All About Pocket Knives

I have a general question regarding Case shields, I think I know the answer but I know there are much more knowledgeable folks here that can confirm. Were there any post-1977 or so Case models that came with pinned shields aside from the premium Bose collaborations? I love some of the newer models, but for some reason am very OCD about the shields and I just cannot get excited about any glued shields. I'm specifically really interested in finding a Case Gunboat model, I see a 1991 bomb shield stag version that is gorgeous, but I'm not interested if the shield is not pinned and I assume it's not.

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it!

Sorry I can’t answer your question with specifics. Maybe the Case Select series, but I’m not sure about that. You can find some pinned shields between 1977 and early 1980s as they were phased out gradually, not all at the same time. I think since about 1982 or 83 the standard production knives having shields were all glued.

It’s an interesting topic. Post-WWII most manufacturers didn’t use shields at all. Not sure when the advent of glued shields started. The first time I noticed there were glued shields was probably around 1980 when my dad showed me a Böker whittler he had that lost its shield. Then several years later the shield on my EDC 1988-made Case 6347 went missing (never did find it.)

Ken

Below is a link to an AAPK thread discussing this very subject. The consensus seems to be that pinned shields were phased out by Case by 1980. I'm with you, I have a strong dislike for glued shields. I do not believe that any of the "keepers" in my collection have glued shields (at least I hope not). But, I have replaced dozens of lost shields on knives that I have worked on and of course, all on them were glued on. Case and Boker are very good about providing replacement shields.

viewtopic.php?t=59927#:~:text=It%20seem ... und%201980.

Thanks guys (and thanks again Ken!). I was curious if any of the Case Selects maybe snuck through with pinned shields as I had my eye on one of those. I'll take a look at the discussion you linked, thanks herbva! I've only had one shield pop off on me so far, on a GEC actually which surprised me and turns out is the only GEC I have that wasn't pinned. It's more just knowing they could pop off that seems to bug me I guess.

Scott

I had a Case knife for less than a week and the shield just fell out, not good enough and was not impressed. Luckily did not lose the shield, when examining it was really not impressed, only had one small dot of glue holding it in, looked like a cost cutting measure. I glued it back in without any cost cutting measures, but not good enough, if i lost the shield i had a stuffed brand new knife.

What really irritates me is that as already mentioned, Case used to pin their shields. Then they stopped. What kind of crack pot thing to do was that?!

It is a bit complicated....

But all bone and stag handled knives made through 1977 had pinned shields.

1978-79 knives are a mixed bag, some glued, some pinned.

By 1980, zero pinned , all glued.

As far as I know, no Case Selects had pinned shields.

In fact again AFAIK, the only Case knives 1980 and later with pinned shields are the annual Case/Bose high-end collaborations.