Case/Bose is it worth the price?

T

tomcrx

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Jun 7, 2007
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I really like the looks of the Norfolk but have never seen a collab in person.

Are they really a step above or is it the scarcity that determines the price?

I would like to get one but have a hard time justifying it.

When I see that it is a Case I just keep thinking of the the quality of their current production line. With that in mind I can't make the leap to $250+ knife

Thanks for any input
 
Not only is it worth the price... It's a STEAL! Do not compare them to production Case knives. You could buy 5 $50 Trappers, combine them all, and still not have half of the knife that the Norfolk is.
 
I have four of the Case/Bose collaboration knives, including an ebony Norfolk.

It's been my experience that the collaboration knives are a wonderful example of the cutlers art. They are way above Cases standard production knives in fit, finish and materials and almost equal, if not equal, to what you will see in a well made custom slipjoint.

They are worth the price.
 
I would take the collab knife over many true customs floating around these days
 
The only thing about them that is comparable to other Case knives is the name. They aren't in the same class.
 
I really like the looks of the Norfolk but have never seen a collab in person.
I have and they are NICE!!

Are they really a step above or is it the scarcity that determines the price?
For sure a step above.

I would like to get one but have a hard time justifying it.
Me too.

When I see that it is a Case I just keep thinking of the the quality of their current production line. With that in mind I can't make the leap to $250+ knife
Me neither
 
Thanks for the input. I think I'll wait and try to see one in person before pulling the trigger
 
Take a look at some of the EXCELLENT pix on view in the Norfolk Collab thread. Most dealers have rather poor shots, the owners have put that to rights:thumbup:

You might not be able to hold out much longer:D
 
willgoy said:
Take a look at some of the EXCELLENT pix on view in the Norfolk Collab thread. Most dealers have rather poor shots, the owners have put that to rights:thumbup:

You might not be able to hold out much longer:D
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Sorry to Hijack, but I've been looking to pick up one of these, but cannot find them anywhere?!...is there a trick to finding one?
 
Ozy said:
Sorry to Hijack, but I've been looking to pick up one of these, but cannot find them anywhere?!...is there a trick to finding one?
Click to expand...

You might try contacting any of these vendors to determine if they have stock and can ship overseas.

If anyone has additional info perhaps they will be good enough to contact you privately via email or PM.
 
I haven't seen the Norfolk in person, but the other Case/Bose collabs of recent years that I have seen and handled have been very nice. The first ones weren't so great IMO.
 
I'm not an expert on traditionals, but I have owned and handled a number of Case knives. While they are pretty nice, the Bose collaborations blow them out of the water. I could hardly believe they were made by the same company. I just received my first one a couple weeks ago and was floored by the quality and precision. It might sound like hyperbole, but trust me, they are a couple steps above regular Case production pieces. I think of them somewhat as the Sebenza of the traditional knife world; the standard to which other production knives are measured. Your mileage may vary, but it's hard for me to imagine how someone would be disappointed by one.
 
Thanks to the friendship of one of the members of this forum, I have an Arkansas Hunter, and a Norfolk on the way.

Based on the AH, these knives are definitely worth their price. I would be happy to purchase other models if I could find them, especially the multiblades.
 
Blues said:
You might try contacting any of these vendors to determine if they have stock and can ship overseas.

If anyone has additional info perhaps they will be good enough to contact you privately via email or PM.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your help Blues! (sadly, none are prepared to ship overseas)

I just picked up a Case XX / Tony Bose Swayback Jack, which will be a nice substitute for a while....


I'll keep looking.
 
Everyone else has pretty much said it, but I couldn't believe how nice they are, either. I have & use an '03 Dogleg Jack Case/Bose collaboration & it is incredible. It is up there with "some" customs, but it sure seems like it's the best production made slippie I've handled/seen. I kind of think of the Case/Bose collabs, which are production knives (Although very limited), as the Sebenza of slip-joints.

As to are they worth it. I've only had 2 custom slippies (A Montell & a Menefee). In comparison, they're different knives, but the Case/Bose, IMHO, is the equal to the customs I have, but I'm sure some of the other ones are nicer/better. However, for the price, I think they're a great deal, not to mention that you can probably buy one of the older collabs for quite a bit less than msrp.
 
I have a question, have the Bose/Case collaborations improved over the years or have they been awesome ever since they've been offered? The reason I'm asking is that the only Bose/Case I've ever been interested is the hawbaker muskrat. That was one seriously nice knife.
 
I still have the first one have missed the muskrat and Yukon. I love these knives. And yes they seem to improve a little each year but you really have to look. The most I have heard as far as negatives concerned the first issue, but the only negative thing on mine were significant blade burrs that were easily addressed with a few swipes.

As far as the price. I think they are a good value (so much so that I have a couple of the Norfolks, one will go to my dad for Christmas or his birthday this month.) Of course, when you spend 250 or more for a knife a lot of personal things come into play.

My favorite is the lockback whittler just because of how difficult it must have been to produce that pattern. My second favorite was the dog leg, but this years Norfolk took that second place by a nose. Because I like the slim smaller knife for carry in and around the office.

I also agree that they are the finest knife to come out of a factory that I have encountered. I am not a rich person, but I plan on continuing purchasing these annual knives, if that says anything.

Usually not the type of person who makes the same mistake year after year. ;)

On another note the first issue ran me 185 or so, in looking at the after market sales all of them seem to be holding value well and increasing a little over time even in these tougher times.
 
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I like the look of that Pruner knife, you don't see it much about.Anybody have a picture or two? What about the change of steel? I think the Norfolk is 154 whereas the others are ATS34?
 
I only own one but I think they are worth it. My Gardener's knife is nearly perfect, the only issues being some small burrs on the spring edge that are just barely felt and a little area towards the end of the blade where the angle changed a bit and needed a few minutes with a strop. Definitely far and away the finest production slipjoint I own, despite these minor things.

I wish I could afford that Norfolk at the moment. Maybe in a few months.

willgoy said:
I like the look of that Pruner knife, you don't see it much about.Anybody have a picture or two? What about the change of steel? I think the Norfolk is 154 whereas the others are ATS34?
Click to expand...
Here you go. :)

DSC00366a.jpg
 
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