Old Western vs case steel on fixed hunting knives ?

[67cuda]

Who had the better steel, why, when, and is there a difference at all ?

[Mumbleypeg]

There are several threads here about steel quality among various makers. Enjoy:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=60139

viewtopic.php?f=81&t=25210

It’s all a matter of opinion. As far as “why when”, it should be noted that the founder of Western was Harvey Platts, who was a Case family member. Platts was superintendent of the Case factory before leaving, with the family’s blessings (due to health reasons - he had “Grinder’s Consumption”), to move to Colorado. For a time after he started Western the knives were made by Case. After Western began producing their own knives the steel and heat treatment used are believed to be what Platts knew from Case. At some point that probably changed but as far as I know if/when that happened is speculation.

For additional fodder, for many years Case fixed blade knives were made by Kinfolks, who also made fixed blades for numerous other brands. Kinfolks was a Case family venture also.

Ken

[jmh58]

CASE of course!!!
John

[67cuda]

Thanks guys. Maybe I should explain why I was asking. I’ve amassed hundreds of knives, swords, axes, etc. through the decades. I’m in my 50’s and have loved weapons of all kinds my whole life. I’m ex-mil, grew up hunting 2-3 days a week to put food on the table, and spent most of my life in the woods, so no, I’m no uptight suburbanite nerd trying to be manly, or salesman seeking his next profit. I collect everything that interests me, which is everything from classic vehicles on down. Some might even say ex’s too, lol ! Anyways, I was looking to buy another all around hunting knife, but of course I’m looking for a fairly specific design, but I’m not exactly sure what the perfect, ( best ) one would be ? I’m sure most of you will probably say, “ there was no perfect one ever made “, but I’m trying to satisfy an itch, if you know what I mean ? I was looking into old case’s. I never abuse my knives, but do use some of them, and this will be one for the woods. I was looking into a full tang, split stag, or bone handle, full tang, 5”-6” blade, with a good user friendly curve design to the blade. Not a massive Bowie, yet not a tiny toothpick either. I have many good hunting knives, expensive Bowie’s, case folders, even bought a $400 case XXX boot knife after I got out of basic training back in 83, unfortunately it was stolen. I could still kill that guy ! I may even start collecting them, but first things first. I was looking into the pre-80’s CASE, or CASE XX 523-5’s, but the more I look into it, the more I find I don’t actually have enough knowledge on the subject ? This cannot be ! So, I come to you people, the “ all knowing guru’s “, in hopes you might teach me ? Maybe I should be looking at a different,.....well,....to be honest, some of you might send me in a whole new path ? Can you guys help ? What’s the best era, and designs that maybe I’m missing, or am I on the right track ?

[67cuda]

What about Case, vs Case XX steel quality ?

[Colonel26]

I collect (accumulate) CASE knives as well as Westerns, both folding and fixed. Both imo are good. Imo CASE knives with a flat ground holds better edges than their hollow ground knives. The older ones were hollow ground.

But as good as my CASE blades are, and they are great, the Westerns I’ve owned will hold an edge longer and take a sharper edge. Western is the best carbon steel I’ve ever used of any brand. Now how much better or is it worth it is up to you.

[TripleF]

For fixed blades, WESTERN is my fav carbon steel.

Did not know they were associated in any way with Case, I am that salesman!!!

[ken98k]

I collect (accumulate) CASE knives as well as Westerns, both folding and fixed. Both imo are good. Imo CASE knives with a flat ground holds better edges than their hollow ground knives. The older ones were hollow ground.

But as good as my CASE blades are, and they are great, the Westerns I’ve owned will hold an edge longer and take a sharper edge. Western is the best carbon steel I’ve ever used of any brand. Now how much better or is it worth it is up to you.

I agree Colonel26, my westerns seem to take a sharper edge and hold it longer. And then there are the springs, all of my western folders have excellent snap. Not always the case with Case.

[woodwalker]

I have a Western L39 that holds and keeps a very very good edge. You cant go wrong with a Western fixed blade.

[Colonel26]

I collect (accumulate) CASE knives as well as Westerns, both folding and fixed. Both imo are good. Imo CASE knives with a flat ground holds better edges than their hollow ground knives. The older ones were hollow ground.

But as good as my CASE blades are, and they are great, the Westerns I’ve owned will hold an edge longer and take a sharper edge. Western is the best carbon steel I’ve ever used of any brand. Now how much better or is it worth it is up to you.

I agree Colonel26, my westerns seem to take a sharper edge and hold it longer. And then there are the springs, all of my western folders have excellent snap. Not always the case with Case.

Yes sir! I have some Western folders that are worn slap out, broken scales, blades in bad shape, etc.... They still snap like gators.

[philco]

I own Case knives and I own Western knives. If you're wanting to know who had the best blade steel, it's no contest. Western had the best steel hands down. Case is good. Western is great!