Case Select XX Whittler

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brian w edginton

Joined
Nov 8, 1998
Messages
770
After a 2 1/2 week wait, my new Case arrived, today.
And what a disappointment.
For a "limited edition" knife, it does not measure up to Schrade Uncle Henry folders I have handled.....and cost nearly three times as much. But then, the stag is real, I suppose.
The fact that it won't cut worth a **** is "by the way".....I could sharpen it if I planned on using it (my original intention).
But the "walk and talk" are pathetic for a high end trad folder.
And the slim triangle of daylight where the springs come together screams "lousy fit and finish".
I have, over the past year or so, been turning away from the high-tech knives and looking toward the traditional "craftsmen" made knives. Believe me, the modern makers wouldn't have let this one out the door.
As for returning it.....it works well enough so I could not, in all conscience, call it defective. Just poor value....and that is my "lookout".
Definitely a "bottom drawer knife"....always a possibility when buying mailorder.
Well, that got rid of THAT bile
smile.gif


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BrianWE
ICQ #21525343
I think :therefore, I am......I think


 
Brian,

Just so you know you are not alone, I too have purchased Case knives that I wouldn't have let out of the door if I were the QA tech that day. I have purchased some that had really good fit and finish and some that did not. Sometimes the backsprings are weak and one of my Copperlocks was not ground all the way to the tip - looked like a butterknife. OTOH the Case warranty dept. stands by their product. If you have a complaint just enclose a description of the problem with the knife and send it to them. They will fix it or replace the knife if it was not abused. I still think they make some really pretty knives. Gotta love that stag!

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WARNING: Use of this product may be hazardous to your health. It has been determined to cause cause cancer in laboratory animals!

 
Yeah, Labrat
No kidding.....a bit of sympathy helps a lot....really
smile.gif

But I cannot imagine my taking the time and trouble to send it back. It is not defective so I would have trouble explaining my complaint. But it , simply, does not meet my standards as "value for money".
And I will not be buying any upper-level Case knives without close inspection, in future.
But, yes, the stag is beautifull.

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BrianWE
ICQ #21525343
I think :therefore, I am......I think


 
Brian
The Select Whittler I handled seemed good and definataly better than the Case regular line.I wanted one for a long time just for a collector cause I thought they were made just like the ones from the 20's and 30's.I guess they are'nt.I've looked thru bunches of Case's and most seemed liked they could use a little more attention in the fit department and all most all of them have that rounded off good for nothing tip.
I bought a mini-copperlock with CV blade for my Case user,$28.00,for that I can live with poor workmanship.Sorry to hear yours does'nt cut it.Maybe you can just stick in in the drawer and let it increase in value and just forget about it.Thats what I do if this happens to me.They may be usefull to my kids when I'm long gone.Those Case's seem to increase in value even though they have poor fit and finnish.Good luck.
scott w
 
Thanks, Scott

But I am getting a little old to rely on appreciation of knife values. And, maybe, the old stuff wasn't , really, as good as we like to remember ?
But my main whine is that the damned thing cost me $84 US plus $16 postage BEFORE the US/Aus exchange rate was applied.
Coulda bought a gross of beer with the money
smile.gif


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BrianWE
ICQ #21525343
I think :therefore, I am......I think


 
As a suggestion, Bailey Bradshaw makes a split backspring whittler with fit and finish that will bring a tear to your eye...
 
I've been buying Old Timers lately as it's been an affordable way to try out different patterns. I'm only interested in some of the carbon steel models. All have sharpened up very nicely and after oiling the hinges, some have evidently been sitting for quite while, they all open and close nicely, which I guess is what is meant by 'walk and talk'. They aren't 'eye candy' as they aren't polished like some of the others on the market but they are a bargain and are ones that I like to carry and use. I'm looking at a few others like a Camillus stockman, some Case, Bokers, etc., all carbon steel, so how good is the build quality on them ? Is it prudent to check them out before buying, like the Case mentioned in the thread ?
 
I would like to know too as I have a Case(stag) medium Stockman on it's way. Is it worth the money? I plan on using this knife for a variety of tasks.

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The greatest thought that has ever entered my mind is that one day I will have to stand before a Holy God and give an account of my life.
*Daniel Webster

Rev 20:12

 
I have a couple of case pocket knives and carry one around the cottage most of the time( a trapper pattern). I like both knives as users but I had to look through several of each model at my local knife dealer before I found ones I would consider "value for the money". Inconsistent quality control to say the least.
 
I have also had problems with case,recently I purched 3 model 6318 pocket worn stockmens,only one of the three is even close to accecptable.all have weak springs,one is so bad you can't even sharpen it,the blade goes where ever it want's.when I try to shut the spey blade it wants to hang up on the sheepfoot blade,I have to move it over and force it down,not at all happy with case,the uncle henry premium stockman is not near as prety but is twice the knife
Tony Paulos
 
I have cooled down, now
smile.gif

I will keep the knife as a "user". The retailer offered a refund but I declined.
With postage, I would still be out the price of a reasonable knife.
I suppose I can tolerate the weak backspring and the Lansky will take care of the edges.
But Case seem to be charging a premium for rather "ordinary" knives with cosmetic touches.Frankly, I don't think nickel silver liners are any better (or prettier) than brass. But the burnt stag is lovely.
I really like the whittler pattern and the XX Select is a special model at 3 7/8 in (closed)......I don't like "small" folders for regular use.

And Old Timers ?........great value. But I prefer stainless and the Uncle Henry range is rather limited.
My old Henckels whittler was a nicely made knife, too.....but I can't remember what I paid for it.

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BrianWE
ICQ #21525343
I think :therefore, I am......I think


 
A number of the Old Timers were/are stainless, and not all of them are marked 'Schrade +' so it makes it hard for us retro types who prefer carbon steel. I think that all of the lockbacks are, which seems strange.
 
Johno
I knew about the lockbacks but the info on the Old Timers with SS blades NOT marked "Schrade+" is news.
I must look out for them.

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BrianWE
ICQ #21525343
I think :therefore, I am......I think


 
I think Case's efforts are channeled towards fancy handle materials instead of fit and function.I bought a Case Clasics warncliffe whittler with stag and that is a way better knife than any Case made these days.Also the new Schatt and Morgans and Queens are very nice too.I believe some can be had with ATS-34.I wander how that Tony Bose Case is.I wander if you can hold it up to the light and see between the scale and liner. :^)
scott w
 
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