Help identifying Case 8 blade knife

The W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company has a very rich history that began in 1889 when William Russell (“W.R.”), Jean, John, and Andrew Case began fashioning their knives and selling them along a wagon trail in upstate New York. The company has produced countless treasures and it continues to do so as one of the most collected brands in the world.
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Scarp[79+]
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Help identifying Case 8 blade knife

Post by Scarp[79+] »

Hello everyone,
I am hoping to get some information about a Case knife. I have attached 4 pictures.
It is an 8 blade, multi-purpose pocket knife, with mother of pearl handles.
Most blades are marked "CASE BROS CUTCO"
One blade is marked "CASE BROS LITTLE VALLEY"

I'm hoping someone may know something about the age, history, and value or the knife.
I haven't been able to find any 8 blade Case knives similar to this one.

Thank you,

Scott
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IMG_3631.jpg
IMG_3632.jpg
IMG_3633.jpg
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treefarmer
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Re: Help identifying Case 8 blade knife

Post by treefarmer »

::welcome:: to AAPK!
Sorry I don’t know about your knife other than to say with those older tang stamps it is probably quite old. This style is usually referred to as a Lobster pattern.
Pretty sure a knowledgeable Case collector will render a verdict on your knife.
Treefarmer

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Reverand
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Re: Help identifying Case 8 blade knife

Post by Reverand »

Welcome to AAPK!
I love that fiery pearl! It is amazing to find one that old in such great condition!
I am also waiting on our Case experts to come along and give some real information. Congratulations on such a great knife!
Jesus is life.
Everything else is just a hobby.

~Reverand
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1967redrider
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Re: Help identifying Case 8 blade knife

Post by 1967redrider »

Wow, what a cool piece of American knife maker history. I would imagine it's pretty weighty? ::welcome:: to AAPK.
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
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Mumbleypeg
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Re: Help identifying Case 8 blade knife

Post by Mumbleypeg »

Welcome to AAPK. Beautiful old knife. On first glance I thought “European made” but that isn’t likely because the Case Brothers company did not exist until 1896, well after the 1890 tariff law which required all cutlery imported for sale into the U.S.A. to be stamped with the country of origin. Sorry I can’t tell you anything about it. I’ve never seen a Case Brothers lobster pattern (there is a picture of a 3-blade lobster pattern in Sargent’s), nor one with more than 4 blades. (Not implying it’s not legitimate).

AAPK’s resident expert on older Case-related knives is Tom McCandless (member olderdogs1) who has collected them for years and authored books about them. Hopefully he will see your post and comment.

Ken
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Froe
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Re: Help identifying Case 8 blade knife

Post by Froe »

Could someone tell me what the fork shaped blade is for?
Froe
Scarp[79+]
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Re: Help identifying Case 8 blade knife

Post by Scarp[79+] »

Thanks for the responses. Just out of curiosity I weighed the knife and it's 3.1 ozs.
Another curious thing is the only blade not stamped is the file.
1fartsmella
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Re: Help identifying Case 8 blade knife

Post by 1fartsmella »

Froe wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 10:46 pm Could someone tell me what the fork shaped blade is for?
Froe
I beleive it is a Cigar fork. Used to smoke a cigar when it gets to short to hold with your fingers.
Barry
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Mumbleypeg
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Re: Help identifying Case 8 blade knife

Post by Mumbleypeg »

In my experience it was not unusual for file blades to be unmarked. I suspect due to their unusual file feature the file blades were often made elsewhere and purchased by the cutlery. JMO

I agree the small forked blade is for cigar "stubs".

Ken
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olderdogs1
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Re: Help identifying Case 8 blade knife

Post by olderdogs1 »

I haven't seen a CASE BROS knife of that pattern. Of course a lot of the CASE BROS PATTERNS are unknown. The CASE BROS LITTLE VALLEY NY dates the knife 1900-12. It is normal for all blades of a Case Bros knife to be stamped. The fact that the one blade is not stamped would not be of great concern considering the type of blade that it is, a file. One thing you won't find with an authentic vintage CASE BROS knife is a stamped pattern number. CASE BROS knives did have pattern numbers but they were not stamped on the blades. There are several ways and books that do have pictures of CASE BROS knives where the pictures identify the pattern number but no one has them all. The CASE BROS CUT CO stamp is one of the earliest CASE BROS stamps so it is probably a fairly early knifes. Doubt you will see another one. Nice knife.

Tom McCandless
Froe
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Re: Help identifying Case 8 blade knife

Post by Froe »

1fartsmella wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 11:22 pm
Froe wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 10:46 pm Could someone tell me what the fork shaped blade is for?
Froe
I beleive it is a Cigar fork. Used to smoke a cigar when it gets to short to hold with your fingers.
Thank for the education. I’d have never known.
Froe
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1967redrider
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Re: Help identifying Case 8 blade knife

Post by 1967redrider »

I wouldn't be surprised if someone important in the Case Bros. company owned this one of a kind Lobster.
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
Scarp[79+]
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Re: Help identifying Case 8 blade knife

Post by Scarp[79+] »

Thanks for the information everyone, now I realize why I couldn't find any info on the knife.
1fartsmella
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Re: Help identifying Case 8 blade knife

Post by 1fartsmella »

When I see a cigar fork on a knife, it indicates to me that this was meant to be a smokers knife. Usually there should be other blades used for cigars.
The thin blade that looks like a punch blade might be intended as a punch for opening an airway down the center of the cigar.
It's hard to tell from these photos. Just a guess?
Barry
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