Case quality

[Txjohn]

Some case quality / some of the best knives I owe are case . I love the heritage of the brand and quality they used to represent. They just don’t make them like they used to . Sorry guys.

 

[JohnDF]

Sorry guys

Don't be sorry, I agree with you.
Older Case knives rival GEC in quality.
But like you said, they aint what they used to be... but that don't make 'em bad.

 

[hornetguy]

I had to go get a rough count, and discovered I have about 50 or so Case knives. I'm narrowing down what patterns I really like to carry, and will likely be thinning the herd down over the next few months.
That being said, out of all those knives, I've only had one or two that I would say were slightly below my standards. One of them was a new one, and the other was an older one 70's or 80's IIRC. I would have kept the new one, but found I just don't like that pattern. I could have lived with the issue, but just didn't want to carry it.

I have seen some pictures on here of some pretty bad Case knives, and I would have sent them back, as well, but my experience tells me that Case makes an excellent knife for the money... one that is meant to be used, appreciated, and hopefully passed on to the next generation.

 

[Txjohn]

“Ain’t bad “ isn’t good enough for me . Like to think they’ll rise to our expectations. I once posted in a Canal street thread , about their glued shields. I like to think that perhaps Eric was influenced and swayed to pin his shields .

 

[Travman]

I’ve never seen a single blade on a single spring GEC with blade rub. I would send one back if I noticed it early. I have seen it on many multiple blade GEC patterns such as the 68 White Owls and 66 Stockman’s, but these are patterns which are prone to blade rub. About half of my new single blades Cases have it. I wouldn’t send back a Case for blade rub. This one has blade rub because it is not centered and I am alright with that.

 

[hornetguy]

“Ain’t bad “ isn’t good enough for me . Like to think they’ll rise to our expectations. I once posted in a Canal street thread , about their glued shields. I like to think that perhaps Eric was influenced and swayed to pin his shields .

If you want borderline flawless knives, you should be prepared to pay for it. If you want good enough quality and solid working knives, you pay Case prices. Case can, and does rise to the expectations, with the Bose knives. And you pay 4 times as much for them. GEC makes knives to your expectations, and you pay at least twice as much as Case.... that's just the way it is.

 

[Txjohn]

I got a stag case stockman for birthday 10 yrs ago. Ugly stag , gaps in liners , lazy action on all blades , blade rub and a glued on shield . Sticker price was $ 109.00
Bought this 68 shorty afterwards for $112.00 . We’re paying a lot more for gec these days , thanks to their quality.

 

[brownshoe]

...GEC definitely makes the superior knife, but you have to pay for it... and sometimes "good enough is good enough."

I don't think GEC is superior to Case. Case has a wide range of price and quality that is different from a yellow handle case to a damascus bladed case. GEC doesn't offer premium steels, but Case does. I own 1 GEC but 5 Case

 

[TheFactor]

Douglas is satisfied with Case quality, so am I.

Mercedes’ agrees

 

[TheFactor]

I got a stag case stockman for birthday 10 yrs ago. Ugly stag , gaps in liners , lazy action on all blades , blade rub and a glued on shield . Sticker price was $ 109.00
Bought this 68 shorty afterwards for $112.00 . We’re paying a lot more for gec these days , thanks to their quality.View attachment 1705053

I’ve got a few Gec lately that missed the mark also.
I think as mentioned with production knives it’s going to be hit or miss . Just saying
With that being said I also love Gec and all that they do
But I think bang for the buck Case will get the nod at least from my experience over the years .

 

[dave308ek]

Deleted, sorry, wrong thread

 

[Kevin-B]

I do a lot of watching on the various knife forums but this is my first posting here. There has been a lot of talk in recent years about the quality decline of Case knives, and a couple of years ago I got a Case barlow that was definitely sub-par. But yesterday I got two Case knives (from an online order) that are nearly perfect. A canoe with crimson jigged bone scales, and a half whitler with cream barn-door jigged bone scales. I'm very pleased with these knives and hope that it indicates an overall improvement in quality from Case.

I'm not sure what to think about Case anymore...
I have had nothing but good experiences with Case quality wise, that being a couple years ago. I do read a lot about Case's declining quality control these past few years aswell.

Since Case still produces good fit & finish knives, i personally think that you really have to be lucky to get a 'good one' from them. I suppose the quality control depends on what person, what day and if they already had a cup of coffee that day...

 

[dave308ek]

double post, sorry

 

[JohnDF]

I don't think GEC is superior to Case. Case has a wide range of price and quality that is different from a yellow handle case to a damascus bladed case. GEC doesn't offer premium steels, but Case does. I own 1 GEC but 5 Case

Indeed, it's a good point you make.
There are definitely Case knives that Exceeds GEC's quality.
I guess I was comparing GEC's and Case's more "usual" offerings.

 

[Ron Sabbagh]

For those that think GEC exceeds Case quality, I'd ask you to handle one of the Case Tony Bose collaborations. They rival custom knives (and in some instances surpass) in quality.

Let's remember that Case offers a knife that is easily acquired - typically under $100 - made in the USA - and guaranteed for life. I think that is a tremendous value.

Here is a Case Tony Bose Collaboration - the Arkansas Hunter. Blade Magazine’s Collaboration Knife of the year for 2008

View attachment 1705656View attachment 1705657

 

[Jdottinger]

My question is where is the GEC quality decline thread? White owl had bad blade rub, previous runs of the same pattern didn’t, according to what I’ve read on the matter. And now the new liberty/freedoms have the problem with the acrylic/art work that caused one dealer to drop the price.

Not trying to start a fire or argument, just a serious thought I had. I think we all stress about little details that don’t matter if the knife is being used and carried.

 

[JohnDF]

My question is where is the GEC quality decline thread?

That would be a mine field fraught with danger.
Some GEC fans can be very territorial and ferocious.
For some reason, Case fans seem to be more civil and accepting... maybe it's because we accept back spring gaps.

 

[Jdottinger]

That would be a mine field fraught with danger.
Some GEC fans can be very territorial and ferocious.

Exactly my thinking. I guess everyone can ignore the flaws if the knives are still flipping for a high price.
Is it time to start saying “they don’t make ‘em like they used to”?

 

[JohnDF]

Is it time to start saying “they don’t make ‘em like they used to”?

Hopefully it's just a bump in the road for GEC and they will get it sorted out.
I mean, if they charge twice as much as Case, we should expect a much better F&F.
Conversely, if Case is charging half as much, we should expect a slightly lesser quality F&F.

 

[Jdottinger]

It probably is a bump in the road for them. I’m sure they’ll get things flowing in the right direction. I think the “quality” could be suffering from the feverish demand.

It’s crazy though when GEC does drop a huge run(97 and 73) the same people asking for more complain about them producing too many because it isn’t what they want.