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.
Wondering if anybody has tried one of these new Case patterns yet and if so what the quality is like? Personally, I like the looks of the Highbanks, but after my last new Case purchase I'm more than a little hesitant to pull the trigger, especially for that price.
Edit: I see they're not available yet...expected release in February.
Because it looks larger and I prefer clip points over spear, I like the Longhouse better. The Highbanks appears to be a slip joint that is opened with a finger nail in its through hole. The Longhouse appears to be opened with the serrated flipper that sticks out of its bolster. On the pile side between their model names and USA they're marked CPM20CV. Compressed Powdered Metal 20 something or other Crome Vanadium? Doesn't CV imply they are not stainless? I thought you liked stainless for your sweaty Island. I do not know their price but I don't pay the cost of slip joints with real stag for modern knives.
Pretty easy to find info about CPM20CV (or any steel) via internet search. It is stainless steel with a content of carbon and vanadium higher than most stainless steels. Reputably to improve wear resistance, same reason it is used in Case’s CV carbon steel. However CPM20CV contains 20% chromium, which gives it superior corrosion resistance (IIRC anything above 14% chromium is considered “stainless”). And it’s an American made steel.
Made by @Crucible CPM 20CV is a martensitic stainless steel high in Vanadium, Chromium, and Carbon for excellent wear resistance and corrosion resistance, it’s used for plastic injection feed screws, barrel liners, screw tips, mold cavities, and premium Knives.
Note that CPM20CV has a “flat” rather than a polished finish. That’s because of its makeup, it can’t be polished like 440C. The blade swages are a nice feature.
Glad to see Case offering products in steels that appeal to “steel snobs”. Even if 99% of them will never need those enhanced properties.
Ken
Member AKTI, TSRA, NRA.
If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.
When the people fear their government, that is tyranny. When government fears the people, that is freedom.
Case really isn't offering that much variety in these modern patterns, and they're slightly pricey compared to say, Spyderco. Also, this sucker looks heavy, and the "front flipper" appears difficult compared to a traditional thumb bar/hole/stud or flipper. These are designed as pocket jewelry for pretty photos, instead of something that gets the work done.
Honestly, CPM-20CV, except for being difficult to sharpen, is one of my favorites. It is very rust-resistant, and I have a three-year-old Spyderco Jester SFO in the steel that absolutely refuses to get dull.
Case really should expand their traditional offerings in premium steels instead--as most now are SFOs.
They have the "Jack Wolf" look about them, but I don't hate it. Guess if it was cheaper I might be more interested. Definitely a utilitarian EDC style. Just my 2 čents.
Attachments
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!
You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
1967redrider wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:20 pm
They have the "Jack Wolf" look about them, but I don't hate it. Guess if it was cheaper I might be more interested. Definitely a utilitarian EDC style. Just my 2 čents.
I agree, they do resemble Jack Wolf. But, the Case is a little less expensive and I assume made in USA (?)
cody6268 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 4:21 am
Also, this sucker looks heavy,
It's probably not as heavy as it looks:
Case XX Knife Pattern
Highbanks
The Highbanks™ is a design inspired by traditional patterns, with aluminum frames and bolsters for durability while minimizing weight. The Highbanks features a classic slip joint mechanism with a half stop and durable, luxury composite and wood handle materials like Micarta® and rosewood. The CPM20CV modified Wharncliffe blade has excellent edge retention with an open nail nick providing built-in access to open the blade. The steel deep carry pocket clip is essential for convenient carrying.
1967redrider wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:20 pm
They have the "Jack Wolf" look about them, but I don't hate it. Guess if it was cheaper I might be more interested. Definitely a utilitarian EDC style. Just my 2 čents.
I agree, they do resemble Jack Wolf. But, the Case is a little less expensive and I assume made in USA (?)
True dat! And, no way José am I spending $300 on a Chinese knife that may or may not have an S90V blade.
Attachments
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!
You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
Just learned from the Case Collectors website that these are in fact made in Bradford PA and that these are the first in the Bridgeline, with plans for expansion between their traditional designs and modern EDC's in the future. When that may be, who knows? Also, Bill Ruple was not involved in the design of these two patterns (Highbanks & Longhouse) but that there is something coming from him. Again, when? Who knows?
"A knife is as personal and necessary a thing as a man ever owns." Bob Loveless
MadTrapper wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 3:15 pm
Just learned from the Case Collectors website that these are in fact made in Bradford PA and that these are the first in the Bridgeline, with plans for expansion between their traditional designs and modern EDC's in the future. When that may be, who knows? Also, Bill Ruple was not involved in the design of these two patterns (Highbanks & Longhouse) but that there is something coming from him. Again, when? Who knows?
Thanks for the info!
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!
You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
texoma wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 10:59 pm
The clip has to go and even then the holes the empty clip leave will look bad
I have some modern slip joints and like them just not with a clip
I agree. Also, on both knives, one of the clip screws looks like it would have to be put back on to keep the handle slab attached. That’s fine as long as the screw will still seat properly without the width of the clip.
You might end up with a screw that has to be there but won’t sit flush with the handle.
Aluminum frames and bolsters? Really? Brass frames can crack and nickel bolsters get scratched and banged up. I can't imagine what a day's work would do to these Aluminum knives. Hard pass for me.
To those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected ones will never know.
I got to handle both at Blade Show Texas, they weren’t terribly heavy and had a good feel. I was in the fence about getting one them but had other knives in my mind that day.
It looks like they decided to do something modern. Until someone tries it, it's hard to say how good it is. The same Microtek and Protek have an aluminum frame and it has good strength. It all depends on the alloy. Is the through hole in the blade a reference to the Scagel?
