what is the rarest case knife you have??

[Wildshane85]

Very nice k kess! Especially the 4 blade hunter. 1st time I've saw one, and now I know my next project.....

[k_kess]

Greetings! I need some more help with identification.... it'll give you guys something to do with your time in viral containment Lol
Thanks in advance. Ken

I agree with assessments already provided that the pattern number is a Case Tested XX 6345 1/2 PU. I do have a concern that the main clip blade has been replaced. Images are attached that attempt to explain my observation. The stamping also looks questionable, but that could be an artifact of the camera/photography.

Ralph, Unfortunately I have no provenance on the knife but weren't most of these folders put together in no particular configuration? That might possibly explain the odd blade... my Dad always looked for the unusual piece. Thanks for your input... Ken

[Wildshane85]

Wanted to add this one... a birthday gift from the old man this year. Does it all look original and correct? Thanks in advance

[espn77]

Wanted to add this one... a birthday gift from the old man this year. Does it all look original and correct?

Be Interested to hear what the case guys say but to someone that a not a case guy it doesn't look original to me.

[Mumbleypeg]

The shield is from an era inconsistent with the tang stamps. Other than on very early Tested era knives I haven’t seen more than one blade (the master) stamped. But that shield (opennC, squatters flat top S) is definitely not from an early Tested knife. Looks more like a late 60’s or 70’s shield. JMO

Ken

[Lansky1]

I don't have any truly vintage Case knives, but in terms of rare ... I suppose this one qualifies - can't say I've ever seen another one. It has a muskrat clip and coping blades on a 47 frame - a true oddball ...

[Wildshane85]

The shield has been replaced I believe. Short fat 's' instead of the taller thinner 's'. Don't really know about all blades being stamped. Thats what im curious about, and the blade type.

[RalphAlsip]

Ralph, Unfortunately I have no provenance on the knife but weren't most of these folders put together in no particular configuration? That might possibly explain the odd blade... my Dad always looked for the unusual piece. Thanks for your input... Ken

Ken, the 6345's were built to a few configurations. For example, the main blade would either be a clip blade or a spear blade and one of the secondary blades is on the same end as the primary. The 2 secondary blades would be some combination of a sheepsfoot, spey, pen, and punch. A 6345 would not be built with 3 pen blades for example.

A Case Tested knife with a Bomb shield is an early Tested knife (i.e., closer to 1920 than to 1940). Punches were more likely to be used on the earlier 6345's. Long pulls were more likely to be used on the early Case knives. The knife in question has 2 hallmarks of an early knife, the bomb shield and the punch. So that is what makes it odd to me to see a regular pull clip blade which is a later characteristic combined with 2 early characteristics. Furthermore the shape of the blade and blade tang do not match to either the Case Tested XX or the Case XX 45 clip blade with a regular pull (see attached image).

It is a possibility the knife may have left the Case factory exactly the way it currently appears. However, for me, the clip blade looks so out of place it causes me to question whether it the original blade might have gotten damaged and been replaced.

There is a entire forum here on AAPK about counterfeit knives. The 6345 1/2 you are asking about doesn't belong in the counterfeit forum because it is an authentic Case knife. It would be good for you to look through this sometime to familiarize yourself with what people can, and will, do to knives.

viewforum.php?f=17

[RalphAlsip]

Wanted to add this one... a birthday gift from the old man this year. Does it all look original and correct? Thanks in advance
15867371238691529415499978508011.jpg15867371886254268105180572571380.jpg1586737229987704357086548586187.jpg15867372645817271190501741417027.jpg

I don't collect this pattern (5383?) so I won't be able to get very specific, but when I "read" the knife I see some causes for concern.

1. This looks like a stag handled knife. The stag is worn completely smooth (i.e., very worn). The engraving on the shield is crisp and clear (i.e, unworn). So there is a very big condition mismatch between the handles and the shield.

2. The blades look as if they are new. The stamps are clean and deep. Again a mismatch to the handles and to expectations for a 80+ year old knife.

3. Although the lettering style on the shield can be found on Tested knives, it is more commonly seen on a Case XX era knives.

To me this knife is questionable.

You might find this post interesting: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=54629&p=609441#p609441

[msteele6]

A picture looking straight down from top and bottom would be useful maybe.

[btrwtr]

I agree with RalphAlsip's assessment of the 5383. The knife does not agree with itself. Does not look good to me. Could be an original well used USA era frame with new fake tested blades installed.

[Mumbleypeg]

Some of these would be better placed in their own thread rather than this one about “rare” Case knives. Yes I know it says rarest you have, so it’s subjective. But IMHO this isn’t the thread for “what’s your opinion about this knife?” posts. If you don’t know, please post it in its own thread.

Yes I know, I’m a curmudgeon. Not trying to make anyone mad, just trying to keep this thread to its intended purpose (read the thread title and/or the OP if in doubt).

Ken

[k_kess]

Some of these would be better placed in their own thread rather than this one about “rare” Case knives. Yes I know it says rarest you have, so it’s subjective. But IMHO this isn’t the thread for “what’s your opinion about this knife?” posts. If you don’t know, please post it in its own thread.

Yes I know, I’m a curmudgeon. Not trying to make anyone mad, just trying to keep this thread to its intended purpose (read the thread title and/or the OP if in doubt).

Ken

Ken, I apologize for the departure from the intent of this thread... In a rather feeble defense I did think it might be rare but I should have posted the request somewhere else... Thanks. Another Ken

[Mumbleypeg]

Some of these would be better placed in their own thread rather than this one about “rare” Case knives. Yes I know it says rarest you have, so it’s subjective. But IMHO this isn’t the thread for “what’s your opinion about this knife?” posts. If you don’t know, please post it in its own thread.

Yes I know, I’m a curmudgeon. Not trying to make anyone mad, just trying to keep this thread to its intended purpose (read the thread title and/or the OP if in doubt).

Ken

Ken, I apologize for the departure from the intent of this thread... In a rather feeble defense I did think it might be rare but I should have posted the request somewhere else... Thanks. Another Ken

No apology necessary. We are generally a pretty unruly bunch here and I’ve said before it’s kinda like a group sitting around having a beverage and talking knives. The conversation wanders. That 6465 you posted was perfect for this thread, as is Johns blue 4-blade 047.

I’m just a little OCD so trying to nudge things back into their lanes. Some folks come here for research (in fact that’s how I found AAPK the first time), and it can get frustrating when threads wander off track.

Ken

[Wildshane85]

Some of these would be better placed in their own thread rather than this one about “rare” Case knives. Yes I know it says rarest you have, so it’s subjective. But IMHO this isn’t the thread for “what’s your opinion about this knife?” posts. If you don’t know, please post it in its own thread.

Yes I know, I’m a curmudgeon. Not trying to make anyone mad, just trying to keep this thread to its intended purpose (read the thread title and/or the OP if in doubt).

Ken

The knives I posted are rare, especially for their condition I felt. And I did ask If it was all correct, I do apologize for that and letting the subject carry elsewhere. I did not know it was like that here. Wont let it happen again sir

[Mumbleypeg]

This one I think qualifies as “rare”. It was discussed a little in another thread here a few weeks ago when it came up for sale on eBay. I bought it and after some delay in shipping, it came to my possession today. After having it in hand now I have no doubts as to its authenticity.

Early Case Tested 6265 LP, before the pattern was changed to the folding hunter we know it as today. Only one I’ve ever seen.

Ken

Case Tested XX 6265 mark side

Case Tested XX 6265 pile side

Sargent’s 7th Edition

[doglegg]

Really cool knife Ken.

[Doc B]

Congrats, Ken! That's nice!!!

[royal0014]

A looker for sure, Ken. Congrats

[olderdogs1]

1st one of those I have seen Ken, nice pickup!

Tom

[jmh58]

John

[Mumbleypeg]

Thanks for looking y’all, and for the comments. I’m happy to be it’s caretaker for a while.

Ken

[Steve Warden]

D) all of the above
Sweet one Ken

[1967redrider]

You rolled the dice and came out a winner, Ken.

[TPK]

Kengratulations!!! That's Pretty darn cool to own such a rare knife!
Nice Score Ken!