Case Select?

moonwilson

moonwilson

Joined
Aug 10, 2006
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I was wondering if anyone has information about the Case Select knives. I can't really find anything about them anywhere. It's all very mysterious. When did Case start making these? What is the reasoning behind them- are they just higher-end knives that Case makes when the spirit so moves them, or is it a series?? :confused:

I recently picked up a Select Barlow, in mother of pearl, and it is magnificent. My local Case dealer has a whole display of different Selects, and they are really nice. I'd like to know more- any information would be greatly appreciated. :thumbup:
 
i have been wondering the very same thing, i have searched all over google and can't seem to find anything. They arn't even on CASE'S website :confused:
 
Case started the Case Select program in 1998. I have no idea what the current status is or whether they issue a new Select series each year. As you have found, it is all very mysterious. Case does (or at least did) publish separate catalogs for the Select line.

My understanding is that the Select knives cannot be sold on line and that there are only a few (selected) Select retail dealers. Most Case dealers cannot order the Select knives. Case's website (dealer locator) does indicate which dealers are Case Select dealers.
 
You do have to be a Select Case dealer to sell them, and they are made in limited numbers. Usually 500.

All the ones I have, or have seen, has nickle silver pins and liners, and of course the Select stamp.

Not really made better, but more of a collector item. I do like the nickle silver liners/pins.
There was one year they used ATS-34 as the blade steel, not sure of the year right off, but they used a dark blue bone that year.
 
Thanks guys! I'm doing a little research on my end as well, and will post what I can find out from Case. The Barlow I have seems to be from the 2008 "10th Anniversary Series". This is the knife I'm talking about. It's snazzy!
motts77660_2119_98272501

Here is a link to a listing of production numbers for the series that I found. I don't think it's a vendor link:

http://amityeric.net/knives/select.shtml

An additional link about the 10th Anniversary Series:
http://www.pr-inside.com/new-knife-series-marks-10th-anniversary-r884034.htm

The ones I have seen and handled do seem to be of a bit higher finish than the regular line Cases. Not as big a jump in quality as you see between the regular line and the TB collaboration knives of course, but it seems a bit more attention is paid to the finish of the springs, scale to bolster fit etc. This could just be my impression, and I could be wrong, but that's what I have observed. And of course the Selects use a bit fancier handle materials, and generally have more detail work in the bolsters, for example. The Selects I have seen so far are pretty classy knives- I like 'em! I have my eye on one of these little guys at the moment.

5365.jpg


Here's a little blurb from Case about the 10th anniversary release:

"All knives in the 10th Anniversary Case XX Select series feature common or cut swedged stainless steel blades that are saber-concave or flat, taper ground. Blades sport French or common nail marks, some with embellished or engraved artwork. The knives’ bolsters, liners, rivets, and shields are made of nickel silver. The shape of the Case Select “XX” shield fitted into each of this year’s knife handles resembles that used on the introductory Case XX Select family back in 1998. Case has limited production of each of the Case XX Select patterns to just 500 pieces.

“Case XX Select knives are the embodiment of everything for which Case stands,” says John Sullivan, Director of Marketing at Case. “The extra effort...from the inspection of the knife parts to the careful assembly to the precision honing and, finally, the extra hand finishing. They demonstrate our commitment to hand-crafting and a never ending quest to make knives of the highest quality possible from within our factory in Bradford, PA."
 
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I have three of them (stag swayback, stag trapper, stag peanut(see a pattern here?) (sorry no pictures right now). They are a little better finished, have a "Select" etch on the blade, Can't remember if all have swedged blades (I think so), come in a nice black velve covered box (Yeha!) and cost about $50 dollars more. Steven
 
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