All About Pocket Knives

Aloha One and All:

I have been "accumulating" knives ever since I was a kid, but have only been truly "collecting" knives for about the past ten years. My Case XX collection consists of 12 patterns: Cheetah, Cheetah Cub, Seahorse Whittler, Russlock, Copperhead, Mini-Copperhead, Copperlock, Mini-Copperlock, Doctor, Baby Doc, Slimline Trapper, Mini- & Tiny-Trapper; and I'm trying to collect each pattern in 12 different handle scale materials/colors: MOP, Black Lip Pearl, Abalone, Stag, 6.5 Bone Stag, Rattlesnake, Peacock, Blue Lagoon, Caribbean Blue, Orange Peel, Indian Paintbrush, Yellow Delrin. In order to keep track of which patterns I currently have in each of the handle scales, I had to set up a spreadsheet with the 12 patterns listed across the top row and the 12 handle scale materials/colors down the first column. Each time I get a knife that fits one of the categories, I fill in the corresponding box of the chart. Currently, I have at least one Cheetah, Cheetah Cub & Russlock in each of the 12 scales. And I have at least one of each of the 12 different patterns with Stag scales. All the other patterns are still lacking at least one example of a certain scale.

My problem is that I don't actually know if Case ever even produced some of the pattern/scale combinations that I need in order to "complete" my collection. For example, did Case ever make a Seahorse Whittler with Yellow Delrin scales? Or a Mini-Copperhead with Peacock scales? Or a Copperlock with 6.5 Bone Stag? (Just to name a few that I've been searching for but have not yet been able to find.) Can anyone tell me the easiest (and free) way to find out if Case ever made certain specific pattern/scale combinations? For example, is there an online database that lists every knife Case has ever made that is available for public access/research, or is the official Case Historian's office the only (free) resource for such information?

Cheers,
~Q~

Nice collection...good idea...

It looks like you may have a couple of Docs in Peacock Appaloosa. Does either one (or both) have a Damascas blade?

Edit: Have you checked eBay active and closed listings for those handle materials on those patterns?

I would suggest 2 things:

1. Join the CASE Collectors Club and log onto their Forum.. There is alot of info to be gotten from those folks!!

2. Call CASE.. They can also be an asset for info!!

JMO!!! John

jerryd6818 wrote:It looks like you may have a couple of Docs in Peacock Appaloosa. Does either one (or both) have a Damascas blade?

Edit: Have you checked eBay active and closed listings for those handle materials on those patterns?

Yes, I have been checking on eBay for a number of years. It's actually my main source for adding to my collection.

And Yes again...very sharp eye you have, Jerry; I do indeed have a Peacock Appaloosa Dr. with a Damascas blade. (see photos) Why do you ask?

Thank you, John, for the suggestions. I actually did contact CCC but was unsuccessful in getting a response. Perhaps if I were to join and become a member I would have better luck.

Cheers & Aloha,
~Q~

Here's why I ask. Doctor's knives were my first "collecting" experience. I bought several Case Doctors until they mostly dropped the spatula / pen blade and (in my mind) their quality took a nose dive. I still like the Docs but the prices have gone through the roof over the past ten years or so and if I'm going to spend that much on a knife, I'd rather put a couple more bucks with it and get a Great Eastern or Schatt & Morgan.

Wow, that's cool...Doctor's were also the first knife I "collected." A couple years ago I bought a 1996 Waterfall Dr. from a gentleman who first introduced me to AAPK...(by any chance was that you?). It's hard to see my photo, but it's serialized #13 on the bolster. The other two are ivory scales. The fat one was custom made for me by Albert Crenshaw of Lake Eufala, OK. I especially like the Wharncliffe blade.

Cheers & Aloha,
~Q~

I'll be dipped. I was going to tell you, a few years ago I sold a Case Classic Doc to a guy in Hawaii (I think April of 2011) and ask if it might be you but then I thought naw, It can't be. I sold a candy stripe about the same time to a guy in Kentucky. Those were nice knives.

Ha Ha...so, we meet again! I feel as though I've just encountered a long lost friend. It's a small world after all. Now I finally have the opportunity to thank you for turning me onto AAPK 3+ years ago! (Second best advice I ever got with a new knife, right after, "Be sure to keep your fingers out of the way when closing it!"). Amazing that you still have your photos of old number 13. Sweet little knife, although it is starting to out-gas a bit...the tip on one side of the shield is starting to discolor just like on my Goldstone handled knives. Wish I could do something to stop it, sure hate to just look on helplessly as it slowly but steadily deteriorates...so sad to watch.

As a collector (or former collector) of this pattern, perhaps you will know if Case ever made a Doctor or Baby Doc with Orange Peel or Indian Paintbrush scales? Although I suspect those colors probably didn't even come out until after your collecting focus had already moved on to other interests.

Cheers & Aloha,
~Q~

Dang, so sorry to hear that. It's such a great looking knife. If you've kept up with the Celluloid threads and posts on here you already know the only thing to do is remove the handles before they destroy the knife.

Yup, I know...but what similar-looking (but not self-destructing) material could ever really replace the celluloid waterfall scales? Very unique...as your close-up shows the best--almost better than in real life! Is there a modern version of the Waterfall scales to replace / rehandle and still maintain the original look?

~Q~

Yeah, I hear what you're saying. The only solution I can come up with is a total change of materials. Either an outstanding Stag (not too many Doctor knives handled in Stag) or Ivory before they ban it or maybe Mammoth Ivory for a truly unique look. Something befitting what the knife was before it "died". It's sad to lose the Waterfall but unless you start collecting chunks of rust, you have to do something.