W. R. Case & Sons 61095 Toothpick - Refurbish it ?

[RalphAlsip]

This knife has some sentimental value to me. It is in pretty rough shape (cracked handle, loose blade, no snap, etc.).

It looks like it is a W. R. Case & Sons 61095. Is it legitimate for a W. R Case & Sons blade to have a pattern number stamp? I would appreciate any clarification you can provide.

From the research I have done, it looks like it is not supposed to have a shield if it is in fact a W. R. Case 61095. Thoughts?

I would be grateful to hear your opinion regarding whether I should enjoy this knife as is or whether it might be a good candidate for refurbishment.

[btrwtr]

On opinion.

Are you sure it is a 61095 and not B1095? B would be for celluloid.

Other than that 1 question looks good to me. A bit rough and repinned but looks okay. Rare knife in such an old stamp.

[olderdogs1]

Looks like bone to me. A lot of the W R Case and Sons knives had pattern numbers.

Tom

[zp4ja]

Jerry (Ralph Sir if you do not mind me calling you that),

If sentimental value, leave as is. Just my opinion. Even if collector value, leave as is.

You are much like myself and research quite a bit. I respect that. I do however have to reiterate the comment I made on your Saddlehorn post. "There are exceptions to the norm in all things CASE". This is where reading the entire knife is crucial. Don't sweat the fact it has a shield. That era knife did have model stamps.

One of many examples of the "There are exceptions to the norm in all things CASE", that I mentioned. Most CASE TESTED knives did not have a model stamp. Alot of people will take that as an absolute rule when it is not. They see a TESTED knife with a model stamp and look no furher into the knife read, "Must be a fake". Some of the early TESTED knives, I have one or two, will in fact have a model stamp. I even have one that has TESTED XX above the model number also. Common sense does apply though given all the counterfiets but you get a feel for it after awhile. Certainly not saying I am an expert as I am not. But I do alot of research and knife handling and that helps me.

Here is a WR CASE & SONS B1095 like your knife in Green Pyremite. Gave this one to my mother in law as her Dad had one just like it and she lost it. Oh well, just a knife after all but a nice oldie for sure, in my opinion. I believe it had iron bolsters and liners, not sure as I personally concentrate on other aspects of knives other than metallurgy. Maybe yours does too.

Check out the crack in the mark side handle. Handle was not loose so the crack did not really bother me. Hell, it is a 100 plus year old knife for gods sake. Bound to have some flaws.

I would leave that knife alone given the history and sentimental value but it is your knife my friend to do as you please. My 2 cents.

Regards, Jerry