Case Sodbuster Blade

E

Erik9

Joined
Feb 1, 2018
Messages
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Hey guys, new to the forum. I just got my third case knife and my first Sodbuster. I already have their folding hunter and a peanut. My two previous knives both had CV blades and we're very shiny when I got them new. I just got my sodbuster in the mail today and the blade was a bit darker and less shiny like it already had a slight patina. Is this just the style of the sodbuster or did I get sent a knife that has been used? Got it from bladehq.com
 
I have a picture of the sodbuster compared to the peanut but I have no idea how to post it here...
 
It’s possible that it has a slight patina if it’s been in the package long enough and was exposed to relatively high humidity. If you don’t see any red rust, or any signs of putting, then it’s nothing to worry about. Be sure to check the nail nick and all sides of the tang for rust or pitting. If you see any, I’d definitely send it back. If not, a bit of Flitz polish will quickly make the blade shiny again.
 
Case "working knives" in stainless are an "as ground" finish. I don't think I've seen a recent Case CV in that finish.
 
Yeah I wouldn't worry about it unless the as ground pattern on the blade is disrupted by the odd scratch or a pattern of scratches at a different angle from the grind pattern.

I'm no Sod Buster expert but I do know it is a very inexpensive knife, that it is a GREAT KNIFE for the price and I would just use it and enjoy it as it is.

PS : the white Trapper is SS and the other Trapper is CV with patina. There is a distinct but light grind pattern on my Sod Buster which is SS.

IMG_4671.jpg
 
Those are great knives, but are designed for hard use and are not as well finished as some other Case knives. If the action is good then just put it to good use and add some patina and scratches of your own!
 
Trout Hound said:
It’s possible that it has a slight patina if it’s been in the package long enough and was exposed to relatively high humidity. If you don’t see any red rust, or any signs of putting, then it’s nothing to worry about. Be sure to check the nail nick and all sides of the tang for rust or pitting. If you see any, I’d definitely send it back. If not, a bit of Flitz polish will quickly make the blade shiny again.
Click to expand...

I agree with this assessment.
 
It's common for high-polish finishes in CV or 1095 to sometimes look a little darker, or sometimes much darker, as compared to a brighter finish on SS blades polished similarly. I'm sure that's just due to the oxidation of the steel, with or without humidity. Humidity will increase the likelihood of red rust, but the black oxidation just needs exposure to oxygen to happen. And it will happen. Nothing harmful there to be concerned about, and it even helps a little bit in holding off some of the red rust as well.

As mentioned, the 'as ground' finish is only seen on Case's SS Sod Busters. The CV version has the tumbled high polish, from the factory. That polish also helps in minimizing more rusting issues on these blades, and I'm betting that's why Case finishes them as such in the first place.
 
Highly unlikely BHQ would send a used knife when a new one was ordered. If it happened it had to be an error and they'll made it right.
 
On their web site, BladeHQ describes the blade finish as "satin" on the sod buster, rather than "polished" like they do with many other knives they produce. I have a Caliber in that satin finish as well. I think the folks here on the forum that described it as "as ground" describe it more accurately than BladeHQ does when they call it "satin" :).
 
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