Case Bros. Little Valley NY stockman

[jakeh316]

Found this oldie on eBay a month or so back, saw the XX on the main blade under the nail nick and had to have it. Then I saw all 3 tang stamps in person, with the shield still intact. Somebody loved and used this knife for a long time. All three blades still have great snap, blades are sharpened worn, but I haven’t seen any other stockman photos from the Little Valley, NY era. If they’re out there, I’d love to see someone post some. I’ve seen the jacks and straight razors, but none of the stockman, but am hoping to. Was wondering if anyone had a little more info on these years? Photos aren’t great, and she’s pretty beat up, but I think she’s gorgeous.

 

[waynorth]

I don't have a "Little Valley" Stockman, but I have a Harness Jack from that period!!

 

[Murphy Slaw]

The stories those could tell…

 

[jakeh316]

I don't have a "Little Valley" Stockman, but I have a Harness Jack from that period!!View attachment 3219413View attachment 3219414View attachment 3219415

Beautiful knife, I haven’t seen one of these models either, thank you for sharing.

 

[jakeh316]

The stories those could tell…

I like the fact the one I found is used and still in what I consider great user shape for being over 100 years old, carried for a lifetime or 2, and then put on the bay to be sold… I didn’t know it was a Case Bros. until I got it home. Would love to know who bought it, or gifted it and how well it served somebody(s), I like the beat up ones more than the wall hangers… not a lot of history sitting in a box or on a shelf.

 

[Murphy Slaw]

I like the fact the one I found is used and still in what I consider great user shape for being over 100 years old, carried for a lifetime or 2, and then put on the bay to be sold… I didn’t know it was a Case Bros. until I got it home. Would love to know who bought it, or gifted it and how well it served somebody(s), I like the beat up ones more than the wall hangers… not a lot of history sitting in a box or on a shelf.

Yep.

Those could have worked on a famous building, or a humble hospital where lives were saved. Or a musical instrument used in a legendary recording, or a humble song praising the Lord. Or the coolest classic car ever, or somebody’s simple transportation bringing home a child.

A pocket knife is often the most important possession a person can have on them.

 

[jakeh316]

Had one on me since i was a little boy, and the longest i had the same one in my pocket was 33 years, an old timer i got for my 19th birthday. 52 now, last year at Christmas time my daughter used it to open something, and told me she wanted it when i was done with it. Made me smile and drop a tear. So i gave it to her… and haven't found a suitable replacement pocket knife really since, if you can imagine. I have probably a couple hundred pocket knives in my collection, and don’t swap them out, I’ve always carried just the one. Ended up buying a newish barely carried 2007 Case amber 6347, and am warming up to it, but it’s not the same. I miss that ol 8OT everyday…

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

That's a seriously cool find.

A guide I have, called the "Official Price Guide to Collector Knives" by C. Houston Price (2004), has a pretty detailed description of the history of Case's evolution. I scanned a few pages from the book and included them here.

The section titled "BEGINNING THE MANUFACTURE OF KNIVES" on p. 155, shown in the lower right of the first image below, has details pertaining to Case Bros. Cutlery in Little Valley, NY. It mentions the first use of the 'XX' trademark on the blades signifying quality during the 1900 - 1914 period. In the 3rd paragraph of that section, it also mentions that the Little Valley, NY factory burned down in 1912, after which their operation moved to Springville, NY, but subsequently failed a couple years later. The 'XX' trademark was then transferred to the competing family firm of W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company. In the 2nd image below, sketches of the Case Bros. stamps used are shown at top left section of p. 156.

 

[jakeh316]

That's a seriously cool find.

A guide I have, called the "Official Price Guide to Collector Knives" by C. Houston Price (2004), has a pretty detailed description of the history of Case's evolution. I scanned a few pages from the book and included them here.

The section titled "BEGINNING THE MANUFACTURE OF KNIVES" on p. 155, shown in the lower right of the first image below, has details pertaining to Case Bros. Cutlery in Little Valley, NY. It mentions the first use of the 'XX' trademark on the blades signifying quality during the 1900 - 1914 period. In the 3rd paragraph of that section, it also mentions that the Little Valley, NY factory burned down in 1912, after which their operation moved to Springville, NY, but subsequently failed a couple years later. The 'XX' trademark was then transferred to the competing family firm of W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company. In the 2nd image below, sketches of the Case Bros. stamps used are shown at top left section of p. 156.

Very cool. Thank you for sharing this. Greatly appreciated. I’ve barely looked at the tang stamps, as i didn’t want to remove much of the patina… looking at some of my photos, it appears that the stamp has the lines and dot, but I’m not with the knife currently, as I work out of state and am gone all week, but it’s tough to tell, without seriously cleaning the tangs, which I’m not so sure I want to do… just think it’s neat that at 2:00 in the morning, couldn’t sleep, snapped on eBay and found this for unbelievable cheap money, seller didn’t know what they had. And had it listed with stone handles and needing blades. I think it’s perfect the way it is.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Always interesting to see an actual "pocket worn" Case.

 

[jakeh316]

Always interesting to see an actual "pocket worn" Case.

Hahahaha, you got that right. For what the pocket worn go for, I’ll keep with this one and I really like the amber bone.