All About Pocket Knives

Are the frames the same on a tested, XX, USA, and dotted 5488? I have heard conflicting opinions . Also, are the blades the same size? Thanks in advance for your answers.
Tom

Frame size was the same. While the blade sizes were basically the same, the Tested and early XX blades had long pulls and were ground a bit different. The only other real difference you will see is the placement of the handle pins. Tested and XX pins were closer to the bolsters.

How about some pictures Perry, to show the differences in blades etc.
Gary

Thanks Perry,
I thought as much but it is great to hear it from a knowledgable Case collector. The tested 5488's and 6488's seem really rare to me . I don't know that I have ever seen one that was certified real, only pictures in Jim Sargent's book. If anyone has either a 5488 or 6488 Tested knife, I sure would like to see a picture of it also.
Maybe I will see some at the Knoxville show next weekend.
Thanks Again,
Tom

Blade Runner wrote:How about some pictures Perry, to show the differences in blades etc.
Gary

I'm gonna be covered up in the office today but, I'll see what I can get posted later on this week. I had a computer crash about 3 years ago and lost a bunch of the old good one's. I still have some left though.

That'll work, by the way they were passing out your flyers for the NKCA candidacy tonite at our club meeting(Chattahoochee Cutlery Club)
Gary

Blade Runner wrote:That'll work, by the way they were passing out your flyers for the NKCA candidacy tonite at our club meeting(Chattahoochee Cutlery Club)
Gary

Thanks...I need all the help I can get!

We'll start with a more current 5488. It's a 1970 10 Dot which is about the hottest knife sought after by collectors at this time. I'm putting this one on for a couple of reasons. The first is to show the knife and the other is to let folks know about the box in the picture. The knives did not come "in" these boxes, they came in group of six, usually, in the pumpkin boxes. The box shown in the picture was shipped from Case empty, and flat, to the hardware store so they could put a single knife in it if the buyer wanted it. So when you see someone on ebay selling it as the original box, you'll know the knife didn't come in that box from Case. Now it is an original box but, again, the knives weren't shipped in them.

That's a fine looking knife Perry.
Thanks for the tip about the box as well.

Bill

Perry I just bought a couple of Cases off ebay and one had this same box and paper and an almost identical picture. One was a 10 dot and the other was a Case XX USA.

Do you think people have bought up these boxes and wrappers and are just selling them along with the knife? In other words, have you seen this practice?

dkronholm wrote:Perry I just bought a couple of Cases off ebay and one had this same box and paper and an almost identical picture. One was a 10 dot and the other was a Case XX USA.

Do you think people have bought up these boxes and wrappers and are just selling them along with the knife? In other words, have you seen this practice?

Yep...seen it a lot and have been close to guilty myself, I always qualified that it was just a box from that time period. The boxes were available during that time but, the knives were not shipped in them. Nothing wrong with having the knife and box together. However, some sellers imply that it was shipped from Case that way and the unknowing buyer thinks he's bought a knife with the original box. Those boxes are bringing good money at shows these days 'cause dealers are getting a lot more for a knife on ebay when they put the box and wrapping paper with it. The knives were wrapped in the paper when they came in the pumpkin boxes.

I was just trying to let folks know that Case knives didn't come in individual boxes until the mid 80's.

I really appreciate the info. You live and learn. I didn't base much on the box. The knives looked correct and in good condition, but it does make (or used to make) me feel good seeing it with a box.

I also saw at the same time that the seller was selling wrapping papers, so I figured that maybe something was up. I will say that nothing was said that implied that it came in the box - so I guess you can look at it as a historical addition to the knife to enhance the presentation. So, I personally wouldn't put this in the category of false advertising. Though a super honest seller (that knew) may want to mention this fact.

Doesn't matter much to me, since the price was fair based on the Case price list on AAPK and I liked the knives. May swap one in the future, but not really thinking of re-selling.

This is the kind of useful help to a collector that this forum provides, and thumbs up to Perry for nicely educatin' us a little.

Here's a picture of a 2nd Cut Stag that's a XX/USA Transition. Notice that the pins by each bolster are considerably closer to the bolsters than the 10 Dot pictured above. Sorry for the red background

Very nice, looking forward to more
Gary