Why so thick?

[Case XX 6383]

I have attached pictures of a 1965-1969 and a 1978 6383. Why is the 1978 so much thicker? I've seen this in 6383s and 6380s. Any idea why this occurred?

[Rusty1]

My question would be, why in the new one so thin? I know some like a thin knife, but to me it seems more like a cost cutting exercise all round. I have noticed lately how much smaller Case blades are in body dimensions, especially the Case Bose offerings. The blades look disproportionate to the frame size of the knife.

Russell

[kootenay joe]

As i read the O.P. the older knife is thin and the newer one is thick.
kj

[Lansky1]

Russell - I'm thinking the newer one is the thicker one - perhaps the OP can clarify. I think it's like anything - tolerances are finer with a slimmer knife - tougher to produce, takes more skill ... which has gone by the wayside today compared to the old days (OK, I sound like my Dad). Given the choice, I def would prefer the slimmer version - more pocket friendly and lighter...

[Case XX 6383]

The older one is thinner- confirmed

[Mumbleypeg]

Case changed tooling and materials over time. In general, newer knives have thicker brass liners and less halting (sanding). Older ones had thinner nickel silver liners and were halted more (thinner handle covers, sleeker more rounded bolsters). There’s a couple of older threads here that discuss these changes. Here’s a quote from Knifeaholic copied from one his posts.

The change to the bolsters started in the late 70's when Case stopped being as careful in the final hafting. so the bolsters started becoming somewhat blockier.

However, the big change occurred in 1985/86 when Case started stamping bolsters for all knives out of flat sheets of nickel silver. The traditional way prior to that point had been to die-form the bolsters out of square nickel silver bars, so the bolsters as formed were half-round to begin with. During final hafting of the knife, the handles were hafted to match the half-round bolster shape.

After 1985 with the bolsters stamped from flat stock, the only rounding that occurs happens during the final hafting, which seems to vary from pattern to pattern. You will see more rounding on the modern "pocket worn" knives.

Are the newer knives less costly to produce? Probably yes. Are the newer knives less rugged or sturdy? Probably no. If anything IMHO the new ones are stronger, sturdier. Which you like better is a subjective, personal choice.

Ken

[kootenay joe]

Thanks Ken. I am not a Case collector so i did not know this. Is this change part of why the older Case knives are much preferred/admired over the newer ones ?
kj

[Mumbleypeg]

Thanks Ken. I am not a Case collector so i did not know this. Is this change part of why the older Case knives are much preferred/admired over the newer ones ?
kj

That’s a personal choice. In my EDCs I have some older pre-1975 and some post-2000 Cases (and a couple of old Schrades). I prefer the looks of the older, sleeker knives. But IMHO the newer Cases are “built like a tank” - if you get a good one they’re hard to beat for EDC.

Ken

[kootenay joe]

Does thicker always mean stronger with Case knives ? So many people in the 'old days' carried and used Case knives that although slender must have been strong enough to not bend or break. i.e. the extra thickness was not needed for strength.
Would this be correct ?
kj

[Mumbleypeg]

I’m no metallurgist. As Steve pointed out, most of the thickness of newer knives comes from the bolsters, and handle covers which are halted to fit those thicker bolsters. Occasionally on some older patterns (depending on material) you’ll see cracks at the pins, whereas the newer, thicker handles don’t seem as prone to cracking. But then maybe they just haven’t been around long enough for those cracks to appear?

Probably “splitting hairs” here. I think they’re both more than adequate to do what they were designed to do, which is cut. And they’re both likely to fail sooner or later if/when used (abused) as a pry bar, screwdriver, hammer, or other functions pocket knives were not built to do. What seems consistent between older and newer Case knives is the blade stock. And if you compare Case with some other brands, Case blade stock is typically thicker.

Ken

[Rusty1]

ooops! got that the wrong way round.

Russell

[KnifeSlinger#81]

Case changed tooling and materials over time. In general, newer knives have thicker brass liners and less halting (sanding). Older ones had thinner nickel silver liners and were halted more (thinner handle covers, sleeker more rounded bolsters).

Are the newer knives less costly to produce? Probably yes. Are the newer knives less rugged or sturdy? Probably no. If anything IMHO the new ones are stronger, sturdier. Which you like better is a subjective, personal choice.

Ken

It seems like everybody started making knives thicker in the handles, I don't know if it's for the same or similar reasons as case but the aftermath is the same. I much prefer the old well hafted and sleek handles, plenty strong and SO much nicer in every way.

[btrwtr]

As a general rule knives, both folding and fixed blade are bulkier than they used to be. I think this is a lack of skill and refinement in part. It is much easier to make a bulky fat knife than a slim refined knife. Notice how the tapered divider in the newer OP knife is fatter and does not taper as thin and pointed as on the older knife? I remember in the 70's when collectors were actively seeking out Case brand knives with thick stag handles. For me these thick stags were unappealing and represented a loss of skill and craftsmanship at Case.