Case quality

From what I've heard the quality of Case had gone down for a several years before Zippo bought Case.
It is my understanding, that the quality of Case has increased overall since the Zippo takeover.

Case may still have the occasional QC issues, but, what mass production company doesn't have them once in a while?
 
I think current case quality is really good on the chrome vanadium line, especially for the price.

I have 6- a sodbuster jr, a trapper, and 4 peanuts. All purchased in last year - all very nice and very sharp.
 
Had some good ones, had some bad ones, doesn't stop me from buying more.
 
Case quality has recently went up over the last few years from all the testimonials I’ve gathered. There’s a thread on recent cases knives quality and everyone had only good to say. Would not hesitate to order another of the internet
 
Evan.S.Merritt15 said:
Has the quality of case knives gone down over the years and does it have something to do with zippo owning them?
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I highly recommend that you buy a late model Case knife of your choice. You have a very good chance of getting a good quality knife in my opinion.

If you're worried about it and you want a little more confidence in buying one, consider one of the knives with "TB" in the pattern number. That stands for Tony Bose and based on my limited experience with those and lots of comments from others, they tend to be more consistently well made. That certainly doesn't mean that other Case knives aren't well made. I just thought I would throw it out there.

Really though, I would just pick one, buy it, and see what happens. Zippo makes great lighters and Case makes great knives. Try one out and come to your own conclusion.
 
This has been covered quite a bit, but here is the basic summary:

  • Some folks have a lot of Case knives that they have ordered sight-unseen, and have experienced no quality issues.
  • Some folks have found sub-par knives and prefer to handle them in person before buying.
There is pretty universal agreement that quality has improved under Zippo’s management. I have personally seen Case knives that I would not buy. However, of the three I have ordered unseen, all were entirely acceptable.

Don’t expect GEC level fit and finish, as that is not the intent. Case knives are meant to be good quality, American made tools that do a job well and look good doing it. And, if you do find a dud, Case will make it right. For the price, you really can’t go wrong.
 
To add Case makes the best non full custom slipjoints on the market with the Bose collabs. They’re pretty much custom quality for a fraction of the price.
 
Evan.S.Merritt15 said:
hmm. My grandfather always told me the older they are the better the quality. He always says they ain’t made like they used to be.
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I think that a lot of people would agree with your grandfather. Perhaps I took your original post out of context. Case still makes good quality knives but there is truth in your grandfather's words.

For example, Case began gluing the shields onto most of their knives in the mid to late seventies. Until then they were always pinned in place. That could certainly be considered a drop in quality.
 
Railsplitter said:
I think that a lot of people would agree with your grandfather. Perhaps I took your original post out of context. Case still makes good quality knives but there is truth in your grandfather's words.

For example, Case began gluing the shields onto most of their knives in the mid to late seventies. Until then they were always pinned in place. That could certainly be considered a drop in quality.
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Well my grandfather was always one to say that nothing is made like it used to be and if it’s not made in the USA or Germany it’s junk.
 
Just got done with a medium term comparo: 2 months of EDC, first with a 2016 CV mini Copperlock , then another 2 with an '89 SS Copperlock. Uses included food prep, cutting boxes, rope, tape, and garden duties.

Size differences aside the older knife is superior in every way. Over time the newer knife's pull and W&T, never the best, really went downhill. It also lost its edge much quicker. F&F is better on the older knife as well.

True, this was between only two knives. But I can add that while some of my newer Cases are better than the mini Copperlock, all of my old Case knives are made like the '89 Copperlock.
 
Evan.S.Merritt15 said:
Well my grandfather was always one to say that nothing is made like it used to be and if it’s not made in the USA or Germany it’s junk.
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I see that one of your previous posts states that you carry a Case yellow handled CV stockman. If you don't mind my asking, what year was it made and how do you like it?
 
Evan.S.Merritt15 said:
hmm. My grandfather always told me the older they are the better the quality. He always says they ain’t made like they used to be.
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Back in the mid-70s my uncle told me that Case couldn't hold a candle to the Camillus-made Bucks. But he thought Buck made their own small folders. It's all hearsay and uninformed opinion, in my uninformed opinion. And you heard it on the internet. ;)
 
Railsplitter said:
I see that one of your previous posts states that you carry a Case yellow handled CV stockman. If you don't mind my asking, what year was it made and how do you like it?
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It’s made in 2014 I think. It’s a beast of a work knife. i Sharpened it a little to much on the clip blade but that was because I was just learning how to sharpen.
 
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