]

I choked reading the O7 and S&M 51 patterns called "dog leg." I don't see a dog's hip shape in them. The only pattern that I'm aware of Case naming Dog Leg is the 4 1/2" *240 which is almost always a Trapper. Its left end is a lot broader than its right making it more like a dog's rear leg. Maybe Q sees a small dogs front leg shape in the 07?

MSJ, I don't see a "Dog Leg" there either. Oh well, to each his own.

Not to split hairs (or any other element of canine anatomy), but it's interesting to note the entry for "Dogleg" included in the "Lexicon of Knife Terms" section of Tobias Gibson's A Pocket Guide to Knives (http://apg2k.hegewisch.net/lexicon-d.html) has the following definition:

Dogleg: A traditional handle pattern in which the handle is slightly crooked and resembles a dogs hind leg. The top of the knife is narrower than the bottom. The top bolster is noticeably smaller than the butt end pommel. Both bolsters are normally rounded. The handle pattern is favored for Peanuts and Trappers.

I think there's definitely an argument to be made for calling the 07 a dogleg jack. Although it may not be a perfect fit, the 07 does meet several essential dogleg criteria: handle is slightly crooked, narrower at top than bottom, top bolster noticeably smaller than butt end pommel. Whether or not it literally "resembles a dog's leg" is open to individual interpretation and depends on what size/breed dog you use as your reference and how crooked it's legs are, I suppose. But, as jerryd himself has been known to say on occasion, it's close enough for government work (and not worth getting all choked up over!)

So, if the 07 frame geometry doesn't meet your personal concept of a dog leg, what else would you call it...just a plain ol' Jack Knife? Of course there are already several other types of Jack Knife with distinct monikers such as Texas Jack, Serpentine Jack, Small/Medium/Large Jack, etc. What special name would best distinguish the distinctive 07 design?

I don't know what name (if any) Case originally assigned to the very first 07 pattern produced. However, in my defense and to be perfectly clear...I was quite content calling all Case 07 and Queen/S&M 51 patterns "Mini Trappers" until I noticed that knifeaholic refers to 07s with a pen blade as "Dogleg Jack" and 07s with a spay blade as "Mini Trapper" which, I suppose, has a certain logic if for no other reason than to make a distinction between the different blade configurations even though they both have the exact same frame design. And so I have to wonder: Who among us is remotely qualified to question Steve Pfeiffer's use of nomenclature on anything to do with Case knives? (Certainly not me...I'm just a part-time piker here on Planet Pocketknife!)

For the sake of my own sanity (and with all apologies to knifeaholic or anyone who may disagree or take umbrage with my preferred term), I think I'm just going to stick with "Mini Trapper" from now on regardless of blade combination. I'm sure y'all will know 'zactly what I mean.

jerryd: Nice pair ya got there. Glad to see you opened the plastic seal on the Red Cross Commemorative. I didn't weigh in before because I didn't want to add improper pressure or inordinate influence; but, now that the deed is done...personally, I think being able to see the beautiful knife inside the tin has only appreciated it's value (I, for one, certainly appreciate it more!). Oh, and you might want to keep that sweet chestnut '96 handy to add at the appropriate time to the forthcoming Mini Trapper Timeline Project (MTTP) which should be getting underway almost any day now. Coming soon to a theater near you!

[QTCut5]

Well, my fellow 07 aficionados, at the very beginning of this year the Mini-T Monkey concocted a cockeyed notion to create a Mini Trapper Timeline. The idea was to start with my oldest 07 and, using the tang stamps as a guide, systematically document the evolution of the venerable Case Mini Trapper year by year (or decade by decade, as the case may be) over the past 100 years: 1920-2020.

Since my collection is far from complete in this regard, particularly with respect to the early year model 07s, I'm hoping that other 07 collectors/owners will participate in order to create a more complete timeline. I'll begin with the Tested era (1920-1940) and then after a few days or so move on to successive years. The goal is to try and group all the 07s from each time period in some semblance of chronological order. What we mostly want to see, of course, are photos, but, as always, any and all relevant comments, observations, knowledge, wisdom, critiques, etc. are also welcome and encouraged.

So let's get this show on the road and begin the

MINI TRAPPER TIMELINE PROJECT

Tested Era (1920-1940)

My one and only Tested era 6207 is this Green Bone model which, although it has been professionally cleaned, still shows telltale signs of its age in the pitting of the blade steel. The walk and talk seems to be as tight and snappy as the day it left the factory. The fit and finish is exceptional. I believe this is the only 07 that was ever released with a long pull. And, unlike the following years, this one has no pattern stamp. The oval shield is pinned and has the "closed C" which suggests production in the earlier part of the era, i.e., closer to 1920 than 1940, but the exact year is indeterminate.

Any other Tested era 07s out there? Now's the time to show 'em.

[Papa Bones]

Well, my fellow 07 aficionados, at the very beginning of this year the Mini-T Monkey concocted a cockeyed notion to create a Mini Trapper Timeline. The idea was to start with my oldest 07 and, using the tang stamps as a guide, systematically document the evolution of the venerable Case Mini Trapper year by year (or decade by decade, as the case may be) over the past 100 years: 1920-2020.

Since my collection is far from complete in this regard, particularly with respect to the early year model 07s, I'm hoping that other 07 collectors/owners will participate in order to create a more complete timeline. I'll begin with the Tested era (1920-1940) and then after a few days or so move on to successive years. The goal is to try and group all the 07s from each time period in some semblance of chronological order. What we mostly want to see, of course, are photos, but, as always, any and all relevant comments, observations, knowledge, wisdom, critiques, etc. are also welcomed and encouraged.

So let's get this show on the road and begin the

MINI TRAPPER TIMELINE PROJECT

Tested Era (1920-1940)

My one and only Tested era 6207 is this Green Bone model which, although it has been professionally cleaned, still shows telltale signs of its age in the pitting of the blade steel. The walk and talk seems to be as tight and snappy as the day it left the factory. The fit and finish is exceptional. I believe this is the only 07 that was ever released with a long pull. And, unlike the following years, this one has no pattern stamp. The oval shield is pinned and has the "closed C" which suggests production in the earlier part of the era, i.e., closer to 1920 than 1940, but the exact year is indeterminate.


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Any other Tested era 07s out there? Now's the time to show 'em.

Sounds good. Look forward to seeing the timeline form.

[QTCut5]

MTTP: Tested XX Era (1920-1940)

Since we're creating a timeline of the Case Mini Trapper I thought it would be interesting to consider what was was happening at the time the knives were being made.

The Tested era covers two decades: 1920s & 1930s, both of which contain many significant U.S. and world historical events.

Normally when I think about the past it's in the context of my own life, i.e., where was I and what was I doing at a particular moment in history? However, I wasn't around during the Tested era and I doubt anyone reading this right now was alive during the Tested era either (except maybe Sut Tatersaul). My 82 yr old father was born in 1938 so he was just a wee toddler when the Tested era ended in 1940.

The first decade of the Tested era, 1920, is the only decade in American history to get its own nickname: "The Roaring Twenties," but it wasn't all just flappers and jazz bands that defined this era. Much like today, the U.S. was dealing with a flu pandemic (Spanish Flu) that began in February 1918 and didn't end until April 1920. Looking at the state of things today, one wonders if we've learned anything from our history or if we're doomed to repeat it and have to endure the coronavirus for another two years. Kinda weird to wonder if my Tested era Mini Trapper might've been made by, used by or even just carried in the pocket of someone who had Spanish Flu...or died from it.

Despite the nickname, the 1920s was a time of great hardship. Not only was the country dealing with the flu pandemic, but to make things even harder there was that pesky little thing called the 18th Amendment, or as it's more commonly known: Prohibition. If you think things are hard for us today, just imagine what it was like back then: not only were people fearing for their lives and dropping like flies from the flu, but they weren't even allowed to drown their sorrows in alcohol.

Another event from 1920 that seems particularly relevant to current events of today: In November 1920 the first commercially-licensed radio station began broadcasting live results of the presidential election. This was effectively the birth of modern mass media. In the election, Republican Warren G. Harding beat Democrat James M. Cox to become the 34th President of the USA.

Speaking of elections...believe it or not, women in the U.S. have only had the right to vote for just over 100 years. That's right, the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote was passed on August 18, 1920 (the last state to secure a "yes" vote, Tennessee, voted 50-49 in favor of women's suffrage in the House of Representatives). With passage of the 19th Amendment, 1920 became the first (and only) year in which the U.S. Constitution was amended twice in a single year. Every woman living in Tennessee should receive a free Mini Trapper after they vote this year!

[jerryd6818]

World War One made a major historical mark as the nineteen teens wound down.

The Spanish Flu ran it's course and so will Covid.

The 1920's and Prohibition ushered in the era of growth for gangs such as Al Capone and his ilk.

The Depression was the major marker for the 1930s, made worse by the Dust Bowl.

On the positive side, the list of inventions that shaped America in the boom years of the 1920s included the automobile assembly line (first appeared On December 1, 1913), the airplane, the washing machine, the radio, the assembly line for products other than automobiles, refrigerator, garbage disposal, electric razor, instant camera, jukebox, etc.

[jerryd6818]

[QTCut5]

MTTP: Tested XX Era (1920-1940)

I won't lie, I'm a bit disappointed because I was hoping to see more than one Tested era 07 to begin the Mini Trapper Timeline; but I'm really not too surprised. Much like the owners and collectors themselves, it's only natural for the number of 80-100 year old 07s either in circulation or lingering in a storage facility to decrease over time.

But, before we move on to another era there are a few points of interest on the timeline from the Tested era that occurred during the 1930s decade that are worth mentioning.

Earlier, jerryd mentioned the Great Depression which is recorded in history as occurring from August 1929 to March 1933. Several factors contributed to cause the Great Depression but the impetus is generally attributed primarily to the stock market crash on Wall Street in October 1929. Most historians cite the massive spending during WWII as the event that ended the Great Depression. During the depression, with millions of dollars of investments gone and millions of people unemployed, it seems likely that fewer pocketknives would have been produced and purchased. It would be interesting to know Case's production totals for that decade, especially how many 07's were made. Seems likely that the manufacture and sale of almost any product during this difficult time would experience a sharp decline, including pocketknives--despite the fact that Tested era Case knives were undeniably a useful tool and a quality product. Perhaps that's one reason they're somewhat rare and hard to find today (at least the ones still in mint condition).

Nevertheless, despite the myriad difficulties associated with it's early years, the stalwart little 07 has persisted until today much like many of the New Deal programs instituted by President FDR that were designed to overcome the effects of those years of economic devastation and hardship and protect the future of America. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the politics of the New Deal (liberal or conservative), we all enjoy many benefits as a result of it to this day. Far too many to list, but some of the more common programs include Social Security, FDIC, SEC, TVA, and thousands of projects completed by the PWA and CCC in construction, infrastructure, national forests, etc. Had I been alive during this time I'm sure I would have wanted a Case 6207 in my pocket as I worked with my fellow Americans to get America back up and running...and I can only believe that many of the men working for the PWA and CCC probably carried one, too.


Next stop on the Mini Trapper Timeline: XX era (1940-1964)

[QTCut5]

Time waits for no man, so moving right along...

Mini Trapper Timeline:

XX Era (1940-1964)

Unlike during the Tested era, I'm sure many, if not most. AAPK members were alive for at least some portion of the XX era. In fact, it would come as no surprise to learn that most AAPK members were actually born during the XX era. Personally, however, I cannot be counted among that distinguished group known collectively as "Baby Boomers"; I missed it by one year, which puts me right at the beginning of Gen X. Curiously, the "Boomers" were born during the XX era and the Gen Xers during the U.S.A. era which seems backwards to me (in a strictly nomenclature sense). But, what's in a name, anyway? You can't judge a book by it's title, but very often it's entirely possible to judge a knife by it's era. So, let's take a gander at the XX era 07.

This jigged red bone 6207 is my one and only XX era Mini Trapper. It's not "mint" owing to the "spider" on the pile side tip of the clip blade. But, as far as construction and quality are concerned it's just short of perfection. This knife still maintains a nice strong opening and closing snap on both the master clip and secondary pen blades. The 6207 pattern stamp makes its debut on the pile side tang of the master blade in the XX era. Pinned oval shield has an open "C" and tall "S" denoting production in the early part of the XX era, i.e., closer to 1940 than to 1964 although the exact year this particular knife was made is indeterminate. The fit and finish are exquisite with the slight exception of the run up which has a tiny drop where the back spring meets the blade tang...not much, but just enough to be noticeable. Since this is my only example, I don't know if that was characteristic of XX era 07s or just on mine. Would sure be nice to see some other members' XX era 07s for comparison; I know they're out there.

[jerryd6818]

Looked it up. I'm part of The Greatest Generation (pre-1946).

[QTCut5]

Looked it up. I'm part of The Greatest Generation (pre-1946).

You are indeed, jerryd!

[Jtx]

QTCut5, you requested a photo of my XX 07. I found this one. Thanks for your interest in my knife.

[Jtx]

QTCut5, you requested a photo of my XX 07. I found this one. Thanks for your interest in my knife.

Took another photo of my knife to try to show the bone better. (Not sure it is any better though )

[QTCut5]

"Interest" isn't quite strong enough...Lust & Envy seem more appropriate to describe what I feel about your knife.

That is some sweet sweet bone...even better than I remembered it. And I bet it has a very interesting history, too, since it's been passed down from generation to generation in your family.

[Ivoryman]

Man Q and jtx, you're showing some fab red bone and specimens of the pattern. Those babies rock. Great to see a progression and such fine examples. Treat to surf through. Keep documenting the sweet bones.

[QTCut5]

Thanks, Ivoryman.

It's interesting to observe the subtle (or sometimes stark) variations between handle colors of knives from the same time period as well as how much the color of Case's red bone in particular has changed since the early years up to the modern era.

MTTP: XX Era (1940-1964)

1940

Commonly referred to as "the war years," the first decade of the XX era, 1940, towers over every other decade of the 20th century as the most full of sorrow, patriotism, and ultimately, hope and the beginning of a new era of American dominance on the world stage. This decade left an indelible mark on all but the youngest of Americans that lasted for the rest of their lives. Those who were young and in the military were dubbed "The Greatest Generation" by former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw, and the moniker stuck. The decade started off with a "bang" with the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan (a "date which will live in infamy") which led directly to the USA's military involvement in WWII. After just over four years of historic battle, peace was finally reached in May 1945. FDR was elected to an unprecedent third term as president in 1940. Other notable names associated with WWII include: Harry S. Truman, Winston Churchill, Josef Stalin, Adolph Hitler, Mussolini, Hirohito, Ho Chi Minh, Anne Frank, "Tokyo Rose," Sikorsky (helicopters), Jeep (originally Willys Quad), Penicillin, Nutella, and the now ubiquitous Duct Tape.

But the 1940s weren't only about war. Just a few culturally significant names associated with this decade include: Joe Dimaggio, Jackie Robinson, Chuck Yeager, Mahatma Gandhi, George Orwell, and Walt Disney.

There's no denying that war tends to be a catalyst for invention, and not necessarily only for the purpose of slaughtering each other, either. Although, sadly, Case's red bone handle color may have changed dramatically from that of the XX era, there are some things from the 1940s that we still enjoy today. Our modern lives abound with many things that were invented in the 1940s, things we pretty much take for granted. For example, computers got their genesis in 1940 as well as cellular communications technology and the mobile phone, the transistor, color TV, aerosol spray can, synthetic rubber tire, microwave oven, Velcro, ballpoint pen, SCUBA, Polaroid camera, Elmer's glue, Frisbees, LEGOS, Slinky, M&Ms, Jolly Ranchers, Cheerios, the Whopper, meatloaf, and everyone's undisputed favorite: the Bikini (I wonder if jerryd had a hand in that invention....figuratively speaking! )

The "Greatest Generation" indeed!

[QTCut5]

One more interesting tidbit of 1940's trivia:

We all know (and probably use) the phrase "Roger that." Did you ever wonder where it came from?

"Roger that" dates back to US radio communication as early as 1941, based on then-use of the given name Roger in the US military phonetic alphabet for the word for the letter "R". Here, the "Roger" stands for the initial "R" in “(Message) received.”

To indicate a message had been heard and understood—that is, received—a service-person would answer "Roger," later expanded to "Roger that," with "that" referring to the message. In military slang, the phrase "Roger wilco" conveyed the recipient received the message and will comply with its orders, shortened to "wilco."

[Ivoryman]

I choked reading the O7 and S&M 51 patterns called "dog leg." I don't see a dog's hip shape in them. The only pattern that I'm aware of Case naming Dog Leg is the 4 1/2" *240 which is almost always a Trapper. Its left end is a lot broader than its right making it more like a dog's rear leg. Maybe Q sees a small dogs front leg shape in the 07?

MSJ, I don't see a "Dog Leg" there either. Oh well, to each his own.

Not to split hairs (or any other element of canine anatomy), but it's interesting to note the entry for "Dogleg" included in the "Lexicon of Knife Terms" section of Tobias Gibson's A Pocket Guide to Knives (http://apg2k.hegewisch.net/lexicon-d.html) has the following definition:

Dogleg: A traditional handle pattern in which the handle is slightly crooked and resembles a dogs hind leg. The top of the knife is narrower than the bottom. The top bolster is noticeably smaller than the butt end pommel. Both bolsters are normally rounded. The handle pattern is favored for Peanuts and Trappers.

I think there's definitely an argument to be made for calling the 07 a dogleg jack. Although it may not be a perfect fit, the 07 does meet several essential dogleg criteria: handle is slightly crooked, narrower at top than bottom, top bolster noticeably smaller than butt end pommel.





I thought the "butt" end was the "head" end since they call it a barehead if there is no bolster, only scale. The butt being in the middle, not the end on any animal I know of. And someone needs to tell the Case people, they call it a Mini Trapper too. Just saying.

[QTCut5]

I thought the "butt" end was the "head" end since they call it a barehead if there is no bolster, only scale. The butt being in the middle, not the end on any animal I know of. And someone needs to tell the Case people, they call it a Mini Trapper too. Just saying.

I believe you are correct, Ivoryman. With regard to the anatomy of a knife, the terms "butt" and "head" both refer to the same thing and are often used interchangeably (or misused entirely ). Personally, when trying to distinguish which end of a knife I'm referring to, I prefer "pivot end" and "butt end"; however, this only works with knives that have a single pivot..