Case Black G-10 F&F Goodness

The Government · May 22, 2012

I recently picked up a Case Moose in black G-10 and I am very pleasantly surprised by the style that this knife was finished in. It has some desirable characteristics that I have not seen on other current production case knives -namely the roundness of the handles and the "as ground" blade finish. I am curious to know more about this G-10 run, and if there are other Case knives finished the same way.

The first thing I noticed was that the handles seemed to be much more rounded than any other (current production) Case knife. When I compared it to my large trapper and my medium stockman, I can definitely see that the handles are more rounded. The other two Case knives have flat handle covers and barely rounded bolsters. Secondly, the "as ground" finish is a nice change from the usual "collector's high polish." The finish seems to add a higher contrast to the grind lines -bringing out the gracefulness of this well swept clip blade.

If all Case knives were finished like this, I would have a much larger Case collection. (Most impressive to me are the rounded handles. :thumbup::thumbup: ---Pics added below---)

Has anyone else noticed these changes? Does anyone know if the black g-10 series was the only run with "as ground" blades and the more rounded handles?

Questions, comments, and pictures are welcome!

-Max

(PS- My theory for the comfy handles is that Case wanted to show off some concentric rings formed by rounded layers of G-10... Whatever the reason, it shows they can still round-out a knife, and I would like to see this feature more often from Case. Everything about this knife is screaming, "Use Meeee!!!" and it is going to see a lot of pocket time because of it. Good Job Case!)

Rick · May 22, 2012

I had a G-10 Humpback "whittler" with as-ground blades for a while, and the handle cross-section was as boxy as most modern Case knives.

Humpback on the right; '50s era XX on the left:

I thought the as-ground finish was a refreshing change after the mushy lines of Case's tumbled finish. The blades had well-defined grinds and swedges, but the sharp edges on the blade spines weren't very comfortable in the hand or pocket.

Railsplitter · May 22, 2012

I bought these two Black G10 Peanuts a few years ago for graduation gifts.

Later on I bought this one for myself and I still have it.

I had always thought that the shape of these Peanuts was slightly different than other Case Peanuts but I never could quite determine why. Perhaps it is the more rounded design.

Case did make some other knives with the as ground finish. I believe they call it their "Workman" series or something like that. There are a few more as well. I used to have a 63090 Stockman with Grey Bone handles and it had as ground blades.

This 22087 in Slick Black that I won from coyote711 has the as ground blades as well.

The Government · May 22, 2012

Rick, thanks for this picture! The arc in the cross section of that vintage case is MUCH more well rounded than the new Moose I have brought up.

What I am seeing from the other Case knives that I own, is that they simply round off the edges of a flat handle material. With this moose, there is a clearly defined arc in the cross section, however subtle, it is more than a flat surface with rounded edges.

Once I charge my camera, I'll work on getting some pictures that will show what I mean.

-Max

EDIT: Rick T. -thanks for the pics as well. Good to know there are more knives with this blade finish.

Vanguard41xx · May 22, 2012

If they used more as ground blades I'd buy more Case knives for my EDC.

caseguy · May 22, 2012

I don't know when case began using "as ground" blades but I bought a medium stockman with this finish in 1984.

zippofan · May 22, 2012

I have two with the 'as ground' finish, both smaller knives. My Zytel Peanut and a gray bone mini Stockman have that blade finish and I like it a lot. I also like the way Case has done G10. I have so many 'tacticals' in G-10 and they're a bit boring with all that black. When I first saw the Case G10 I thought it was some kind of micarta to bring out that fabric look. It wasn't until I looked up what G10 really is that I understood.

I've since been tempted but haven't bit, still on a bit of a GEC kick lately, and my new Schatt stockman. The knife fund has to be replenished

The Government · May 22, 2012

The Moose on left, and my new awl-bladed Stockman is on the right:

Here is a top view comparison:

In the following images, look at how the bottom side of each knife rests on the paper. The moose lifts off the page to rest on the crest of its arc, while the stockman lays relatively flat on its surface.

whetrock · May 22, 2012

That's a great looking EDC worthy moose. Some may consider it traditional blasphemy but I actually kinda dig the G-10 Cases.

MarkPinTx · May 23, 2012

As I recall, a few years back Case announced that the yella handled knives would receive less grinding and be flatter.

I have a g10 whittler and a workman mini Copperlock with as ground blades. I like them very much.

Peter Parker · May 23, 2012

Regardless that moose looks really nice to my eyes!

jakemex · May 23, 2012

The as ground finish looks cheap especially in the SS. Sorry guys, I gave away a slimline trapper, my favorite pattern, for that reason alone. G10 in traditionals is borderline blasphemy.

pertinux · May 23, 2012

To the OP-- thanks for the comparison shots. :thumbup:

My new Case Select peanut evidently has "as ground" blades, although I didn't know that's what they were until reading this this thread.

At first I didn't think I liked the blade (un)finish, because the feel of the metal was unpleasantly rough and skin-catching, giving the impression of corners cut. Because the knife is small with very strong snap, it was hard to manipulate the blades coming or going without running my fingers into something sharp where I didn't expect (or want) it.

However, I soon determined that the unpleasantness was primarily due to sharp points where the swedge meets the spine, combined with a very toothy edge, with a small top-side burr/point at the very tip that also poked and caught. (The pen blade shared the toothy edge problem, with some topside burr.)

After I smoothed out the swedge points and removed the wayward point on the tip, then stropped the edges, etc. the knife is much more pleasing to handle and I've come to like the uber-satin of the blades.

~ P.

Modoc ED · May 23, 2012

Rick said:
I had a G-10 Humpback "whittler" with as-ground blades for a while, and the handle cross-section was as boxy as most modern Case knives.

I thought the as-ground finish was a refreshing change after the mushy lines of Case's tumbled finish. The blades had well-defined grinds and swedges, but the sharp edges on the blade spines weren't very comfortable in the hand or pocket.

Ya got that right Rick!!! Here is a SS 4 5/8" Case 4138 Sod Buster from their Workman Series with an "as ground" blade and as you said; the sharp edges on the blade spines aren't comfortable in the hand or pocket. I tried using it as an EDC for awhile after getting it and it just is not practical for that.

The Government · May 23, 2012

MarkPinTx said:
As I recall, a few years back Case announced that the yella handled knives would receive less grinding and be flatter.

Hmmm, maybe I don't have enough case knives to compare this one to (for roundness)...

That will have to be remedied.

:thumbup:

Thanks for all the replies! I should have known that not everyone would like the as ground finish, and to each their own in that respect. On this specimen that I have, the corners of the spine are not overly sharp, although they are definitely sharper than the polished blades.

That Peanut with the long pull is just awesome. :thumbup:

As to the G-10, its no different than black derlin in my mind. I think this pattern would do great in smooth bone or cocobolo as well (as long as they keep it rounded).

This moose will be in my pocket all day.

LEGION 12 · May 24, 2012

Love my G10 .