Any respect for the Case Russlock?

comoha

comoha

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2006
Messages
6,186
For years I swerved around buying Case knives for silly but now mostly retired prejudices. Over the past couple years I have acquired several Case slippies, and for the most part really like them.
Yet I keep seeing that weird looking Russlock and wonder, does anyone take them seriously? Does anyone really like theirs? It's kind of an aberration amongst their other more traditional patterns. But looking at it, I can't help but think that it would be kind of fun to one-hand open it.
Opinions?
 
I have 2 of them and really like them. The first one I got was given to me by SunnyD and it was worked in and perfect. I could open it one handed the other one I bought BNIB and well it took 2 hands to open and still does. I have never carried it just the green one SunnyD gifted me. I like it really well, but be careful because I thought I was getting super fast at opening it with my thumb and slice it cut my hand while opening. I believe the traditional gods were sad about the russlock being a one hand opener from Case and they got me. LOL :eek: :D

100_1851-1.jpg


edit_preview.jpg


[youtube]-ZZ6xOAzKeg[/youtube]
 
Last edited:
I like mine. I can't really find a comfortable grip when holding the knife but using it is a different story. It just seems to glide out of my pocket, slice what needs slicing, then disappear back to it's spot. Sounds weird but it's true. It's only comfortable to hold when I'm using it.
Jim
 
It's one of those patterns that I just can't seem to warm up to. So, to date, I don't have one. It kind of has a Schrade Sharpfinger style blade on it, so it could be fine and might one day wind up in a post in the thread about such feelings. Maybe I'll get enough curiosity about it to buy one eventually. Ed
 
I love mine-- I got it specifically because I wanted a traditional knife that was also a one hand opener. All the others I could think of were switchblades, and sort of a no no for carrying here in California. It carries and cuts well, and feels good in my hand. I've cleaned hundreds of trout with it. I have had the lever poke through thin pocket fabric before, though.

stuff019hi1.jpg
 
Not really my cup of tea. Always reminded me of Woody Woodpecker...whom I have never been a fan of.
 
Carried one for years--have moved on to other patterns (and also to EDCing more knives at a time) but still have it and throw it in the pocket from time to time. Really wish they'd offer a CV version with something other than hooker-lipstick red scales, but it's an unusual and worthwhile pattern. Bit of a learning curve to opening it smoothly, but I was never bitten in that process, and now it happens pretty fast, using either thumb or forefinger.

Basically, it's neither tactical enough for one crowd, nor traditional enough for the other. Instead of holding that against it, though, I simply look at it as being something that a really large number of people are too dumb to try. ;)
 
Knife Crazied said:
I have 2 of them and really like them. The first one I got was given to me by SunnyD and it was worked in and perfect. . .
Click to expand...

Worked in!. Yup I did! :D :D
~ ~ ><> ~ ~

I crushed my right hand between several roof trusses thanks to a hasty crane operator while on a custom home building project some years ago(I am your typical common north paw man) and could not open any of my slipjoint knives during the healing process.. Soon afterward I picked up this Green Appaloosa bone Case RussLock under the advisement of a good friend who also EDC'd them often due to his own right arm war injury.. I must have flipped open that blade tens of thousands of times during my stint as a one handed gimp. I grew to love this design and got quite proficient at operating this puppy and in the process broke this knife in Ash now owns, real nicely.. After that I purchased several additional RussLocks and as Ash stated, I gave her my first RL and it still tickles me that she enjoys and uses it these days as one of her EDC's. :cool:..

These blades are ground extremely well and get super sharp but still have a good stout spine and steady incredibly well with only your thumb on one hand via the file worked thumb rest. The liner lock is most positive and it carries well either in a belt sheath, watch pocket of my Wranglers, leather Buckaroo sheath, or the cell phone pocket of my Dickies work slacks..

I hope I never crush any of my hands again but if I do, I rest easy knowing I have several of these hard use one-hander slippies waiting in the wing for me. :)


Anthony
 
I have the drop-point version with the script "Case." It's a nice little folder; a bit weird, but surprisingly solid. I think one reason people shy away is the change in blade to handle ratio between open and closed...the lever makes a real difference. I dealt with that by making a small slippie pouch (but then, I make a small slippie pouch for all my traditionals).
 
Foilist said:
I don't mind the look, but it seem like it would mess up my pockets.
Click to expand...

Here ya go. This was also gifted by SunnyD. I believe he told me he made it from a sock, so ya got a sock you can make one. BTW make sure you wash your sock first. :D :D :D :D

russlockpouch.jpg


pouch.jpg
 
I've had one for 2 years, a yellow handled one in CV, I love it, F&F are great, sharp as all heck and the one hand feature comes in handy with a slipjoint.

Mine has aquired a nice patina over the time I've had it and has gotten lots of character to.

Take the leap, you won't be sorry. :thumbup:
 
bought one for my son couple years back since he likes the more modern folders but it was just weird enough that he dug it:thumbup:
also case offers a redbone one in cv:thumbup: i could definitely carry that one
neat pattern a little strange to open the first few times but gets easier once you get the hang of it... also tends to make people interested since its so different looking.
cheers
gene
 
One of the two traditional knives I EDCed in college. For me it was just enough traditional to make it unnoticed and tactical enough since it opened with one hand. I just recently broke it out again and carried it the other day. Great knife but my Dan Burke Barlow has taken the EDC lead for the time being. Take the leap and you will land in a happy place. :)
 
I picked one up during my transition from one-handed openers to traditionals and always found the opening action rather awkward. That, and not caring for that specific clip blade has kept it in the safe pretty much its entire life.

Mike
 
Out of curiosity, when you tried it, did you open with your thumb or index finger? People always talk about using their thumb, but the index finger was always a smoother motion for me.
 
I guess Russlock is one of those pattern you really need to try yourself before making any conclusion. It looks awkward but so did GEC liner locks before I took one in my hands. I guess, sometimes when I have money again to actually buy knives (i.e. when I have found work again) I think I might buy a Russlock, just to test it out.
 
The Russlock is absolutely my least favorite of all of Case's patterns. It's unique looking, that's about the only nice thing I can say about it. I have one, because I'm trying to put together examples of every Case pattern, but I will not buy another. The "ergonomics" are dreadful, there simply is no comfortable way to hold the thing. And yes, that pointy bit that sticks out when the knife is closed will wear out your pockets, and jab into your leg constantly when you move around.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top