Case Serpentine 6244 question

[bisbob]

I have a Case Serpentine 6244 of unknown age (have had it for a long, long time) that has been sharpened so often that the small blade sticks up more than it should when closed. I was wondering what advice members might offer as to the disposition of the knife.
Should I offer it on eBay as is?
Should I send it to Case to have two new blades installed, if possible?
Should I use it as a letter opener on my desk?

Finally, is it a collectible, as Case no longer seems to make this model?

Thanks.

[Mumbleypeg]

Welcome to AAPK!

There are a couple of fairly simple remedies for the problem you describe. First of all the easiest is to determine if there is any foreign object in the blade well (the space between the liners). Pocket lint and other dirt tends to accumulate there and can prevent the blades from closing properly. Obvious, but you'd be surprised how often it happens.

Second, if that's not the problem, you can file down the "kick". The kick is that protrusion at the base of the blade tang on the side that folds into the blade well. Go slowly with the filing. It doesn't take much to make a big difference, and if you file it down too much the blade will sit too low, making the nail nick too low, therefore difficult to access it to open the blade. Look into threads in the "Knife Repair and Restoration" forum here on AAPK, there may be some instructions and discussion there about fixing the problem

You could send it to Case for repair. Check the website http://www.caseknives.com. Scroll down to the bottom of the home page to find the link to the repair folks. It's not likely they'll cover this under warranty so you'll be charged a minimum amount for materials and labor, plus shipping. IMO probably more than the knife is worth. There are also some knife mechanics that are members here who might fix it for you cheaper.

Ken

[XX Case XX]

If I remember correctly, the 44 pattern in that configuration was discontinued around 1979. As for what you should do with it, well, that's up to you. As far as collectability, your knife is not worth much on the secondary market. It's Delrin, and the main blade is short. I would just keep it as an EDC.

___________
Mike

[terryl308]

nice old knife, I would just do as Mubbleypeg said and clean the knife well of dirt and lint and see if that solves your problem. If not you can file down the kick of the small blade a little until it sets deeper. But just by looking, I would almost say it is dirt or lint. Not much collectors value so I would just keep it .
terry

[bisbob]

Welcome to AAPK!

There are a couple of fairly simple remedies for the problem you describe. First if all the easiest is to determine if there is any foreign object in the blade well (the space between the liners). Pocket lint and other dirt tends to accumulate there and can prevent the blades from closing properly. Obvious, but you'd be surprised how often it happens.

Second, if that's not the problem, you can file down the "kick". The kick is that protrusion at the base of the blade tang on the side that folds into the blade well. Go slowly with the filing. It doesn't take much to make a big difference, and if you file it down too much the blade will sit too low, making the nail nick too low, therefore difficult to access it to open the blade. Look into threads in the "Knife Repair and Restoration" forum here on AAPK, there may be some instructions and discussion there about fixing the problem

You could send it to Case for repair. Check the website http://www.caseknives.com. Scroll down to the bottom of the home page to find the link to the repair folks. It's not likely they'll cover this under warranty so you'll be charged a minimum amount for materials and labor, plus shipping. IMO probably more than the knife is worth. There are also some knife mechanics that are members here who might fix it for you cheaper.

Ken

Thanks for the tips.
Cleaned it. Filed the nick down a bit. Sharpened both blades.
It’s not a collectible, but it is very usable. Case makes good products.

[OLDE CUTLER]

I sent an identical 6244 in to Case a couple of months ago, and they sent it back to me unrepaired. They said it is a discontinued model they don't work on anymore and don't have parts for. Mine had no snap on one blade and was missing the shield.