All About Pocket Knives

Anyone purchase a Case Small Stockman recently? If so, how is the fit and finish? Specifically, is there any blade play?

I'm especially interested in either the Pocket Worn Red Bone or the Amber Bone, since those two have the rounded bolsters.

I'm considering purchasing one as a gift for a friend who happens to be ~very~ particular.

Any comments are appreciated,
-Bob

Bob, If giftee is real particular, I'd recommend picking one out yourself at a Case dealer or knife show vs the potluck mailorder method.

imho there has been less consistency of Quality in recent years.
Also more recent years seem to have softer nickel-silver comp to the bolsters (more prone to show marks) and smaller patterns have lighter spring snap. May be made more for "collecting" than using.

I'm not trying to pick on Case Co., just sharing my observations hopefully as an aid to your ??. I did have to inspect 3-4 barnboard 090s & PWOR 61265s to find one ea w/ closely matching handles and no blade scratches.
Overall I'd say my Case knives are better made from 1990-2002 than the 2005-present. Fit & finish more common problem in late 80s.
You didn't mention any particular pattern, I do have a recent 5233 that seems very tight & right. I saw a 6201 in an ertl kit that is way TOO small for my taste. 33 pattern smallest I have.
The new medium size stockman 63090 is a nice one with rounded bolsters & of course the serpentine 087.
If you like the PWOR lineup, another to consider there might be the 6318 #00786. It is one of a FEW 6318s that come with the regular clip blade instead of the california clip normally fitted to the 18 pattern.
Another PWOR I like is the mid folding hunter since it is a Clipless version.
But now I'm heading in wrong direction, larger instead of smaller.

Of course other options are:
1. take friend w/you and let them pick it out.
2. Gift certificate. (yeech!) lol

Now of course, if friend is ReAl Partic you can get them a S&M stockman and relax!

Thanks for your comments. The friend (actually my F-I-L whose name I drew for Christmas) carries a small Old Timer, somthing like the 104OT or 108OT (I don't recall if he has two blades or three), which are small serpentine knives about 2-3/4" closed (seen here: http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/ ... /108OT.htm ). The blades are getting rather worn down and I was hoping to find something similar but with nicer handles.

I wouldn't say he's ultra-particular, but when he opens the gift the first thing he's going to do is check for blade play. Old Timer knives are famous for haveing a consistent quality, and I'm certain that his has no wobble at all.

I've been reading that Case knives have improved with regards to quality and consistency, and the ones I own are pretty good. I haven't bought one for some time though.

Here are the two knives at the Case website:
http://www.wrcase.com/knives/pocket_kni ... Item='0262'

http://www.wrcase.com/knives/pocket_kni ... Item='2741'

The Small Stockman isn't available in every series, and all of the others have square bolsters.

Sadly, there are no knife dealers or shows in the area. And based on where I live, even if those could be found here, they would suck.

The Medium Stockman is much too large...

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I also like the Small Pen Knife, like this one, without the scissors or bail:
http://www.wrcase.com/knives/pocket_kni ... Item='0088'
It does have more squared bolsters, but I could live with it.
Anyone order one of these?

get them a S&M stockman and relax!

I'm certainly not stuck on the Case brand. But I wasn't thrilled with my last Queen purchase, a Robeson Sleeveboard with a bit of blade play and springs that are ~very~ stiff.

My 104OT is a 2 blade pen.
If you want to stay Schrade USA with nicer handles the 807UH Jr Stockman with the staglon might be the ticket.
And I agree, the consistency of the older Schrades may have spoiled me.
You can also find some Schrade Ducks UnLtd with oak handles & brass bolsters still new in the white & gold box. Seen 104 type pens and 34OT size. Blade usually has year & duckhead on those, have seen 2004 & 2003. Not sure how far back they go before that.
Good luck with your hunt BoB, I'm sure FIL will enjoy which ever one you choose.

My 104OT is a 2 blade pen

Yeah, I'm not positive exactly which pattern he currently carries, but the 108 and 104 are the two most likely.

I never thought about finding an unused Old Timer. Not a bad idea, but it would need to be one of the special editions to be nice enough for a gift. Those aren't easy to come by, and if I stumbled upon one I'd keep it for myself.