Case/Bose Collaboration fit and finish

Toyz

Toyz

Joined
Nov 2, 2006
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Well - I re-jumped back into the traditional slipjoint world with both feet by picking up a custom as my first. I'm kind of a stickler for fit and finish, so I figured I'd rather have fewer "nicer" pieces than a lot of ones with possible finish issues.

I realize that it would take an act of Congress and probably some stimulus money to get an original Bose knife, so I have been looking at the collaboration that Tony does with Case.

Can anyone speak to the fit and finish on these knives? I have to assume that Tony would not put his name on them if they were not top notch. For the price - they are very close if not the same as customs.

I see some of the pics in the Bose thread - no noticeable issues. I'd appreciate hearing from some owners about their experiences.
 
For the most part they very closely rival the sort of fit and finish you can expect from custom knives. In some cases they actually may exceed that level of F&F.
They tend to get better and better with each new pattern in terms of overall quality and attention to detail.
 
Elliott is right. I have a owned a total of 4 so far and each one has been nearly flawless in F&F. Of these the Tribal Spears see the most use and continue to perform very well. The upgraded steel is a blessing if you are used to 1095 variations across most traditional lines. Of the four I have bought I did sell my Norfolk which I regret now but I"ll probably find one again at some point.

I am really looking forward to picking up two (or more) of the next collab that comes out.
 
As always, there may be a few in the batch that have problems and sometimes we hear about them on BF. But in my experience, each collab knife I bought has had as good a f&f as almost any custom knife I have....save those done by the Wilfred boys (yes Kerry...that includes you). If you have the funds, don't hesitate to buy the collab pattern you like. And USE it
 
As I understand it, Tony provides Case with two handmade prototypes for each annual collaboration knife; one complete, and one take-down version. The latter is disassembled and the parts are scanned and duplicated at high tolerance on a wire EDM cutter, after which they're hand assembled by a team of three people under Tony's guidance. These "mid-tech" knives easily rival every new or old traditional production knife in my experience in terms of F&F, and feature small but important details like mill-relieved stainless liners and bronze pivot bushings that are usually only available on the finer handmade traditional knives.

I think pictures often speak louder than words, so here're my two faves; the '05 lockback sleeveboard whittler (certainly one of the most demanding production knives ever made), and the '09 Norfolk Wharncliffe:

CaseBoseLockbackWhittler01.jpg

CaseBoseLockbackWhittler08.jpg

CaseBoseLockbackWhittler06.jpg

CaseBoseLockbackWhittler02.jpg

CaseBoseLockbackWhittler03.jpg


Norfolk012.jpg

Norfolk013.jpg

Norfolk03.jpg

Norfolk08.jpg

Norfolk09.jpg
 
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Only have two, but both are outstanding. Near perfect f&f.
While maybe not quite equal to a custom, certainly at the top of production knives.
99% of the comments I've read indicate they are they are an exceptonal buy for the money.
 
Excellent pics, Rick!

Is the tang on the master blade as "fat" as it looks in the photos? I like it!



I have one Case/Bose collab knife. It's a Chestnut Bone Norfolk that I got from a friend on the forums.
I am certainly no expert but I cannot find one single flaw in the knife. Flawless seams all around, excellent finish on all the metal parts, no blade rub, really nice bone, great walk & talk etc.
The knife has a really good feel to it and was well worth the cost.
 
Are the shields on the Bose/Case Collaboration knives pinned?

I like the large Swing Guard model but have been holding off on buying it. It is large (5½" long) -- certainly not a pocket carry knife.
 
Railsplitter said:
Excellent pics, Rick!

Is the tang on the master blade as "fat" as it looks in the photos? I like it!.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Rick. Yeah - the master blade and lock bar on the lockback whittler are pert near 1/4" thick, giving it a bank vault-solid lockup, while the blade is ground thin, and very sharp.
 
Rick. Great taste :D. The whittler is my favorite so far and the Norfolk is the only one I have that is duplicated.

Here are most of mine. Tribal spear, cotton sampler not in the picture,

CaseBose.jpg
 
Nice picture and knives Gus. What is the large knife bottom right called and if you recall, what year was it manufactured?
 
Rick said:
As I understand it, Tony provides Case with two handmade prototypes for each annual collaboration knife; one complete, and one take-down version. The latter is disassembled and the parts are scanned and duplicated at high tolerance on a wire EDM cutter, after which they're hand assembled by a team of three people under Tony's guidance. These "mid-tech" knives easily rival every new or old traditional production knife in my experience in terms of F&F, and feature small but important details like mill-relieved stainless liners and bronze pivot bushings that are usually only available on the finer handmade traditional knives.

I think pictures often speak louder than words, so here're my two faves; the '05 lockback sleeveboard whittler (certainly one of the most demanding production knives ever made), and the '09 Norfolk Wharncliffe:
Click to expand...

Great images Rick! I have both of those and they are excellent knives. You pictures make me want to buy more of them.;)
 
When I discovered these an obsession was triggered. :D I have at least one of each and can say that every one I have had is right up there with many of the custom knives I have. On some I have been lucky enough to get one that, in my eyes, is pretty much perfect.

Great pics from every body. I am a particular fan of the tribal spear, dogleg, whittler and norfolk and carry them regularly.

Gus, your pic was part of what triggered me. ;) Thanks for sharing it again.
 
I don't know how anybody could be disappointed in these collaboration knives. Ed, I believe that is an Arkansas Hunter you were asking about, but I don't know what year it is from.

Rick, that whittler is absolutely stunning!!!

Ed J
 
You can't go wrong on these knives and there is no better deal out there to be found. I have never seen, or heard, of anyone giving a plausible alternative that comes close except for maybe some customs for "at least" double the money. With Case's customer care attention to top it off. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Greg

(Bastid, you ol' sandbagger, you)
 
Rick said:
I think pictures often speak louder than words, so here're my two faves; the '05 lockback sleeveboard whittler (certainly one of the most demanding production knives ever made), and the '09 Norfolk Wharncliffe:
Click to expand...

Great pics!
Makes me very sorry I missed out on the whittler.
 
Joe..you wont be dissapointed my friend, everyone I have heard of is Rapt with them...
Rick...man..those are two sweet knives, the first is just a stunner, but then so is the second...whew...how would you pick!

Gus...I just had to take a second look mate - wow!

I have one :o, but man oh man...its a hell of a one ( to me anyway)...i love it...usually I would store it away...but I love this so much I have to use it...carefully though...here it is...(please forgive the dust in oil on blades )

by the way, the fit and finish is perect, and so is the action, in New Zealand money..this cost me another 50 to 60 percent more than what it does you in your dollar ( U.S ) but its still value for money.
myknives001-5.jpg


myknives002-4.jpg
 
Modoc,

Bottom Right is the Arkansas hunter.

I might be mistaken and am not at home, but I think 2008. Hopefully someone will correct me if I am wrong.
 
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