A bit disappointed in my new Sowbelly...

[Obsessed with Edges]

Well, I think a slightly rounded sheepsfoot is acceptable, but CERTAINLY not on a clip point!

It is a case of too much polishing. I can just picture the guy just going to TOWN on that knife at the buffing wheel.

It's actually more to do with not fully finishing the bevel initially. The blades are polished before the final edge is ground onto them. I've had knives like this one in the OP, and it takes a lot more than over-buffing to remove what's missing at the tip. This becomes apparent when it comes time to restore the bevel, which takes a fairly aggressive, coarse hone. Examining the edge under magnification reveals that parts of the bevel were never there to begin with.

Whatever buffing is done after the edge gets put on, it's usually not even enough to remove the burrs & wire edges on these blades. I've gotten used to seeing those too, straight out of the box, on many Case knives.

To the OP, I'd understand if you were to send it back for a better sharpening. Perfectly justified. I've gotten to where I usually reprofile even 'good' factory edges on my own knives, so I personally don't worry too much about it, myself, when a bad one shows up. But my view on the matter is somewhat skewed, in that regard.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Shawn, The examples of Case sowbellies that I've seen also have softer walk and talk but I don't think it is inherent to the pattern. Some of the "Winchester" and "Primble" Sowbellies (manufactured by Queen) have a pull that's a 7 out of 10 and snap like a bear trap and others have a pull that's a 4 out of 10. My Schatt & Morgan (Queen) Series 18 Sowbelly has a pull that's about a 4 out of 10. I think the old 1989 Winchesters might be worth a shot if you want a Sowbelly with a stronger pull.

I also don't have any that I'd consider 'mushy' in pull. I have maybe 8 - 10 of the Case Sowbellies (maybe a couple more than that), and for the most part, I'd classify the pull on them at the higher end of the scale (around 7 out of 10, give or take), and none that I'd consider weak or soft. The most vicious 'bite' I've ever received from a knife was from one of my 5-blade sowbellies, in fact, when one of the blades snapped shut onto the tips of two of my fingers. EDIT: That was a factory edge, BTW, and it was wickedly sharp. Neatly clipped 1/4" wide flaps of skin from each finger.

As with all knives, there are always exceptions though. And of those, more will be noticed with a high-volume producer like Case.