Case John Deere Russlock

H

HFinn

Joined
Sep 6, 2012
Messages
2,990
I found very little discussion of Case's John Deere knives. I might buy a Green Case Russlock with John Deere decals. What are your thoughts about this knife and the John Deere line in general? I like the possibility to open the knife one handed and the blade shape.

My uncle from my mothers side was a farmer and owned a John Deere traktor. I remember him well, a man with a wicked sense of humor. He allways treated me fairly and with kindness allthough I was a city boy and a nuisance. I spent a lot of time at the farm during summers as a child so this would be way to remember him.
 
Its most likely just as good as any other Case Russlock. I like em. Is it drop point or clip point?
Takes a little practice to open.
They are quirky yet classy.
 
It's a clip point. Green bone handle. I like the looks quite a bit but have never handled one. I could make a sheath of its own to avoid the tang poking me.
 
Not sure about linking.
But this may help.
Its a secret Russlock training thread from a couple of years ago.
I bid you search for "zen and the art of russlock opening".
You will find that of which you seeketh.
 
Well, the Russlock isn't to my taste so I can't speak for that. But my grandfather was a big John Deere guy, as well as a former rancher and farmer. Owned John Deere tractors and combines and riding mowers. So I've got a Case John Deere small stockman (green bone) in his tribute. It's like any other Case knife. He was also a salesman for MoorMan's Feed, so I'm always looking on eBay for old advertising knives.
 
Never owned a John Deere knife (or tractor for that matter), but I like the jigging and the color of the green ones.

I do however, have a Jade Bone Russlock with a drop point blade. I really do like that knife. The one handed opening is a bit tricky until you get the hang of it, then it's easy peasy. Good looking knives and a conversation piece at that.
 
So here it is. I like it. There is a bit of sideways play but I can fix it, have done it before. Also the "lock" is just a safety, the spring is strong enough. I learned how to open the knife in a minute.

20170523_191301_zpsoe4vdu2o.jpg
 
Green is probably my favorite color! Looks to have their peachseed jigging as opposed to corn cob, which they seem to use on a lot of the John Deere knives. Nice knife.
 
There's a number 714 engraved on the front bolster. Some kind of serial number no doupt. Also an artistic C.
 
Dont boast :D:p.
For a true Russlock master the journey is an endless wonder.
Love the JD green :thumbsup:
 
If you have one of the ones with the individual number on the bolster, then it was from a 2011 Collector's Edition run and should have come in a metal collector tin with a foam insert and an oval Case "Genuine Collectible" medallion.

It was listed in Case's 2011 Summer Promotion book on page 51:

http://www.wrcase.com/promo_books/2011_SummerPromoBook.pdf

Here's a pic:
large-ca15713.jpg
 
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The liner lock is probably the weakest of the locks on knives-although I do own a couple of cheapy lockbacks that are virtually useless as locks as well as some old Schrade liner locks that have outlived their usefullness and are in my "happy valley" part of the collection.
Either way HFinn I'm really happy you got a cool memento of your Uncle and some cherished memories-these are important factors in life.
 
It did come in a tin described above. That's nice and explains the price. They also have Case knives from the Harley Davidson - collection and some others. Elvis - trapper knives and such.
 
Just a word about this uncle of mine. When I was getting married I knew he was sick, so we went to visit him. He took my wives hand in his and they talked for a long time. He was genuinely interested about our life and wanted to know the woman I shared my life with. He lived himself a tough life, worked hard, smoked a lot and occasionally drank heavily too. Now he was a fragile, gentle man in his 60's waiting for the end.

I was there carrying his coffin and as is the custom there me and other men took turns showeling sand, filling the grave. I could hear his grandson, a little boy standing hand in hand with his mom say "so they hid granpa in the ground". He was an unschooled simple guy who made sure his children got an education.
 
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A drop point would surely be nice. Still this slightly odd clip point looks nice too.
 
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