help identify this case knife

[sscottab]

i recently came across this case knife and when checking the numbers on the tang it does not match with what i find the tang number is 3254 ss and when looking up the material it shows yellow but my knife is not yellow it looks like PUAU any information would be nice i may put it up for sale or keep it not sure yet.

[glennbad]

Looks to have been rehandled. Lack of exposed pins on the material lead me to that conclusion.

[jerryd6818]

I opine that it's legit and the handles are Corelon. Case didn't pin Corelon handles. Except that the pattern stamp is 3254 and that is usually yellow synthetic (not Corelon) and they did pin those handles. I think it's a re-handle in Corelon. Just another opinion to gnaw on.

[sscottab]

thank you for the quick replys the date stamp is 2004 according to this sites chart. if i chose to put it up for sale what would be a good price to put on it.

[edge213]

I opine that it's legit and the handles are Corelon. Case didn't pin Corelon handles. Except that the pattern stamp is 3254 and that is usually yellow synthetic (not Corelon) and they did pin those handles. I think it's a re-handle in Corelon. Just another opinion to gnaw on.

Jerry, what is the handle code(prefix) for corelon?

[jerryd6818]

I opine that it's legit and the handles are Corelon. Case didn't pin Corelon handles. Except that the pattern stamp is 3254 and that is usually yellow synthetic (not Corelon) and they did pin those handles. I think it's a re-handle in Corelon. Just another opinion to gnaw on.

Jerry, what is the handle code(prefix) for corelon?

It's '9'. My Mini-Trappers with Corelon handles are 9207. Enlarge the pictures and the '9' shows on all three.

[Mumbleypeg]

I believe the OP knife is an aftermarket re-handle job. Fairly common for knives having a "3" pre-fix, left the factory with yellow Delrin. Handles were replaced by someone then knife was re-sold.

Value probably around $75.

Ken

[just bob]

I believe the OP knife is an aftermarket re-handle job. Fairly common for knives having a "3" pre-fix, left the factory with yellow Delrin. Handles were replaced by someone then knife was re-sold.

Value probably around $75.

Ken

Actually this has been discussed in other forums. At some point and maybe Steve could tell us when Case started using the 3 prefix on Corelon handles. I'll bet the knife in the OP is straight as an arrow. Looks good.


viewtopic.php?f=66&t=52958&p=582128&hil ... ow#p582128

[just bob]

I saw that link in my post had expired. Here is a current listing.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Case-XX-Dot-US ... Sw6pxdXDnz


https://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-Case-XX-K ... Swv7pb5f5r

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CASE-XX-USA-20 ... 7675.l2557

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CASE-XX-USA-20 ... 7675.l2557

[just bob]

I've been gone and have been thinking about this. I feel certain that I've read on here that Michael Prater was "customizing" Case knives by adding Corelon handles to them, but where? Maybe Steve would also know if these Corelon knives were done by Mr. Prater and didn't leave the factory that way?




https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/the ... se.581857/


https://allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_ ... hp?t=12184

[sscottab]

I've been gone and have been thinking about this. I feel certain that I've read on here that Michael Prater was "customizing" Case knives by adding Corelon handles to them, but where? Maybe Steve would also know if these Corelon knives were done by Mr. Prater and didn't leave the factory that way?




https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/the ... se.581857/


https://allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_ ... hp?t=12184

do you think i might have one of these knifes

[Mumbleypeg]

I've been gone and have been thinking about this. I feel certain that I've read on here that Michael Prater was "customizing" Case knives by adding Corelon handles to them, but where? Maybe Steve would also know if these Corelon knives were done by Mr. Prater and didn't leave the factory that way?




https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/the ... se.581857/


https://allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_ ... hp?t=12184

Possibly so. There is a post on the Case Collectors Club forum, IIRC from a Case employee, saying Prater buys knives from Case having no handle covers. On which he then puts his handle covers. I don't know what pattern number is used for the handle code on those.

I can tell you with certainty I've never seen a knife with "Corelon" handles on the Case web site. Maybe it's the same material but to my knowledge Case has always (and currently) called it "Kirinite" on knives they have done at the factory in that material. If you do a search on the Case web site www.Caseknives.com for Kirinite, the knives that come up all have a "10" handle code number. Again I don't know how long that has been the practice.

Ken

[just bob]

SMKW sells a blue million Case knives with Corelon handles. This is only one of them.



https://www.smkw.com/case-peanut-candy- ... n-ca9220cy

[Mumbleypeg]

Go to www.caseknives.com, and do a search search for “Corelon”. You get nothing. I’ve done the search for Corelon there before with the same result. Then search for “Kirinite”. You’ll find knives, several patterns, all described as “Kirinite”. I don’t care what SMKW calls them, Case calls them Kirinite. As I said maybe it’s the same material. Maybe there is a copyright on the Corelon name by the manufacturer and Case doesn’t buy the material from them. Maybe SMKW has them re-handled by someone else who uses Corelon.

I’m not trying to be argumentative, just stating what I see, and have seen. For purposes of the OP question it’s immaterial.

My recommendation to the OP is to send emails with pictures to Case [email protected] along with pictures of the knife and ask if they made it. An email can also be sent to Michael Prater, Frost Cutlery, and anyone else known to re-handle Case knives and see who, if anyone claims it. That’s likely the best, and possibly only way to be certain.

Ken

[knifeaholic]

I have a vague recollection that Case had licensed Frost Cutlery to rehandle Case pocket knives in Corelon (no handle pins).

I believe that Case shipped them knives with no handles installed and with the "3" prefix so that they could install the handles.

[edge213]

I may be wrong, but I thought all Case knives handled in Corelon were handled by Frost.

[sscottab]

i sent a email off to case and posted on michael praters facebook page hope to hear back from someone.

[just bob]

I may be wrong, but I thought all Case knives handled in Corelon were handled by Frost.

Apparently these guys sell them also. There are likely others. Maybe they get them from SMKW?



https://www.knifecountryusa.com/shop/ma ... eries.html


Corelon Series by Case XX Knives includes lightweight pocket knives designed to offer high-strength performance. The handles of these knives are made from Corelon, a durable synthetic material, which looks similar to the celluloid handles used in the past. Each knife of this collection exhibits a different color, owing to the process of making the handles. The beauty of Corelon is blended with high-strength, corrosion-resistant blades made from durable stainless material. The knives of this series offer different types of blade profiles including drop point, clip, spey, pen, spear, and sheepsfoot. The collection offers a range of knife options available in different color handles and number of blades to choose the functionality range as per user requirements. These knives are popular among campers, survival experts, collectors, trekkers, hunters, and solo travels for their unmatched performance and slim construction.

[just bob]

This link does affirm what Steve said;


https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/my- ... es.594961/

[just bob]

Well here is the answer directly from the source;


Prior to June of 2006, Frost Cutlery (a Tennessee-based company) had been distributing Case knives (manufactured in Bradford, PA) which were re-handled in Corelon® by Michael Prater, owner of Georgia-based Michael Prater & Company. These activities were occurring without our prior knowledge and consent. Marketplace confusion, warranty responsibilities and concern over quality standards motivated us to seek appropriate remedies. Upong complying with our established quality standards and warranty requirements, Prater was issued a 3rd party license to re-handle knives. Frost was made an authorized distributor of re-handled Case knives and issued a unique logo which reads, “Officially Licensed Case Product.” New packaging, printed with, “Produced by Frost Cutlery Co. under sub-license with W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co.,” would be used to alleviate consumer confusion. As an added measure, Case began stamping tangs for legitimately re-handled knives’ with a prefix of “9” (i.e. “9220” for a re-handled Peanut). Loose shields would be provided to Prater for fitting into the Corelon handles.



Case continues to produce knives in this way under this arrangement. We’ve found the quality of these re-handled knives during the last two years to be good, and with few warranty problems.



If you have a knife that can be clearly identified as having come from an Officially Licensed re-handler that doesn’t meet your expectations, please contact our repair department for evaluation and assistance. Know that this product carries with it the same warranty as all genuine Case knives.



Finally, Case knives are not being made anywhere else in the world. They’re still 100% produced in the USA by American workers. We truly appreciate your enthusiasm for that philosophy!



We hope this alleviates any confusion regarding re-handled Case knives.



Thank you!

Shirley Boser
Case Historian & Archivist

[Mumbleypeg]

Good info. If the OP knife is from 2004 that could indicate it’s a Frost re-handle job on a previously yellow handled knife, which was done prior to the 2006 agreement cited in the quote. That would also explain the “3” in the pattern stamp on the knife.

The quote also sheds light on the heritage of knives marketed as having “Corelon” handles. The Corelon handles are applied for Frost Cutlery by Prater and then distributed by Frost to SMKW and other outlets for retail sale. Since 2006 those knives should have a leading “9” in the pattern number.

Shirley hasn’t been the Case historian for several years. I’m curious when Case started marketing knives using the Kirinite name, with a leading “10” in the pattern number, and whether those handles are done in house at Case. I can think of no reason why they would not be. Maybe that’s part of the reason for the Kirinite name. The other thing I notice about the Kirinite knives on the Case web site - the handle covers are pinned to the liners. “Corelon” from wherever are glued on.

Ken

[sscottab]

thank you all for the replys i have sent emails to the ones recommended and posted on michael praters facebook page and just waiting on a responce.

[Mumbleypeg]

Doing a little more research into “Corelon” versus “ Kirinite”. From the Case Collectors Club forum comments, it appears Case first introduced Kirinite as a handle material in 2014. I found one mention of it in a 2013 post, but it looks like the first knives came out of production around mid-2014. That’s not “official”, just based on what I can find researching posts there.

As with the official Case web site, a search for Corelon on the Shepherd Hills Cutlery site www.casexx.com finds no knives. A search there for “Kirinite” finds several patterns and several different colors. Obviously SHC deals with Case, but apparently not with Frost Cutlery. Also as stated previously, Kirinite handles from Case are pinned, not glued.

Ken

[sscottab]

the responce i have received from this group is awsome and information is far beyond what i was expecting thank you. joining was the rite choice.