Ode To The 07

[QTCut5]

Mahalo, Tom, Willy & John...always appreciate the positive comments.

I owned this model several years ago but I sold it, and then, of course, almost immediately regretted selling it. Been looking for another one ever since and finally stumbled onto this one.

1983 Case 6207 from the "Trapper Set" with New Grind Blades & Burgundy Jigged Bone (s/n 1502)

I love the graceful look of the New Grind...wish ALL 07s were made with New Grind blades.

[jmh58]

Love those New Grind blades!! Another treasure to add to the stash Q !!
John

[jerryd6818]

No doubt about the date on that one. And it's serialized. Great find ~Q~.

[Modern Slip Joints]

Q,
I love the stage on the 5207 that you posted pictures of Oct. 22. It's unusually gnarly for a Case.

I have an early 80s 6375 Large Stockman and 6254 Trapper with bone very similar to your 1983 6207 except for the reddish tint on your 6207. I guess is the little bit of red dye that makes yours burgundy. It's an attractive color.

[QTCut5]

Was trying to remember what my first New Grind 6207 looked like. Finally found a old photo from 2018...notice the more uniform color as compared to the one I got to replace it (I actually prefer the variegated coloration of my new one).

Original New Grind 6207:

Replacement New Grind 6207:

Also, I find it curious that the blade etch on my original one has a two-color etch (black & gold) but the etch on the replacement is just black...despite the fact that the serial number on my new one is lower (1502) than my original one (2486). I would've thought it would be just the opposite.

[QTCut5]

Case _107 Zippo Edition Mini-Ts come in three handle options: Jigged Chestnut Bone, Smooth Natural Bone & Rough Black Synthetic. All have a ZIPPO shield and tang stamp with none of the other usual Case markings (such as pattern number or date stamp).

Unless I miss my guess, Tom (TPK) won't be able to sleep until he adds at least one of these to his collection.

[jmh58]

Looks Good Q !!
John

[Modern Slip Joints]

I have Case knives that are branded Ruger and Herter's but they have Case's normal tang stamps. At least I'm sure my Herter's 6318 does. I'd have to dig out my Ruger 6354 to be sure of its tang stamps. I bought both pre-owned at the right time in gun/pawn shops, under $20 each, like new. I've seen other brands on Case knives that were at auction. However, I have no enthusiasm for Case knives that lack any Case markings. However, they are single blade 07s so I understand how they fit in your collection.

On a similar topic, the SMKW ad that arrived in the mail a couple of days ago includes a 6149 Wharncliffe CopperHead with attractive bone. It's tempting. It might even tempt an 07 collector. I can't recall another 6149W so they might be hard to find in the future. On the other hand, 61549W CopperLocks with single Wharncliffe blades are easy to find and they lock. I wonder if the smaller 61749 Mini-CopperLock exists with a single Wharncliffe blade.

[jerryd6818]

Just a brief deviation from the thread topic.

I put this one on my Christmas list. It's not an 07 of course but I'm almost as infatuated with the 49 Copperheads as I am with the Mini-Trappers. As for this particular one, it's the handles and Wharncliffe blade that grabbed me. I hope I get it. And if I don't, I'll be forced to buy it myself. That's how much I want it. Come on Linnea. You can do it.

[Modern Slip Joints]

Unfortunately SMKW is proud of the bone on that 6249W. They want $100 for it. Over the year I bought three 6249Ws, paying SMKW $60 and $70 for the two I bought new. The one I bought pre-owned through an evil bay auction was less. $100 is too much. On the other hand, the bone is art, sort of, and I can't value art.

The first 6249W I bought from SMKW has Caribbean Blue Sawcut Jigged Bone. Now that I have three I'd like to trade it for an Antique Roger's Corn Cob Jigged Bone 6249 with a clip master. They're the same price at SMKW and mine is NIB.

I hope Q. can forgive us for straying briefly off the 07 topic.

[QTCut5]

I can't recall another 6149W so they might be hard to find in the future.

Here's a 6149WEZ from 2012

I wonder if the smaller 61749 Mini-CopperLock exists with a single Wharncliffe blade.

I have looked for one but never found one...personally, I don't think the Mini Copperlock 61749 was ever made with a Wharncliffe blade because if it was, surely I would have seen one by now.

[jmh58]

More 49s are coming in single blade wharncliffes.
John

[Modern Slip Joints]

Q., nice 6149W EZ. The first thing I notice about it is that, unlike the RRR 009 that you just bought, its nail nick is aligned with its EZ cut out.

Before this year's vault release I was in the odd position of having three _549s but only one _249. Since one of the first few knives that started my recent collecting madness was a 1970s 6249CV I was in the habit of ignoring a model that I already had saw as readily available. I did not notice that they were out of production. I watched 6249W auctions but never outbid everyone else on the planet to get one. My Caribbean Blue Sawcut Jigged Bone 6249W was the first one offered this year with bone. I wasn't crazy about the bright color but didn't want to risk there not being any more with bone.

I'm hopping Case makes 6549s before the year ends.

Now back to our regularly scheduled pattern, the 07.

[QTCut5]

Q., nice 6149W EZ. The first thing I notice about it is that, unlike the RRR 009 that you just bought, its nail nick is aligned with its EZ cut out.

Yeah, except for its visual appeal, I am not too pleased with the RRR009...the nail nick placement is a relatively minor issue but just one more thing I don't like about it. I'm guessing it's probably the last Rough Ryder I will ever buy. They almost got me to change my opinion about China made knives (that aren't AG Russells) with their "Reserve" line, but this one strike against them is all it took to sour me on the brand (which, admittedly, I was hesitant to embrace right from the start; but, after this "Sway" fiasco I think I'm done with them for good.) JMO, YMMV

Anyway, I still have more USA made 07s that I haven't shown yet as well as a few on the way; so, I have no more time, interest or money to risk/waste on Chinese crap.

[jerryd6818]

Thought maybe I should post this recent 6207 acquisition here before I completely forget.

[jmh58]

Another fine 07 to add to your ever growing stash jerry!!
John

[QTCut5]

Hard to go wrong with Smooth White (or Natural) Bone, IMO. Classic! (And I'm sure your father would be proud, jerryd...even if it's not from the same Builder's Supply where he once worked.)

[QTCut5]

After a very long time and looking at literally hundreds of Vintage Stag Mini-Ts (V5207), I finally found one I like which, unfortunately, is not the really attractive one in the V5207 stock photo used by nearly every dealer/seller. (Side note: I dislike the practice of using stock photos for selling knives in general---seems deceptive, lazy & even slightly dishonest but especially for stag handled knives...that makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever ).

Once again, I paid a bit more than I really wanted to (seems as though this is getting more and more common; I think knife prices are increasing across the board)...but at least I got one that I actually like and that actually looks like vintage stag (instead of the "polished stag" that is seen on many Hen & Roosters that looks pretty much like smooth white bone). Truth be told, it was the pile side that sold me because it looks somewhat similar to Mammoth ivory, IMO (YMMV).

1999 Case V5207 Vintage Stag

[QTCut5]

Couple more recent 07 acquisitions:

Something old (to complete my 1970s decade 6207 collection):

1971 Case 6207 Reddish Brown Jigged Bone

Something new (this is my second one of this model...my first one was swapped for some mod work):

2021 Case 6107 Zippo Edition Jigged Chestnut Bone:

[Modern Slip Joints]

Q., that's a great looking V5207. Someplace, I think on Case's web page, I read that Case's vintage stag is their most carefully selected and hafted and, consequently, most expensive stag. Since they are not adding darkness by burning or dyeing the appearance of how much bark it has varies more than Case's other stag. It tends to have less dark area. Illogically their less expensive red dyed stag tends to end higher at auction. I suspect the high bidders mistakenly think it is real European red stag. I own a 1990s blue stag 5318. It's kind of cute. No one bid like they thought it was stag from real blue antlered deer on another continent. I've seen green and orange dyed stag on 1980s Case knives. While they would have been knives collectors would have recognized as odditiies, Vintage stag is my first choice.

[Modern Slip Joints]

First, it is not mine, it is way out of the price range that I buy in and I didn't even think to look at who is selling it. I have no idea if it will sell at $225.

There is a A8207SS in the classifieds. While I have a couple of Queens made this way I did not know Case made pearl handles with an abalone stripe. Presumably the added A prefix denotes the stripe. What can I write? Pearl with an abalone stripe is cool, looks great or is artistic? I'll bet even the monkey did not know they existed. Poor Q. He could have started saving for a big sloop for inter island excursions but now the monkey knows.

[QTCut5]

There is a A8207SS in the classifieds. While I have a couple of Queens made this way I did not know Case made pearl handles with an abalone stripe. Presumably the added A prefix denotes the stripe. I'll bet even the monkey did not know they existed.

Well, my friend, I'm afraid you would lose that bet; because, actually, The Monkey did know of the existence of an A8207...even had the chance to buy one back when I was really into collecting MOP/Abalone, but as strange as it may seem, since I already had an 8207 in both White MOP & Paua Abalone (as well as a Painted Pony Abalone _107W customized by Michael Prater), I decided to pass on it. But, who knows, maybe someday...
BTW---There's also a Pink Pearl 8207 from the same seller (although I have several Black Lip Pearl knives--including a customized Black Pearl 107W--I had never heard of nor seen a Pink Pearl 07 before).

In the meantime, The Monkey has been a busy little chimp trying to complete my 1970s decade 6207 collection. And, at long last, here it is:

Bit-o-trivia for Case Mini-T Collectors: The hardest one to find was the one dot (1979) with a pen blade since that was the year Case began using the spey blade on the 07 instead of a pen secondary.

[Ivoryman]

Goooooooooorgeous line up. Wow, what a progression of beauties. Blows the 80's and later Mini Ts away too. Congrats on getting the whole decade. Beautiful to see.

[knifeaddict1965]

Wiping down some of the hoard today and thought this would be a good place to post a few mini T pics.

[jmh58]

Looks good Kevin!!
John