Case Tested Jack, Worth Fixing?

T

Tom Cruise

Joined
Dec 30, 2010
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Hello all! Long time lurker here, I prefer to passively soak up the knowledge rather than bother everyone with questions, but I have recently acquired a knife and I can not find alot of information on it so I would like some opinions!

Here is what I have. Based on my own research I believe it is a 1920-1940 Case "Tested" Jackknife with a main clip blade and what should be a spey secondary? Not sure since the second blade is broken but that would be the traditional pattern yes?

The handle material appears to be red bone, but most of the pictures I found on the interwebs showed a Case logo inserted into the handle somewhere and these are plain, is that correct or has this knife been re-handled at some point?

My main question is if you all think this is worth sending in to Case to have the broken blade replaced. This knife was given to me by my father so it has some sentimental value, but he also gave me a couple other knives so if this one is worth nothing beyond that it is no big deal.

What do you think? Does anyone know the actual model name/number? Is it worth keeping? Worth repairing and using? Any collector value?

Thank you all for your time and comments! (hopefully these photos will show up properly...)


DSCN0880 by laghaxx, on Flickr

DSCN0879 by laghaxx, on Flickr

DSCN0877 by laghaxx, on Flickr

DSCN0875 by laghaxx, on Flickr
 
This isn't my usual sub-forum, and I don't know what Case would charge to replace a blade.
That said, if it were my knife I'd grind (slow or wet) to smooth the transition from edge to divot, and leave the point where it is.
 
Great looking Case.

I have a couple of my Grandfather's knives (two slipjoints) and they look similar, meaning they have a decent main blade but the smaller ones are chipped. I've just cleaned them up with some Brasso, sharpened up the main blade and used that one only.

The sentimental value is enough to make me keep the knife as is. I think the chips and marks give the knife character, little wounds showing that it was once used by my Grandfather.
 
You have one of the most sought after Case patterns that has sentimental value as well!!! It is an absolute jewel. It is similiar to one Vanguard41xx just posted that he recently found. Look at post #3672 on the Old Knives thread.
Link http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/527126-quot-Old-Knives-quot/page184

I thought it was a barehead 6235 & 1/2 but I'm not certain.

Some of the masters should be able to tell you exactly
 
Nice knife. What's the length closed? I think the small blade was a pen blade.

I don't think it's a matter of whether it's "worth sending in". I think it's a matter of whether preserving the knife or replacing the broken pen blade is more important to you. I wouldn't have the blade replaced because it will no longer be original and it also will no longer be the same knife your grandfather carried. There are enough "repaired" and fake knives floating around. It's nice to see some original knives survive. I'd sharpen the main blade, oil the joints and put the knife in my pocket.
 
I cannot claim to be a Case expert by any means. Nor am I a true knife collector in the sense that I am not sure what it is worth now nor what 'fixing' it will cost you. But I can say with 100% certainty that IF I could locate a blade that would put this thing back in working order AND I could find someone that could do the job right then I would hesitate about 1 nanosecond before sending it off to get the blade changed. To me this is the right call.

I have grandads shotgun and it is weathered beyond belief, blueing rubbed off of it, nicks and scratches on the stock. A true mess. It is the shotgun I learned to hunt with and I treasure it. Wouldn't think of trying to fix it. But if the firing pin broke or the stocked shattered or some part of the old Model 12's innards went south I'd fix it. To me this broken blade kind of straddles the middle ground between these two extremes.

If I could get it fixed right I'd do so. If I couldn't then I'd carry it and treasure it and not give it another thought.

Will
 
I think she'll clean up nice. A little soapy scrubbing, some fluff & buff and a nice long oil soak and you'll see a huge difference. That broken blade can be reshaped nicely on a grinder too.
 
I'd e-mail some pics to Case HQ and ask their opinion. It it was doable and not too expensive, I'd have that pen blade replaced and carry the knife. Too nice not to.

-- Mark
 
Well, I havent read the opinions of the other gentleman on this post.

But imo I wouldn´t replace the pen blade. It seems, there´s not very much of the pen blade gone, so a big part is still there. I you worry about getting scratched by a sharp corner or whatever, I would grind that pen down to a sheepfoot, or something like that. Replacing the blade would destroy the great charm of that knife, I think. I think it would look a little strange to have a new shiny blade on an old worn out knife. Leave it there and grind that broken blade to another shape.

A really very good looking knife... Congratz on that one! :)

Kind regards
Andi
 
We all have opinions and here's mine. I'd leave it as is - maybe clean it up just a bit and carry it. Then again you could file the broken blade to the shape of a spey blade or a very close resemblance. There is even enough room so as not to get into the nail nick by doing so.

I wouldn't trust it to the mail. Things get lost in the mail every day and things even get lost at Case. Not a common happening but not un-common either. If I were to send it off, I wouldn't send it to Case but to someone like "Seals" who is a knife maker/repairer here at Blade Forums.

That's a cool knife for sure. It does appear to be a Bareheaded 6235 1/2 (they were made both ways (bareheaded or capped)) and early versions of this knife were made with and without a shield on a random basis.
 
Modoc ED said:
We all have opinions and here's mine. I'd leave it as is - maybe clean it up just a bit and carry it. Then again you could file the broken blade to the shape of a spey blade or a very close resemblance. There is even enough room so as not to get into the nail nick by doing so.

I wouldn't trust it to the mail. Things get lost in the mail every day and things even get lost at Case. Not a common happening but not un-common either. If I were to send it off, I wouldn't send it to Case but to someone like "Seals" who is a knife maker/repairer here at Blade Forums.

That's a cool knife for sure. It does appear to be a Bareheaded 6235 1/2 (they were made both ways (bareheaded or capped)) and early versions of this knife were made with and without a shield on a random basis.
Click to expand...

My thoughts reflect those of Ed.
 
That bone is typical Greenbone, and a very nice example of it at that!
Reshape the secondary blade, and carry it. That is the best tribute to a fine old knife in my opinion!!
If it is taken apart, it's no longer original. And a reshaped blade can be very useful indeed.
 
Looks like a 6202 1/2 Case Tested Jack (3-3/8" closed?). Pre-1940, green jigged bone, standard nail nick on clip blade (they also had a similar one with a spear main blade), no shield. All that fits the 6202 1/2. The 6235 1/2 models of that era had a long pull on the clip, at least according the guide I'm referring to.

(Edited to add: 4 visible pins on the scales also fits the 6202 1/2. So far as I can tell, the 6235 1/2 had just three pins showing on the scales.)

On a knife this old, it's unlikely Case could replace the broken blade; doubt they have an exact match for it. But do contact them, and see what they can do, or at least what advice they offer.

(Edited to add: Lest there be any doubt about my preference, I wouldn't want to replace the blade anyway. Too much history in that broken blade, as I see it. Not to mention, the dangers associated with disassembling the knife to install a new blade. As others have suggested, a skilled re-grind of the original blade might be best, if anything at all is done. Otherwise, I'd leave it be.)

That's a beautiful old knife. :thumbup:
 
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Good info David and it most probably is a 6202 1/2; however, the 6235 1/2 knives of the early era also had standard nail nicks. Some of them may have had long pulls but long pulls were I believe most common on the later 620035 1/2 knives. Not arguing just adding to the fray.

No matter what the exact pattern, type of pull, bone color (I do go along with green bone), etc., the OP's knife is a fine example of early knife production in the U.S.A.

No matter what he does, I hope he doesn't polish out those blades to a high gloss but leaves the natural aging now on the blades prominent.
 
I'd do the same as Corey suggests, I'd also reshape the blade very lightly just round the sharp edges on the broken blade and then enjoy it as an EDC.

Mike

comoha said:
I think she'll clean up nice. A little soapy scrubbing, some fluff & buff and a nice long oil soak and you'll see a huge difference. That broken blade can be reshaped nicely on a grinder too.
Click to expand...
 
Modoc ED said:
Good info David and it most probably is a 6202 1/2; however, the 6235 1/2 knives of the early era also had standard nail nicks. Some of them may have had long pulls but long pulls were I believe most common on the later 620035 1/2 knives. Not arguing just adding to the fray.

No matter what the exact pattern, type of pull, bone color (I do go along with green bone), etc., the OP's knife is a fine example of early knife production in the U.S.A.
Click to expand...

Thanks Ed. :thumbup:

I sort of took my 'guide' with a little salt regarding the long pull. It shows one illustration (showing long pull), and then a list of variations (different handle materials, mainly) following that, with no mention of different pulls or nicks there, unfortunately.
 
I don't know how good you are at reshaping a blade, but if I were you, apart from cleaning the knife, oil bath, and so on, I would reshape (or find someone to do it for me) the secondary blade rounding the distal part of it without touching the edge nor the nick. Sort of spey or "my first Opinel" style (I don't have any better example at the moment).
Replacing the blade would be a crime to my eyes. Oh, and of course, carry it daily :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Another possibility I'm seeing, after digging out another guide. Might be a 6216 1/2. Essentially same as 6202 1/2, but a little 'thicker' in the handle. Same length (3-3/8" closed), green jigged bone, bare head, 4 visible pins on the scales. There seems to be some subtle differences in the placement of the backspring pin between these models. The 6202 1/2's spring pin is more centrally located, and the other one is further aft towards the butt end. I'm beginning to think the 6216 1/2 might be a closer match to the knife pictured in the OP, based on the backspring pin location.
 
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