Case 5347 Question

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rprocter

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Case "47" pattern is a large (3 7/8") Serpentine Stockman with rounded bolsters. The 10 dot (1970) Case knives command a good price, as changes that occured in 1971 resulted in a decline in quality.
The 1970 5347 (Stag handle) came in both stainless steel and carbon steel.
In Steve Pfeiffer's book "Collecting Case Knives" he gives a value of $450 for the SS one and $250 for the CV one.
Why is the SS more sought after than the CV ? Is it simply numbers, the SS being made in far lower numbers than the CV ?
With other Case patterns that came in both SS or CV is any market price differential 'always' a reflection of relative production numbers ?
In general are collectors more interested in CV knives than SS ? Or is steel type not as important to most Case collectors as many other factors ?
I don't collect Case even though i do have maybe ~100, so i'm trying to get a 'feel' for the Case specific factors that influence collectibility.
roland
 
Roland, This is just my opinion but... I think the 10 dot knives command higher prices because more people collect them, not because of differences in quality. They have all the dots. I do think that quality dropped in the last half of the 70's but sometimes the earlier USA no dot knives sell for less than 10 dot and I doubt it is because of quality. From the prices realized on eBay (at least the auctions that I've seen), I think carbon is much more popular and sells for more money.
 
I'd be willing to bet the SS version referenced in Steve Pfeiffer's book may be a very specific exception. Case produced the '47 pattern in a whole bunch of (sometimes subtle, but significant) variations. It may be the combination of the 10-dot stamp, and some other specific characteristic of that knife (maybe very low production numbers). Most of the SS versions in later parts of the '70s are valued at considerably less $$. Is there a reference in the book to an exact pattern number (such as '5347SHSP-SS') for that knife? For example, I'm looking at one guide that lists a '65-'69 version of that exact pattern (5347SHSP-SS) at significantly less $$ than the same one in the '10-dot' (1970) version. And there's a '9-dot' version of a '5347SHSP-SSP' at even less than either of those two.
 
Steve lists them as: "5347 Sh Sp, Stag Handles" "10 Dot 1970" $275
"5347 Sh Sp SS, Stag Handles" "10 Dot 1970" $450

My OP incorrectly stated the CV price as 250.
I just bought a CV 5347 HP, which is the same as "Sh Sp", unused, very close to mint for $113.
I have a couple of 6375 Stock knives and i wanted one nice example of a rounded bolster older Case Stock knife.
Based on Steve's price, i did o.k., but it lead me into the larger question as to CV vs. SS.
I appreciate the help. thank you, roland
 
Roland, It sounds like you did well. I don't think that the market is particularly strong now. Even in this traditional forum, few people showed any interest in preserving old mint knives when someone asked whether they should be used.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/984911-Use-or-not-use-mint-vintage-knives

The condition will have a major impact on resale value, especially Case knives. J Bruce Voyles puts up this warning in his auctions.

A note on condition descriptions of the vintage knives in this catalog knives. ESPECIALLY TO CASE Collectors. Vintage knives are not held to Case Collector standards. The reality of a sixty year old knife is that it will have a speck or two. If you are 60 years old I bet you have a speck or two on you too. It happens. An unused knife, mint, 60 years old that I describe as mint may have a minor speck or two, not enough to hurt the value in a live sale, as many people might not even notice on initial inspection. But if your standards are for totally perfect, unblemished, spotless, mint 40-70 year old (or older) knives, I doubt you have very many knives in your collection, as so few of them exist (if any).

So be forewarned YOU MAY NOT return a vintage (non-Case) knife described as mint if it has a few pinhead specks.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Jake. This one is "minty" in that it has a few age spots and this is how i like them because then you know it likely has not been buffed, or buffed within the last decade or so at least.

KGrHqFHJB8Fh3liKGBQOnT4gLgg60_57.jpg


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As i mentioned i am not as familiar with Case as i am with other USA manufacturers like Schrade or Camillus, but i think this knife is a nice example of a Stag 47 pattern.
Please feel free to comment, 'citicism' being welcome as that is how one learns.
roland
 
That's a beautiful '47, Roland. :thumbup:

Have you ever tried anything to clean up the slight verdigris (green tint) on the stag? I have a 1970 Peanut (stag) with very similar tinting, around the pins mostly.
 
David, i have used Simichrome and other similar paste products. The green (oxidized copper i think) comes off very easily so original finish on the surrounding metal is not much altered. I'll then put on a thin film of "Rustfree" on the blades, bolsters and springs which will prevent any further oxidation. As we know, those spidery spots on the blades can only be removed with buffing which i will not do. In my experience, no paste type metal cleaners will remove them but would remove the original factory blade finish. Thanks for your help. I always appreciate your sensible expertise.
roland

Edit to add: Oops, i just see that you said verdigris on the Stag ! Not sure what is the best method. I might try dish soap and a toothbrush unless someone posts a better idea.
 
rprocter said:
David, i have used Simichrome and other similar paste products. The green (oxidized copper i think) comes off very easily so original finish on the surrounding metal is not much altered. I'll then put on a thin film of "Rustfree" on the blades, bolsters and springs which will prevent any further oxidation. As we know, those spidery spots on the blades can only be removed with buffing which i will not do. In my experience, no paste type metal cleaners will remove them but would remove the original factory blade finish. Thanks for your help. I always appreciate your sensible expertise.
roland
Click to expand...

That's perfect, Roland. I just happen to have a tube of Simichrome at hand, so I'll give that a try. :thumbup:

I agree, I don't see a need to make the black 'spots' disappear on these knives. I do sometimes give the spots a very close examination under a magnifier, with very bright light, to look for a hint of red (rust) in the spots. My 8OT Schrade had a few spots a while back, that I'd initially assumed to be black oxide, but showed some red upon a closer look. So, I cleaned those up in a hurry. Didn't take much to get it done (think I used some WD-40 & a paper towel).

Thanks for the tip. :)
 
Roland thanks for sharing that image of your stag 47; next to the 39TB it's my favorite stockman pattern! I'll stay with my newer models since they get used!
 
Great pattern, great stag, great deal!
I'd buy a dozen at that price!!
 
Thanks Charlie. That's very re-assuring.
p.s. i have a new Jack Russell puppy. We named him "Charlie" because my daughter didn't like "Schrade".
roland
 
rprocter said:
Thanks Charlie. That's very re-assuring.
p.s. i have a new Jack Russell puppy. We named him "Charlie" because my daughter didn't like "Schrade".
roland
Click to expand...

I'm honored! (I think:o)
 
This J.R. pup has great potential and already shows himself to be intelligent, curious, courageous, and loyal, well worthy of such an esteemed name.
However, had i thought of "Walden", that too would have been a good name. Maybe if i have another kid, -- ya right, at 66 !
roland
 
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