Case 3254

[JamieinWV]

I picked up a collection on knives, a couple days back, and going through them I came across a 3254 trapper with strande Tang Shoulders, instead of the strait grind it’s circular on both blades front and rear? After searching the 100’s of trappers I have and a google search I came up with nothing…anyone know or has one I would like some info on the blades, thanks guys in advance.

[treefarmer]

Jamie, those were called "new grind" or "shoulderless grind". Knifeaholic's book on Case knives tells us they were from 1983 to 1985. Case felt that grind was stronger than the grind with the shoulder. They didn't sell well, so they went back to the original grind.
You can probably find more detailed information somewhere here on the forum.
Treefarmer

Edit: I have a couple of "new grind" knives and often wondered if they might one day be worth a bit more because of the above happening?

[JamieinWV]

Jamie, those were called "new grind" or "shoulderless grind". Knifeaholic's book on Case knives tells us they were from 1983 to 1985. Case felt that grind was stronger than the grind with the shoulder. They didn't sell well, so they went back to the original grind.
You can probably find more detailed information somewhere here on the forum.
Treefarmer

Edit: I have a couple of "new grind" knives and often wondered if they might one day be worth a bit more because of the above happening?

Thanks much for the info, I picked up 96 Case in a collection a few days back and probably 100’s of trappers in past year and it’s the first I’ve gotten, but I sure appreciate the story behind the grind. Honestly I kinda like it it’s seems to make cleaner lines.

[Reverand]

I appreciate the posts, both the original and the explanation. I have read several comments over the years talking about those "New Grind" Case knives back in the 80's, but I think this is the first pictures that I have seen of one.
I know, I know, they are on here if I had only searched, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet!

[Mumbleypeg]

Sorry I missed seeing this thread sooner. Although the reason for discontinuance of the short-lived and somewhat limited "new grind" aka "shoulderless grind" is often given as lack of popularity, here from knifedb.com is another take on it. https://knifedb.com/148/ Included in the article is some information of interest to collectors, including numbers produced and some scarce variations to watch for, if you're into that sort of thing.

Ken

[rea1eye]

Thanks for the additional information Ken. I think Case could have done
well with the new grind as a special subset if they did not
goof up it's introduction.

Bob

[JamieinWV]

Well instead of posting it for sale, I like it enough to put it in my display case, thanks all for their perspective on the knife grind… I honestly feel like it was more costly to manufacture than the straight shoulder. And one more plus it eliminates a crack or a corner that allows even the smallest of Crap to gather in place on the blade that is tougher to wipe clean. But I guess it went the way like $1 items at the Dollar Tree.

[Mumbleypeg]

It seems apparent that Case never converted all production to the ”shoulder less grind”. Like with many innovations, regardless how good an idea is, or how much the customers like it (or don’t), if it can’t be manufactured successfully and consistently you can’t make a business of it. Whether manufacturing problems, customer reception, or both caused the demise of the “shoulder less grind”, we may never know.

Ken

[JamieinWV]

It seems apparent that Case never converted all production to the ”shoulder less grind”. Like with many innovations, regardless how good an idea is, or how much the customers like it (or don’t), if it can’t be manufactured successfully and consistently you can’t make a business of it. Whether manufacturing problems, customer reception, or both caused the demise of the “shoulder less grind”, we may never know.

Ken

Correct and let’s not forget that it was over 40 years ago.. maybe automation could do it now but hard to believe that was over 40 years back.