Can't find a good Case knife

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long----pull said:
I contacted Case, and they told me that blade snap and centering were "not part of their quality control" and if that's what I was looking for, I should buy a custom knife.
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Snap definitely doesn't seem to be on their QC radar.

I really want to love Case knives as my first knife was a Case, but unless you can inspect one prior to purchasing they really are not worth the risk or the price.

Strange that Victorinox can crank out numerous models in quantity and all are knife perfection. Or that Rough Rider can better Case quality and ship to the U.S. for $7.99.
 
StrayRound said:
Strange that Victorinox can crank out numerous models in quantity and all are knife perfection.
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That's called QC, and no knife company bests Victorinox in QC.

Or that Rough Rider can better Case quality and ship to the U.S. for $7.99.
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Labor and other costs are a bit cheaper where Rough Riders are made.
 
Most of my recent CASE knives have been very well finished indeed: 2 Teardops, Mini Copperhead, Chestnut Bone Sodbuster, Humpback Half Whittler, Swayback Gent in Damascus et al. They seem centre to me, have good snap, no gaps or play. I don't always like their bone finish on some patterns or the size of some blades but in terms of construction they're very good. I'd like to add that I live in Europe so access to knife shops to choose in person is impossible for me. A good authentic knife at reasonable cost I feel.

I don't feel so drawn to CASE knives as I am to most other brands but it's just a subjective aesthetic thing, not to do with lack of quality.
 
MercyfulfateXX said:
I disagree,
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leghog said:
I disagree too. I've been very pleased with my recent ones. I think they are over priced, but then again, they are some of the better priced currently USA-made production slip joints these days.
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You misunderstood me. I have plenty of Case knives and like them just fine. My response was for the original poster. He is looking for something from his pocket knife experience that Case may not always be able to provide. Easy enough - if you want Mercedes quality, don't go to the Chevrolet showroom.
 
jc57 said:
You misunderstood me. I have plenty of Case knives and like them just fine. My response was for the original poster. He is looking for something from his pocket knife experience that Case may not always be able to provide. Easy enough - if you want Mercedes quality, don't go to the Chevrolet showroom.
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I'm not so sure we misunderstood. What about when the Chevy gets you to work and back while the Mercedes is in the shop again?
 
I have had great luck with Case, for the price, all have been excellent adm still use made, the inexpensive sodbusters are built to last, if want pretty and perfect, then I skip up to GEC, besides, Case is classic, really, they are what defined pocket knife collecting prior to GEC and others resurrecting domestic traditional production
 
I will admit that I have a lot more Case knives than GEC knives so I may be biased. Of the GEC knives that I do own I would say that 90% of Case knives have better fit and finish than GEC. The best fit that I have seen on any knife is a Case backpocket with CF covers. I have quite a few custom slip joints and a lot of Case knives are nicer except for the quality of blade steel. Case knives usually come sharp enough to cut yourself as well; something that can't be said for any of the GEC knives that I have.
 
StrayRound said:
Snap definitely doesn't seem to be on their QC radar.

I really want to love Case knives as my first knife was a Case, but unless you can inspect one prior to purchasing they really are not worth the risk or the price.

Strange that Victorinox can crank out numerous models in quantity and all are knife perfection. Or that Rough Rider can better Case quality and ship to the U.S. for $7.99.
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Victorinox uses a much more automated process. (means the results are more repeatable.)
&
This is not the forum in which to discuss economics and country of origin, but if you really don't understand why China produces items more cheaply than the US, I'd suggest you go do some studies on basic economic theory.
 
Not trying to start a urinating contest but ironically I've worked QC in three plants and have studied and taught economics in my life.:)

I've also carried a pocketknife daily since 1971, putting the tradition in traditional, and probably 80% of the time a Case.

You either have and prioritize QC or it is just two meaningless letters. Victorinox, due to high labor costs has invested in technology to lower those cost and to insure quality. Where labor is cheap such as virtual slave labor in the old Soviet Union or China QC is dependent, if it exists, on trained craftsmen to maintain quality integrity.

Case is currently in the unique position where QC is well down the list because of our thriving (relative to the world's) economy, consumerism and name recognition. At present, Case's priority is making novelties and collectables that will never be sharpened let alone carried daily with hard usage in mind.

Case is capable of making excellent knives but you to guarantee a really good one you need to look them over first. Somebody will eventually come and buy what you cull. As long as that demand is there QC will not be no. 1 priority with changes to either machinery or worker skill.
 
In that case, I would not expect you to have asked why Rough Rider can put out a knife for $7.95.
or how Victorinox does what it does, as you did in your original post.

I mostly agree with your analysis of Victorinox. There are two methods for obtaining a "Quality Product". You can build it in with a more precise manufacturing process, or you can inspect it in. Victorinox chose the more precise manufacturing process. But that is also why they don't offer designs with crinked blades or natural handle materials. Those don't lend themselves to a precise repeatable process. They chose precision at the cost of the designs they could produce.

However, I think you paint Case with a very broad brush, and have left out a couple of factors. I know lots of folks who use Case knives for a hard day's work, and they hold up just fine. Case does specialize in producing for collectors in order to make up for the decline of pocket knife carrying in the general population. Which is to say, the general market for pocket knives was not large enough to support them, so they chose to cater to a different one. But the knives they make are all quite usable. At their price point, with their build materials/designs, and with their country of origin, they put out a reasonable product.
 
StrayRound said:
...At present, Case's priority is making novelties and collectables that will never be sharpened let alone carried daily with hard usage in mind...
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It's like deja vu all over again. :D The inflammatory title and vague criticisms were a good start but I think this is now basically just a pointless Case bashing thread.
 
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I think StrayRound makes an important distinction though. He acknowledges that CASE is capable of making a decent knife and that he carries many himself but he's also correct in pointing out that CASE's main target is the multi themed handle colours or 'famous' popular heroes on knives that certain people will collect by the dozen, display,seldom handle and never use for cutting. That target does not correspond to the expectations of most people on a knife forum where most people do use their knives.

None of this is bashing just discussion of different experiences.
 
StrayRound said:
...At present, Case's priority is making novelties and collectables that will never be sharpened let alone carried daily with hard usage in mind...
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Will Power said:
I think StrayRound makes an important distinction though. He acknowledges that CASE is capable of making a decent knife and that he carries many himself but he's also correct in pointing out that CASE's main target is the multi themed handle colours or 'famous' popular heroes on knives that certain people will collect by the dozen, display,seldom handle and never use for cutting. That target does not correspond to the expectations of most people on a knife forum where most people do use their knives.

None of this is bashing just discussion of different experiences.
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I disagree with his unsupported claim. Without any justification then it's not really anything more than just bashing. I don't know that it was his intention but that is the result.
 
What are the production numbers and what are the percentages of total production? That would be a start for making the claim but really the claim would need to be supported by direct quotes from Case about the company's priorities and motives.



 
Will Power said:
I think StrayRound makes an important distinction though. He acknowledges that CASE is capable of making a decent knife and that he carries many himself but he's also correct in pointing out that CASE's main target is the multi themed handle colours or 'famous' popular heroes on knives that certain people will collect by the dozen, display,seldom handle and never use for cutting. That target does not correspond to the expectations of most people on a knife forum where most people do use their knives.

None of this is bashing just discussion of different experiences.
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Will, I just want to make sure it's clear that my intention is to debate, not to argue. I'm not angry. Sweeping generalizations and unsupported claims are the norm on the internet... See I just made a broad generalization on the internet. ;)

In regards to fitness of Case knives, I have yet to buy a knife from Case that I didn't think could withstand regular use. If fact, that's one of the things that I love about their Sowbelly knives.

I'm not really sure what "hard usage" means. But I expect that a lot of the Lady Leg knives from GEC will never be subjected to "hard usage" whether they are from the regular production or the special order for the Drake Well/Pit Hole Museums. And based on the photos on the forum as well as the large number of "NIT" knives that appear on the Exchange, a lot of the other GEC knives aren't going to be subjected to "hard usage" either. There are a lot of collectors and photographers of knives as well as knife users.
 
StrayRound said:
Not trying to start a urinating contest...At present, Case's priority is making novelties and collectables that will never be sharpened let alone carried daily with hard usage in mind.
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Your opinon is inflammatory and insulting to the workers and management of Case. It is also insulting to collectors who like a variety of patterns and variations. From my experience with the company and their employees, they do a good job for the product they produce, which runs the gamut from farm boy trappers to high end Case Bose.

Is it not time to move quality and complaint threads to GB&U?
 
Jake It's never bothered me if people disagree with me, I view it as similar to me detesting certain foods ( Licquorice and liver revolt me) but other people delight in them, and you are always knowledgeable and courteous . It's not personal. It seems to me that the volume in CASE is in special editions/effects variations on a theme and that people who collect that type of item are unlikely to be using that type of knife as a regular cutting tool. Their catalogue, promotion, special editions, the concept of the vault all lead me to agree with Stray Round's point. He does state that many CASE knives are good and credible tools, I agree with this from experience. But I certainly have no interest in a knife in different lurid handles with some Country Singer's face on it or a Tractor or multiples of exactly the same pattern with different themed adornments. This is not to insult the workers at CASE in any way but it obviously, for the moment, brings in vital revenue for maintaing the company and securing jobs for other knife ventures. Some of which may interest people here more.

This thread warrants a picture:D

Here's a fine CASE knife in one of their nicest bones, Chestnut and cv steel. Centre blade, no play, no gaps, flush spring open/shut. Not expensive either.

IMG_1946.jpg
 
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