Whats your opinion on the quality of Case knives these days?

JR · Post by JR » Sun Dec 26, 2004 6:10 pm

I don't know about anyone else, but it seems to me that Case knives are not as superior as they used to be. I have heard stories about shields and swing guards falling off. I have heard complaints about the limited availability of knives made with chrome vanadium blades. Also, I have notices that many just don't seem to snap like they used too. It seems that they are more for show anymore than for using. Anyone Else have an opinion about this?

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 10:10 pm

I share the same opinion as you. I buy very very few new knives 98% of my collection is old stuff. And I do not pack a Case as a user I pack a Boker.

CapCase · Post by **CapCase** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 3:17 pm

I've heard lots of horror stories about Case knives on the various knife forums but I haven't had a problem with any Case I have bought. Maybe I'm just lucky.

ivanskee66 · Post by **ivanskee66** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 2:02 am

I just started collecting knives approx. 2 years ago. It seems to me that the Case xx is superior to a lot of the other brands ouy there. I now buy only Case xx, also it seems that the finish work on the new knives is nicer tha the old ones.

Grateful · Post by **Grateful** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 9:08 pm

I have bought four new CASE knives in the last year or so. All have yellow handles and CV blades. I have no complaints. They probley aren't made as good as they used to be but what is.

Casey_C · Post by **Casey_C** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:12 pm

Hello. New to these forums, but I've learned so much from this site it just ain't funny. I think the majority of the Case offerings you see today are intended for the collector, as opposed to the user. I am not at all a fan of Tru-Sharp (read 420) SS. I do, however, like CV (and a blade stain or two gives a knife character if you ask me!). I wish Case would offer a lot more of their new knives in CV steel, or even ATS 34 or BG-42. I'd pay more for them. But Case is going to put its money where the market is, and there's a huge market for pretty knives nobody's ever going to cut anything with.

Don't get me wrong. I love Case knives. I do use one (or two) for EDC knives now. I have a new Case med. stockman with CV and amber bone handles that has served me very very well and is so sharp it's literally scary now that I've done some work on it. I also carry a 10-dot 6392, which was of course made in 1970. Is there a difference in the workmanship? Maybe between my ears there is, but not much. I like the old one better because it's, well, old! I'm just not sure the Case quality is as consistent as it used to be. I can't help it. I like the old stuff.

pickup man · Post by **pickup man** » Mon May 16, 2005 6:28 pm

I have bought a few from them. I only buy the cv and I am well pleased with them. I really would like to see an older Case to compare the quality. I've bid on a few on e-bay but you know the story--anything old and in decent condition sells for big money.

mediccoin · Post by **mediccoin** » Mon May 30, 2005 9:45 pm

I enjoy case knives for both collecting and using. Yes, I believe the workmanship going into these was better back then, and have noticed that the wr case folks are bringing back that tradition. I read that they were bringing the retired ones back to teach the new ones how it's done in order to create a better product. Besides, they know that we collectors and users are smarter than the average bear.

PA Knives · Post by **PA Knives** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 3:07 pm

I actually posted something very similar to this on another forum and WOW

did it cause a stir. I "HAD" 2001 Case trapper limited edition smooth red bone that was awful. The fit and was really bad. I compared it to a 1920's trapper and the difference was amazing. give me an old knife any day. I lived near Bradford for many years and have toured the plant several times and still look at them as the king, I just wish quality control was better. I know that things slip by and one isn't enought to change the world. But I am hearing and seeing more and more people complaining about the quality. They got where they are by being the best. Just like a sports team, the toughest part is staying on top, not just getting there. Please don't beat me us as I am crazy about Pennsylvania knives. Some of the best in my opinion. As they say, "they just don't make um, like they use to!"

swede88 · Post by **swede88** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 4:44 pm

I'm new to the forum but have owned & used many American & European knives as a soldier & mechanic over the years.
I have to agree that the older Case knives are better. I have a 1989 centenial Case Camp knife & a 1963 case medium trapper that are hands down better than any of the Case XX knives I own. the old cases snap hard closed & the 1963 has been carried all over the world & is tight & holds a good edge for ever.
I beleive case is going for the bucks in the collector market, which is fine, but for a knife to acually be used. I'll take an old one with carbon steel blades from any of the old American factories.

longbeachbum · Post by **longbeachbum** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 8:44 am

Overall, I love Case knives, old and new. I have some really special (to me) old (70's) sambar stag slip joints, and one thing I notice is the bear trap snap in opening and closing. Of the newer ones I have the canoes and copperlocks seem great -- firm snap, tight lockup, fit and finish, etc. It's the stockmen that seem consistently dissappointing to me. The ones I have are five or so years old and the action seems very wimpy (I'm sure there's a better word to use, but it's late and I'm tired) and the handle/frame seems very overpolished and rounded. The overall impression is of a "soft" knife. I definitely shy away from the Case Stockman as a result. Moore Maker, Fightin Bull, Indian Head, and Queen for my Stockman dollar.

One other thing I never understood about Case is why the can make the Copperlock with such tight fit and finish, and yet their hunting lockbacks are very inconsistent in that regard. You're really taking a gamble buying those on ebay, if blade wobble bothers you.

ivanskee68 · Post by **ivanskee68** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 12:21 am

I collect Case XX strictly for display. My everday EDC knife is a Cutco Bullwhip. It is the toughest knife I've ever used. The one that I use has the serrated edge, better known as the Db'l D edge which is patented by Cutco. I've cut just about everything except my toenails because it is so sharp that if I made a slip I might cut my toe off and that would smart for a long time. The other nice thing that I like about the Bullwhip is that the blade has a satin finish and doesn't show scratches and it retains it's sharp edge for a long time.
Strictly for what it's worth. ivanskee68

swede88 · Post by **swede88** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 12:22 pm

ivanskee68,

I didn't know Cutco made pocket knives! My wike suckered me into buying her a Cutco cheifs knife shortly after I got out of the military. The one knife cost like $170 & I thought she was mad. Turns out it's the knife we usually use to cut up the old turkey on thanks giving & ham on Christmas. Awesome knife!! Cutco get a thumbs up from me & no I've never try cutting my toenail with my cutco knife either, for the record!

Thanks for the reply!::tu::
Swede~

ivanskee68 · Post by **ivanskee68** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 11:17 pm

Hi Swede, Ironically Case put Alcoa in the knife business which is now Cutco. I'm told that Alcoa was in the Pots & Pans business which was called Wearever. Alcoa at that time decided that they should have cutlery to add onto their Pot & Pans so they went to Case for advice. As it turns out Case & Alcoa formed a company and it was called Alcas Corp. Later on Case was having financial problems so Alcas bought Case's share of the business as I'm told by people at the visitors Center in Olean, NY. To this dayCutco is Employee Owned and operated. There is still more to the story but I can't remember all of the details.
Just a little side note to the story. When I was a teenager just out of H.S. I sold Cutco parttime One of my first purchases was a Cutco hunting knife w/leather sheath which I have never used. For your info. I graduated from H.S in 1954

For what it's worth, Ivan

alexander · Post by **alexander** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:13 pm

I've never had a major gripe with Case.
My preferred pocket buddy is a CV trapper (chestnut bone).
When I compare it to a 70's trapper that my father still has, there's little difference in fit & finish.
The new stainless isn't my favorite steel, but I find that it also works just fine. Takes a good edge, and doesn't lose it too fast.
I do have a copperlock in orange G-10 that could be a little more well-finished. The pins in a couple places are not ground flush with the scales, but rather seem like they were simply cut to the right length and installed. Otherwise, it's a great knife and I still carry & use it.

Peace.

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Whats your opinion on the quality of Case knives these days?

Whats your opinion on the quality of Case knives these days?

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