Case, Case XX, Case "Tested": difference?

MTHall720

MTHall720

Joined
Sep 21, 2010
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I am so new to this that I don't know the difference between these three. Is there a difference? Does tested mean someone did a test for quality or something? I really like the Case knives I have seen in person.
 
These distinctions sometimes represent different vintages of Case knives, but sometimes are just a marketing label (possibly inaccurately applied). For example, Case knives made in the 1940 - 1964 era are often referred to as 'Case XX' or 'XX era' knives, because the tang stamp was marked as:

CASE
XX

Some very old Case knives (pre-1940) were stamped as 'Tested' or 'Tested XX' or similar. Those are pretty rare. Here's a link to Case's site, with an index of their tang stamps through the years:

http://www.wrcase.com/case_college/tang_stamps/

I think Case does still occasionally produce limited runs with variations on these labels, seen either on the tang stamp or on the shield. I think some of the Case Select line may have been marked as such.

(Here's a quote from Case, regarding the origin of the 'XX' mark, from their site: http://www.wrcase.com/case_college/what_makes_case_different/)

"Tested XX.
The Tested XX is a symbol of Case's commitment to quality which can be traced back to the early days of Case when blades were tempered and tested not just once (X), but twice (XX)."
Click to expand...
 
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Thanks very much for clearing this up for me. That also helps explain why I have seen some older ones going for a lot, while some are much more affordable. I have only looked at some Case knives in person at my local store but not yet seen Queen, Bulldog, or Schatt&Morgan.
 
Thanks for asking and thanks for the links. I've been pondering doing a search to find out how to date different era knives. You saved me the work.
 
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