All About Pocket Knives

Hi All, What is the opinion on the Case knives under 3 inches. Are they a fad or a new trend? For give me if they been around long than I think.

I'm speaking of knives like the Tiny Trapper, Baby Doc, Trapper Nut, Baby Butterbean, Small Congress, Small Stockman, Mini Copperlock and Baby Canoe etc.

Has any one ever thought of developing a collection of a couple of different colored handles? Like Jade, Caribbean Blue or Kentucky Bluegrass. I think it might look real cool!!

Thanks, Little Lee

Folks,

I may not be to popular on this subject. I just recieved my latest copy of the SMKW and I am acutally planning to visit the shop next week as I travel through TN. I was very disappointed in the offering that CASE has put together. I found the colors to be awful. The Zebra thing did nothing for me and all of these bright colors YUK! Now before you disown me, let me say that I fully understand that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I drool over an old pocket knife that may be missing a piece of the handle or the blade is worn down, but the history and quality of these items just make me thrilled. A wonderful member commented on this similar feeling, SHE is right on in my opinion. Of course we all need to keep the companies up and running, I would never want to see CASE go the way of Schrade, but I am a purist when it comes to pocket knives. So these knives are certianly wonderful and I encourage you to collect what you like, but in my case it is old knives that do it for me. No pink bubble gum in my collection.

I don't mean to offend anyone with this comment, I just like the old stuff better.

PA, I here you and full agree and would love to be able to collect the old knives. I have been in love with history since a young teen and the Civil War was and still is my first love in history, thinking of starting a bullet collections.

But alas, on my limited income and budget I could never collect the older knives. My collection would grow so slowly that I think my interest would fade and I would become discouraged.

Right now I'm collecting the character knives of the Colonial, Novelty and other Knife Co. They take me back to child hood and go to the movies each week. And I'm into the history to the older western movie. And you thought you would get every ones dander up, this sure raise some eye brows.

PA, if you have any suggestions, where I would be able to start building a Historical knife collection that could hold my interest and not drain the check book, like every time I pull up to the pump to fill the pickup, please contact me.

Thanks, Little Lee

Since you have opened the door, I am going to step in. I totally respect your collecting preferences and appreciate what you are doing. I not only collect old knives because I really like them, I hope that someday they may be of more value and could contribute in some manner to my families well being. That being said it really depends on how much money you wish to spend. I have several GREAT knives that I paid less than $20 for that I am absolutely sure are worth much more in the open market. These are found at estate auctions and flea markets mostly. It is rare to get a real DEAL on ebay anymore. To many knowledgable viewers. I only buy from there when it is a piece that I really need. Of course you may say that I only want mint knives. Great, but in old pieces that is rare and carries a hefty price usaually. I suggest lowering your condtion standards slightly, study knives and find nich that you like. Be it a company, style, stamp, material etc. what ever gets your heart to pumping. You can certianly include new knives if you like. I would much rather pay $30 for a 1970's CASE knive in good conditions than $50 for a new one. I think that given similar construction and materials the latter will increase in value sooner for the most part. I hope the others join in on this discussion becuase I really feel that it is important. Of course profit should not be your only motive. I repeat, "if you like new knives, by all means buy them" I just think that in the long run, my $100 will amount to more than $100 of new stuff. There are always exceptions I know. I bought a CASE longhorn for $40 10 years ago, they are over $200 now, Wish I still had it????

Also, think of some of the other companies. SCHRADE being out of business now, stands a good chance of appreciating in value over the years. Don't think of the short term investment. Look for a 15 to 20 year return. You will a lot of inexpensive knives to choose from and can get MINT for a good price. Just my thoughts, I am sure others can add to it.

YOUR ON BILL

PA, I'm just a newbie when it comes to knife collecting. I started collecting the charter knives and have about 12, and collecting these drew my interest to other types of knives. Right now I only have two others coming my way a Seahorse and a Wharncliff.

The reason I start looking a only brand new knives was from my collecting other types of thing, like stamps, coins and tokens where condition is everything unless it is a very rare item.

Looking at the catalogs I took out of the library, all the older knives were very expensive in those kind of conditions, hence, I started looking at the newer knives.

What is the lowest condition that is consider collectible, when it comes to knifes?

I would like the older knives to look good enough that you could display them in your home with out every one thinking to go to the dump and bring thing home to display.

I don't want to make money with my collection, if it happens it happens. I just want to have fun collecting and learn from the collection. Though I would like the family to at least get what I had into the collection and the expenses from selling it, if no one in the family would like to carry it on, after the Banshee with the black coach and black horses comes to get me.

PA, would you be will and do you have the time to personally take and old fart under your wing and guide him down the yellow brick road of knife collecting? If you would we could take this to are personal mail boxes and give the rest of the guys a brake for our carryings on.

Thanks, Little Lee

Little Lee wrote:Hi All, What is the opinion on the Case knives under 3 inches. Are they a fad or a new trend? For give me if they been around long than I think.

I'm speaking of knives like the Tiny Trapper, Baby Doc, Trapper Nut, Baby Butterbean, Small Congress, Small Stockman, Mini Copperlock and Baby Canoe etc.

Has any one ever thought of developing a collection of a couple of different colored handles? Like Jade, Caribbean Blue or Kentucky Bluegrass. I think it might look real cool!!

Thanks, Little Lee

Hi Little Lee. I am an avid collector of the Case Peanut pattern which I know is not a fad or such. Usually fads come and go and unfortunatley some come back. But I can proudly say that most of those patterns you mention, to include the peanut have been around since the early 1920's

I would throughly enjoy helping anyone in this hobby. Feel free to contact me personally. I do recommend that you speak to others on this list as they are equally or more knowlegable on various aspects of the hobby than I am. Bill and Bryan especially, many others too.

I'm gonna toss in My thoughts.....everyone has an opinion. I personally like the idea of collecting case brand knives. They say staying with a certain pattern, or bone, will make your collection more valuable. The under 3" patterns are going to be around, I think. I may miss the mark however ...but this is my opinion. Good luck and happy hunting/buying/bidding/collecting. Have a great weekend!

Hey Little Lee,
I got your email and am answering your question. No sir, I'm not from Wisconsin. I do like the badger/wolverine however, they are really quite independent. See you in the forum!