Case Salesman samples??

[Case Carolina]

Trying to determine if these 6 canoes are Salesman samples/value. If I am reading tang stamp correctly, they are 1993. Unsure about the SC before pattern #. SC62131. Any guidance appreciated!
Thanks,
Ray

[just bob]

I believe SC means second cut, but no idea why the blades are in those frames with those handles. Left over parts put together to make knives? Hopefully Steve will see this and give his opinion. Interesting.

[New_Windsor_NY]

Trying.....

Maybe an answer here?
viewforum.php?f=66

[Case Carolina]

Thanks just bob and Skip.
I read a thread Case Prototype
Post by A&E » Thu Sep 06, 2007 1:33 am
That was informative and also confusing Seems that some were marked, some were not; some have COAs and some don’t; and some were made with spare/left over parts….
The owner of the set pictured purchased it over a decade ago from a local authorized Case distributor, who has since passed. So without any documentation I don’t have a lot to go on, but given the seller and his reputation, I believe they are legit.
I am just beginning my Case journey helping my dad with his extensive Case collection.
I appreciate your feedback.
Ray

[just bob]

One thing you might try is contacting both Case and Shepherd Hills. It's not going to cost you anything and you already have the pics. You could just ask them for opinions. I have found the people at Shepherd Hills to go out of their way trying to help.

https://caseknives.com/pages/contact-us

https://www.casexx.com/Others/Contact.asp

[Mumbleypeg]

I don’t try to keep up with post-1980 Case knives and the thousands of made-for-collectable variations. Case Collector’s Club and knifedb.com which are excellent resources, the only knives having SC prefix are Second Cut stag or bone. I found examples of SC62131 from 1993 but they all have either the early 1993 date stamp (the actual date, not dotted) or Roman numeral dates (which were a SFO for Frost Cutlery). I found no other SC62131 examples having a 1990s date code. I found nothing from any date to explain knives having SC prefix with anything other than second cut bone covers.

Try contacting Case and Shepherd Hills, as Bob recommends. If they know anything please come back here and post it so we can all learn about it.

Someone who collects more recent Case knives may know something.

Ken

[Case Carolina]

Thanks Bob and Ken.
I will reach out to them and post what I learn.
I appreciate your input.
Ray

[peanut740]

At least since the 90's Case made prototypes are stamped on the inside of the brass liners with a long tail C and proto spelled out.

[peanut740]

Here's a picture of a Case Tony Bose prototype.

[Modern Slip Joints]

Straying further off the topic of Carolina Case's Canoes, It's my understanding that, unlike second cut stag (SC5), SC6 does not mean bone sliced off after the surface slice is taken. It means bone jigged and dyed to resemble SC5. The research section here writes SC means the knife will have scissors with no mention of the more modern usage, second cut side covers. With plastic side covers? Rehandled knives?

[Mumbleypeg]

SC suffix means scissors. SC prefix is second cut.

It is my belief that all “second cut” or “SC” prefix is actually stag. Just based on anecdotal observation, whether Case used a 5 or a 6 seems dependent on the dye color used. If it’s “blond” (lighter) they used a 5, if it’s red, wine, or dark it was given a 6. JMO

Ken

[Modern Slip Joints]

SC suffix means scissors. SC prefix is second cut.

It is my belief that all “second cut” or “SC” prefix is actually stag. Just based on anecdotal observation, whether Case used a 5 or a 6 seems dependent on the dye color used. If it’s “blond” (lighter) they used a 5, if it’s red, wine, or dark it was given a 6. JMO

Ken

SC suffix v. prefix - thank-you for clearing that up.

I believed the SC6 I owned was bone. That's what the ebay seller said it was. It's likely it was from the 1990s give or take a decade. I don't recall if I had its box. I wonder if any clues about stag v. bone were printed on the box ends.

One thing that might have helped start the rumor that Carolina Case's Canoes were salesmans' samples is the the storage case they are in. During the 1980s and into the 1990s many sets of knives were sold through knife collector clubs in similar brown vinal cases. Whether the Canoes left the Case factory in that case is a good question. Even if they did, are any other sets of knives in those brown vinal cases known to have been salesmans' samples?

[Mumbleypeg]

I put no stock in the concept of salesman’s samples. Given the age of the OP’s knives, “traveling salesmen” weren’t used at the time. Prototypes, maybe. The OP hasn’t come back to say whether there are any marks inside the liners, like Roger posted. Prototypes could have been made for purposes of sales catalog photography, or proof of concept.

Ken

[Case Carolina]

Ken and peanut,
I have sent photos to Shepard Hills. Will post what I learn. There are no other markings on blade like peanuts. Will check the other knives to confirm. Wasn’t trying to rile anyone, just newbie asking for help.
Ray

[Case Carolina]

Reply from Shepherd Hills:
May 14 at 6:12 PM
I DO NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THESE KNIVES. The one with the SC62131 SS says it is a second cut bone handle. But the knife is not a
Bone handle. I tried to look on the internet and this was all I could find on this one knife. We did not start doing business with Case until 1996.
Sorry I could not be of more help. You might find a hardware store that might carry Case knives. He might be able to help you.

Thank you.
L*****
Catalog Sales

So, I will try Case later this week.
Ray

[Mumbleypeg]

No worries, no one is riled. We just enjoy talking about knives, and speculating about them. Even moreso if its something unusual. If you find out anything please let us know.

Ken