Modern, screw-together folding knives...

[Iowaboy]

I received Volume III of the Case Collectors Club magazine a couple of days ago, and it began with a letter from Mark Paup, the President and CEO of Case and parent company, Zippo. In addition to talking about Covid-19 and 2020 problems, he mentioned that they had installed more state-of-the-art machinery. And that the new capabilities will include producing modern, screw-together folding knives.

Certainly the CollectorKnives modern slip joint editions from Italian companies like Viper and Lionsteel have shown it can be done, and done well. But the idea of picking up a Case knife and staring at torx screws instead of brass pins is a bit disconcerting. I'm sue they don't intend to crowd out the traditional knives, and can't afford to pass up a market that probably is growing as fast as the traditional folder market is shrinking. I guess I'd like to see Case remain a larger version of GEC and focus on traditional folders forever, but there is probably a lot of pressure to build modern knives.

Maybe a couple years from now I will be carrying a Case swayback or stockman held together with screws, and sporting an S35vn blade, who knows?

[Mumbleypeg]

Case has offered knives with screws for several years now. Mainly the pocket clips on some models. Obviously their “bread and butter” has been traditional pocket knives, and I’ll be very surprised if they don’t continue to be. I seriously doubt Case is planning to replace the pins in traditional folders with Torx screws.

However if a company is to maintain or grow market share it has to be willing to go where the market is. The market, especially for under 40 buyers, is in “tactical” knives, flippers and automatics. Since the introduction of patterns like the original Sharktooth, Mako, and more recently the KickStart and the newly revamped version Sharktooth, Case has been venturing into the more tactical style of knives, either made by Case or marketed by Case.

Ken

[1967redrider]

If they were traditional patterns with slotted screws like some of the Meridian ones in Ebony, they would probably look nice.

[Mumbleypeg]

If they were traditional patterns with slotted screws like some of the Meridian ones in Ebony, they would probably look nice.

Miller Brothers! They used screws on MOP and other materials also. I guess they were waaaay ahead of their time.

Ken

[1967redrider]

If they were traditional patterns with slotted screws like some of the Meridian ones in Ebony, they would probably look nice.

Miller Brothers! They used screws on MOP and other materials also. I guess they were waaaay ahead of their time.

Ken

Thanks, Ken, I was having brain fade there for a minute.

[FRJ]

Here's a Browne & Pharr from the 70s.

[cody6268]

I'm 24. I appreciate my one-hand opening Benchmade for heavy work, my OHO FRN-handle Seki Spyderco for weight reduction (and their fully serrated hawkbills for hard work)--and my Bucks for both. I also own Kershaw and Gerber one-hand openers. But, they're not as good-looking as any older knife. Case's current knvies using screws look awful. Those with clips look horrible, like someone's DIY job. Then there's the Kickstart models. I don't like assisted knives that much, and now, Case has discontinued the non-Kickstart Mid Folding Hunter. And, not to mention, Case seems to hate using premium steels. You'll see it on a few offerings, especially the really expensive Bose models, but that's it. Buck uses several premium steels, and they are priced well. Queen did as well. Even Bear and Son has 154CM and S30V models. I'd love to see it on both modern designs and traditional. A D2 Sodbuster would be a tank, and I think Cold Steel used to sell a model called the Ranchboss (made by Canal Street in a run of 300?) that was S30V.

My advice to Case--bring the Tec-X designs back to the US, use better steels (like S30V), and quit piddling around with things like the Southern Grind collaborations and the Sharkstooth! They are ugly. I know what model that first knife Mumbleypeg shows; but I can't place it. THAT is a model Case should be putting back into production--not fiddly things like the Pocket Hunter!

[Mumbleypeg]

I'm 24. I appreciate my one-hand opening Benchmade for heavy work, my OHO FRN-handle Seki Spyderco for weight reduction (and their fully serrated hawkbills for hard work)--and my Bucks for both. I also own Kershaw and Gerber one-hand openers. But, they're not as good-looking as any older knife. Case's current knvies using screws look awful. Those with clips look horrible, like someone's DIY job. Then there's the Kickstart models. I don't like assisted knives that much, and now, Case has discontinued the non-Kickstart Mid Folding Hunter. And, not to mention, Case seems to hate using premium steels. You'll see it on a few offerings, especially the really expensive Bose models, but that's it. Buck uses several premium steels, and they are priced well. Queen did as well. Even Bear and Son has 154CM and S30V models. I'd love to see it on both modern designs and traditional. A D2 Sodbuster would be a tank, and I think Cold Steel used to sell a model called the Ranchboss (made by Canal Street in a run of 300?) that was S30V.

My advice to Case--bring the Tec-X designs back to the US, use better steels (like S30V), and quit piddling around with things like the Southern Grind collaborations and the Sharkstooth! They are ugly. I know what model that first knife Mumbleypeg shows; but I can't place it. THAT is a model Case should be putting back into production--not fiddly things like the Pocket Hunter!

IMHO nearly all tacticals are ugly.

The knife you’re unable to recall the name of is called the SlimLock. I agree it’s a shame they no longer make it.

BTW I’ve never understood the fascination with “premium steels” that some have. I’ve been carrying and using knives for about 60 years, mostly having plain old carbon steel. Haven’t found a job requiring a knife yet that a “premium steel” would do better. I guess it’s a prestige thing. But I suppose if you’re making mostly collectibles like Case and GEC do, using a premium steel would be pretty much a waste anyway.

Ken

[Railsplitter]

I received Volume III of the Case Collectors Club magazine a couple of days ago, and it began with a letter from Mark Paup, the President and CEO of Case and parent company, Zippo. In addition to talking about Covid-19 and 2020 problems, he mentioned that they had installed more state-of-the-art machinery. And that the new capabilities will include producing modern, screw-together folding knives.

Certainly the CollectorKnives modern slip joint editions from Italian companies like Viper and Lionsteel have shown it can be done, and done well. But the idea of picking up a Case knife and staring at torx screws instead of brass pins is a bit disconcerting. I'm sue they don't intend to crowd out the traditional knives, and can't afford to pass up a market that probably is growing as fast as the traditional folder market is shrinking. I guess I'd like to see Case remain a larger version of GEC and focus on traditional folders forever, but there is probably a lot of pressure to build modern knives.

Maybe a couple years from now I will be carrying a Case swayback or stockman held together with screws, and sporting an S35vn blade, who knows?

I didn't read the article because I don't have access to it but I assume that Case would use this screw type construction on new models that they haven't announced yet.

I adore my Lion Steel and Viper "Modern Traditional" knives but I also think that Case should stick to what they are already doing with traditional knives. Except maybe start pinning the shields again like in the old days. If Case wants to offer us some newly designed Modern Traditional knives that aren't already in their catalog I'm willing to take a look.

If they start making the 6347 for example, with screwed on handle slabs then I would be pretty disappointed.