Case Peanut vs. Texas Toothpick

L

lee12

Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
48
Hey Guys,

I recently posted a thread looking into getting a case toothpick. I went to bass pro today to get a better look at one up close and personal. While I was there I thought I would also look at the peanut. I am needing a knife that I can throw into a pair of business casual slacks. I work in an office so I need a knife that can truly disappear in thin material pants. I also want an gentleman knife that will catch attention. I looked into the toothpick because it looks very small and classy, but then I saw the blade up close. The blade, while long, in very very thin. My question is, how well does this knife hold up? Are the looks deceiving? I grew up my whole life knowing how tough case knives are but when I saw the blade on the toothpick I became worried that I might snap the blade if I accidentally applied pressure side to side. On the other hand I looked at the peanut, while I love the look of the toothpick, I must admit that I was impressed by the peanut. The peanut was shorter (less noticeable in the pocket), but has a wide blade that looks twice if not three times as sturdy as the tooth pick. So I am kind of stuck in the air with this one. Do any of you have input on these to knives? I can find quite a bit of information on the peanut.....not so much on the toothpick. Also, I wanted some more input on the CV vs. SS blades between the two. I don't do a lot of heavy cutting but none the less, I want something that will hold up well. Thanks!
 
i had both in chestnut bone. but i gave the toothpick away. yep, the toothpick looks ok, even with the girls at the office. but i prefer the peanut. it gives me a more utilitarian feel and is more compact. then there's the second blade feature. there's hardly anything wrong with the toothpick's slimness. but i wouldn't put it (nor the peanut) to hard use.

one advantage of the toothpick i noticed: the single blade feature and dimensions make it a lot easier to open than the peanut. opening the peanut in the dark can be confusing.
 
Given your information, I'll offer another option for around the office ... Case Desk Knife
It's similar in size to a Case SBJ with Wharncliffe blade, but the office knife is a fixed blade and incorporates 154CM steel
It's a very real knife, not (just) a letter opener and it does come in a version that has "Office Knife" scrolled right on the handle
The leather sheath for the desk knife has no loop and lays flat on a desktop or in a drawer
Here's a picture of mine in smooth white bone ...

DSC06976_zps1fbd89b2.jpg


Case link ...
http://www.wrcase.com/knives/view_all/desk-knife/

There was even a short thread here about the desk knife ...
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/926046-Who-has-a-Case-Desk-Knife-opinions

I don't own a toothpick but do own three peanuts. I like the extra blade for one thing and as you mentioned, it may be sturdier than the toothpick. The fact you can find much more information about the peanut than the toothpick might speak to something too. But more importantly and reading your post ... you may have already made up your mind LoL. Trust your gut and how you think you might use the knife. As for steel, for me it's a toss up and honestly boils down to if I need stainless or not. Do I want a patina or not. Of course it's often said the CV sharpens up quicker and sharper but isn't as durable as Tru-sharp stainless and therefore the CV requires more attention. Whatever, I guess for me it's more a matter of aesthetics. What looks best with the pattern and handle material. If you get CV, it's gonna stain and darken after you cut those limes with it at the office Christmas party ;)
 
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Get any Case peanut that suits your fancy. It'll take anything an office environment can dish out. I've toted mine for years and have cut down large sized cardboard boxes with it.

-- Mark
 
I have both, both work well. The blade on the toothpick won't snap on you unless you do something you shouldn't be using a knife for. CV or SS perform about the same, but CV will rust, but it will also patina.

I prefer the CV Peanut..... just a classic knife.... even more so with a little patina and use.
 
Just echoing BrotherJim and Woodrow: get the one that gives you confidence in the steel that you want to look at.
 
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As an aficionado of the peanut, I am a bit prejudiced, but I once almost bought a toothpick. Good looking little knife!

But it just felt too frail to me with that one thin blade. LIke a pixie knife for filleting minnows. The peanut is a small package in business casual pants, can handle most cutting jobs with ease, and is way more rugged for when bigger cutting jobs come up. The pen blade of the peanut is so sturdy, it can be pressed into service if needed as an awl.

The legume wins.:thumbup:
 
Ok, just for you I found my one and only Case Tiny Toothpick. I have never carried or used it. It has been sitting in its box since I got it. It is a small and very slim knife. Feels delicate. It would definitely vanish in a pocket. It would be suitable as a letter opener, thread trimmer, paper cutter, most lightweight tasks where all you need is a sharp edge.

Between that and the Peanut, the Peanut would win hands down for me.

Another Case pattern to consider is the Mini Copperhead. Available with either a clip or Wharncliffe main blade. Problem is that the current handle selections leave something to be desired, unless you like their new pink (Watermelon) and light blue (Blue Lagoon) colors. They do still make it in the Navy blue with red shield version. If you really want the dressy gentleman's knife version, it's offered in mother of pearl handles, but that puts it over $100 and for that money I'd pass on Case entirely and get a GEC Esquire or a Northwoods Norfolk.
 
Don't forget about the GEC Pemberton and GEC Magnum. I carry a Magnum in cocobolo daily in my watch pocket.
 
One of my fellow Assistant Scout leaders carries a small Case Toothpick. He's not a knife guy & wears a suit at work. I've seen him do quite a few tasks around the campfire with that little knife with no problems.

That said - I prefer the Peanut. ;)
 
I have and like both. I've never had a problem with either one, but the peanut seems to end up in my pocket more than the toothpick.
 
Here are my two Peanuts. I do carry the chestnut nut most of the week. Bought a chestnut toothpick about a year ago, and liked it. It was however too small for me so I sold it. The Peanut riding with my #85 or Calf Roper is a great combination.

IMG_1334_zpspiwiouxa.jpg
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Let us know where you land.

Peter
 
As others have said, I'd buy the peanut in stainless instead of the toothpick.
 
Thanks everyone! I will end up getting the peanut. I have been convinced it will do well. As half jack said, he knows an AS that carries one in his suit as well as at a camp fire. THAT is the type of knife I want. I will also probably go with the ss model but still considering the cv as well.
 
I would definitely choose the peanut over the tiny toothpick.
(If I carry a toothpick, I want a REAL toothpick, at least 4 or 5" in length, not a miniature version.)
 
It was on sale for $33.97 OTD and I thought that it might work well in my carry "rotation." It seems that the burr on the edge when it left the factory was cured by a few strokes on my Spyderco Sharpmaker. We'll see how they both match each other when pressed into service.

And away we go! :D;)

The Captain
 
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lee12 said:
Hey Guys,
►Do any of you have input on these to knives? I can find quite a bit of information on the peanut.....not so much on the toothpick.
►Also, I wanted some more input on the CV vs. SS blades between the two. I don't do a lot of heavy cutting but none the less, I want something that will hold up well. Thanks!
Click to expand...

►I prefer the peanut design and have been known to carry one at work.
The only toothpick design I like is the GEC model, which I don't think would work as well in slacks. The Case toothpick blade has always seemed to me to be too thin.
►Either CV or Tru-Sharp will hold up nicely.
I carry a CV peanut, mostly because I like carrying a CV peanut.

But at the end of the day, the true knife knut answer is, "you obviously need to buy both so that you can decide for yourself which one suits you better."
 
Out of those two, my vote is for the Peanut. However, you may want to consider the GEC Pemberton. The cost is more than a regular Peanut, but I find it to be more elegant and comfortable in hand.

image_8.jpg


image_9.jpg
 
Yeah what Hank said..... there is a lady on the 'net whom collects small Toothpicks. I like eating my apple with one. But then it is a small kitchen type slicing tool.
 
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