Case Carbon Steel

[Blues]

On a related note, (and purely out of curiosity):

When did Case begin marking their blades as CV and was that indicative of a change of the steel's formula? (As in a change from 1095 or similar to an alloy with added chromium and vanadium.)


EDITED TO ADD;

I had a long conversation with a very nice gentleman at Case this morning and hope to have some further information to post on this subject.
His thought, however, was that the steel composition had not changed though the art of the heat treat itself had been refined over the years. (He also shared that they have been using the same ovens for heat treating the blades for many, many years.)

An interesting aside that he shared was that in some independent tests they had run for them, their stainless steel actually outperformed the CV. (Hey, I'm just sayin'. Don't shoot the messenger. )

 

[d.parker]

Elliott the fact that the stainless held up as well as CV Carbon is a reality I have held for many years. I have owned Case knives since the 1950'S..

 

[Blues]

I wouldn't think to doubt you, Darrell. Experience is the best indicator of all.

I haven't done any side by side comparisons and most all of my Case knives are carbon except for the Bose collaborations and one fish knife and one lockback from the 70's.

There are at least a few folks on the forum who have commented on the capability of the Case stainless and as the gentleman from Case stated, despite the steel being a 420 series steel, the heat treat gives it the charcteristics of what we expect from higher grade steel.

He did state that (in his opinion) lots of folks stayed true to the CV knives for their "traditional" value and also because they are easier to sharpen.

 

[knarfeng]

I had a long conversation with a very nice gentleman at Case this morning and hope to have some further information to post on this subject.

Do please post the additional information when you get it.

Thanks,
Frank

 

[kidwholaughs]

I wouldn't think to doubt you, Darrell. Experience is the best indicator of all.

I haven't done any side by side comparisons and most all of my Case knives are carbon except for the Bose collaborations and one fish knife and one lockback from the 70's.

There are at least a few folks on the forum who have commented on the capability of the Case stainless and as the gentleman from Case stated, despite the steel being a 420 series steel, the heat treat gives it the charcteristics of what we expect from higher grade steel.

He did state that (in his opinion) lots of folks stayed true to the CV knives for their "traditional" value and also because they are easier to sharpen.

One of these days, some one needs to really test this concept and put it to bed. I been buying Case cv for fear that the SS might not hold as a good edge. I do believe now that the SS seem to be very good. But better than CV? What's the world coming to.

 

[Blues]

One of these days, some one needs to really test this concept and put it to bed. I been buying Case cv for fear that the SS might not hold as a good edge. I do believe now that the SS seem to be very good. But better than CV? What's the world coming to.

Step on up, Kid.

 

[mhawg]

While reading this I was absentmindedly slicing up some Regional Sales Manager's business card with this trusty Case Carbon Steel Sodbuster Jr. I purchased in about '86 at a local hardware store for $17.00.
..............

Yes, the blade is lit with a Surefire C2 Centurion and a desk lamp.​

 

[Vivi]

Does anyone know what RC the CV steel is? I recently received a Peanut in CV and it felt a bit soft when I put an edge on it.

 

[Blues]

Does anyone know what RC the CV steel is? I recently received a Peanut in CV and it felt a bit soft when I put an edge on it.

Tony Bose stated the following earlier in this thread:

Case makes their own carbon steel blades and heat treat them themselves, I have watched them do it. I pulled one out of a copperlock one time and it was a RC 59 which is pretty hard for a production pocket knife blade.

 

[Vivi]

Somehow missed that post after I read through the whole thread. Thanks for pointing out his post. That's higher than I expected to hear. Could just be I'm used to grinding more wear resistant steels.

 

[db]

Yup low wear steel even at high hardness grinds pretty easy. I have a fully hardened 1095 blade, you would never guess it was so hard sharpening it.

 

[Blues]

I'm still awaiting the possible receipt of some further information about steel chemistry and test results (if not proprietary secrets) but I was contacted via email this morning and advised that: As far as we can tell, both our CV and Stainless steels are the same as they’ve always been.

(This information attributed to the Engineering Dept. Manager who stated that they have been using the same CV steel formulary since the very beginning.)

I will update if and when I receive anything further.

 

[db]

Personally I'd be a little shocked to read that the steel used today is the same they used from the beginning. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't think that was a good thing.

 

[kidwholaughs]

This a huge shock. I am having a hard time believing it. One thing is for certain cv sharpens easier than a lot of ss, not just True Sharp.

 

[siguy]

that's interesting that they found the SS to be equal or better than the CV. having used both, i noticed that in carving clear maple the CV held its bite longer than the SS. the stainless was entirely useable despite having lost its hair popping edge, but the CV held the hair popping edge for longer in my test.

looking forward to more information.

 

[lambertiana]

A few years back I asked Shirley with Case about the CV steel, and she also told me that it was what they have been using since the early days.

 

[GarageBoy]

Personally I'd be a little shocked to read that the steel used today is the same they used from the beginning. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't think that was a good thing.

If it ain't broke...
We're still using the same formula concrete, etc

 

[db]

If it ain't broke...
We're still using the same formula concrete, etc

If you think the formula for concrete is the same you are very much mistaken. I've been out of the concrete biz for about 10 years, but there is a big difference in concrete from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Now if Case is in fact useing the same formula for both the carbin/CV, and the stainless I'm sure they have a good reason for doing so. I just personally would be very shocked to find out that they haven't made any steel changes in 40 years or more.

 

[Blues]

Bill, that's what I'm being told and I have no reason to doubt the sincerity of the gentleman I've been in touch with. A nicer guy would be hard to find.

(I know that you're not suggesting otherwise, just trying to make a point is all.)

 

[db]

Yeah, I don't mean to convey I don't believe it, you, or the rep. I'm just very surprised by it.