A few Case knives to look at

johnwaynesandw

johnwaynesandw

Joined
Mar 18, 2005
Messages
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I got another Case knife in the mail Monday. It is a Case 6249 Copperhead. It was made in 1983. It is the same Case knife my Grandfather carried for years. He used it so much the main blade looks like a tooth pick. I have attached a few pics of his knife, but I am sorry they are not very good. I took the pics right before I sent it in to Case to get a back spring repair.

I thought I would give the copperhead two blader a try since my Grandfather liked his so much. These are very nice knives. The main blade is a bit larger than most of my EDC knives, but we will see how it goes. I just gave him a Buck 119 for Christmas to clean fish with (he was using Old Hickory kitchen knives for the past 20 years I thought it might be a nice change for him) and work with around the farm. When I got his knife back from Case a few months back, I gave it to him along with a Case stockman and an Old timer Stockman (one for Church and one for work), but I am thinking he may enjoy another Copperhead like his old one. Every time I see him, he either has the Old Timer or that Case Stockman. Do you think he would enjoy another knife like he bought years ago?

Can you guess which stockman I carry?













Thanks,
John
 
johnwaynesandw said:
I have attached a few pics of his knife, but I am sorry they are not very good. I took the pics right before I sent it in to Case to get a back spring repair.



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You sent that knife in for a back spring repair? Did you also get blade replacements? It really is an amazing knife....... if it could only talk, I would imagine the stories would be jackknife-esque!
 
I did not get any new blades in it. I spoke with my Grandfather and we both agreed we liked the old blades that were used better. I just wanted it to be in working order, so I mentioned he should send it in. Grand Pa did dont know they could work on these older knives so he sent it home with me.

There is something about the blades that are so worn and dark from years of use that make it like no other knife. He said he will pass it on to me when he passed, since I cared so much for knives. I wanted him to put up his old knife since it had been used hard for many years and save what was left of it(thats why I gave him the other stockmen knives). If the back spring would not have broken, I am sure there would not be any blade left. It was just sitting in his desk for the past 5 years. He pulled it out one morning as he knew I would be going by there to see them. After 2 weeks or so I went back to my home town and gave him his knife back. He was suprised when I gave it back to him looking good with shinny bolsters and polished bone scales that were smoothed from years of EDCing.


Thanks,
John
 
It is nice being able to send a Case knife back and have it repaired isn't it.
I did that with an old trapper I bought a few years back. Someone had ruined the blades with a benchgrinder. When I got it back it looked just like new :D
 
Case has a top notch CS center. They are a great group of people. I tend to favor Case knives over anything else ( I do not own a custom yet :( ) as far as slippies. As long as I can remeber everyone in the family had a Case or Buck knife, but they only had that one knife unlike me that has several slippies from different decades. The fellows in my family always worked on a farm and tire shop, so a good pocket knife was a must. As of the past 2 years I have been in school and have not had the need for all these knives, but I just can not stay away from them. Don't get me wrong, I am not some paper pusher. I do my own auto and home repaires (that is the way I was raised) so I am able to use some of my knives, but I do not use them like the good ol boys did.

Thanks,
John
 
mnblade said:
You sent that knife in for a back spring repair? Did you also get blade replacements? It really is an amazing knife....... if it could only talk, I would imagine the stories would be jackknife-esque!
Click to expand...

Looking at that knife it's so easy to see that it was a valued daily companion. Those old timers were like that, once they had a good pocket knife, they would use it even though the main blade may be little more than a sliver of it's former self. My dad was like that. As long as it still cut, they would never abandon an old friend.

Seeing a knife like that, it makes one more curious about the man who carried it. What did he do, were did he go, what adventures did he carry that old knife on. From the knife itself we can conclude some things. He was carefull, as he never lost or broke it. He was loyal to an old comrade, he did'nt replace the knife because it was showing some age.

Yes, if only that knife could talk!
 
Jackknife, Every time I read your post I get a smile on my face. My papa was a man that did not spend much money. They buy nice things, but do not waste money. He and my Grandmother had a very humble begining. They worked hard for the things they have, and were able to put all three of their kids through school. I often think how hard they worked to get where they are now. I grew up helping my papa on the farm, tire shop ,and the rental property. That man would run circles around me.

Every time we went out to eat, we would get water. My granny would tell me how to make lemon aid with the sugar packs water and the lemon that came with the meal. They tought me haow to save a dollar and how to earn a dollar. I am very proud to have them in my life.


Thanks,
John
 
johnwaynesandw said:
Jackknife, Every time I read your post I get a smile on my face. My papa was a man that did not spend much money. They buy nice things, but do not waste money. He and my Grandmother had a very humble begining. They worked hard for the things they have, and were able to put all three of their kids through school. I often think how hard they worked to get where they are now. I grew up helping my papa on the farm, tire shop ,and the rental property. That man would run circles around me.

Every time we went out to eat, we would get water. My granny would tell me how to make lemon aid with the sugar packs water and the lemon that came with the meal. They tought me haow to save a dollar and how to earn a dollar. I am very proud to have them in my life.


Thanks,
John
Click to expand...

John, you were blessed by having such people in your life. I have found that humble beginings make for a practical approach to life, and being frugel. These were people who have left you and your family with a legacy to look back on and learn from, so if things ever get bad again you will have the example set by your elders how to get by with a little less. Some of the 30 something yuppys driving around today in SUV's have no idea of what to do if thier high dollar job suddenly goes south. Hard work is something fewer folks know about these days. When we think of how hard our grandparents had to work for what they got, it makes todays materialistic hedonisim seem outright sinfull. I wonder how much of this past Christmas's gifts will be in use 6 to 8 months from now.

We could learn so much from our grandparents generation.
 
JK, I agree with you 110%. Many people these days don't even know how to change a tire :o. I think about what it would be like to live in my grandparents time, and I long for the good ol days. I hear stories of how people left their doors unlocked. People cared about the well being of others and not the $$$. It was a better time and I hope we do learn from the people that were lucky enough to live in those times.

Thanks,
John
 
jackknife said:
Looking at that knife it's so easy to see that it was a valued daily companion. Those old timers were like that, once they had a good pocket knife, they would use it even though the main blade may be little more than a sliver of it's former self. My dad was like that. As long as it still cut, they would never abandon an old friend.

Seeing a knife like that, it makes one more curious about the man who carried it. What did he do, were did he go, what adventures did he carry that old knife on. From the knife itself we can conclude some things. He was carefull, as he never lost or broke it. He was loyal to an old comrade, he did'nt replace the knife because it was showing some age.

Yes, if only that knife could talk!
Click to expand...

Mr. Carl, I wanted to thank you for your post a little over 6 years ago. Recently my Grandfather has not been doing so well and has been spending time in the rest home. I was looking in my past posts for a post regarding down sizing of knives ( and material things) when I ran across this thread. It was very nice to re-read the kind words you spoke.

As I get old, I have noticed that my Grandfather has been my wordly hero. I was never really into sports so I did not have a hero there. Never thought too highly of movie actors. But I do know that I try to act like my Grandfather more and more. As I read your words again, it flashed all of the qualities he has and brought a smile to my heart. Thank you again for making my day (even 6 plus years later).
 
What a great thread. I wasn't around this forum 6 years ago, but I enjoyed reading the posts in this thread and seeing the update today. There is nothing quite like having a real hardworking man to look up to. My parents had a meager beginning and came from rather poor families, but through hard work and determination, they became successful. And yet, they still instilled in each of their children the importance of hard work and being frugal. It has gotten me through many days and times in my life. Their example is one I strive to show my own children, and I can think of no one I admire more. I wish you and your family the best. Thanks again for sharing your story.
 
Hey! I barely know how to change a tire anymore with these newfangled jacks and goofy partially inflated spares.
 
johnwaynesandw said:
Mr. Carl, I wanted to thank you for your post a little over 6 years ago. Recently my Grandfather has not been doing so well and has been spending time in the rest home. I was looking in my past posts for a post regarding down sizing of knives ( and material things) when I ran across this thread. It was very nice to re-read the kind words you spoke.

As I get old, I have noticed that my Grandfather has been my wordly hero. I was never really into sports so I did not have a hero there. Never thought too highly of movie actors. But I do know that I try to act like my Grandfather more and more. As I read your words again, it flashed all of the qualities he has and brought a smile to my heart. Thank you again for making my day (even 6 plus years later).
Click to expand...

What a fantastic thread! And even more awesome is that you have re-opened it to follow up on it so many years later.

Carl's stories and contributions here on the forum are among my favorite here. His stories bring thoughts of another time very different from what we have today (unfortunately). He will get a kick out of seeing this follow up I know.

Bless your Grandfather for being such a great example to you and I'm sure many, many other people over the years. His pocket knife is one of the most special things you can have that's for sure. Some updated close-ups of Grandpa's knife would be totally awesome too by the way if you're still able? :)

Thanks for sharing his story and his knife with us all!
 
Folks (addressed to everyone on here),

Is the Case Copperhead basically the same frame or size as the Copperlock? They really ought to bring that one out of the vault or what have you. They even had a wharncliffe version that you can see being called a wharncliffe trapper in this forum, but they all disappeared about 15 years ago or so.
 
The Copperhead is 3 7/8" long. The Copperlock is 4 1/4", and the Mini Copperlock is 3 5/8". So no, they are not the same size.

The Copperhead was in the "Vault" for a while and they brought it out in 2012. However, it's not being produced in great quantity and only in one or two handle materials currently.

The Copperhead was a more popular pattern in the past, as you have mentioned. I've got several of them and they would make a good carry knife for someone who wanted a good-sized 2-bladed jack that's bigger than a Medium Texas Jack but smaller than the large Trapper.
 
Yeah theres one in caramel barnboard bone right now in stainless.

The copperhead apparently was a big seller in the PX? in Vietnam and it was given the nickname "Vietnam knife."

Wish they'd bring it back in CV.

A Copperlock just feels great in my hand. Not sure the extra thickness of the Copperhead would enhance or detract. Not sure the length difference is a big factor.
 
Thank you all for the kind words. As of the moment, my Grandfather is still holding onto the copperhead. One day, I will be able to take several pictures of it (with better lighting and all around better picture quality). I know that he is ready to go home and be with his Father in the sky. He worked hard all of his life and his tools showed it. Now like his pocket knife, they are retired and looking forward to some rest.

This past week I was in my home town for work on our homestead and I was able to eat lunch with him. It is always nice to visit, but it is plain to see that his mind is not what it used to be. The thought process is very slow and some days it is all he can do to hold his head up. Some days are great and we have such a great visit. I charish the visits when he is able to talk in complete sentences, and when he can only say "hello". Sometimes words are not needed, just being there with him says it all.
 
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