Should I or should I not????????????

[knife7knut]

Saw a knife today in an antique shop and was going to buy it until I was told that the back spring of the master blade is cracked.So here is my dilemma:
The knife in question is a 3 dot(blue scroll)Case 5265.The stag is perfect(no cracks or chips)and it has never been sharpened. Should I buy it and have a new back spring installed by one of the repairmen on here or:
Should I get in touch with Case to see if they would repair it?
What I am trying to do is see if it is worth purchasing and having it repaired.Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.The price seems a bit high for a damaged knife.

[olderdogs1]

Market value on the knife is around 125.00 in perfect shape. Saw a couple sell at the Georgia show this weekend.

Tom

[TripleF]

First question is.......how much?

[Mumbleypeg]

Pretty sure Case woukd repair it for you, but maybe not for free. I've had some work done by them and was happy with their work. However it's been a few years ago. If you're serious about buying the knife I'd call Case and describe what you want done to see for sure, and what it will cost, including shipping. That would give you an idea how much you'll have in the knife. Some of the knife mechanics on AAPK might be able to do it if they have parts, or can make a backspring for it.

Ken

[knifeaholic]

Pretty sure Case woukd repair it for you, but maybe not for free. I've had some work done by them and was happy with their work. However it's been a few years ago. If you're serious about buying the knife I'd call Case and describe what you want done to see for sure, and what it will cost, including shipping. That would give you an idea how much you'll have in the knife. Some of the knife mechanics on AAPK might be able to do it if they have parts, or can make a backspring for it.

Ken

A broken backspring is always considered a warranty issue by Case, since unless the circumstances are extraordinary, a broken backspring is always due to a manufacturing defect.

The only question is, will a new 65 pattern backspring fit in the older 1977 knife. Case has changed their tooling on many (but not all) patterns. But definitely worth a try for a warranty repair.

If it is deemed to be a warranty repair and Case cannot repair it, they will send you a replacement knife of similar value.

As an example, I had a CASE XX stamped 6217 with a broken backspring that I sent in for repair. Case has not made that pattern since 1978, so the parts are not available. But at no cost they sent me a replacement knife (6254 SS Trapper Amber Bone).

[terryl308]

I had muskratman repair a Browning stockman with a broken back spring and it cost me $40, if you have both pieces, he said it would be $25. I was missing one piece which means it's a lot more work fitting a new spring. But I'm sure Case would fix it for you, and that's the route I would try first. Terry

[knife7knut]

Thanks to all who replied.I would think it would be a warranty repair as the knife looks like it has never been used.The stag scales are really nice looking and pretty well matched. I hesitated only because the asking price was $50.I may be able to get it slightly cheaper and I didn't want to spend too much money on the knife.

[TripleF]

Thanks to all who replied.I would think it would be a warranty repair as the knife looks like it has never been used.The stag scales are really nice looking and pretty well matched. I hesitated only because the asking price was $50.I may be able to get it slightly cheaper and I didn't want to spend too much money on the knife.

Exactly.....Price determines the move! I wouldn't give $50.00 for a broken knife....no sir.
You'd have to get it for $10.00 or less in my book....

[gino]

50.00 is to high in my book as well for that particular knife with a broken spring

[knifeaholic]

If the blades are minty and if Case would repair it for free, it is well worth $50 in my opinion.