Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

The W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company has a very rich history that began in 1889 when William Russell (“W.R.”), Jean, John, and Andrew Case began fashioning their knives and selling them along a wagon trail in upstate New York. The company has produced countless treasures and it continues to do so as one of the most collected brands in the world.
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FRJ
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by FRJ »

What a beautiful knife, Tom. So clean ........ so old ...............
Joe
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RalphAlsip
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by RalphAlsip »

WOW, Tom. That Sowbelly is in phenomenal condition. I don't imagine there were very many of them that were made, much less survived. What a remarkable add to your collection!
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jlw257
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by jlw257 »

Tom, Awesone find, a very, very rare knife. ::nod::

Larry
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by peanut740 »

A++Tom, well done ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by olderdogs1 »

Thanks, Joe , Jerry, Larry, and Roger

Always on the lookout for the older knives. ::tu::

Tom
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by BIGHEAD »

I need me one of those sweet sweet old sows my favorite pattern I have all current ones and have found several old ones but none that I could afford to drop that much cash on ::paranoid::
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by olderdogs1 »

Here is a W R Case & Sons whittler I picked up at the Blade Show.

Thanks for looking.

Tom
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by Mumbleypeg »

Wow Tom, you've done it again! ::tu::

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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by gsmith7158 »

Outstanding knife, Tom. ::tu::
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by RalphAlsip »

Tom, very nice whittler!. Looks like Ebony handles. Does it happen to have a pattern number stamp? Just curious if it is stamped "1346". I have an ebony WR Case cattle knife that is stamped with a "2" (2345) instead of a "1". Not trying to throw shade on your knife just trying to educate myself on what to expect when I come across these beautiful old knives.
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by olderdogs1 »

RalphAlsip wrote:Tom, very nice whittler!. Looks like Ebony handles. Does it happen to have a pattern number stamp? Just curious if it is stamped "1346". I have an ebony WR Case cattle knife that is stamped with a "2" (2345) instead of a "1". Not trying to throw shade on your knife just trying to educate myself on what to expect when I come across these beautiful old knives.
Good point, Jerry
No it is not marked but the seller, Tony Foster , had it marked on his list with a 1. I am not sure what is correct but the fact you had one stamped with a 2 leads me to think that would be appropriate. I would be interested in opinions on this.

Thanks for the compliments ::tu::

Tom
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by jlw257 »

Tom, that was a great find. Super Knife ::tu::

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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by peanut740 »

That's a fantastic knife Tom. ::tu::
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by zp4ja »

Lots of fantastic pickups as of late Tom!
Congratulations.
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by MrBlister »

Tom . .. . a most hanzome pile there
************insert envy emote*******

HET
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by RalphAlsip »

Tom, my opinion is that WR Case & Sons ebony handled knives should should have a pattern number that begins with 2, which means your beautiful 3 backspring whittler would be a 2346 P.

Here is my rationale based on the set of Case pattern number handle material designators:

1 = Walnut
2 = Smooth Black
6 = Pakkawood (plus bone, rough black, etc). Pakkawood probably isn't wood anyway and is on newer knives.
7 = Imitation Tortoise on old knives (smooth wood on newer knives)

So I think "6" and "7" (plus the numbers I didn't mention) can be ruled out.

I believe your knife is Ebony not Walnut, and I think Walnut was introduced in the Tested era. So that rules out Walnut "1" in my opinion.

Although smooth black typically refers to the black composition handles that began showing up in the Tested era, I believe Ebony fits the smooth black description because Ebony is: A) Black, and B) Smooth.

Here is a picture of my W.R. Case & Sons Ebony cattle knife on which all blades are stamped including a pattern number of 2345 P.
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WR Case & Sons 2345 P Ebony Handles
WR Case & Sons 2345 P Ebony Handles
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by olderdogs1 »

Thanks Ken, Greg, Jerry, Larry, Jerry, & Dave.
This one had so much going for it that I decided it would be a keeper.

Jerry I really like that Ebony Cattle Knife ::tu:: and I would agree that 2 should be the correct number for the Ebony handles. Old Case knives are like people used to say about Real Estate, "They aren't making any more of them!"
Thanks Again, ::tu::

Tom
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by RalphAlsip »

Tom, thanks for the gracious comment re: my cattle knife.

I certainly agree on the scarcity of these old knives. Back in the day of these knives the majority of them were bought to be used. Furthermore, I believe the ebony handled knives were probably even more so the "working man's" knife which means finding an old ebony knife in good condition is a really nice score! This whittler and cattle knife are the only 2 ebony handled old Case knives I have seen. You see a lot more knives than I do so this might not seem as rare to you as it does me.
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by olderdogs1 »

I sure do think they are RARE. Here are two I have had for a long time. The 1st is a 2 Blade Cattle knife Case Bros Little Valley. The other one is a Torpedo Jack Case Bros Springville.

Thanks for looking! ::tu::

Tom
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by jlw257 »

Tom and Jerry ::tu:: ::tu:: ::tu::


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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by RalphAlsip »

Tom, very nice knives! I have a soft spot for Cattle knives. Your Case Bros LV looks to be in extraordinary condition. ::tu::
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by bighomer »

Wow where do ya'll find these old knives in this shape no don't tell me I can't afford it anyway. ::nod:: ::tu::
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by 313 Mike »

Wasn't sure where to post this, so thought I would drop it in here. Case posted this over on Facebook, so I figure it is meant to be shared. An old postcard from the Little Valley days...
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Mike

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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by olderdogs1 »

Thanks for all of the comments on these knives guys. Mike, I think this is the right thread for the Case picture. I really enjoy seeing this old stuff.

I have picked up two knives fairly recently that I would like to share.

The 1st is a W R Case & Son 6339 Red Winterbottom Sowbelly. Not the greatest condition but I really like this knife. Doubt if I ever find another.

The 2nd is what I believe to be a very Rare Case knife. I believe this is a contract knife. It is a W R Case & Sons 8347. Several unusual things about this knife. The tang is stamped. W R Case & Sons made in USA. The other blades are stamped with a US and a round Case Tested XX. It has a shield that says Stainless Supreme, also a matchstriker pull. I never knew that a W R case knife to be stamped XX as the books say W R Case didn't own the XX trademark during that time. I also have never saw a Stainless knife in this era. The pearl handles are replacement handles. I would be very interested in other members comments and opinions on this knife. I do believe it is 100% authentic. Certainly a very interesting knife to me.

Thanks for looking ! ::tu::

Tom
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Re: Case & Case related knives over 100 years old

Post by jlw257 »

Tom, Awesome knives ::nod:: Sargent said they put USA on the knives during WW1.

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