Case Clasp

herisson

herisson

Apple slicing rocking chair dweller
Joined
Mar 11, 2013
Messages
4,754
I'm really sold on this size and pattern : it seems just it will fit me perfectly. Anyone used it and liked/disliked it for whatever reason ? Importing knives from the US (especially rather pricey ones : I got two which are currently stuck in customs, makes me mad, but raging mad...), so I'm on the edge. Many thanks for your input.
 
I recently got a Case Clasp knife and I am happy with it in many ways. I like a big blade of around 4 inches or more, and the clasp delivers this. I would like to see the "covers"or scales be a little bit thicker, but otherwise I am happy with it. Hope this helps.
 
Yes, your answer is very helpful. I noticed the scales can be pretty thin on Case knives and while I understand it on a Backpocket, or a small EDC like 3.5 ", i don't get it on a beefy blade. At 4" a blade needs a handle that can drive. The current slipjoint production shows two other matters that are a bit of a worry : a weak spring and bladeplay. Bladeplay, obviously, on production folders, is a kind of miss / hit thing. But the weak back spring is perhaps more annoying. I will be glad for your input on these matters about your Clasp. Love that knife for the design but would like it to stand up seriously to everyday use.
 
Sort of interesting about the weak spring on more recent Case clasp knives. I don't have one of these, and I've only handled maybe one or two of Case's older vintages (maybe 70s/80s or earlier). The one thing I remember most, about the older ones, were the bear-trap springs on them. Maybe among the stiffest I've ever seen. That was a long time ago (20+ years), and I remember how intimidating those knives were to me at the time.

Edit:
Another thing about some of the older ones, at least some had thicker handle slabs on them. Especially the stag-handled ones, which could be extremely thick (maybe an inch or nearly so). Case has done that on older versions of the Folding Hunter ('65 pattern) also.


David
 
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Oh yes, please, give me a bear-trap spring ! A 4" blade needs that. The best spring action I currently have is on a 3" blade (S&M Kentucky Shiner). No wonder : the spring is the same section as on the Queen Folding Hunter (over 5" closed, that is around 1/2" less leverage !). Is this the secret of the mystery ? Will I have to restrain to small blades ? Not happy even if it fits for EDC in my neck of the woods.
 
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There's another thread going right now about the Queen Mountain Man, which may also be your cup of tea (it is available as a slipjoint and as a lockback). I can't recommend the MM highly enough, and suggest that you check one out. It's definitely a higher quality alternative to the Case Clasp, which sadly these days has become more of a collectors' toy than a work knife.
 
You're right the Queen Mountain Man is a real knife. I got the slipjoint version and it's a great (bigger) EDC : good balance, blade size spot on, handle hefty enough. Still easy in the pocket. And it's beautiful ! It's one of my favourite. I'm just a bit disappointed by the weak spring. I suppose Queen doesn't worry about that as they make a lockback version... A pity, because it would be so easy : a notch in the tang, a hook in the spring... I got a Laguiole built this way : just splendid. Almost as safe as a locker and I can still pretend it's legal...
 
I think you'll find that very few of the traditional American style knives have a spring anywhere near as "strong" as a Laguiole. American traditionals use a flat spring that rides on a cam at the end of the blade, while Laguiole knives generally have the notched blade tang (cran forcé), which "feels" much stronger because of its design.
 
I get it. It just seems to me a 4" blade would need a stronger backup. My taste here and as America has a strong fixed blade culture it's probably that american folders are just designed for random utility tasks. I'm currently reprofiling a Queen Folding Hunter which is a very beautiful knife, and I don't mind it came dull, but I wonder how such a heavy knife with such a thick and powerful blade and oversized handle can fit in any EDC, given the weak spring. Just wondering. I use also friction folders which are to be used with care and I generally understand a folder (whatever strong spring or lockup device) is to be used just as that : a folder... Then I grab a (relatively) cheap industrial lockback with no play at all, razor sharp blade and minimal weight... And I just wonder. No charm, no soul, indeed... but what a solid feeling. Sigh... Currently on the edge of ordering a Northfield collector. Will do, most certainly, because I'm a fool for beauty and romance.
 
Thank you all for the time you took to type down your input. I did learn some and I may be disappointed (a little) about american folders but I still love them all the same. It's a thing with the shape and patterns and sizes... Good knives supported by good people. Only good things. Thanks again.
 
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