Case Peanut...opinions please

Pjake

Pjake

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After reading the epic threads on this forum on this "incredible little workhorse" from "totin', to cult, to patina.... I succumbed! Yup, I purchased two peanuts from different online stores....both cv, one yellow, one chestnut jigged. I received both on the same day and the next day both of them headed out to PA for spa. The fit and finnish on both of them from an appearance standpoint was fine save a significant bias in blade orientation while seated. the chestnut bone was particularly biased to the point that it rubbed.....there was not an ounce of snap at 90 nor open. The yellow peanut was strongly biased to the liner, but had a nice snap in both positions. Springs, bolsters, and scales to springs were fine. Off to Case they went....they have been fixed according to Mary Ann.....just not yet sent back to me...vaca week last week.

While waiting for my peanuts to return home, on a lark I Googled vintage peanut as I had repeatedly heard that this was nearing the end of the "golden era" of Case knives. I ended up with a '65-'70 peanut never carried/sharpened....received it the other day...and yes fit and finish was beautiful...............save the significant bias of blade orientation (clip to the left, pen to the right). The blades were also butter knife dull...which, although a disappointment , is minor! I was a bit bummed out.

I took it to a good dealer here in Texas for a sharpening and looked at 3 more peanuts. They ALL had the same affliction with regards to blade orientation. Is this really the norm? I understand production and all....but these are supposedly hand assembled. This is what they do for a living....can they not tighten up the QC? Is it a case (no pun intended) that they have such a loyal following they don't care?

In addition to the 3 I now own, I will buy one more...in smooth chestnut (with personal inspection only), and call it a day. I like the knife's ergos, and I like the fact that it was made in America.....BUT.....my GEC's, Spydercos, and Sebenza's have been perfect out of the box (with the exception of blade nicking on the 85).

What are you finding with your peanuts? Fit and finish first rate? Blade orientation? Are you living with biased blades? Not bother you? Please any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks for your time and responses,
Peter
 
Well, mine all came sharp, and I just took a look at them for blade orientation:

yellow CV - main toward shield, pen centered
tan Caliber SS - main toward shield, pen toward back
black G-10 SS - main toward shield, pen centered
black synthetic SS - main toward shield, pen centered
chestnut bone CV - main centered, pen toward liner

None of the off-center ones rub, they just close with a bias to point in the direction indicated.

Fit and finish is very good on all of them, but I did have to sand down the kicks on the main blades of the yellow and both black ones to get the blade tip down to where I thought it should be. Not really a defect, per se, but I don't like to be able to feel my finger tip catching at all when I press and rub where the tip sits.

They are some of my favorites, though.
 
Blades as thin as found on the Peanut will almost always have at least a tiny bit of bend/warp to them, across all brands & makes. It's an almost inevitable result of slightly uneven cooling of the steel after the heat treat. Even if it's not obvious by naked eye while holding the knife in your hand, lay each blade alongside a straight edge, like a steel ruler, and you'll see the bend or curvature in one direction or the other, most often near the tip. The thinner the blade, the more likely it'll happen. Blades that are thicker, relative to their length, have a big built-in advantage in the extra rigidity afforded by the thicker steel, so they won't warp as much (relative to their size).

The Peanut's blades are about as thin as they come, and it would take some phenomenal attention to detail, at custom-made levels and prices, to guarantee perfect straightness and centering on each and every blade and knife produced. Throw in all the other variables, like thin, soft brass liners that flex and bend almost continuously during the life of a knife, and pivot holes that may not be drilled at absolutely perfect perpendicularity, and a blade grind that isn't perfectly symmetrical side-to-side (very, very few actually are, especially on hand-ground blades), and the likelihood of a perfectly-centered blade is even lower.

Consider that the space each blade rests in is probably no wider than 1/16" (maybe narrower than that). A warped blade with a teeny-tiny deflection (curvature) of 1/32" will put the tip of that blade up against a liner, and a deflection even smaller than that could still be seen by naked eye when the blade is resting in that narrow space. A similarly-sized deflection on a Spyderco's 1/8" thick blade, or a Sebenza's blade, wouldn't look nearly as extreme in the wider blade well on those knives.

For the Peanut, unless a blade was actually rubbing hard against a liner, I (personally) couldn't expect it to be so perfectly centered on each and every knife, considering they are a tiny, delicate (relatively), mass-produced item at a still relatively low price point, when compared to high-end production or custom prices.

BTW, I have two vintage Peanuts (1970 in stag, and a 1940 - '64 in yellow), and neither of them is perfectly centered either. Considering all the factors playing into their production, I wouldn't expect them to be. They are beautiful knives in their own right. :)
 
David,

You excellently summed up many posts' worth of questions and answers about blade warp! :thumbup:
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
Blades as thin as found on the Peanut will almost always have at least a tiny bit of bend/warp to them, across all brands & makes. It's an almost inevitable result of slightly uneven cooling of the steel after the heat treat. Even if it's not obvious by naked eye while holding the knife in your hand, lay each blade alongside a straight edge, like a steel ruler, and you'll see the bend or curvature in one direction or the other, most often near the tip. The thinner the blade, the more likely it'll happen. Blades that are thicker, relative to their length, have a big built-in advantage in the extra rigidity afforded by the thicker steel, so they won't warp as much (relative to their size).

The Peanut's blades are about as thin as they come, and it would take some phenomenal attention to detail, at custom-made levels and prices, to guarantee perfect straightness and centering on each and every blade and knife produced. Throw in all the other variables, like thin, soft brass liners that flex and bend almost continuously during the life of a knife, and pivot holes that may not be drilled at absolutely perfect perpendicularity, and a blade grind that isn't perfectly symmetrical side-to-side (very, very few actually are, especially on hand-ground blades), and the likelihood of a perfectly-centered blade is even lower.

Consider that the space each blade rests in is probably no wider than 1/16" (maybe narrower than that). A warped blade with a teeny-tiny deflection (curvature) of 1/32" will put the tip of that blade up against a liner, and a deflection even smaller than that could still be seen by naked eye when the blade is resting in that narrow space. A similarly-sized deflection on a Spyderco's 1/8" thick blade, or a Sebenza's blade, wouldn't look nearly as extreme in the wider blade well on those knives.

For the Peanut, unless a blade was actually rubbing hard against a liner, I (personally) couldn't expect it to be so perfectly centered on each and every knife, considering they are a tiny, delicate (relatively), mass-produced item at a still relatively low price point, when compared to high-end production or custom prices.

BTW, I have two vintage Peanuts (1970 in stag, and a 1940 - '64 in yellow), and neither of them is perfectly centered either. Considering all the factors playing into their production, I wouldn't expect them to be. They are beautiful knives in their own right. :)
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David, I agree with you.

But to use the sebenza as a comparison won't work. Sebenza's blades sit in between the slabs with VERY little clearance on either side. I would just say don't try to compare a 30$ knife to a 500$ knife on that one :)

BTW, edited to add...Thank you David for always taking so much time with such well thought out responses. I always appreciate your words.
 
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richstag said:
David, I agree with you.

But to use the sebenza as a comparison won't work. Sebenza's blades sit in between the slabs with VERY little clearance on either side. I would just say don't try to compare a 30$ knife to a 500$ knife on that one :)

BTW, edited to add...Thank you David for always taking so much time with such well thought out responses. I always appreciate your words.
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That was part of my point, actually. A big reason why it's so much more difficult to perfectly center a Peanut's blade, is precisely because of the differences in how each knife is made, and especially considering the difference in price. I made the reference to the Sebenza and Spyderco, because the OP made precisely that comparison of each, to his own experiences with the Peanut. Completely different sets of expectations (realistically), which is mainly why I'd pointed that out.
 
I understand. Maybe I just said something you already knew. Didn't mean to come off wrong if I did :)

Basically, I know you kept in mind the price and the thicker blade with less chance to warp, but I didn't know if you were aware of the tight clearance :)

Thanks again David.
 
Thanks for all the thoughtful posts in response. I clearly would not expect the same fit and finish on a peanut than on a sebenza. I really like the peanut, I was really just asking if blade bias is the norm. I would still like to hear from the peanut legion, but if biased blades are the norm, I will resign myself to the fact. Still being a bit of a newbie on trads, and peanuts in particular, I just want to be sure that I am not settling on something less than the norm.

I so much appreciate the fact that you read a long post and chose to respond. Along with the fountain pen forum I frequent, you folks in the trad forum here are a pleasure!

Looking forward to reading other responses!

Regards,
Peter
 
richstag said:
I understand. Maybe I just said something you already knew. Didn't mean to come off wrong if I did :)

Basically, I know you kept in mind the price and the thicker blade with less chance to warp, but I didn't know if you were aware of the tight clearance :)

Thanks again David.
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I'm aware. I was speaking in the hypothetical, in that regard. ;)

I have three Sebenzas, all as glassy and tight as bank vault doors. Interestingly, and relevant here, I originally bought the first one to find out for myself what 'attention to detail' in manufacturing really meant, as it pertains to knives. It's a great basis for comparison to other knives, so long as one's expectations aren't unrealistically high, relative to the $$$ being spent. :)
 
Of my peanuts, the following bias as you call it is what occurs.

My chestnut peanut has a strait main blade with a pen blade that strays a bit to the shield side.

My yellow peanut has a main blade that is off a bit to the shield side, with a strait main blade.

My amber bone and damascus has a strait main blade, with a slightly off center pen to the shield side.

All are great cutters, and the little bit of off center blades doesn't seem to affect anything, so I don't worry about it. If I want perfection, I'll go buy something from Kerry or Tony.

Carl.
 
jackknife said:
Of my peanuts, the following bias as you call it is what occurs.

My chestnut peanut has a strait main blade with a pen blade that strays a bit to the shield side.

My yellow peanut has a main blade that is off a bit to the shield side, with a strait main blade.

My amber bone and damascus has a strait main blade, with a slightly off center pen to the shield side.

All are great cutters, and the little bit of off center blades doesn't seem to affect anything, so I don't worry about it. If I want perfection, I'll go buy something from Kerry or Tony.

Carl.
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The Grand High Muckba of the Cult of the Peanut has spoken :)
 
This cult must be very secret

Neither Google or Wikipedia has any reference to "Muckba"
 
Of all my Peanuts, only the AG Russell is perfectly centered, at a 150% premium over the regular Case offerings (which is why it took me so long to buy one). It's a beautiful knife, but as others have mentioned the thin blades will want to wander to one side or the other. The only other Peanut I have with almost perfect centering is my stag damascus, the clip is straight, the pen a little off, neither rubs. Again, a premium Peanut, only the buyer can determine whether they want to pay over double the cost of a regular Peanut.

My S&M and Queen Peanuts are relatively straight, but both had blade nicks on the clip from the center pin right out of the box. A few minutes on the Sharpmaker took care of that, and I am now careful to not let the blade snap back into the handle. It's always something...
 
jackknife said:
Of my peanuts, the following bias as you call it is what occurs....

... If I want perfection, I'll go buy something from Kerry or Tony.

Carl.
Click to expand...

Reading the above and others' input, I think I may be spoiled. My one Peanut, purchased sight unseen:

IMG_2508.jpg


Having this one, I would have expected others to meet the same standard. Silly me...?

jackknife said:
There was someone last year nosing about, said he was from Google, but he was not of the faithful, so he disappeared.
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th_laugh.gif


~ P.
 
I received a message in my in box. I tried to reply but could not. I have decided to post my comment in this thread because this is how I feel about the issue raised in the OP.


Thanks for your message. I know that anytime there is some criticism, particularly of Case, people tend to dig heels. I have several (3) GECs, 5 Spydies, and a small sebenza, a couple of Kershaws, and about 4-5 SAK's. My 3 Case knives are the only ones with alignment issues....(none of the 3 keychain SAK's with thin blades have an issue)

The two peanuts that I sent back for alignment, I was kind of expecting to send them back....as I had ask both of the on-line sellers to inspect before they sent to me (they did not...wow I'm shocked). I was VERY surprised when my '65-'70 came with the same issue.

Simply, my point is that I LOVE to buy American made....and will buy another Case or two (but only after personal inspection)....but this is what they do! Hitting a price point not withstanding, if you can't make it to spec, don't make it. I would gladly pay another $10 - $15 dollars per piece to insure a proper fit and finish. Being made in America is NOT an excuse for less than great product....that is the whole point of pride in American mfg. I think Detroit learned that lesson....and apparently they learned it well.... as they are making some great product. I agree with your point on modern mfg in general.....

I might beg GEC to make a traditional peanut.....They may politically decline in deference to Case.....but if they will make a better product, I will buy it.

Thanks for your note......much appreciated!!!
Peter
 
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Maybe I just have good luck with Case but all 5 of my Case pocketknives have perfect centering save for one- a yella medium stockman and it was crinked that way. This includes all four blades on my Changer. Even my peanut has perfect centering on both blades.
 
That's great, I'm glad that Case delivered for you! I'm sure I'll love mine when I get them back.....the vintage peanut....I'll live with as is. Looking forward to carrying a peanut edc!

Peter
 
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