All About Pocket Knives

Guys,
I am attaching a photo of a Case Cheetah, 2011, 9 Dots and this knife has dimpled bolsters and no etch.
My question is 'are the dimples original and from the factory'? They are uniform and evenly applied. Aside from my wording of dimples, and assuming they are from the factory, what does Case call them? This blade is not etched and did it come from the factory that way?
I see no evidence that the blade was ever etched.
As always, any info will be appreciated.

Ray

Ray, on our friend’s knifedb.com site he shows several 2011 6111-1/2 knives. I didn’t see one like yours but he does show several from 2011 some of which have no blade etch. Says the 111-1/2 was the 2011 vault release pattern. Several shown have scrolled bolsters but none have “dimpling”. Does not mean Case didn’t make any that way, but he doesn’t show any.

I found it interesting there was apparently a version made with no swing guard (no hole for one on the knife pictured so it looks to have been made that way).

Ken

Not exactly the same "dimple" pattern on the bolsters, but here's a 2013 Case 5107W Mini Trapper I used to own that has factory worked bolsters. I have seen other patterns with similar bolsters on eBay, so I believe your Cheetah is legit factory. I've also seen Cheetahs without any blade etch as well, so I don't think it's all that uncommon.

That "dimpling" was absolutely done at the factory. I have that exact same knife. If I recall correctly, they called those "Worked Bolsters."

Wow! Thanks guys. I sure appreciate all the help on this knife. I am glad to hear that the knife is legit from factory.

Thanks again,
Ray

Paladin wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 10:13 pm Guys,
I am attaching a photo of a Case Cheetah, 2011, 9 Dots and this knife has dimpled bolsters and no etch.
My question is 'are the dimples original and from the factory'? They are uniform and evenly applied. Aside from my wording of dimples, and assuming they are from the factory, what does Case call them? This blade is not etched and did it come from the factory that way?
I see no evidence that the blade was ever etched.
As always, any info will be appreciated.

Ray

They did make several patterns with the dimpled (worked) bolsters. Here are a few I've picked up over the years. This picture was taken a couple years ago and I think I have added the Wharncliffe Mini-T and maybe another pattern since.

knifeaddict1965 wrote: ↑Thu May 08, 2025 3:29 am

Paladin wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 10:13 pm Guys,
I am attaching a photo of a Case Cheetah, 2011, 9 Dots and this knife has dimpled bolsters and no etch.
My question is 'are the dimples original and from the factory'? They are uniform and evenly applied. Aside from my wording of dimples, and assuming they are from the factory, what does Case call them? This blade is not etched and did it come from the factory that way?
I see no evidence that the blade was ever etched.
As always, any info will be appreciated.

Ray

They did make several patterns with the dimpled (worked) bolsters. Here are a few I've picked up over the years. This picture was taken a couple years ago and I think I have added the Wharncliffe Mini-T and maybe another pattern since.


20210814_174440.jpg

Really good to know and thanks for posting.

Ray

knifeaddict1965 wrote: ↑Thu May 08, 2025 3:29 am

Paladin wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 10:13 pm Guys,
I am attaching a photo of a Case Cheetah, 2011, 9 Dots and this knife has dimpled bolsters and no etch.
My question is 'are the dimples original and from the factory'? They are uniform and evenly applied. Aside from my wording of dimples, and assuming they are from the factory, what does Case call them? This blade is not etched and did it come from the factory that way?
I see no evidence that the blade was ever etched.
As always, any info will be appreciated.

Ray

They did make several patterns with the dimpled (worked) bolsters. Here are a few I've picked up over the years. This picture was taken a couple years ago and I think I have added the Wharncliffe Mini-T and maybe another pattern since.


20210814_174440.jpg

Wonderful collection. Beautiful handles on each one.

knifeaddict1965 wrote: ↑Thu May 08, 2025 3:29 am They did make several patterns with the dimpled (worked) bolsters. Here are a few I've picked up over the years. [...]

Beautiful stag on the Cheetah!

Modern Slip Joints wrote: ↑Thu May 08, 2025 1:52 pm

knifeaddict1965 wrote: ↑Thu May 08, 2025 3:29 am They did make several patterns with the dimpled (worked) bolsters. Here are a few I've picked up over the years. [...]

Beautiful stag on the Cheetah!

doglegg wrote: ↑Thu May 08, 2025 1:29 pm Wonderful collection. Beautiful handles on each one.

Thansk fellas! Always appreciate your feedback.