CASE Humpback

Will Power

Will Power

Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
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Hope I got that right, it's not Hatchback or Hunchback is it?

Friends, I need to draw on your experience, does anybody have one of these CASE Humpbacks? I'm brooding about getting one, the Stockman version, but the Whittler looks appealing too:D They seem to come in Stag (not much struck on CASE'S Stag though,others use better quality) some kind of Blue/Green Lagoon colour which might be lurid:eek:And Harvest Orange Pocket Worn which is what I might get. I think the Whittler comes in smooth bone and Chestnut but not sure.

Would like to see some pix if possible and your comments. Does anybody have a really old Humpback knife? That would be something:thumbup: It looks a bit like the Norfolk in shape, keen to see some owners' pix of that too.

Regards, W
 
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I love mine.. Hasn't left my pocket since the day I bought it, even though I've bought at least 5 other slippies since then.
 
I have got the humpback whittler in G10, so my comments relate only to it. May not be the same for the others.

The whittler is a rather thick and heavy knife as each blade rides off its own spring. As I do not like the way crinked blades are at an angle to the handle when opened, this is fine with me.

The big surprise, which was not apparent from the pictures I saw, the blades are not tumbled and come with sharply defined grind lines. Also, the blades are satinned and not mirror polished. Along with the beautifully done swedges, the blades are absolutely gorgeous.

I know many of you were impressed by the finishing on the swaybacks, of which I have one as well, but in my view the G10 whittler is finished even better.

I have not seen a Case Bose even though I have a Norfolk on order, but I am having difficulty imagining how the Norfolk can be better.
 
Thanks for the comments and the pic.

G-10 despite being a contemporary material works really well on Traditionals, I'm very taken with the CASE Slimline Trapper I have in this material. This too has matte blades which match well with G-10. Fit and finish on this knife is remarkably good, CASE seem to have become really vigilant on QC lately.

Entreri, that's nice bone on that Humpback. Is the snap and blade play OK? Thanks.
 
The snap is great on all three blades, and there is no blade play whatsoever. The only thing I can complain about is having to open the spey with my left hand, and that's only because I'm not used to it yet. If you pick this one up I can guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Edit: I take that back.. Just tried opening it right handed, and it's a little awkward at first, but it can be done! It's perfect, just buy it! :p
 
I agree with the :thumbup: comments about the G10 Humpback. In spite of the just-adequate stainless steel, this knife falls squarely in the huge bang-for-the-buck category in terms of fit, finish, and overall aesthetics. At first glance, I would have guessed that this domestic slippie easily cost twice the measly sum I paid for it. I dunno how Case does it, but keep up the good work!

The Humpback is on the hefty side for a 3 5/8" knife at just under 2.8 ounces, but that's most likely due to the bulky and far less labor-intensive three-spring design as compared to a 'true' whittler, which I'm sure goes a long way toward helping to keep the price down. There's a bit of light showing through between one of the backsprings and the liner, but otherwise the F&F is excellent. Walk and talk is very good, with the small pen and spey blades scoring noticeably higher on the pull scale than the master; the pen on this one was almost a nail-breaker, but it's easing up with use and an occasional drop of oil. There are no halfstops, and springs are flush on all three blades both open and closed.

The chubby handle is just shy of 1/2" thick. It's fairly boxy in cross section, and the edges of the scales are somewhat sharp, particularly around the two nail nick reliefs. This, coupled with the unusually crisp as-ground blade swedges and spines should make the handle a bit of a hand-shredder, but the deeply-seated blades, sunk joints and good ergos have made it surprisingly comfortable during the light use it's seen so far. All three blades were more or less shaving-sharp right out of the box, and there's no sign of play anywhere.

I'd like it even more it they used their superior CV steel, but that handsome as-ground satin finish would probably have a greater tendency to hold moisture and eventually rust without regular cleaning and oiling. Anyway, I bought this knife to carry in my hiking daypack for use around fresh and salt water, so low-maintenance stainless makes sense.

Humpback04.jpg

Humpback02.jpg

Humpback01.jpg

Humpback03.jpg

Humpback06.jpg
 
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Wow that G10 is a beauty, love those swedge grinds. I stopped buying SS slippies but I'll make an exception for this one:D
 
Great write up Rick! That's a nice looking knife too.
 
Man that black G-10 looks sharp. I wish they made one with a Wharncliffe main blade, still, that one looks great. I did not know that they're 3 spring models, nice.
 
Great pics Rick.

Folks, just look at those SWEDGES! Especially the top view pic. Are those perfect swedges or what?
 
Excellent pix particularly the spine shots, thank you.

It's a fattie alright! My guess is that CASE might expand their G-10 range/finish it's a magnet combo.

Anybody have the Humpback Stockman too?
 
Rick said:
Humpback01.jpg
Click to expand...

Some great photos! I think this shot has sold me on one of these. 3 blades, and NO RUBS!
Also love the finish on these blades, I think they definitely compliment the G-10 on this design. Now if they would do a run with satin finished nickle bolsters and hardware it would be near perfect.
 
Wow. That G10 "whittler" is something else. Airyq is right- those swedges are CRISP. That pen blade would look right at home on a custom. Case has been back on their game for a couple years now, they are making some nice, nice knives. Good stuff!
 
I am certainly on the Case fanwagon most of the time but red flags instantly went up for me on the black G10 knife above. I am curious as to why(and how) Case would leave square or sharp corners on the swedge "plunges". It's just my opinion....the swedges look bad open and especially when it's closed(third image down), because the swedges don't line up on the small blades. Also, ergonomically, it presents sharp corners to the hand when using the knife. Come to think of it, I have never seen swedges cut like that on any knife.

The swedges are certainly crisp, which is something I really like, but I think they might be a bit toooooo crisp :D

Ohyea....everything else is cool about the knife. :thumbup::cool:
 
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Oh c'mon Kerry, don't be hatin'! :p Actually, you might be right about the sharp points from the swedge grinds. Usually those points get radiused or polished down- those might be rough on the old pockets. But they do look cool! (to me at least)

Taking a closer look at the pictures I noticed something else about the humpback whittler to like- sunken joints! :thumbup: In the non-G10 versions, that should be a pocket-friendly pattern.
 
moonwilson said:
Oh c'mon Kerry, don't be hatin'! :p Actually, you might be right about the sharp points from the swedge grinds. Usually those points get radiused or polished down- those might be rough on the old pockets. But they do look cool! (to me at least)

Taking a closer look at the pictures I noticed something else about the humpback whittler to like- sunken joints! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

:D I hate to be harsh on anything Case since they are such a great company and all but it was something I noticed. Everthing else about the knife is primo. You're right about those sunk joints and I think you see this on very old versions of this pattern.

Now I'm gonna check out the Case/Bose Norfolk pattern...very similar ;)
 
I really like the way the G-10 Humpback looks! The satin blades, the old iconic Case shield, the swedges, etc. :thumbup:

Hey Kerry, sing with me!

The Humpty Dance is your chance to do the hump
Do the Humpty Hump, come on and do the Humpty Hump
Do the Humpty Hump, just watch me do the Humpty Hump
Do ya know what I'm doin', doin' the Humpty Hump
Do the Humpty Hump, do the Humpty Hump
 
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Kerry, do you have a Norfolk to hand yet?

Been restless for some owners' pictures.....

Wonder if the swedges on that are going to be sharp&fierce:eek:
 
On swedge expertise, I'll have to defer to Kerry. His comments got me thinking and he is right. The swedges on the main blade would be hard on your hand.

There is obviously more to knife making than just making it look good.

As for the mismatched swedges on the small blades, having absorbed Kerry's comment, they are not so perfect after all. Good thing is that it would take practically nothing to line them up or at least get them closer. Maybe the word can be passed on to Case?

Thanks Kerry, for the education.
 
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