Advice for first time traditional purchase...

D

darklight943

Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Messages
361
Traditional folders people,

I would like to purchase a good hard working trapper or stockman and have been checking out what W.R.Case has to offer. Stupid question time: Are most all of the Case knives for collecting, or are they good daily users? I've been collecting now for a while, but all my knives up to this point are of the Spyderco, Benchmade, Byrd, SOG type, but would like some traditional folders in the rotation as well - although they have to be users. Any good suggestions? I'm not into breaking the bank either on a knife - so under $50, if possible. Working environment would be mailroom, small warehouse, box opening, office, light plastic binding cutting, general purpose. How about other reputable manufacturers? Thanks!

Actually, it was this post by Jackknife that got me thinking about traditional folders -thanks Jackknife!
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=443847
 
I have a Case yellow handled CV trapper that has been in my edc rotation for a couple of weeks now, and I love it. It should easily stand up to any of the cutting chores you've listed, it holds a great edge and is easy to resharpen, and they aren't really that expensive, about 30 bucks I've noticed. Overall if you're thinking of going with the Case I would definitely recommend the CV blades over the stainless. Case stainless is nice, but I like the patina the CV is developing over time with use.
 
I'll second the yellow Case with CV.

You can get them at Smoky mountain for a reasonable price, its hard to lay down a yellow handle in the outdoors and forget about it, and the Cv is good stuff. Last summer I introduced my grandson to lake fishing, and we used our yellow CV knives as fish and bait knives. Washed them off in the lake. Kind of hard use for a carbon steel pocket knife, but I wanted to impress on my grandson that with propper maintanence a carbon blade won't rust. Ryan's yellow peanut gutted alot of panfish and got a real nice patina. A drop of Hoppys gun oil in the joints kept it working just fine.

I also will edc a yellow Case sodbuster in either size, and they are great knives. Very rugged. If you're used to the Spyderco and other modern single blade knives, a sodbuster may be a good inexpencive comparison. Same general kind of knife, but one modern, one a very old design. Stack up your spydie against the same, or close size, Case CV sodbuster and see how they appeal to you.

Also- If you haunt e-bay and can find some older still in good shape Schrade Old Timer's you'll have a very good using knife. Schrade used some real good carbon steel in those Old Timers. The senior 8OT is a 4 inch stockman that may fit your bill. Stay away from the re-makes, its junk stuff.
 
Count me in for the Case CV stuff. Hard to go wrong with either a Peanut or a Sodbuster. The Soddie Jr. and the Peanut carry well for long periods.

I'm currently carrying a Case Mini-Trapper in smooth bone with the stainless blades at work (dress slacks) and a Case Ky Bluegrass Trapper when in jeans. Both came sharp out of the box and have been doing well for me. I got both on eBay. The Mini was under $40 and the Trapper normally goes for around $45-50 on the net. This one has hand engraved bolsters and I still got it for less than $70. It would be one to show, but I enjoy carrying and using it too much.

By waiting to find what I wanted at a price I was okay with, I've gotten some nice Queens and Schott & Morgans new for under $50.

So you can find plenty of great knives that will look, feel, and work great. The yellow handle CV's are excellent working knives, the steel is great, and they develop a nice patina that looks good against the yellow. However, don't be afraid of Cases Tru-sharp. Both my daily carries and a Russlock I have carried a bit give first class service and have held their edges well. CV will, however, hold an edge just a tad longer.

Best luck on finding "your" favorite carry. And make sure you show us a pic if you can.

Amos
 
If you work in a mailroom, and are using your knife constantly, you might consider a sodbuster JR or a canoe pattern, because generally you can open those styles quick without using the nail nicks.

I almost always carry a delica somewhere on me, but I tend to think of it as a heavy or hard use knife. - or a loaner. If someone asks to borrow my knife, I hand them the delica cause you neveer can tell what people are going to do with it. My delica is like a utility knife to me. Cut shingles, wire, whatever.

I'll third the case yellow handle CV's if you are looking for a Case. My favorite traditional users are queens though. I have a canoe in D2, a mini-trapper and a birdseye maple razor trapper or "one armed man" model. It's kind of different, but it can be opened one handed and is good for lots of stuff - like poking things in the frying pan.
 
In answer to your question, "yes", most Case knives are great users, stainless or CV, with some edge (har) going to the CV. On the other hand, some of the "Limited XX", special edition, etc, knives are considerably more than the basic models, and you might not want to fork over extra $$ for (effectively) a fancy etching on the blade, or a special tin presentation box.

That is to say, you don't have to limit yourself to yellow handled knives if you don't want to. The others work pretty well, too. :)

-- Sam
 
Case CV all the way.I have a nice Amberbone Stockman I love.Definetely go carbon steel.
 
I have the Case Peanut and Sodbuster jr., both in SS, and I have to say they both kick butt. I've used the CV soddie before, and to be honest with you, for just normal everyday use, either will do. Sure the CV is a little better at retaining an edge, but like I said, for just normal use, it's pretty negligible. The Case SS steel is pretty darn good, and holds an edge really well. The Soddie, with it's broad, tapered blade sharpens fantastically, and the Peanut is like a friggin razor blade. Make it two razors, since it has two blades. You can't really go wrong with either one. I had a Stockman, also in SS, and it was a workhorse. Case as a collectible? Sure. As a user? It's what they were made for, to be used. Enjoy.
 
I have to agree with a couple of the guys the sodbusters are great workhorses. ride well in the pocket, easy open. and like 20 bucks:thumbup:
 
Great stuff guys - thanks! Yeah, I really have 0 experience with traditionals and Case seems like a good place to start. Really great looking knives, so it did kind of throw me off as far as collectables vs. utility. The sodbuster looks like it would be a great choice - I may have to get both a soddie and a stockman. The suggestion about the yellow handles is good too - easier to see if dropped, or maybe rummaging around in a pack at night. I may take a look to see what eBaY has for older Schrade stuff and Moore Maker(?). Any thoughts on brands like Boker, Marbles, Buck, or Keen Kutter?
 
darklight943 said:
...Any thoughts on brands like Boker, Marbles, Buck, or Keen Kutter?
Click to expand...
I have a Buck 703 Stockman. It's a beautiful knife, and the stainless blades sharpen easily and hold an edge almost as well as Case CV. I also have a large and a small Case Stockman and a couple of Sodbuster Jrs, one of which is CV. The CV Soddie is what I would choose for your type of work and maybe a Case or Buck Stockman (or Case Seahorse Whittler) for fun.

Richard
 
I also vote for the Case CV but my EDC is Case SS. I have no complaints with my SS case knives but I would choose CV if the patterns I like had that option.
 
I'm a BIG fan of both the Moore Maker and Case brands in yellow delrin and carbon steel, but for your price range you can still get something in nice bone handles.

There are a lot of Case knives, CV and otherwise on sale (as in price reduced) at this link:

http://www.vintageknives.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&grp=43

Among other things they have the Case 6375 Jumbo Stockman in CV and Amber bone for $37.40. You won't beat that price anywhere. If 4 1/4 is too big for your needs, they also have the 63032 medium stockman (3 5/8") in the same combination.

Another option in bone and carbon steel for about the same price is Boker. Here's a link to a 4" stockman in smooth yellow bone and carbon steel, again price reduced at $39.97.

http://www.knivesplus.com/bokerknifestockman-bk-7474y.html

If you're not married to the idea of carbon steel blades (although you probably should be) the Case pocketworn series are very enjoyable knives as well.

Happy hunting!

Edited: In addition to the above, $50 will pretty much get you your pick of Queen Cutlery slipjoints in either Cocobolo or Birdseye Maple handles with D2 steel blades at these links:

http://www.cumberlandknifeworks.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=cocobolo

http://www.cumberlandknifeworks.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=bem
 
longbeachguy said:
I'm a BIG fan of both the Moore Maker and Case brands in yellow delrin and carbon steel, but for your price range you can still get something in nice bone handles.

There are a lot of Case knives, CV and otherwise on sale (as in price reduced) at this link:

http://www.vintageknives.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&grp=43

Among other things they have the Case 6375 Jumbo Stockman in CV and Amber bone for $37.40. You won't beat that price anywhere. If 4 1/4 is too big for your needs, they also have the 63032 medium stockman (3 5/8") in the same combination.

Another option in bone and carbon steel for about the same price is Boker. Here's a link to a 4" stockman in smooth yellow bone and carbon steel, again price reduced at $39.97.

http://www.knivesplus.com/bokerknifestockman-bk-7474y.html

If you're not married to the idea of carbon steel blades (although you probably should be) the Case pocketworn series are very enjoyable knives as well.

Happy hunting!

Edited: In addition to the above, $50 will pretty much get you your pick of Queen Cutlery slipjoints in either Cocobolo or Birdseye Maple handles with D2 steel blades at these links:

http://www.cumberlandknifeworks.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=cocobolo

http://www.cumberlandknifeworks.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=bem
Click to expand...

Great links longbeachguy, and much thanks!
 
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