Need Help With This Case Tang Stamp

[Paladin]

Guys,
I have a nice Case Cheetah with a tang stamp I am unable to identify. I first thought it to be a variation of the 1970s stamp and I have called it a 10 dot even tho only 8 dots show. It does not have the lightning 'S' and in looking over the various tang stamp charts, all that I can find have used the lightning 'S' since 1980. The shield was 1st used in 2020. Could this be a SFO? I am out of ideas and could sure use some help on this.

Ray

[Mumbleypeg]

Ray you are not the first to be confused by the “Lightning S” vs plain S. The Lightning S is the designator for stainless steel blades. The plain S stamp is used for carbon steel. In your second picture you can plainly see “CV” (chrome vanadium) stamped on it.

My guess is the date code is 2020, but it could be 2022. They started the 2020 decade with 10 dots (5 above the stamp, 5 below it). They remove one dot every year thereafter, but I’m not sure what the removal sequence is. Somebody who keeps up more closely with modern Case knives probably knows.

Ken

[Paladin]

Ray you are not the first to be confused by the “Lightning S” vs plain S. The Lightning S is the designator for stainless steel blades. The plain S stamp is used for carbon steel. In your second picture you can plainly see “CV” (chrome vanadium) stamped on it.

My guess is the date code is 2020, but it could be 2022. They started the 2020 decade with 10 dots (5 above the stamp, 5 below it). They remove one dot every year thereafter, but I’m not sure what the removal sequence is. Somebody who keeps up more closely with modern Case knives probably knows.

Ken

As my old friend used to say "I see says the blind man". This is a big relief and I sure thank you for the help.

Ray