All About Pocket Knives

Hello all! New to this forum but have a question for you folks who are into case knives. I have decieded to collect a few Case knives and have chosen the 83 pattern Whittler to pursue. The first pocket knife that I bought as a kid back in the 60's was this pattern and I still have it along with a late 90's that I purchased to keep the old on company. These Case knives are something new for me as I am way into tactical's of all kinds as well as the Kershaw, Spyderco and Benchmade type knives. Anyway the question is I purchased at a knife show this past weekend a beautiful 1974 6383 with dark brown scales. One of the scales has a very fine crack that is only visible in sunlight or strong artifical light. I paid $100.00 for it and did not discover the crack until back home. The dealer has offered a refund if I want. What do you folks think? Also I noticed as it was sitting with its two brothers that the Case shield in the scale is upside down compared to the other two. Is this unusual? Thanks I hope to learn from you!

welcome to the best knife forum.

you wrote:
a beautiful 1974 6383 with dark brown scales. One of the scales has a very fine crack that is only visible in sunlight or strong artifical light.


is it bone or delrin? what condition are the blades? carried, sharpened?
the latest parker/henley price list shows a mint bone at $150 and a mint delrin at $80. i would go 80% of those numbers unless it was perfect. can you show pics? we have some real case experts hangin around.

Hello mahd776 ;

I am not a Case fan, and I only have been at this for about 2 years.
I would refund the knife to the seller as soon as possible. One thing I have noted in collecting is if you are not happy with the knife. Then why have it. You will from this day on always see that crack. It will turn you off in time too. You have a good chance of holding her for 2 years and selling her for 1/2 the cost later on (just because of the crack). Most good people will tell the new owner that it is there. I feel the seller is trying to make it a good deal for you and that means you can feel safe with that dealer. Perhaps he will find you one just like it with out a crack.

You stated that you have other Kershaw, Spyderco and Benchmade type knives. Those are real good quality knives. I am sure if one of them have some thing you are not happy with you remember ever time you see it.

Just trying to help you and keeping you happy with (The first pocket knife that I bought as a kid).

O by the way WELCOME to AAPK. and buy a hat.... I to live in ILL.

Welcome mahd776 To our humble site. Well, I am one of those strange guys that never went for Case. I sold a collection of Case knives some time back and I like Bulldog Brand knives as well as being trapped in the world of custom knives. I never tire of it.

Welcome to the site!
I am with Hukk on this one. I buy and then sell some Case knives but rarely keep one for myself. I suspect that Case accounts for about 90% of the knives bought, sold or traded.
I like to avoid handle cracks whenever possible. It is just a negative with which you will always identify that knife. If you look at a knife and find a crack and decide to buy it anyway, it is a different situation.
I'd return it.

First off, you've picked a good pattern to collect, 83 patterns are very popular. If it was me, I'd return the knife. Sounds like the dealer didn't know it was cracked and if he's willing to take it back, you'll be able to find another at about the same price.

While cracks are a natural occurance, most collectors and dealers consider them to be the kiss of death. I think it's very unfortunate that most folks think it's fine to remove half of the steel on a knife cleaning it but, god forbid if it has a hairline crack in the handle. Regardless, the market dictates what's acceptable and what's not and it appears that I'm in the minority since I think that cleaning is much worse than a crack. At this time cracks are considered unacceptable in bone handles. Stag handles with cracks are not looked upon as bad as bone, but still take some of the value away.

Hi Mike,
to AAPK.
There are certainly some experts on Case that frequent this site. I am not one of them. I am another of the ones who don't collect Case, though I do have a few in my collection.

I do agree with Ken, Perry & others. Let the seller refund the knife. If you are like most collectors, a flaw in a knife is what you will focus on. You will probably never be happy with the knife.

The seller sounds like a stand up guy. I personally would take him up on his offer to refund the knife.

Just my 2¢,
Dale

Hello mahd776, I'm with Knifekid on this, a tight crack is not the end of the world to me, but on a newer knife like your 1974 I would return it. If you find a tested Case in this condition for a good price you should buy it. IMO

Stockman

Thanks for all the input folks. Made the decision to return it a bit easier. Dropped it in the mail yesterday so I am looking to buy another. I will be going to gun and knife show this weekend to look. I like this forum and hope to learn much. Thanks again everyone!
No one comminted on the Case logo shield being upside down. Is this unusual?