Need Help with ID of my Case trappers

[DavePitts1958]

Good morning , hope not to be a pain, I've search and found several sites with Case Id's but none 100% match. Can anyone help me and tell me tge year of tgese two knives and explain how?
The one I believe is a 5 X. 3 Dot 3207cv
The other is a 2 X, 3 Dot .
Im very receptive to being told Im wrong. Just want to learn.
Thank you, I hope 2024 is a great year for us all

[Mumbleypeg]

Welcome to AAPK. The answer to your questions can be found here, https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... tification , in the Research section on AAPK. Scroll down and find the stamp matching the stamp on your knife. Looks like you have two different decades. Difficult to see the dots and X’s (Case date code) in your pictures so you might want to use the “lead” end of a pencil, (as if you’re scribbling on it) rub it onto the tang stamp area, and wipe it off with a soft cotton cloth.

The graphite in the pencil lead is slightly abrasive and will remove active rust and tarnish, but it’s softer than the blade steel so it won’t damage the blade. That should make the stamps more legible. When you’re finished wipe the blades with an oily rag and put a drop of light oil (3-in-1 or similar) into each blade pivot joint. The knife has chrome vanadium (CV) carbon steel blades, which will rust if not properly cared for. All it needs to do so is an occasional oiling.

Ken

[DavePitts1958]

I can thank you very much I learned something with the graphite on a pencil. I've looked at the site one of the logos looked close but it had a lightning bolt instead of a regular "S" I know you're busy and I hate to ask you but if you could give me your professional opinion on what the approximate age of these are I'd appreciate it they were both my grandfather's.

[QTCut5]

I can thank you very much I learned something with the graphite on a pencil. I've looked at the site one of the logos looked close but it had a lightning bolt instead of a regular "S" I know you're busy and I hate to ask you but if you could give me your professional opinion on what the approximate age of these are I'd appreciate it they were both my grandfather's.

The Mini Trapper 3207CV is a 2011

As best I can tell from your photos, the Trapper 3254CV looks to be a 2000

I believe the regular "S" (not a lightning "S") means the blades are carbon steel not stainless steel.

PS--We're never "too busy" to talk about knives on AAPK!

[Mumbleypeg]

Correct. The “lightning S” stamp is used to denote stainless steel blades. A plain S denotes carbon steel. Otherwise the date code stamp, whether dots, X’s , or a combination of dots and X’s p, is no different whether a lightning S or a plain S. Simply count the number of dots, X’s etc. Starting in 1970, first year of each decade has 10 dots (or X’s, etc). Next year has 9, and so on until the last year of the decade has only one. Note the text under each decades’ stamp - the sequence in which the dots or X’s are removed may be helpful, especially if the stamp is corroded or worn. For example “In 2000, Case developed a dating system using an old style Case XX stamp along with a mix of dots and x's both above the Case XX symbol and below. Case started with 5 x's, and 5 dots in 2000. For each year thereafter, they removed one dot. When all of the dots were gone after 2005, the x's were removed one by one until 2010.”

If the Case age identification tutorial here on AAPK doesn’t help, see this one from the Case Collector’s Club site https://www.casecollectorsclub.com/college/tang-stamps/

Ken

[OLDE CUTLER]

Those 2 were rode hard and put away wet. For being less than 25 years old, they are in tough shape.

[DavePitts1958]

Sonthey both are from 2000 or earlier? Thats what happens when youre a cattle rancher and trapper.

[QTCut5]

Sonthey both are from 2000 or earlier? Thats what happens when youre a cattle rancher and trapper.

2000 or LATER, actually

They may not be vintage knives, but they are honest working knives and they look to have served their intended purpose well. And, they still have plenty of working life left in them. Strop the edges, oil the joints and slip them in your pocket; I would imagine your grandfather would approve.