Can Anyone Tell Me About this Old Case Hunting Knife?

[CloudsRest]

I bought this old Case hunting knife for pretty cheap but don't know much about it. The blade is stamped "CASE", which is circa 1940-1965 from what I read, but the handle is marked "CASE TESTED XX", and also from what I read, the tested XX knives are older. The blade itself is just under 4.5" from tip to hilt. Can anyone fill me in or tell me what I actually have?

 

[screened porch]

You have a beautiful knife in great condition. Beyond that, I can't help.

But that handle material might be datable.

 

[wazu013]

That looks like a Case 262 pattern fixed blade. According to Knives and Razors they were listed in Case's 1934 catalog and discontinued somewhere before 1940.
Nice find :thumbup:

 

[Guitarist7.62]

Can't help you with the age but it looks like a good user or collecter knife with a lot of steel still on the blade. Good find.

 

[CloudsRest]

Thanks! It has a real nice patina too that isn't showing up very well in the pictures. I bought it for $10 and it had a bit of silver spray paint on it like somebody used it as part of a Tonto/Lone Ranger costume...oye, at least it rubbed off easily enough with some emery cloth.

Now the question is do I use it, put it somewhere safe, or sell it? I'm not big on Scandi grinds, but I'm guessing a small secondary bevel won't hurt the value if I use it some? I touched up the edge and it sure felt like a hard steel that will hold an edge well. I'm tempted to take it camping.

 

[Mossyhorn]

Changing the edge geometry is not a good idea. The handle material is known
as slick black. Overall the knife looks very good. Congrats on your find.

 

[Guitarist7.62]

Thanks! It has a real nice patina too that isn't showing up very well in the pictures. I bought it for $10 and it had a bit of silver spray paint on it like somebody used it as part of a Tonto/Lone Ranger costume...oye, at least it rubbed off easily enough with some emery cloth.

Now the question is do I use it, put it somewhere safe, or sell it? I'm not big on Scandi grinds, but I'm guessing a small secondary bevel won't hurt the value if I use it some? I touched up the edge and it sure felt like a hard steel that will hold an edge well. I'm tempted to take it camping.

Leave it as is, it's got a full flat grind not a scandi. Should slice really well, if you choose to use it.

 

[wazu013]

If it were me I'd just put it away. It's a relatively rare Case fixed blade. Store it outside the sheath. Keep the sheath because it looks like a contemporary homemade job and could actually add a little value. I wouldn't change the grind or geometry. If you need to use it just sharpen it. In the end it is your knife to do what you want with it.