All About Pocket Knives

Here are a couple of 80+ year old Case knives in the same 5394X gunboat pattern. The side-by-side view shows the effects of pocket wear on the handles and on the shield. The knife on the left has seen a lot of pocket time. The knife on the right has seen very little pocket time. The pocket worn stag is a "warmer" to look at, especially the back handle, and more "familiar" to hold. The knife on the right has a lot going for it, too . I believe the knife on the right is the older of the two based on the blade marks and the long pulls on all blades.

Hillbilly70 wrote:I actually prefer a pocket worn knife !!

That is my feeling too. I would rather get a good pocket worn knife than a new shiny
one never taken out of the box.

I got a Case knife coming in a few days. Hard to tell exactly what the stag surface and shield
will look like since the pictures were poor. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Bob

I have several old Cases that are pocket worn. This XX 5347 was given to me by a friend and I'm pretty sure it was Elvis who replaced the clip with a new one. When stag gets this slick you know it has to be "pocketworn". Treefarmer

Beautiful knives shown fellers. I agree with y’all. There’s something real satisfying about old well used knives. It’s probably just perception, but they seem to cut better and definitely feel better in the hand.

Here is my "pocket worn" kabar. It was loved and carried by someone for many years. Long enough to wear off most of the jigging.

Case over XX 6344, very well loved

RalphAlsip wrote:Here are a couple of 80+ year old Case knives in the same 5394X gunboat pattern. The side-by-side view shows the effects of pocket wear on the handles and on the shield. The knife on the left has seen a lot of pocket time. The knife on the right has seen very little pocket time. The pocket worn stag is a "warmer" to look at, especially the back handle, and more "familiar" to hold. The knife on the right has a lot going for it, too . I believe the knife on the right is the older of the two based on the blade marks and the long pulls on all blades.

Excellent job of photographing the knives and marrying the pictures into one.

Great thread topic, thoroughly enjoying the pictures of true pocket-worn knives. OH

treefarmer wrote:I have several old Cases that are pocket worn. This XX 5347 was given to me by a friend and I'm pretty sure it was Elvis who replaced the clip with a new one. When stag gets this slick you know it has to be "pocketworn".
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Treefarmer

Yep.....
Been toted a LOT.... AND been used as they were meant to be looks like.

Old Hunter wrote:Great thread topic, thoroughly enjoying the pictures of true pocket-worn knives. OH

Me too....
I love the look of a well loved knife!

My EDC 63047:
Ken

This Camillus 21 has seen some carrying time. But not by me, yet.

treefarmer wrote:I have several old Cases that are pocket worn. This XX 5347 was given to me by a friend and I'm pretty sure it was Elvis who replaced the clip with a new one. When stag gets this slick you know it has to be "pocketworn".
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Treefarmer

That is a great knife!!

Gentlemen, you have all presented some great looking pocket worn specimens!
Good or bad, my knives will not get much more additional wear by me. Why? I use what I acquire, to be sure. And I've always carried my knife in the same pocket as my keys; no better place to get some wear. But I have over 30 knives that I rotate through, different knife every day. That's less than 12 carries a year per knife. Certainly not enough time for me to add much to the wear. But, like I said, good or bad, you decide. I'm happy with what ever knife I have in my pocket. It wouldn't be there if I was't!

An old Case Tested. Worn, cracked and now retired.

I have a few pocket worn knives. Here is one of them- love the feel!

Bob

Imagine the stories those well loved beauties could tell.. I am sure it would be volumes!! Nicely shown all!! KOOL!!! John

I have knives that show more wear but the cool thing to me is that this little Case 6227 got it all in my pockets. I bought it new in the late 60s. I usually tote a bigger knife, too, & have more of them so they're rotated more often & have even less wear. No complaints.

geocash wrote:I have knives that show more wear but the cool thing to me is that this little Case 6227 got it all in my pockets. I bought it new in the late 60s. I usually tote a bigger knife, too, & have more of them so they're rotated more often & have even less wear. No complaints.

Awesome knife and story. Dang since the late 60's. So cool!!

rea1eye wrote:I have a few pocket worn knives. Here is one of them- love the feel!

Bob

Bob I have one of those 22055's. Dang fine carry knife. Yours is nice!!

Got a few that fit here first a pair off Imperial, one used up, one hardly used . old Case used slap up.

Thank you for the nicely illustrated examples.

I respect a venerable knife that has honest pocket wear. What I don’t care for is a new knife that is described as having a “Pocket Worn” look. For me it’s like buying “stone-washed” clothing. It will get enough wear after I buy it; I don’t need it done artificially first.

34OT with Wharncliffe mod and many a pocketmile, along with a 36OT that hasn't seen too much use at all

Well worn, but quite snappy, elderly Camillus jack. OH

There are a lot of very cool examples posted in this thread. After looking at the knives here, I examined the knives that I have actually carried and I have to admit that I have never carried a knife long enough to call it pocket worn. I have carried several knives for a few years, but none daily for decades. And my long time carry knives were Delrin or wood, so they will never look like those fine old bone knives. Maybe if I start carrying a bone knife tomorrow, in a couple of decades I will be able to show it off here!