Case USMC Knife, first impressions

[zeedeegood]

Being a case folding knife collector for years, I thought I'd use a little extra birthday money to pick up Case's version of the USMC fixed blade knife. I have to say, there's been a few things about the way it came out of the box that have bothered me. I do think it's still worth the money I paid since it will be a user and not just sitting in a box. First, the finger guard has a slight bit of jiggle to it, after calling the company I purchased it from, apparently they all do this? I figure with time, the leather may swell a little bit and tighten in there. I did put some leather conditioner on to help seal it up as it was pretty dry out of the box. Secondly, the edges were not ground evenly and it's one on the most dull new knives I've ever purchased. I've spent some time this afternoon trying to even out the edge by hand and getting it sharp using an Arkansas bench stone and stropping. The edge is better and will cut newspaper but it's far from hair popping. I took it out for some wood clearing and it does seem to work well cutting through smaller pieces and breaking apart some kindling from old dry logs. I'll also be using it as a work knife on drywall and various construction projects. I seem to be having a tough time getting that razor edge on it and wondered if anyone else with this knife may have the same problem. I'll put a few pics up before and after applying the conditioner.

 

[Mistwalker]

That one isn't quite the quality I am used to seeing in the Case versions. I have had a couple of them over the years. At one time I preferred them over the Ka-Bar mainly because their sheaths were riveted at a time when the Ka-Bar sheaths were stapled for some odd reason. But I do prefer the Ka-Bar oval handle over the round handles of the Case, Camillus, and Ontario versions when it comes to light chopping. The round handles want to turn in my hand. The gurds get jiggly like that when the leather has lost a lot of its moisture. All of the non epoxied stacked leather handles do that as far as I know. Ny SOG Bowie which was epoxied never loosened over years of use, but all of my Ka-Bars, Camillus, and Ontario leather handles have loosed like that I usually just soak the handle in warm water for a while and it tightens back up, then coat it with saddle soap or mink oil.

 

[mete]

Yes leather soaked in epoxy are much more durable ,leather then doesn't shrink ! An oval handle is much better as there is then indexing so you can feel which direction the edge is .

 

[knarfeng]

If memory serves, the current Case USMC is made for them by Ontario and is a re-badged Ontario 498, except with several cosmetic differences.
The blade steel is 1095.

 

[zeedeegood]

I just can't get the thing super sharp or stay sharp and I'm tired of fooling with it. Gonna just keep it as a collectible for the kids. It's been kind of a disappointing purchase. I don't know how the 1095 in Beckers differ but I can use them all day and just a little stropping and shaving hairs again.

 

[knarfeng]

I just can't get the thing super sharp or stay sharp and I'm tired of fooling with it. Gonna just keep it as a collectible for the kids. It's been kind of a disappointing purchase. I don't know how the 1095 in Beckers differ but I can use them all day and just a little stropping and shaving hairs again.

Different alloys.
Ontario: 1095
Becker: 1095 Cro Van

Different manufacturers, which means different heat treating.