Case Stockman S35vn

Ya know, I just realized never mentioned the holes in my haste! They're smooth, well lasered and a pleasure to use. They allow you to open the blades by pulling completely vertically(eliminating that nasty blade rub that many Stockman pattern knives suffer. Plain and simple...they work. I agree that they aren't the most graceful thing to look at, but Scagel style holes excel in the functionality department.

I'm sitting here holding the knife and other than Scagel holes vs nail nicks; s35vn vs 420HC or stonewashed vs polished blades, there isn't much here to ruffle feathers. The build quality of my example is on par with my Solingen Bokers made in the last decade. I just can't understand the indignation.

I'm curious to hear what LastRodeo and others have to say when they get hands on experience. I'm hoping mine is average and indicative of the quality of this run. If it isn't, c'est la vie, Case strikes again.
 
P pukka darn it, now I've got to add one of these to my list. I'm really hoping Case expands the use of better steels and, at the very least, I can use my pocket book to persuade them.
 
willc said:
I would prefer nail nicks but I don’t think the holes are horrible though.

I understand Case wants to stay relevant but using a vanadium rich steel may not be the way to go.
Something in the Sandvik line like 14c28n or 12c27 would be more Cases speed and I am sure they would be popular. I would definitely try a couple.
Click to expand...
I quite like those sandvik steels. Agree it would be popular.

I do not care for the aesthetics of the holes and would prefer nail nicks. I’ll pass
 
I received my Trapper Yesterday...
Typical Case quality; The jigged bone, pin work, bolster transition, and shield inlay are all fantastic. The blades are pretty well centered and have a lot of 'snap'. There is the usual liner gap that I've come to expect from Case knives. Both blades are sharp and have good grinds. The holes, while I would prefer a nail nick, they don't bother me and I like how they resemble the shape of a nick rather than just being oblong. I'm very pleased with my example. This knife seems to be causing dissension among the Porch regulars, so I won't be posting it much outside of this thread. I have plenty of other knives that I can share that are more accepted, but you better believe I will be carrying this one. 🤠 :thumbsup:

 
JohnDF said:
I received my Trapper Yesterday...
Typical Case quality; The jigged bone, pin work, bolster transition, and shield inlay are all fantastic. The blades are pretty well centered and have a lot of 'snap'. There is the usual liner gap that I've come to expect from Case knives. Both blades are sharp and have good grinds. The holes, while I would prefer a nail nick, they don't bother me and I like how they resemble the shape of a nick rather than just being oblong. I'm very pleased with my example. This knife seems to be causing dissension among the Porch regulars, so I won't be posting it much outside of this thread. I have plenty of other knives that I can share that are more accepted, but you better believe I will be carrying this one. 🤠 :thumbsup:

Click to expand...

Never mind the dissenters, your knife is worthy of inclusion in other threads.

I think this is a step in the right direction. A Copperlock in upgraded steel would coerce me to pry open my miserly purse.
 
JohnDF said:
This knife seems to be causing dissension among the Porch regulars, so I won't be posting it much outside of this thread.
Click to expand...
I went down a rabbit hole yesterday of trying to figure out when William Scagel introduced his signature blade slots, and how widespread they were, but I came up mostly empty. He died in 1963, so Scagel holes certainly existed during the period that qualifies them as BF-approved traditional knives from that standpoint, but from what I found he also didn't make many folders so I don't know how widely known they were at the time.

Even though I struck out, it was an interesting bit of research and gave me a different perspective on the holes in this knife's blades. :)
 
JohnDF said:
The only thing that looks different about these are the holes, otherwise they look exactly the same as other Case knives.
I really can't figure out why there's so much hatred for these? Did everybody hate the Scagel knives too?
Click to expand...

I gotta agree with ya on this John JohnDF JohnDF . Haters gonna hate and step on the toes of those that like traditional features such as the Scagel slots brought back to the forefront by historic knife companies.
 
There was a thread in general a while back about an Ontario slip joint with a hole like these. Personally I find the idea to be excellent. The only thing that makes me want to hold off is more selection in handle slabs (I'm partial to red bone myself) and the fact that they used a steel I'm not crazy about. It's not that s35vn is a bad choice, but I like a patina on my traditional knives. Slap a high wear resistance non stainless tool steel in these and I'd be all in.

I wonder if Bill Howard had brought back the Scagel style hole how well it would be received?
 
JohnDF said:
I received my Trapper Yesterday...
Typical Case quality; The jigged bone, pin work, bolster transition, and shield inlay are all fantastic. The blades are pretty well centered and have a lot of 'snap'. There is the usual liner gap that I've come to expect from Case knives. Both blades are sharp and have good grinds. The holes, while I would prefer a nail nick, they don't bother me and I like how they resemble the shape of a nick rather than just being oblong. I'm very pleased with my example. This knife seems to be causing dissension among the Porch regulars, so I won't be posting it much outside of this thread. I have plenty of other knives that I can share that are more accepted, but you better believe I will be carrying this one. 🤠 :thumbsup:

Click to expand...
I'd like to see it with blades open if you will please.
 
JohnDF said:
The only thing that looks different about these are the holes, otherwise they look exactly the same as other Case knives.
I really can't figure out why there's so much hatred for these? Did everybody hate the Scagel knives too?
Click to expand...
Modoc ED said:
I gotta agree with ya on this John JohnDF JohnDF . Haters gonna hate and step on the toes of those that like traditional features such as the Scagel slots brought back to the forefront by historic knife companies.
Click to expand...
I was also surprised at the strong negative reaction to the holes by so many people.
If I were to have any criticism of the knife, it would be the steel choice, just because I'm such a woeful sharpener that I'd question my ability to sharpen a knife with "higher class" steel.

- GT
 
The blades appear to have the “as ground” finish. If that’s the case, I consider it a plus.

Question for those who own one of these. Do the holes still require the use of your thumbnail or can you also use the meat of your thumb to open the blades?
 
I have no negative feelings about the holes in the blades, as long as there is enough steel left for strength. I wonder how they cut those holes...laser? water jet? The trapper shown looks better executed than the stockman, which the clip looks to have a very thin amount of steel left after the hole was cut. I am intrigued by these, but not yet sold enough to pull the trigger on one. Oh, the misery of having too many knives...LOL.
 
JohnDF said:
I'd be impressed with the person that could one hand open these, I use my thumb nail to open it.
Click to expand...
Thanks, John. I should have been more specific. I wasn’t asking about one hand opening. I was just wondering if the meat of the thumb could be used instead of the thumbnail.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top