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Case Bose collaboration 2014 Lock Back Wharncliffe Whittler
- Thread starter silenthunterstudios
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,488
I've got one in ebony on pre-order. Won't get here until sometime in November. If they are anything like the 2005 Collaboration lock back whittler you will be pleased.
Here's an image (taken from the web) of the one I have on order.
Here's an image (taken from the web) of the one I have on order.
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2002
- Messages
- 1,969
I received my antique bone model a couple days ago. As on my other Bose collabs, the fit & finish can't be faulted. Nice satin finish on the blades and bolsters. The covers fit well without a gap next to the bolsters.
Blades are nicely sharpened too. You can see in the pics, the main blade starts off with quite a chunk of CPM154. I was actually surprised at the main blade thickness. Case did a good job though tapering it down to a very serviceable edge. Also, the pull on the main blade is around a 4 I'd say on this piece, and is easily pinchable for opening. The smaller blades are a little stiffer, perhaps a 6? Not too bad though. One thing, as the short amount a leverage afforded you to unlock the main blade, you kind of need to mash the release down pretty far to get it to let go. And also due to the short amount of leverage, the small blades are kinda harder to open. Not bad though. Just letting you know. There is sort of a soft half stop on the main blade but the back spring isn't flush. The two small blades have a solid half stop with flush back springs. Nice closing snap on all the blades.
The knife is very slim in the hand to me and I have smaller hands. For someone such as myself with RA causing stiff hands, I would have liked it to be a little bigger around to make it a little easier to hang onto. By no means a deal breaker though.
As to price. This is a pretty expensive knife for a factory piece. I know it's a special, limited run, and I'm assuming it's hand fitted, but I don't know for sure. I'm sure others with more knowledge on these collabs can speak to that better than I. But it compares well to other custom knives that I have.
It is pretty easy to find a custom maker that will make you a knife for what these cost. Perhaps not a lockback whittler such as this one, as there is more work needed to craft this piece.
This whittler pattern is one that I like, and I like that I can get a "Bose" knife at this price. Having said that though, if I were ordering a true custom, I probably wouldn't have gone for this configuration. I do not regret the purchase though. I'm at the point now of deciding whether to carry it or save it for later. I have no problem whatsoever carrying my customs as they are made to used. But these collabs really seem to appreciate well in value. But I'm pretty sure it'll get some pocket time.
Sorry it's not a better technical review. It's more just my own impressions. This knife may be a good purchase for someone wanting to jump up into the custom arena without much risk as I feel it'd be pretty easy to move it and be able to recoup your initial investment.
The other pic is next to a 93mm SAK for a size comparison too.
If someone would like other pics or anything, please ask.
Blades are nicely sharpened too. You can see in the pics, the main blade starts off with quite a chunk of CPM154. I was actually surprised at the main blade thickness. Case did a good job though tapering it down to a very serviceable edge. Also, the pull on the main blade is around a 4 I'd say on this piece, and is easily pinchable for opening. The smaller blades are a little stiffer, perhaps a 6? Not too bad though. One thing, as the short amount a leverage afforded you to unlock the main blade, you kind of need to mash the release down pretty far to get it to let go. And also due to the short amount of leverage, the small blades are kinda harder to open. Not bad though. Just letting you know. There is sort of a soft half stop on the main blade but the back spring isn't flush. The two small blades have a solid half stop with flush back springs. Nice closing snap on all the blades.
The knife is very slim in the hand to me and I have smaller hands. For someone such as myself with RA causing stiff hands, I would have liked it to be a little bigger around to make it a little easier to hang onto. By no means a deal breaker though.
As to price. This is a pretty expensive knife for a factory piece. I know it's a special, limited run, and I'm assuming it's hand fitted, but I don't know for sure. I'm sure others with more knowledge on these collabs can speak to that better than I. But it compares well to other custom knives that I have.
It is pretty easy to find a custom maker that will make you a knife for what these cost. Perhaps not a lockback whittler such as this one, as there is more work needed to craft this piece.
This whittler pattern is one that I like, and I like that I can get a "Bose" knife at this price. Having said that though, if I were ordering a true custom, I probably wouldn't have gone for this configuration. I do not regret the purchase though. I'm at the point now of deciding whether to carry it or save it for later. I have no problem whatsoever carrying my customs as they are made to used. But these collabs really seem to appreciate well in value. But I'm pretty sure it'll get some pocket time.
Sorry it's not a better technical review. It's more just my own impressions. This knife may be a good purchase for someone wanting to jump up into the custom arena without much risk as I feel it'd be pretty easy to move it and be able to recoup your initial investment.
The other pic is next to a 93mm SAK for a size comparison too.
If someone would like other pics or anything, please ask.
Last edited:
paulhilborn
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2006
- Messages
- 14,484
I'm in your camp as well Jerry...my hands are wearin out from age and injury...it's either an ez pull or pinchable blade for me as of late. A small pocketable fixed blade is really steppin up to the plate for me.
Sorry there guy's, didn't mean to veer off there...a gorgeous knife!!! I love both bone & the Ebony:thumbup: Thanks for a great review Joe
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2002
- Messages
- 1,969
Squazy - I think most here seem to deem the SAK as a 5 to open the main blade. It's a reference point most can relate to due to its popularity. Most folks either have or have had, one. So this models main blade would rate a 4 to me, and easy to pinch between your thumb and forefinger to open without needing the nail nick.
As typical, the smaller blades are a bit tougher to get to cause of their size. And the shorter back spring on them results in a harder pull. Around a 6/7 maybe for me. They feel a bit awkward.
The Geppetto Whittler used in the pic for size comparison, is much easier for me to operate with my stiffer fingers and grasp. And the longer back springs on all three blades give you more leverage for opening.
Speaking strictly for myself, I'd have much preferred they'd have went with the more commonly found split back design as on other whittlers.
But don't get me wrong. It's a well made knife and looks very nice. I'm not sure though it will replace my easy open, or my other models that are easier to work with when my hands are bothering me. The EO is about my favorite, so I dunno at this point if I'll move the Case out or maybe try to work a trade. As mentioned by others, the beat up hands can be a drawback to some of these pocketknives. On some days it's even nice to be able to use a pocket clip model knife just for ease of use. But a good EO is great to have for staying traditional. That pattern is ancient.
Again - all this is just my own impressions. But if you've a chance to handle one before purchase, it'd be a good idea. The others waiting on theirs may love them. And I hope they do.
Joe
As typical, the smaller blades are a bit tougher to get to cause of their size. And the shorter back spring on them results in a harder pull. Around a 6/7 maybe for me. They feel a bit awkward.
The Geppetto Whittler used in the pic for size comparison, is much easier for me to operate with my stiffer fingers and grasp. And the longer back springs on all three blades give you more leverage for opening.
Speaking strictly for myself, I'd have much preferred they'd have went with the more commonly found split back design as on other whittlers.
But don't get me wrong. It's a well made knife and looks very nice. I'm not sure though it will replace my easy open, or my other models that are easier to work with when my hands are bothering me. The EO is about my favorite, so I dunno at this point if I'll move the Case out or maybe try to work a trade. As mentioned by others, the beat up hands can be a drawback to some of these pocketknives. On some days it's even nice to be able to use a pocket clip model knife just for ease of use. But a good EO is great to have for staying traditional. That pattern is ancient.
Again - all this is just my own impressions. But if you've a chance to handle one before purchase, it'd be a good idea. The others waiting on theirs may love them. And I hope they do.
Joe
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2007
- Messages
- 3,372
Thanks Joe for your interesting and helpful review.
Mike
Mike
I think the split back spring would not work on a lock back knife? ill be able to see my own when im home tomorrow myself! like everything I have there's a story to it!
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2002
- Messages
- 1,969
Yes, correct. A split back wouldn't work for a lockback. It'd be a slippie on all three blades. I have an interesting whittler from AG Russell, vintage 70's model, made by Hen & Rooster, where rather than making it split back, they made 2 back springs that taper down on the small blade end. Kinda neat. Must have been more work to make, but maybe easier. I dunno.
I'm sure there are others, but this is actually the only lock back whittler in a production knife I've seen.
Let us see some pics of yours and how you like it. It's a well made piece for sure!
I'm sure there are others, but this is actually the only lock back whittler in a production knife I've seen.
Let us see some pics of yours and how you like it. It's a well made piece for sure!
Today I received my chestnut whittler. I agree with everything said about the model so far. Definitely happy with it. It is a very substantial tool and will be great for whittling.
If you are sold on it, but can't pick which one, here is my chestnut whittler next to an antique norfolk and an ebony zulu spear.
The norfolk is a very similar knife. The lockback is three springs thick vs just one for the two shared blades on the norfolk. Otherwise, they are pretty similar.
Like I said, I'm very happy with the lockback. Of the three, the zulu is the blade I'll pick for edc every time. If I think I MIGHT whittle something, I'd grab the norfolk. If I am definitely going to carve some wood, I'll be reaching for the lockback. It really is a pretty hefty tool and with the complexity clearly involved, I think it most justifies the high price for these collaboration blades.
Hope that helps those on the fence!
If you are sold on it, but can't pick which one, here is my chestnut whittler next to an antique norfolk and an ebony zulu spear.
The norfolk is a very similar knife. The lockback is three springs thick vs just one for the two shared blades on the norfolk. Otherwise, they are pretty similar.
Like I said, I'm very happy with the lockback. Of the three, the zulu is the blade I'll pick for edc every time. If I think I MIGHT whittle something, I'd grab the norfolk. If I am definitely going to carve some wood, I'll be reaching for the lockback. It really is a pretty hefty tool and with the complexity clearly involved, I think it most justifies the high price for these collaboration blades.
Hope that helps those on the fence!