2020 Vault release..

[Lansky1]

With the rise of GEC and their "bringing back" vintage patterns ... do you guys think Case would ever walk to the back of the vault and dust off a truly vintage pattern like the #45 cattle knife ?? I bet most guys would be more than willing to pay extra if they did it up right with proper swedge grinds and CV steel. I'm not looking for Tony Bose pricing, but something around $125-150 would seem appropriate. Could you imagine the impact that would have on the knife world ... if they really wanted to shake up the market and create a buzz, that would do it ...

[Mumbleypeg]

Maybe Ken (Mumbleypeg) can get that info over on the CCC Forum as he is a member there..
John

Here’s the text of a post from the CCC manager (a Case employee responsible for managing the club). This was in response to a similar question concerning the vault program about two years ago.

Re: Case Vault
Post by Jon Bradish » Wed Nov 08, 2017 9:10 am

The Vault Program as it was has been discontinued. Starting in 2017, with the release of the Medium Congress, the New Product Team started to review discontinued patterns to see if they can come back for a limited release. These patterns will be released for one year, and then be retired. Be on the lookout for the next limited release pattern for 2018.

Jon Bradish | Community Manager | CCC Lifetime Member |
W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. | PO Box 4000, Bradford, PA 16701

I know nothing more about the vault program’s present status than what is contained in that post.

What I have observed is that annually in January Case announces the knife pattern to be “released” for the year. Last year (2019) it was the Barlow. I’d expect the 2020 pattern to be announced some time within the next couple of weeks - there’s some speculation and wishful thinking being posted but no one knows, and Case employees who post on the CCC forum either don’t know, or aren’t saying.

A few other comments/observations FWIW. Case makes collectibles. Lots of them, with the intent that they be collectibles. They also make “users”, but IMHO if that’s all they made they would go the way of Camillus, Queen, and Schrade. Case also makes a “working man” line (users). And of course anything they make as a collectable can be a “user” if that’s what the customer wants to do with it.

As an old manufacturing operations guy, I can tell you that making lots of different products well, is much harder and more costly than focusing on a fewer number of well-made products. I suspect keeping the product line more narrow is partly a function of focus and cost. However along that same line Case’s marketing strategy of focusing on a relative few “new” products also seems to be working - look at the posts about “what the next release will be” that are here and on the CCC forum. Lots of customer chatter, which if you’re a marketing type is what you want. Plus posts looking for last year’s pattern (barlows) which is being “retired”.

Seems to be working. JMO - as my grandpa used to say, “all I know is what I read in the funny papers”.

Ken

[Sharpnshinyknives]

I really have to question Case’s logic on retiring the Barlow. It has to be one of the most popular patterns. Look at the way the Barlow’s sell out that GEC makes. Those have some of the higher resell prices out there. Plus they are gobbled up within minutes.
But on the other hand, I bought more Case Barlow’s this year than any other year. Partially due to the fact that it wasn’t produced for some time and felt like I needed to stock up. I guess if you look at it from that angle, it worked. Although I was put off by all the different handle materials that they came out with, it felt like they were reaching on that. It would have been very expensive to acquire all of those.

[cody6268]

I really have to question Case’s logic on retiring the Barlow. It has to be one of the most popular patterns. Look at the way the Barlow’s sell out that GEC makes. Those have some of the higher resell prices out there. Plus they are gobbled up within minutes.
But on the other hand, I bought more Case Barlow’s this year than any other year. Partially due to the fact that it wasn’t produced for some time and felt like I needed to stock up. I guess if you look at it from that angle, it worked. Although I was put off by all the different handle materials that they came out with, it felt like they were reaching on that. It would have been very expensive to acquire all of those.

Especially considering how Bear is the only regular American manufacturer of the Barlow. Kutmaster discontinued theirs a few years back. To me, the Barlow is one of the most historic patterns there is, but I'm surprised at how few are currently being made, when at one point, basically every cutlery company in America, Sheffield, and Solingen were cranking them out. Bear is one manufacturer I typically try to avoid due to severe (and I mean unsafe) quality issues. About the only thing they are consistent at is making duds.

[Modern Slip Joints]

With Queen gone I wonder what manufacturer Case will have make their tiny production runs?

What knives did Queen ever make for Case? Not saying you're wrong, just the first that i have heard of it.

The best known are the Case Classic knives that were made about 1988 to 1994. Queen made 33 of the 37 patterns in that line. Case only made 4 patterns. Some of the Case knives sold through the various collector clubs appear to be Queen patterns but it is hard to get information on them.

Changing the topic to the patterns members wrote that they hope Case will introduce, my first choice would be an 050 large Coke Bottle or 43 large Barlow both with a secondary blade. As far as I know Case never made 050s with more than one blade but they have made 43s with long spey and long clip blades. Queen made large Barlows with a smaller 2nd blade. The market for them is wide open.

A 6380 four inch whittler or 6345 Stockman is a lot more likely but if you are happy with stainless steel those are easy to find pre-owned. Case made a large number of green 6345 SS "cattle knives" for the NKCA and a smaller number in their red 1989 series. The green NKCA 6345s are commonly sold on evil bay for about $50.

[knifeaholic]

With Queen gone I wonder what manufacturer Case will have make their tiny production runs?

What knives did Queen ever make for Case? Not saying you're wrong, just the first that i have heard of it.

The best known are the Case Classic knives that were made about 1988 to 1994. Queen made 33 of the 37 patterns in that line. Case only made 4 patterns. Some of the Case knives sold through the various collector clubs appear to be Queen patterns but it is hard to get information on them.

Changing the topic to the patterns members wrote that they hope Case will introduce, my first choice would be an 050 large Coke Bottle or 43 large Barlow both with a secondary blade. As far as I know Case never made 050s with more than one blade but they have made 43s with long spey and long clip blades. Queen made large Barlows with a smaller 2nd blade. The market for them is wide open.

A 6380 four inch whittler or 6345 Stockman is a lot more likely but if you are happy with stainless steel those are easy to find pre-owned. Case made a large number of green 6345 SS "cattle knives" for the NKCA and a smaller number in their red 1989 series. The green NKCA 6345s are commonly sold on evil bay for about $50.

Yes of course I know about the Case classics. Not to put too fine a point on it, but Queen did not make those for Case. Queen made them for Bluegrass Cutlery. The Case Classics (other than the 4 made by Case) never went through the Case factory or Case inventory and were not sold by Case representatives.

[MadTrapper]

I really have to question Case’s logic on retiring the Barlow. It has to be one of the most popular patterns. Look at the way the Barlow’s sell out that GEC makes. Those have some of the higher resell prices out there. Plus they are gobbled up within minutes.
But on the other hand, I bought more Case Barlow’s this year than any other year. Partially due to the fact that it wasn’t produced for some time and felt like I needed to stock up. I guess if you look at it from that angle, it worked. Although I was put off by all the different handle materials that they came out with, it felt like they were reaching on that. It would have been very expensive to acquire all of those.

I agree Sharpnshinyknives. Keeping the Barlow pattern locked up makes no kind of sense. I would think that this pattern would easily and consistently outsell some of the other patterns that remain in production. I don't get it.

I too felt that the blade and handle selection choices on the Barlows this past year were mediocre at best. Last year at this time I had high hopes for a years worth of Barlows. I find myself a bit disappointed. Obviously once again my expectations were too high.

Here we are January 2nd and still no word on what pattern is coming out of the vault this year. I really do need to work on my expectations...

[Mumbleypeg]

There are a number of recent posts on the CCC with members giving their opinions regarding what pattern they would like a Case to release this year. Very few of them are in agreement - everyone has their favorite. One member started a poll, which was won (barely) by the 83 whittler.

As for Case contracting out “small runs”, I’ve never heard of that before. Case has a marketing program offering special runs for clubs and for businesses wanting advertising knives. Through that program the customer can get customized handles, blade and bolster engraving, etc on several patterns. The customer can provide their artwork or IIRC Case will do the art. Case has computer automated lasers that are used for artwork on the blades or handles. All done in-house at the Bradford factory. Not sure what the minimum quantity is but I know of a local organization here that had 100 knives (Trappers) made by Case to commemorate a state champion high school team.

Ken

[Modern Slip Joints]

[...] on the CCC [...] a poll, which was won (barely) by the 83 whittler.

As for Case contracting out “small runs”, I’ve never heard of that before. [...]
Ken

Stainless 83 Whittlers are so common on evil bay that more of them would barley be worth a yawn. A pattern like the 6488SS large Congress that sells for high prices because demand exceeds the supply makes more sense. I'd buy a couple 6488 SS knives.

I own a Case pearl Whittler that was made in Germany and a lock back that was made by Bear MGC or Bear and Sons. Actually the one made in Solingen is stamped with a Case family brand. I used to know who made it but I forget. I'd have to dig it out and paw around for whatever records I have. It's from the time when Jim Parker owned Case. Its frame shape is very different from all Case patterns. The Bear is the cheapest of the cheap Cases. It is a 3" drop point lock back with all plastic sides. Mine is only marked Case but I've seen ones that were assembles with parts marked both Case and Bear.

I'm hunting for a spring for a 1987 51050L SS swing guard club (NKCA?) knife so that Case can repair it for me. They'd do it for free if they had the part. Starting a year or two after its date Queen made 51050L knives became part of the Case Classic line. I own both. Their frame's appearance and measurements are identical. I suspect my 1987 51050L swing guard was made by Queen. That would explain Case not having parts. Of course not having parts could easily be explained by not making the pattern for 32 years but the similarity to known Queen made Case Classics remains. That's just the first club knife that comes to mind. There are others that Queen probably made.

I do not know if the current owners of Case have contracted out knives.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

[...] on the CCC [...] a poll, which was won (barely) by the 83 whittler.

As for Case contracting out “small runs”, I’ve never heard of that before. [...]
Ken

Stainless 83 Whittlers are so common on evil bay that more of them would barley be worth a yawn. A pattern like the 6488SS large Congress that sells for high prices because demand exceeds the supply makes more sense. I'd buy a couple 6488 SS knives.

I own a Case pearl Whittler that was made in Germany and a lock back that was made by Bear MGC or Bear and Sons. Actually the one made in Solingen is stamped with a Case family brand. I used to know who made it but I forget. I'd have to dig it out and paw around for whatever records I have. It's from the time when Jim Parker owned Case. Its frame shape is very different from all Case patterns. The Bear is the cheapest of the cheap Cases. It is a 3" drop point lock back with all plastic sides. Mine is only marked Case but I've seen ones that were assembles with parts marked both Case and Bear.

I'm hunting for a spring for a 1987 51050L SS swing guard club (NKCA?) knife so that Case can repair it for me. They'd do it for free if they had the part. Starting a year or two after its date Queen made 51050L knives became part of the Case Classic line. I own both. Their frame's appearance and measurements are identical. I suspect my 1987 51050L swing guard was made by Queen. That would explain Case not having parts. Of course not having parts could easily be explained by not making the pattern for 32 years but the similarity to known Queen made Case Classics remains. That's just the first club knife that comes to mind. There are others that Queen probably made.

I do not know if the current owners of Case have contracted out knives.

Those German made Case knives were made by Boker.

[Modern Slip Joints]

Case College listed the Case family brands which Case owns. I can't get to Case College anymore and might not even remember them all but two of them are Crandle and Platts & Sons. I own fairly recently made Case knives with only those brands on them that I'm sure were made by Case. The German made Case pearl Whittler I mentioned above is stamped Platts & Sons. This link leads to a question about an old, or maybe I should write a real Crandal knife. The first reply has a picture of a Case Crandal Queen made 3 9/16" Whittler that, like my German made Whittler, is from the days when Jim Parker owned Case. viewtopic.php?f=66&t=65005

[Mumbleypeg]

Crandall and Platts were both related to Case by marriage. It is well documented that during the early years the firms owned by these families occasionally made knives for each other. The Case’s were also related by marriage to the Champlins, who owned Cattaraugus. Case made knives for Western when Harvey Platts started it, until he could get production started in a Colorado. I’ve read that some of the equipment used to start that Colorado factory came from the Case factory. All of which happened during the early half of the 20th century, but led eventually to the more recent Case “Family Brands” knives and marketing campaign.

Regarding the German-made knives, Parker was an “entrepreneurial“ individual, who owned Case for a brief but tumultuous time. During which he sold the Case factory collection right off the walls of the Case facility, and allegedly included Case factory tooling and inventory (in lieu of cash) as part of the deal with Blue Grass to produce the Case Classics. During his tenure at Case he had some knives stamped “Case” made in Germany. Parker also had knives made in Germany which were stamped with many old cutlery brand names, many of which he owned no legal rights to use, and which Case had absolutely nothing to do with. IIRC those were not made while Parker owned Case.

As for the notion that Case has used Queen (or anyone else) to produce “small production runs” I have never seen any evidence of that. Nor until now have I ever even heard of it. Maybe it’s a matter of semantics.

Ken

[Lansky1]

During his tenure at Case he had some knives stamped “Case” made in Germany. Parker also had knives made in Germany which were stamped with many old cutlery brand names, many of which he owned no legal rights to use, and which Case had absolutely nothing to do with. IIRC those were not made while Parker owned Case

I spotted this one on eBay ... maybe this is an example of a non-Case made Case (bolsters don't look right for a USA made Case canoe) ? Suspicious how the seller didn't include a picture of the tang stamp ... https://www.ebay.com/itm/CASE-XX-KINFOL ... Sw9sheCRwZ

[Mumbleypeg]

That is an odd duck - I agree it’s also odd the seller doesn’t show the master blade mark side. Other stamps he does show are out of focus but I can make out “Authorized Reproduction”, with something under it that I can’t read. However that’s a pattern that I don’t believe Kinfolks ever made, so it’s a reproduction of what??? The name I guess.

Ken

[jmh58]

Rumor has it.. Gunstock and Pocket Hunter... I don't have proof positive on this..
John

[1967redrider]

Regular sized Gunstock would be cool, didn't realize the smaller Hunter had been locked up.

[Modern Slip Joints]

Mostly because it reminds me of the 5265 Folding Hunter I carried at work the *2165 Pocket Hunter is my favorite tiny knife. For a more logical reason secondary blades on tiny knifes are not good for much more than opening envelopes and cutting string. However, despite its pen blade a pesky Peanut often sneaks into my watch pocket. Tiny Muskrat blades are not broad enough to last through as much sharpening and *2154 Tiny Trappers push the limit of too short. *2154W Wharncliff Tiny Trappers should appeal to the numerous members that love Wharncliff blades. The *1165 single blade Pocket Hunter would have been a great knife if it had not been cheated out of one of its blades. I could forgive that if Case added a lock but I doubt they ever will. Because of its longer length the *220 1/2 TrapperNut is arguably the best of the under 3" Cases. For classy style none of its competition can match a Pocket Hunter. Welcome back Pocket Hunter.

[Mumbleypeg]

Rumor has it.. Gunstock and Pocket Hunter... I don't have proof positive on this..
John

Should know something official soon. Case typically announces a bunch of stuff like this at the SHOT Show, which this year is Jan. 21-24. Then later in the year they’ll announce some more new offerings at the BLADE Show.

Ken

[Louisville.Boy1947]

YouTube has video from Case.....it is the Pocket Hunter for the 2020 Vault Release.

[edge213]

That stinks, not a fan. Just my opinion.
Hopefully others like them.

[Tsar Bomba]

Yes of course I know about the Case classics. Not to put too fine a point on it, but Queen did not make those for Case. Queen made them for Bluegrass Cutlery. The Case Classics (other than the 4 made by Case) never went through the Case factory or Case inventory and were not sold by Case representatives.

This was Jim Parker's idea, was it not? Did he use his influence/former ownership of Case to secure licensing for the name "Case"?

To get back on topic, I don't have any pocket hunters but I like the design of the knife. However, I think these knives usually have a tip-down clip on them, yes? I'm not a fan of those.

[Railsplitter]

No pocket clip on the Pocket Hunter. It's only about 2 3/4 inches closed.

[Modern Slip Joints]

[...] I don't have any pocket hunters but I like the design of the knife. However, I think these knives usually have a tip-down clip on them, yes? I'm not a fan of those.

The point is approximately at the center of the blade. The clip is slightly concave so the point is a wee bit higher than the false edge behind it. A little higher point would have provided more curved edge but what the heck, there are no similar knives from other manufacturers.

I bought a lightly used one from a lady to carry and mailed her the payment. After reading me call it a Pocket Hunter she wanted to return my money because she thought I would be unhappy with a knife that was too small for hunting. The little guys were designed for Folding Hunter lovers to carry where we can't take a more substantial knife.

[Tsar Bomba]

I bought a lightly used one from a lady to carry and mailed her the payment. After reading me call it a Pocket Hunter she wanted to return my money because she thought I would be unhappy with a knife that was too small for hunting. The little guys were designed for Folding Hunter lovers to carry where we can't take a more substantial knife.

In my previous post, I was referring to a tip-down pocket clip. Looking online at various Case models, it seems this is more a feature of Trapperlocks and mid-sized folding hunters, as well as the AO offering and a few others.

Nearly all of my folding knives with pocket clips are for tip-up carry.

[Modern Slip Joints]

I'm sorry I mis-read what you wrote. Pocket clips rarely cross my mind. They're too modern for me.