Case Large Stockman Amber Bone Review

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sodak

Joined
Mar 26, 2004
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This is in CV steel, and just got it today and thought I'd post my thoughts and welcome comments.

First of all, this thing is big. Almost an inch bigger than my other large stockmans, including Queen. Also has squared bolsters, so I might be making a sheath for this, a little large for pocket carry. Some fairly large gaps between the bolsters and handles. The clip and sheepsfoot blades rub upon closing. Walk and talk are mushy.

Those are the downs, now for the ups. The large size is really comfortable in my hands, much more so than the smaller stockmans. So that makes the size a tradeoff, perhaps a positive. The blades are all mirror polished nicely and hollow ground. Should be quick to sharpen, and should cut very well. The edges are ground nice and thin, the way that I like them. The price was good, under $40, so this will be a user.

I've heard good things about the Case CV steel, can't wait to try it out. This one looks to be a fair value for the price. I'm looking forward to putting it through it's paces. All in all, good vs bad, it's a nice looking stockman that seems geared towards using rather than sitting in a case.
 
I'm assuming that it came in the mail and you didn't get a chance to handle it before you bought it. Thats one of the downsides of internet or mail order buying of slipjoints in general, not just Case's. Its always better if you can pick your knife from a group of knives, that way you get the one with the best snap, fit, and edge grind. Of course, we can't do that over the net. Still, like you say, it will make a very good user.
 
I've been meaning to write a review of this knife for a while, so to add to your thread:

I have a Case 63032 CV - medium stockman, amber bone, pen instead of spey blade. Pretty much the same thing but a bit smaller. I've had the knife for a few weeks but haven't done anything with it other than inspecting.

They vary in quality... I don't have the blade rubbing problem that you describe. I have gaps between the scales and bolsters on one side that bother me slightly. Not too bad but could be better. Walk and talk aren't too bad but could also be a little better. In particular it feels a little gritty. The 2 small blades snap solidly upon closing. The main blade could be somewhat stronger.

There appears to be some kind of congealed grease that may be making it less than optimal. In fact I removed a bit of it and it seemed to improve things. It's pretty much a solid; it comes off with a toothpick like dirt. The edges were what I would consider on the dull side. There's also a bit of a gap between the main blade's spring and the liner.

I like the size of this knife. It's a bit bigger than a Schrade 34OT. The same size as a Schrade 896K in fact. Not so big as to cause discomfort, not so small as to appear and feel puny and awkward I too like the mirror finish and look forward to playing with the steel. I appreciate old carbon steels on 60 year old knives right along side high-end stainless steels. I can see this knife being used regularly.
 
Ryan8, try to clean out the grit around the tangs (spring and liners) with some mineral oil (.e.g. from Walgreens).
Once the grit is out, the snap will improve.
 
Thanks for the addition Ryan8. Mine has the same stuff, I just haven't had time yet to clean it out.

OTguy, you're right. I ordered it over the internet, and if I could choose one among many, I could probably get one with better fit. I was able to do that with a couple of Schrades at a store before they went under.

This begs the question, however, what should be acceptable quality? I have other, newer styled lockbacks in the same price range that I would send back if they were put together this way. At what price level should I expect blades not to rub? My Queens don't. Am I being unreasonable? I've often wondered this about slipjoints. I tend to be more "forgiving" than with other styles.

I admit that most of the things that I'm faulting are cosmetic. So far, the blades cut well, and if the heat treat is good, I'll be more than happy with this knife. It's a brute, but a very comfortable brute!
 
BTTT. I've had a chance now to use this for a while and have more observations.

First of all, the flaws have been cosmetic. So this one gets used - a lot, and for hard tasks. The thing is, the more that I use it, the more that I like it. The mirror polish, even on the springs, really is nice for clean up. The high hollow grind makes sharpening easy. How easy? Well, after an hour or so of whittling, the edge wouldn't shave hair. Still felt sharp, but lost that little extra. It took 2 - 3 strokes per side on a ceramic stick to get the hair shaving edge back. Case knows what it is doing with CV steel. Can't complain about that.

The size of this knife (read big) makes it very comfortable to hold and use. Much more so than I would have thought. So all in all, this is a great user. It has become my EDC for now, and I really like the looks of it. Except for the handle, I'm not an amber color fan. But that's ok, to each his own.

Anyway, since I had a some negatives to say about this, I thought it would be important to put them in perspective. I just ordered 2 more. :D Just in case I decide that I like it.... ;)
 
I've had the yellow Delrin version of this knife for a few years. I use it for all sorts of crappy jobs. It has slain a lot of rogue dandelions in my lawn...:D

Buzzbait describes a good slipjoint cleaning regimen as part of this post.
 
It is best if you can pick it out, or buy it from someone who will look it over for you. I have four of them that are almost completely flawless, one of them I have used since last year (I had to have someone look over four of them for me).

Thsi can happen with any knife manufacturer, so it is not just reserved to Case (although Case seems to have more problems than most these days).
 
Some fairly large gaps between the bolsters and handles. The clip and sheepsfoot blades rub upon closing. Walk and talk are mushy.
Click to expand...
I bought a Case Amber CV Canoe last winter over the internet...exactly the same problem. I sent it back and bought a like new Boker Green Bone Canoe in 440C for about the same price off ebay......the quaility is so much better on the Boker....the Case appeared to have been made by unskilled labor !
eapr2c.jpg

I'm not condemning all Case slipjoints....I have a Blue Carribean Trapper in 420 that's beautifully made.
eapr9d.jpg


-regards
 
It is sad. Ever since zippo had aquired case, the knives have gone down on quality since. You can still get some good ones, but it seems there are more bad than good (like 3 to 1, etc.).
 
I've bought 4 case knives in two years sight unseen and had every one be in good shape. They ranged from cv, to white bone, to case bros. I must be lucky :)
 
I got ahold of a couple amber bone Case's recently, "texas jack, medium stockman" and they are both very well made. I think things are improving with Case and I hope that they continue. I also hope the offer more cv models.
 
Grateful said:
I think things are improving with Case and I hope that they continue. I also hope the offer more cv models.
Click to expand...
Glad to hear that.....I will try them again. I too hope they offer more CV models in a variety of handle materials....can't have too many choices !

-regards
 
I wish they would offer the CV in more choices. Ive seen they now have the 6.5 bonestag in one model (I think the large stockman)?
 
I saw pictures of the Bonestag stockman over on the other forum. It looked very nice.
 
I have one of these Case CV '75 amber bone stockmans. It's got fine walk/talk, although the blades do rub some. Super sharp and works fine for small game skinning, although I have used it for little else, it seems to hold edge just fine too. I like big knives, my hands are too big and clumsy to hold onto those little bitty patterns.
 
Sodak, is this a 2 or 3 layer stockman?

I really don't like the 2 layer models because the bent blades drive me nuts! :mad:
 
sodak said:
This is in CV steel, and just got it today and thought I'd post my thoughts and welcome comments.

First of all, this thing is big. Almost an inch bigger than my other large stockmans, including Queen. Also has squared bolsters, so I might be making a sheath for this, a little large for pocket carry. Some fairly large gaps between the bolsters and handles. The clip and sheepsfoot blades rub upon closing. Walk and talk are mushy.

Those are the downs, now for the ups. The large size is really comfortable in my hands, much more so than the smaller stockmans. So that makes the size a tradeoff, perhaps a positive. The blades are all mirror polished nicely and hollow ground. Should be quick to sharpen, and should cut very well. The edges are ground nice and thin, the way that I like them. The price was good, under $40, so this will be a user.

I've heard good things about the Case CV steel, can't wait to try it out. This one looks to be a fair value for the price. I'm looking forward to putting it through it's paces. All in all, good vs bad, it's a nice looking stockman that seems geared towards using rather than sitting in a case.
Click to expand...

If you can post a picture of this knife I would love to see it.
 
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