Case Knife: EDC or Collector’s Knife?

That'll make a fine user knife!! A CV Mini Trapper was the first non SAK traditional knife I bought myself.
 
GEC may be the talk of the Town these days, but case still makes a great knife and while I can't speak for others I know I have yet to get a bad one.

I just carried this Texas jack in amber jigged and CV last week.


And this 6208 is one of my all time favorite folders.


I love case, enough that I feel no need to jump up to GEC.
 
I more or less abandoned the "modern" knife world a few months ago. I'm not downing them and I have plenty and they surely do have their place but for my EDC uses, Case has me very well covered. With the exception of just a very few other traditional knives I've been carrying a Case of one configuration or another for months and loving it.

Be conscious of cutting style if you go slip joint. If you're coming from a locking knife world you might find you've developed a reliance on the lock that won't be there with the slippie. It's not a huge issue but something to give active thought to when first carrying and using it. Especially if you're cranking up and down on the handle.

I prefer the no muss, no fuss of TruSharp and it holds up plenty fine for my needs.

One of the lock backs, like a Copperlock might be a good place to start. I bought a Mini Copperlock as my first foray into this world and it was a nice transition and a great knife. The Cheetah is also a great knife that I don't think gets enough attention.
 
Hickory n steel said:
GEC may be the talk of the Town these days, but case still makes a great knife and while I can't speak for others I know I have yet to get a bad one.

I just carried this Texas jack in amber jigged and CV last week.


And this 6208 is one of my all time favorite folders.


I love case, enough that I feel no need to jump up to GEC.
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Same here but I did order a GEC just to see what all the hype was about. I had a thought come to mind though. GEC has lifetime warranty but that seems kind of moot when they only make a certain run for so long. That might be a problem if you ever need a replacement. I haven't ran across a bad Case knife yet and all are pretty well put together from my experience and they sell them in just about every mom and pop store , ACE Hardware and Tractor Supply stores so you can just about go handle before you buy. However, Case is one brand that doesn't scare me to buy unseen. I was skeptical about jumping to a GEC because I wonder just how much better could they be then a Case when they are double the cost. I can't see it myself but not ever having one, I am a lousy judge. Sure, they use 1095 blade steel but from what I researched, Case's CV is very close to 1095.
 
Mitch Taldison said:
Guys, we all know Case knives are very collectible and many people buy old or new ones to stick in the drawer or safe.

But does anyone today still actually CARRY and USE a Case knife? I ask because I’m in the market for a CV Stockman with amber jigged bone scales, but are these even considered a candidate for real world use, or a handsome trinket for collecting only?

95-F5-FABB-91-A8-4150-91-D8-08-EC2446-E2-A0.jpg

Just wondering, gang. I’ve pined for a traditional folder for years and think I’ve narrowed it down, but my uses will not at all be collecting, but whittling, cleaning squirrels, opening packages, cutting food, etc. and am just wondering either way.

So, does anyone still use a old fashion Case knife on the daily? Or are these pretty collectibles for display only? Thanks all,

-Mitch
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It looks like you've decided on a 6318 medium stockman, which is an excellent choice. I use a bunch of my Case knives, and often prefer them over higher priced brands. On knives like the 6318, Case grinds the blades especially thin, so they cut with incredible efficiency, and keep on cutting well, even after the edge has begun to dull. Such thin grinds also mean very easy sharpening. It's a win/win as far as I'm concerned. Great choice!!!
 
I see nothing wrong with Case knives for users but with all the modern knives and experience with more premium brands of traditional knives I have been spoiled. My preference now just leads me away from Case the HRC they run their knives too is just too low for me now similar with SAK for me. I don't mean to say there is anything wrong with these but for me it is just taking a step back so I don't typically look to them for users myself and since I only look for users they have fallen to the side for me. I wish Case would come out with a premium line that offered a slightly better common steel with a more optimum HT as they do make many great patterns.
 
PirateSeulb said:
I see nothing wrong with Case knives for users but with all the modern knives and experience with more premium brands of traditional knives I have been spoiled. My preference now just leads me away from Case the HRC they run their knives too is just too low for me now similar with SAK for me. I don't mean to say there is anything wrong with these but for me it is just taking a step back so I don't typically look to them for users myself and since I only look for users they have fallen to the side for me. I wish Case would come out with a premium line that offered a slightly better common steel with a more optimum HT as they do make many great patterns.
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Out of interest, what do you actually use your pocket-knives for?

Their optimum line is the CASE/Bose Annual Collaboration knives, different pattern each year. I think you'll find the upgrade in blade steel you want there.
 
Mitch Taldison said:
Guys, we all know Case knives are very collectible and many people buy old or new ones to stick in the drawer or safe.

But does anyone today still actually CARRY and USE a Case knife? I ask because I’m in the market for a CV Stockman with amber jigged bone scales, but are these even considered a candidate for real world use, or a handsome trinket for collecting only?

95-F5-FABB-91-A8-4150-91-D8-08-EC2446-E2-A0.jpg

Just wondering, gang. I’ve pined for a traditional folder for years and think I’ve narrowed it down, but my uses will not at all be collecting, but whittling, cleaning squirrels, opening packages, cutting food, etc. and am just wondering either way.

So, does anyone still use a old fashion Case knife on the daily? Or are these pretty collectibles for display only? Thanks all,

-Mitch
Click to expand...
Another Case line you may wish to look at is their Sodbuster. Really good work knife in my opinion.:thumbsup:
 
I've never been a big believer in the collectible value of most Case knives. They make way too many for me to consider them rare, and frankly, they're not hard to find. Pre-WWII stuff in good condition is an exception, but that's true of pretty much any maker. Putting 50-100 different sets of scales on runs that measure in the 1000's is like making Beany Babies.

That being said, I do have, and use, some Case knives. This one's been in my pocket the last couple days, and it's one of my "normal" rotation.

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Not a day has passed in 20 years that I haven't had a Case in my pocket. The Stockman is a great knife, but I have become partial to the Swayback Jack, because the Wharncliffe blade works well for me.
 
I have 6 Case knives. I carry one everyday depending on how I am dressed. I only own knives I use including GEC. In my opinion they are not good enough to collect unless they are users. Two of my favorites are.

a) Wearing jeans - Single Blade Large Hunter
b) Wearing slacks - Mini Copperlock

I prefer CV, but the Tru-Sharp is pretty good also.

What makes the Case a user is the grind. They are thin behind the edge. Therefore they cut.

Geoff
 
Ripcord 82 said:
Same here but I did order a GEC just to see what all the hype was about. I had a thought come to mind though. GEC has lifetime warranty but that seems kind of moot when they only make a certain run for so long. That might be a problem if you ever need a replacement. I haven't ran across a bad Case knife yet and all are pretty well put together from my experience and they sell them in just about every mom and pop store , ACE Hardware and Tractor Supply stores so you can just about go handle before you buy. However, Case is one brand that doesn't scare me to buy unseen. I was skeptical about jumping to a GEC because I wonder just how much better could they be then a Case when they are double the cost. I can't see it myself but not ever having one, I am a lousy judge. Sure, they use 1095 blade steel but from what I researched, Case's CV is very close to 1095.
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I think you will find that GEC has a better quality Fit & Finish and is usually just a more robust knife all-around. That being said, Case knives are good quality and great users. I would say my Case knives cut better than my GEC knives straight out of the box.
 
All my Case knives have been carried and used - some very extensively. I know some collect just for the joy of looking and owning, but I won’t buy a knife I don’t intend to use. That includes new, vintage, production, custom, cheap and expensive.
 
Gang, based on some many replies, that the Case knives are great users and many people actually use them daily for all sorts of tasks, I bought a medium Stockman amber bone with CV steel and pen blade. It arrived today:

7-AD22269-E961-40-D4-86-C0-64-C317-A002-C0.jpg


REAL nice knife guys I really like it so far! Good fit and finish and mine appears to have 0 issues. It’s going to get LOTS of pocket time, been wanting a traditional American for some time. Been on a Buck 110 kick and carry one daily in a belt pouch, but frankly it’s a whole lot of knife for urban carry use which (sadly) is mostly what I do know since I’m tied down with my job. Wanted something I could just slip in the pocket and I think I found it. Thanks for the replies, all!!
 
Mitch Taldison said:
Gang, based on some many replies, that the Case knives are great users and many people actually use them daily for all sorts of tasks, I bought a medium Stockman amber bone with CV steel and pen blade. It arrived today:

7-AD22269-E961-40-D4-86-C0-64-C317-A002-C0.jpg


REAL nice knife guys I really like it so far! Good fit and finish and mine appears to have 0 issues. It’s going to get LOTS of pocket time, been wanting a traditional American for some time. Been on a Buck 110 kick and carry one daily in a belt pouch, but frankly it’s a whole lot of knife for urban carry use which (sadly) is mostly what I do know since I’m tied down with my job. Wanted something I could just slip in the pocket and I think I found it. Thanks for the replies, all!!
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Congrads. .That's a nice one. I think the Amber Bone is my favorite.
 
Mitch Taldison said:
Gang, based on some many replies, that the Case knives are great users and many people actually use them daily for all sorts of tasks, I bought a medium Stockman amber bone with CV steel and pen blade. It arrived today:

7-AD22269-E961-40-D4-86-C0-64-C317-A002-C0.jpg


REAL nice knife guys I really like it so far! Good fit and finish and mine appears to have 0 issues. It’s going to get LOTS of pocket time, been wanting a traditional American for some time. Been on a Buck 110 kick and carry one daily in a belt pouch, but frankly it’s a whole lot of knife for urban carry use which (sadly) is mostly what I do know since I’m tied down with my job. Wanted something I could just slip in the pocket and I think I found it. Thanks for the replies, all!!
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I have the same knife. It’s a great user, and I like the thinner 2 spring design. Squared and pinched bolsters are the icing on the cake.

That knife should treat you well. Enjoy!
 
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