Case large saddlehorn

B

bob b

Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Messages
78
Hello all,
Recently picked up a case large saddlehorn in midnight bone with tested XX on the handle in nickel silver script seems like a good knife great fit and finish all around ,looks like a great user but i am putting it in my collection. Is it just me or has case,s quality been slipping lately. The knives that i have handled recently made by case have weak backsprings,no snap and some bad grinds on parts of the knives.Any opinions Bob B
 
I don't like saying it, but the overall quality just has not been there in a while. That being said it does surprise me that there are problems with this pattern (a revived one.)

Usually I have found that the relatively new patterns and some of the revived patterns are quite nice in the fit and finish. (enough to make me think they are/were trying to turn things around.) Maybe the quality is because of the new tooling to make the pattern. Since it has been so long since Case has made the saddlehorn I would think there would be new tooling involved.

Of course maybe this theory is all wet, but if you take the overall quality of the modern Seahorses and 111 1/2's that I have seen and compare them to the quality of the long running patterns, there is a big difference. (that is the basis of the wacky theory.) :)

It is not unusual for me to see the things you describe in the long running patterns and that is a shame especially on a brand new one or two bladded knife. I own a few too many of Case's Dr. patterns made in the last 20 years that are lacking in quality along the lines of fit and lazy blades with nice finishes, but I really am surprised that your saddle horn falls to that level.
 
Bastid,
The fit and finish and overall quality on the saddlehorn are great,I just wish case could be more consistant with their quality,A lot of people collect case knives and poor quality will hurt them in the long run.I too have handled case doctor,s patterns and the blades are lazy on them,also handled a schatt and morgan dr pattern,Much better quality then case. Bob b
 
I have'nt run in to alot of problems,but have had a couple with bad grinds on the kick. Its a shame. I have worked in a few factories. Bad quality shows low morale. Maybe they have a high turnover rate and are having to train alot of people. who knows but I hope they get it fixed.
 
I agree with Bastid. I've handled a bunch of Case knives over the years and it does seem like an inconsistent QC. The newer, revived patterns do seem to have better quality. The ones marked Case Brothers are extremely well finished and have very sharp, although rough, blades from the factory.
 
I think Case qualilty is not bad considering the price of their knives, their wide distribution, and the fact its made in America. Most "defects" I've seen with case are minor, cosmetic or can be fixed with a few minutes on a stone. I've seen a lot of almost perfect fit/finish knives for $40. Not bad in my book for a product made by a relatively highly paid American work force. You could probably make 5 knives in taiwan for the labor cost of one case. Plus, if you want a really good piece, most purveyors have 1 to 4 of the same knife for you to pick from, that's not always true of other brands.

Case's quality can be inconsistent, but overall you're not getting ripped off. If you compare them to slipjoints from cammilus and schrade, case is a better deal. I've seen some product from these companies that is much worse in quality than anything I've seen from case, but then they are a little bit cheaper than case. Some case lines do show a more consistent level of quality, but they are generally a little pricier.
 
It is great to have a company like case still in business and making a great product and made in the U.S.A I own several case knives and will continue to buy them. I like tactical folders and automatics but the slipjoint is my favorite.Companies like case and queen make pocket knives that will last a lifetime.It was sad news to hear that schrade went out of business,The old timers were great work knives at affordable prices.My dad wore out a few using them for work. some chinese companies are trying to make slipjoints(rough rider) but not even close when it comes to comparison with case or queen.Bob B
 
I'm personally pretty tired of hearing about "Rough Riders" and WalMart's Chinese Winchesters. :mad:
They are pretty low quality......made with slave labor......of questionable heat treat......and personify what many folks are looking for, I guess......a disposable razor or box cutter.
Too bad, some folks often look for only the price. <Rant Off>

I would much prefer a Case knife. I would expect it to be of better quality than those mentioned above. Or at least for Case to do some repair, until it's right. That is an advantage they still have. All you can do is return the Chinese made knives, as far as I know.


Just my opinion, of course.

Bill
 
In the last 2 months, I bought 5 of them on ebay.
2 mini copperheads look nice and have really strong springs.

On a third mini copperhead, the spring has no snap at all.....I'm going to send it in to case for repair and see what happens.

I also got a toothpick with a rather weak spring......they are so small that perhaps that's the way they are, I don't know. I'll probably pass on any more toothpicks, though.

Lastly, I got a select copperlock model with filework on the blade and backspring....that one is really nice, too.
So it seems to be a mixed bag on what you get......and probably a better idea to shop for them in a brick and mortar store.
Some are hard to find, though, at least in my neighborhood. :ox
 
jerrinfla,
I have a couple of toothpicks, both medium and small. They have very reasonable "Walk and Talk".....so they can be made as such. Maybe you can send yours in for repair. :(
Too bad, they are an historic pattern, and are kind of cool, I think.

Bill
 
El Lobo,

Thanks for the input! I was thinking that maybe the fact that my toothpick was so small, the backspring would not be so strong after all.
I'm going to see how case does with the pw natural bone mini copperhead in their repair shop.
Heck, I got quotes on repair charges from them if it turns out to be non warranty, and having a new spring put in is is 8 bucks....I'll "spring" for that if need be. lol

On the bright side, I just got another one on line - a shadow chestnut bolsterless mini copperlock, and nothing seems to be wrong with it at all.

Too bad there's not a place to buy them on line from sellers like here, who meticulously go over every millimeter of a knife for sale and list flaws I would probably never be able to find ..... that's even better than buying them new!
 
Picked up two more case knives today,Both excellent in every way.Picked up a blue bone handle copperhead with a wharncliffe blade and a brown bone hobo,Both are year 2000 production and are beautys the wharncliffe copperhead is going in my pocket,perfect EDC for me. Have a good weekend everyone. Bob B
 
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