Need help from XX-Changer experts

[Coinroller]

Will all Changer blades fit all Changer handles? Or, over the model’s history, did Case alter the tang design such that some blades do not fit all handles?

[RevolverGuy]

Case retooled after 1990 and so the XX-Changer blades made today will not fit the older models made before then.

[Modern Slip Joints]

While I can not verify the year of the retooling the blades for my oldest Changer were stamped out of thinner flat stock. Consequently, newer thicker blades won't fit in older handles. I'm not sure if older thinner blades will fit in newer handles but wobble.

Technically, this thread does not belong in this sub-forum which is for a late 1980s into the 1990s product line that were named Classics.

[knifeaholic]

The reason for the tooling change is interesting...

Prior to 1990, all of Case's modern stainless steel lockbacks, large and small, were made on contract by Alcas. This includes the Shark Tooth, Hammerhead, Mako, 051 series, and others including the XX changer.

The story is that when Parker took Case into Chapter 11, Alcas lost a big chunk of money, so they decided not to do any more contract work.

So Case had no choice but to bring them in house - and the blades for the Shark Tooth, Hammerhead, and XX changer lost the cut out below the tang, among other changes.

[knifeaholic]

The reason for the tooling change is interesting...

Prior to 1990, all of Case's modern stainless steel lockbacks, large and small, were made on contract by Alcas. This includes the Shark Tooth, Hammerhead, Mako, 051 series, and others including the XX changer.

The story is that when Parker took Case into Chapter 11, Alcas lost a big chunk of money, so they decided not to do any more contract work.

So Case had no choice but to bring them in house - and the blades for the Shark Tooth, Hammerhead, and XX changer lost the cut out below the tang, among other changes.

[1967redrider]

Thanks for this history lesson, Steve.