Case Knives

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mgdisco

Joined
Jan 12, 2011
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First of all I am a knife user and not a collector. Does anyone else here feel that Case caters more to the collector than the user. All I'm saying is that some of there most usable patterns are only offered in stainless and not cv. I have a few SS versions of of theirs that I don't use for the simple fact that for my use they perform poorly compared to there chrome vanadium blades.
 
I would more likely have drawn that conclusion from the variety of handle colors and materials.

I think that stainless steel is just part of the modern era. Many people prefer it. Ask STeven :D.

That being said, I would be hesitant to suggest that the stainless line is not a line or everyday use.
 
mgdisco said:
First of all I am a knife user and not a collector. Does anyone else here feel that Case caters more to the collector than the user. All I'm saying is that some of there most usable patterns are only offered in stainless and not cv. I have a few SS versions of of theirs that I don't use for the simple fact that for my use they perform poorly compared to there chrome vanadium blades.
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There are several here that feel that same way.
There are many others here that don't.

There are those that feel strongly that CV is a far superior steel compared to the stainless.
There are many other members here who feel that the stainless is more than adequate and, indeed, actually prefer it.

What I am getting at is that the best judge of the utility and beauty of the knife is the one who owns and uses it. If it doesn't meet your own standards then you have the best empirical evidence there is.

Welcome to the forums. Quite a way to begin your journey here...;)
 
Of the Case knives that I EDC pretty regularly, they all have scalpel-like edges (which I put on myself), and they've all held up beautifully. None of them are CV, they're all stainless (I'm not knocking the CV; it's fine in it's own right). In terms of 'performance', any differences between the two, especially with regard to edge quality or durability, are insignificant to me, personally. The stainless might be a tad more difficult to to (initially) put something better than a 'factory' bevel on it, but once a good edge is on it, I don't see any disadvantage compared to the CV. And the stainless, obviously, requires much less upkeep to protect it from rust.
 
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Welcome to the forum!

I personally think that Case makes great knives for use in both stainless and CV. And they also make a seemingly endless line of collectible (but usable) knives, mostly in stainless.

I think they offer their most utilitarian knives in the CV steel in the Yellow plastic handles:

http://www.wrcase.com/knives/pocket_knives/browsefolding2.php?Family=%27Yellow%20Handle%27&Folding=%271%27&Item=%270029%27

If you want more variety in CV check these out:

http://www.wrcase.com/knives/cv_knives/


Not sure what you need a knife for, but I would think anyone could find a very useful knife in that lineup.
 
I like CV too but for the look rather than the performance. If we as a consumer base want Case to expand their CV line then we all have to vote with our checkbooks. By the way, did you see the thread on Case's new knives for 2011. There are a few new yella CV knives in there.


Paul
 
Of course they cater to collectors,that's how they've managed to stay afloat when too many others have failed.I think they push it a bit far sometimes with some of the stranger offerings,but hey,whatever works and the product is nice quality imo.As for the steel,I think both are great users that hold a edge quite well.For daily use ,i would give the slight edge to CV.But with todays diamond sharpening systems,its quite easy for anyone to aquire a nice user edge on the trusharp blades.Welcome to the forum.:)
 
I think I tend to agree with you on the point that case does seem to be more focused on the collectable intention. However, The CV offerings dont boast the plethora of handle materials that the stainless do, but i believe you can find a CV bladed representation of most of their patterns. Could someone with more experience regarding Case chime in and verify that for me?
Personally I prefer the CV over stainless, but recently I have had to rethink my prejudice. I received two stockman pattern in stainless and through my recent use I am happy with both of them. Both are hollow ground and take/hold really good edges.
 
zrfunited said:
I think I tend to agree with you on the point that case does seem to be more focused on the collectable intention. However, The CV offerings dont boast the plethora of handle materials that the stainless do, but i believe you can find a CV bladed representation of most of their patterns. Could someone with more experience regarding Case chime in and verify that for me?
Personally I prefer the CV over stainless, but recently I have had to rethink my prejudice. I received two stockman pattern in stainless and through my recent use I am happy with both of them. Both are hollow ground and take/hold really good edges.
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Case is very limited in what they offer in CV. I doubt one could find a CV version in 'most of their patterns'. Once in a rare while, they might offer it as a limited release (sometimes, VERY limited). With many patterns, it might actually be easier to find CV in older knives from Case. I like the large sodbuster, large '75 pattern stockman, sowbelly stockman, and the '65 pattern Folding Hunter. None of these are available in CV in Case's current lineup.
 
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Regardless of their production of collectibles, don't compare them to the Franklin Mint or Danbury Mint that makes the George Patton knives, John Wayne knives, Roy Rogers knives, etc. commemorative knives. They aren't that kind of collectibles.

Case knives are real users, and regardless of which way you go with the steel, or whatever you pick for scales and blade etching, you will get a really good, usable knife.

On the other side of that spectrum, you can buy a Case knife that represents some of the best knife making in the USA today. Take a minute and search this subforum for Blue's, the moderator of this group. He has come excellent pictures that show examples of fine Case workmanship. No NASCAR etches anywhere!

Buy the pattern you like and try it out. And the only way you will decide which steel you like is to buy a knife in both. Not too terrible a problem to have!

Robert
 
I would have to agree with everything said so far. I'm not saying that the SS blades don't have there place or are not quality. Only that most of my knives are hard use knives and from my experience the cv keeps an edge longer and takes less time to sharpen. In a perfect word they would make the large/jumbo saddlehorn trapper in cv, that very pronounced spey blade would be very useful to me
 
midnight flyer said:
Regardless of their production of collectibles, don't compare them to the Franklin Mint or Danbury Mint that makes the George Patton knives, John Wayne knives, Roy Rogers knives, etc. commemorative knives. They aren't that kind of collectibles.
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Yyecch!! :barf:

Perish the thought... That's terrifying in it's own right. :eek:
 
CASE does put out some bizarre and even tasteless-in my view-lines, but it brings in money and it's certainly not at the expense of more 'credible' offerings.

CV line appears to be holding its own and even expanding, just look at what a desirable knife the Swayback Jack is. I like both of their steels and in the way I use knives, can't find diminished performance from stainless-it clearly is not the suspect steel it might have been decades ago... It's nice to have a choice and if you like a bigger knife, consider the Redbone 3 spring Humpback Whittler in cv. Hope you continue to post and enjoy it here.
 
I like both CV and tru-sharp. In my experience, tru-sharp is bit like victorinox stainless steel, shofter side but it does what you can expect from knife and its easy to get sharp, even in woods or field.

You can get Case tru-sharp or victorinox sharp just with the belt. I don't think anyone in their correct mind would want to try that in D2... but still, for every day chores, Case stainless is pretty good, though I prefer CV or other carbon steels.

My current favourite steel in traditional is 1095
 
mgdisco said:
... some of there most usable patterns are only offered in stainless and not cv.
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Which patterns do you mean? IMO, they offer a pretty wide range of patterns in cv if you're not picky about handle material.

-- Mark

Edited to add: Disregard. I posted before reading all the other responses.
 
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I think most of the yellow series comes in CV..... I just pre-ordered a yellow Cheetah in CV.
 
As with most things in life, nothings perfect.
That goes for knives too. Locking, non-locking, slip joint, fixed blade, frame type, back springs to blade steel. Some of us try to kid ourselves when buying that next perfect knife, when we are really just eclectic knife collectors in the endless search for the perfect knife. :):D

:eek: The perfect knife! :eek: Wouldn't that be boring. One knife in your collection. :D:)

As for Case Carbon vs Stainless, I'll run from one side of the boat to the other in my buying, using and collecting. As of later, I've been on the Carbon side. :)
 
Here's one of my favorite woods knives, a stainless Case Drop Point Hunter. It's a great size and shape, full tang, has a comfortable and highly visible set of scales, and I have no problem keeping it shaving sharp.

I also love my CV Case blades, but this one is a hard-using keeper. :thumbup:

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