Case Knives?

dasknife

dasknife

Joined
Sep 26, 2012
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595
Ive been collecting knives a long while now, and one thing Ive learned is that my taste in knives change. Recently Ive noticed myself looking at case knives on the internet and browsing the slip joint section. I guess I really just wanted to know if case knives are any good. As I am not familiar with these. Any input would be great.
 
Case knives are considered to be arguably some of the best slipjoints in existence. Not much else to say.
 
first, really old people (those who like knives) will feel good if they see you holding one (not just case brand of course.) the slipjoint was their 'gadget' back then, long before macgyver showed up with his SAK, or kim possible with her souped-up nokia.

second, you won't get the same reaction in the office when you take out a fearsome modern locking folder that comes in a super steel and a super price tag. when i showed my peanut (the knife :D ) to women in the office, they said things like "cute," or "nice," or "hey my father/grandfather had one like that!"
 
Haha, I know and im only 26. I kind of started to worry when I noticed my fascination for them. The people friendly factor plays a big roll too, a slip joint would probably better suit the environment I tend to dwell in. They are pretty cool looking too with all the colors and what not, and for the price.
 
I like slip joints, and Case is the staple of that category of knives.

I think half of my knife collection right now consists of slipjoints. I dont find that non-knife people know the difference between a slipjoint and a locking knife. They only seem to notice big and small. If you pulled out a full sized Sodbuster, they'd be just as freaked out. Imagine opening your Spyderco with two hands - is it any less scary?
 
some modern knives do look strange to non-knife people and spyderco immediately comes to mind. the first time i gave my new delica a public airing:

"what's that?"
"it's a knife-tool" :D
"it looks like a spatula (or a midget cement trowel)"
"it is." :D
"why does it have a hole on it?"
"to hang from a nail, of course." :D
"oh yeah, i forgot."
 
I have several Case slippys nearly all made in the last dozen years, and I hold them in the same regard as my GECs, Queens and lone Canal Street, all top notch!
 
I always recommend either a Case large stockman or Tony Bose Backpocket folder as a gateway to slipjoints.
IMO the TB backpocket is one of their best.
 
I second the recommendation for a stockman. I started carrying a Case medium stockman around a year ago and now I can't imagine leaving home without it.

As previously mentioned, slipjoints are far less menacing to people who are afraid of knives. (My mother-in-law thinks that carrying a knife is "weird and threatening", but even she thinks that my "little jackknife" is cute). Besides that, they're frankly just more useful than almost all 'tactical' blades these days. Not only do they have a variety of different blade shapes useful for different tasks, but their thin, mirror-polished blades cut far better than the thick painted blades that seem so popular nowadays.
 
They are great. Reasonably priced and very good quality. Plus they look and feel great and always give me this "old-time, slow things down a bit, calm" feeling. Love 'em.

And! You can whip out a Case peanut and wave it around like a psychopath and nobody really cares. It's what I'd be EDCing right now if the Vic Classic didn't have so many awesome tools packed in it. Damn you, Swiss efficiency! :D
 
I grew up with Case knives. I had 3 or 4 from the age of about 10 thru 40 or so. They last forever if you take care of them. Had a few others also. Couple Gerbers and Bucks. About 6 years ago I decided to get a knife that would stay sharp longer than these would. Than about 6 months ago I got a crave for a Case again so I got a Case small Texas jackknife with Amber bone and CV steel blades. It looks real nice. The CV will definately rust in the pocket so care needs to be taken but that is a given with carbon steel. The edge retention isn't anything to brag about but it's not shameful either. However, I've gotten so used to locking folders I just don't like slipjoints anymore. I used to automatically know not to put pressure on the spine when using the knife. Now that I am used to locks I never notice if I put pressure on the spine but I think I do because when using slip joints they frequently fold just a little. When I wipe the blade off it closes a little. But that's my problem. I'm very happy with the knife I just got and would buy another Case if I wanted one.

Jack
 
dasknife said:
Ive been collecting knives a long while now, and one thing Ive learned is that my taste in knives change. Recently Ive noticed myself looking at case knives on the internet and browsing the slip joint section. I guess I really just wanted to know if case knives are any good. As I am not familiar with these. Any input would be great.
Click to expand...

Like most high production outfits, some less than perfect Case knives get through their QC from time to time. However, I'd say that the vast majority of Case knives are very well put together. I have about a half dozen and they are all well done. Their standard stainless, Tru-Sharp, is 420HC. Their standard non-stainless, CV, is a modified 1095. All in all, I think they put out a good knife that gives good value for the dollar. Definitely a good introduction to the genre. Recommended.

Visitors are always welcome in the Traditional Forum. Come join us.
 
knarfeng said:
Like most high production outfits, some less than perfect Case knives get through their QC from time to time. However, I'd say that the vast majority of Case knives are very well put together. I have about a half dozen and they are all well done. Their standard stainless, Tru-Sharp, is 420HC. Their standard non-stainless, CV, is a modified 1095. All in all, I think they put out a good knife that gives good value for the dollar. Definitely a good introduction to the genre. Recommended.

Visitors are always welcome in the Traditional Forum. Come join us.
Click to expand...
say that again, their tru-sharp is actually 420hc??? my, i've been biased upto now for cv blades mainly because of bad experience with some slipjoints made outside the US, using some softer 420 metal. thanks for the info.

just sharing, i've made up my mind as to what case design i want to accumulate. they must have:
1. cv blade (still :D )
2. clipped main blade
3. serpentine handle design with traditional bone insert
4. rounded bolsters
5. important: just one blade to a spring (say 'no' to crinking :D )
***
thus far, the peanut and the toothpick are the only ones in my collection that satisfy all five. am shopping for a three-spring '47 stockman.
 
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