Case Trapper Question

D

Depeche

Joined
Jun 24, 2024
Messages
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Hello - recent lurker, even more recently registered....I have a question about a yellow delrin Case Trapper I recently purchased on sale at a local Tractor Supply. The first purchase ended in a return as the spey blade had a faulty backspring, the blade moved forward and back when open. So I took it back and got a replacement (the Tractor Supply folks were very nice about it) and got a replacement. So the good news is that generally this is a great knife - the back springs are some of the strongest I've ever experienced on a slip joint, the blades are aligned pretty good, no visible gaps between liners, nice and smooth where the handles meet the bolsters.

EXCEPT - the person who sharpened the knife took a little too much off the spey, specially towards the base of the blade, it's just a bad job altogether. (pictures attached). I could fix the bad edge but am hesitant to take even more off the blade.

So now I am debating a few things - do I:
1) take the knife back to Tractor Supply and take my chances on knife #3
2) take the knife back to Tractor Supply and get a full refund and say see ya to Case
3) send the knife to Case for a fix and hope that the positives mentioned above remain such after fixing
4) keep it and say to myself "ehh its not that bad."

If this was a $15 Rough Ryder or similar, wouldn't be that upset, but at $60, I kinda think the knife should be better than this.

Any thoughts?

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IMG-3851.jpg
 
I have gotten a few Case and Bucks that are like this, they have that little recurve where someone got a little happy with the sharpening belt.

If it's going to be a hard user I'd probably just deal with it IF the rest of the knife was flawless.

If you buy a Case always make sure to inspect it well first. You shouldn't have to, but it's where we are at. I'm sure if you aren't happy TSC will refund you, if you go for an exchange just check the knife before leaving the store, if it's not acceptable ask to see another.

Overall Case puts out a decent product for the money considering it's a handmade in the US knife, but things slip through, albeit more than I'd like based on my experience. That bring said their GOOD knives are an amazing value in the US made slipjoint world. A well assembled Case is a great knife at a great price.
 
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Thanks to all for your replies. The knife seems to be rock solid in all other respects.

Unfortunately, Tractor Supply seems to be moving to blister packs instead of the traditional display with boxes, so pre-checking isn't always possible. Don't know of any other places around me which are not going that way (or already there) either.
 
Actually looks pretty good for a Case trapper. Keep it and use it, then keep an eye out for one at the flea market / gun show with a good patina and most of the blade. Should be able to pick one up for $20 if you're watching.

You could take it back. But if you do, don't get another one - as you have about as good as you will get.
 
I'm with the others that agree with "eh, not that bad" - but on the other hand, I know that with me, if I was bothered right off the bat with a perceived problem, it might pester me forever. So, if that might happen, and you're going back to TSC anyhow, why not swap it for a new one, then inspect that one in the parking lot.

I used to work next to a bike shop, whose motto was "we want you to love your bike." They entertained almost every (sometimes crazy) request they were able to, because at the end of the day, they knew that there is a fine line between a happy customer and an unhappy one.
 
I’ve owned and/or looked over enough case knives to know that, for me at least, I could find something to nitpick on almost all of them. If you’re close to great on that knife and that spey grind is all that you see, I think you’ve got a keeper. I’m not sure I’d have noticed that with all the other positives you listed. I agree with others they can be great knives at a decent price. If that’s going to be a user, I say start cuttin’!
 
they do come like that... Obviously the customer base finds this OK.

Fancier models are better, I think, from my experience
 
You will struggle to find another that doesn’t have that same grind from case as well as many other manufacturers.
If you are otherwise happy with the knife then keep it, use it, sharpen it out if you want, it will diminish on its own or can be sharpened out easily enough without losing any real blade.
I bet if you just forget about that for a spell and start using it for a while, you won’t even notice or care anymore.

I have two case trappers and on both the Spey blade grind is off or the blade is slightly bent near the tip, came that way, I inly notice it if looking carefully sighting down the spine, or running my fingers down the flats. Had one of them and used for years before I noticed.

Case can be hit or miss but overall they are cosmetic and still make great working knives for a great price.
They make my favorite trapper, something about the Case trapper I like more than others.
 
As others have said, just use it. It's a knife. It looks real good to me. If it bothers you that much though, give it to your dad, brother, son, mentor, etc and get something else. Just my humble opinion.
 
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