Case Slimline Trapper

[arrowhd]

Picked this old Case up at a local antique store this weekend. Have a few question I hope some of you more knowledgeable folks can help me answer.
1. From what I can find, I believe this would date from 1965-1969. Am I reading the date correct?
2. Handles appear to be delrin but they show areas of fading. Is this just normal with wear over time?
3. There is a piece of wood in the middle of the knife that appears to be some sort of homemade blade stop. Is this factory installed?
4. I bought this to clean up a little and carry as a usable knife. Will it ruin the value of it to resharpen and remove minor rust?

I've included some photos to help out. Thanks for any input.

Keith

 

[Blues]

1965-1969 appears to be correct.

Delrin will show some wear and "age" as time goes on, especially if the coloring wasn't perfectly uniform to begin with.

As you mention, the wood is probably there for one of a couple of reasons...either due to the blade hitting the backspring and deforming the edge or to make it easier to open by giving it a little boost.
The former seems much more likely in this case. This would not be something done at the factory.

That knife isn't going to lose any real value by your giving it some TLC and enjoying it.

Nice find. :thumbup:

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Yep. '65 to '69 looks right.

That piece of wood appears to be positioned over the 'peak' on the inside of the spring, where the spring's anchor pin runs through it. That's a real common spot for the blade edge to collide with, when the blade snaps shut. I have a knife or two with little divots in the spring back there, where the edge was hitting it. I'm betting the wood is the 'bumper' to give the edge some protection in there. If it were me, I'd move the 'bumper' further back, under the kick. I'd worry a little bit about corrosion on the edge, if the edge lays against that wood for an extended period of time. The wood can hold moisture, which might be trapped against the blade edge (looks like there's a stain on the edge in that location already?). Either that, or just take the wood out, or replace it with a similar piece of non-absorbent material, like rubber or plastic.

If the scales are delrin, you should be able to dent/scratch them with a fingernail. If they're bone, they'll be a good deal harder. And bone will show 'pores' in it, if viewed under magnification & bright light. Delrin can fade over time, especially if the knife was exposed to a lot of sunlight (such as in a display case). I think some chemicals (solvents) might fade it too.

 

[d.parker]

Keith, I believe your scales are bone. It looks to me someone filed the kick trying to lower the blade in the frame and went to far.
It would be better to put a piece of plastic under where the kick hits the back spring as suggested...

 

[arrowhd]

The corrosion on the blade does indeed match up with the wood insert. I've just never seen anything like that before but does make sense. Thank you for the insight. Just proves you learn something new everyday. I think I'm going to leave it for now. I've been working on the knife tonight and material is indeed delrin. Oddly when I was oiling the knife the faded areas seemed to soak up the oil. It is a much more uniform color now. Not sure how long that will last though. I was able to carefully "scrape" the rust off the blade and retain most of the old patina. Sharpened her up and now shes ready for pocket duty. I'll try to post a photo of the finished product tomorrow.

 

[J Buck]

Very nice. One of my favorite patterns, I have 3 of them from Case. Looking at adding another. It should serve you well, don't be shy to use it.