Case Knives: 13007 American Sodbuster - Thoughts and alternatives?

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n7titan

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Jun 14, 2014
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A friend asked me about the quality of this knife but I haven't had any Case Knives products before. Is anybody familiar with them?
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The aesthetics are very much his style but the overall length of around 8" is a little big. I suggested a blue Opinel No.8 and he said "that's pretty cool!"
Any other suggestions? Looking for something simple and clean looking, "classic" if you will.
 
Two candidates for my first traditional folder. I've had my eye on them for a while but haven't pulled the trigger yet. If they offered the Hawthorne in a nice stainless I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

GEC 71 Bullnose:
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GEC Northwoods Hawthorne Wharnie
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Those are awesome Mr Reynolds! I might have to snag the Wharnie myself :D

My buddy isn't too much a of a knife guy so the lower the price the better. That's not to say he can't tell what a quality product would feel like.
The GEC Bullnose is a bit pricey compared to the Case Sodbuster.
 
I own a case large sodbuster and it is a dependable, solid piece of work. I would not use it as an everyday but that's because of my family curse of small hands (many a stormy night have I shaken my tiny hand in the air shouting "DARN YOU") other than that though it makes for a great outdoor knife for work, hunting, fishing.

if looking for something of similar style case also has the sodbuster jr at 3 5/8 inches in either stainless or cv. like its big brother it makes for a great work/outdoor knife and the single blade makes it comfortable to handle.

case also makes the slim line trapper at 4 1/8 inch. not as chunky so despite being so long is hardly noticeable, nice backpocket knife. I use it for fishing and cooking.
cause it is a nice thin blade.

if your friend is interested specifically in case there is a whole line of wonderfully crafted products at fair prices and great customer service. I am a huge fan of case and their products, particularly of the medium size. if interested specifically in a single blade, that is another long post that I would gladly give my two cents about!
 
Unfortunately, it can be a bit hard to find a high-quality traditional slipjoint on the cheap (they are typically more complex than modern folders). Case is probably the best "value" brand for traditionals and they certainly make a good product for the money. I've heard their stainless isn't the best, but what can you expect at value pricing? Great Eastern Cutlery (they encompass several brands including Tidioute and Northwoods) have a whole lot of products at a variety of price points (the Bullnose is one of their cheaper models, though not the cheapest) and are one of the best production makers of traditional folders today.

You can check out their website for their full lineup, though many of the more popular models can be difficult to find. If you want to see a good listing of what's available, a certain vendor that "ships knives for free" has the best selection that I've seen.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I'll let him know and come back with more specifics and thoughts.
I don't think he cares for a specific mechanism. As long as it "looks" like some kind of traditional folder. I think that's why the Opinel No.8 got two thumbs up from him.

If I had to describe it, "older style", clean, not too flashy, simple, etc.. suggestions?
 
Well, you already mentioned Opinel which would be my first suggestion. You could check out the Svord peasant, Aitor Castor, Mercator Black Cat, Douk Douk, or any of the many variations on the Higo no Kami. All qualify as what I would term "peasant" knives, with either no locking system or an older style lockback. I'm particularly fond of the Svord and Higo no Kami, which are just very cool-looking handmade friction folders. Or for a more american look as opposed to European or Asian, try the Buck 110.

Just don't expect perfect fit and finish or super steels as they're all budget priced.
 
IMO the quality of case is typically very good, and that is a great knife. Queen and GEC also have other options that might be interesting without going French (if that matters to your friend, and not that Opinel knives are not excellent.)
 
Case is good. Especially in CV steel :) ( personal taste to be honest)

The GEC Bullnose in O-1 steel is excellently heat treated and ground. I like the steel better than 1095, and GEC stainless. Better edges and seems like a bit more wear resistance.

Queen makes a couple. Regular sodbuster in various grips. They also make a lock back one which puts it to the top of my list. Their D2 is excellent. It used to be known for coming needing to be sharpened brand new. It's gotten better but with D2 it's good to have Diamond or Silicone carbide synthetic stones around. It can be very tough to change angles and thin out edges with out these steel grinders. Just forget about removing steel with Arkansas stones.
 
This. ^
And, chk out the AG Russell Rancher and Cowboy pocket knives.
rolf
 
You're going to turn him into a traditional collector. The problem or not...is that the hand feel of the sodbuster is very much like that of other slip joints configured in that size, jack, mercator, mini trapper. So if he likes the sodbuster you could feasibly go with any size blades around the size of the sodbuster.
 
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