2013 Case/Bose Collaboration

Mine is on the way (chestnut bone) and should be here this week. I'm really looking forward to dropping it in my front pocket.
 
Mine is in the mail also!
I have enjoyed every one of the Case/Bose collaboration knives I have owned, and I still own several. I have lots of hope for this one.
 
I'm curious to hear people's opinions of these knives when they arrive, please share your thoughts. Looks like a nice interpretation of a very popular pattern.
 
I am guessing by the lack of photo evidence and enthusiasm this must be a vorpal blade. Sought but not seen ...
 
Yeah, they're available but this year's price has given me pause. Its already more than any other collab I've bought, including the damascus slimline trapper and improved muskrat. I've gotten 2 blade customs for less. I'd like to get one of the ebony models if I can find one at a price I'm comfortable with.
 
zippofan said:
Mine is on the way (chestnut bone) and should be here this week. I'm really looking forward to dropping it in my front pocket.
Click to expand...

waynorth said:
Mine is in the mail also!
I have enjoyed every one of the Case/Bose collaboration knives I have owned, and I still own several. I have lots of hope for this one.
Click to expand...

Either of you guys have them in hand yet?
Really wanting to see how these are received.
 
I had the opportunity of inspecting one. Fantastic knife. If it didn't have the Case stamp on it I might think it was a custom (but one of the blades had a little bit of wobble when closed). I think anyone getting one will be happy with it. But I'm adhering to the can-get-a-custom-knife-for-the-same-price doctrine and, IMHO, the current version of the Case collab knives has reached the price plateau: this year I decided to instead add another tribal spear to my collection.
 
The "can-get-a-custom-knife-for-the-same-price doctrine" will not serve you well.

I own a custom slipjoint that is embarrassed to be in the same collection as my Case Bose knives. It's also been back to the maker for repair (design flaw). Repair didn't take, so the second time I fixed it myself...that worked.

I've seen five custom Scagel style slipjoints by an ABS maker that were not worth 1/2 a Case Bose. Even a 17 and 9 yo accompanying me could tell they had fit/finish flaws and were not worth the ~$400 prices.

I've seen many custom slipjoints that don't have the fit/finish of a Case Bose. I've seen many custom slipjoints with great fit, great finish, and great materials...but the design cannot hold a candle to a Bose.

Custom does not mean better. There are a lot of hacks making custom knives.
 
I had the chance to examine four examples of the new wharncliffe trapper at my local Case Master Dealer. I bought two, one with bone scales and one with abalone. I may buy a third, I like them so much. I wish I had the picture-taking skills to show how good the fit is between the frame, spring, and blade on these knives. They are absolutely as well-made as many of the customs in my collection, and of course the design is hard to beat for real use. My only advice for anyone considering getting one is to seek out a "bricks & mortar" dealer to buy from if at all possible. One of the knives I looked had blades that were very slightly off-center, not so much that I would consider the knife unacceptable, but I was certainly glad that I could pick another one that was absolutely flawless.

Cheers, Garrett
 
That is one of the big reasons I'm hesitant on these...no access to a real store that stocks them to handle them first. I've seen lots of pics with off center blades and things like that on these knives and most of the Ebay posts don't even show how the blades sit (which I always find suspicious). I love the design and the Bose connection and if I found one that was truly as well made as a good custom with centered blades, flush springs, etc...I'd probably jump on it. Just not sure I trust that enough of them really come out to that level of fit/finish to risk taking the chance on ordering one.

With regards to the same price as a custom issue...while what brownshoe says is true that certainly isn't the case for all custom makers. These knives are selling for about $450 at regular prices it seems....you can definitely get a really high quality custom for a similar price. That isn't to say any custom knife at this price is going to be better, but I think the potential is there for that. You can get a knife from Bret Dowell in this range and his quality level is up there with the best from what I have seen. Of course they aren't nearly as easy to come by and some of the ones that are out there are priced a fair bit higher...but can be had with patience. So I don't think that such an argument can be fully discounted.
 
I have several Case/Bose knives, they can be a hit or miss. My Slimline Damascus trapper is merely ok, the Lanny's and Zulu are great. I had an Arkansas Hunter that should have never left the factory. I'd inspect it in person, or have an agreement with the retailer to return it if dissatisfied.
 
If you have the cash in hand, your brick and mortar dealer might be able to work with you on the price. This isn't to say that they will bicker over the price of an Opinel or Mora, but for such a costly item, they may knock some $ off or toss in a store freebie. Just a thought. Not going to say it will work either. This is more likely if you have spent a good bit of money with them in the past, of course.

I carried my WT, LC and TS over the weekend, the wharncliff trapper did really well. I converted my buddy, who is only into bushcraft blades, after he saw my Lannys clip and Tribal spear. We are trading fools, and I didn't want to show him my wharncliff trapper for fear of my trading it ;). We traded a ton of fixed blades, and was contemplating a knife I had traded him that he wouldn't've let go for the world, for one of my Case Bose annuals.
 
I have to admit I am sort of shocked that these have evidently (judging by sales on the big auction site) been available for about 2 months and other than Dan (silenthunterstudios) and Garrett (grkyle), we don't have any other firsthand reports from owners, and no pictures.

No biggie, and I suppose if I'm all that concerned I should just buy my own :o
I'm just surprised at the lack of 'showing' I guess.
 
I recently picked up a Case/Bose Coffin Jack. It's definitely a step up in F&F from my half dozen or so GECs, but I think I'm bumping up against my personal point of diminishing returns ceiling. I'm glad I bought it, but I don't know if I see myself ever spending this much on a knife again.
 
Ill get to see one in person in a few days. Ill be able to tell if its a $450 knife, to me anyway.
 
Sorry to bump such an old thread but I just scored one of these in ebony and this pattern is just perfection

K41Y62j.jpg
 
That certainly looks like an excellent example, good for you!:)

Be interesting to hear other owners' opinions especially after a few years like this.
 
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