Case XX SS blades

[hunterjrg]

Why aren't the SS bladed knives from Case more popular? Every Case XX SS knife I have had has performed excellent. They are easy to sharpen and stay plenty sharp. Why are the CV versions always the more sought after model?
Enlighten me please.
Pics are most welcome of your favorite Case XX SS

 

[SubSpace]

For me it has nothing to do with performance. When I was a kid I carried a Swiss Army knife and one day noticed how my grandfather's pocket knife had steel that was dark grey, almost black. I knew nothing about properties of metals back then and just wondered why mine didn't look like that.
Now that I'm older, and do know more about such things, I just want the same kind of steel my grandfather used. I own a couple of Case knives in SS and truly see no difference in real world performance versus the CV. At least for my uses. But it's an emotional thing. I like how the CV or 1095 ages along with me. I prefer it to the looks of a scratched up shiny blade these days.

 

[festerfromnzed]

I agree that they are great knives...Heres my one and only..............FES

 

[hunterjrg]

Great knife Fes. My Uncle had an identical one to yours. I followed his lead and bought this one. It has cleaned plenty of game for me.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Based solely on the percentage of SS knives sold by Case (which is HUGE, over their CV options), I'd say Case already knows their popularity isn't in question. The vast majority of real-world users of pocketknives won't see any reason to fault these blades, and rightly so. Compound that with the fact that most real-world users of pocketknives don't want to worry or fuss with blades that can rust easily. It's just knife & steel nuts like us who might look for reason to fault or dismiss the SS blades, based on nuances of edge-fineness or aesthetics (patina). We knife nuts can be a picky lot, and we view things from a very skewed perspective as compared to the vast majority of pocketknife users. But it doesn't really reflect the quality of the product as it's intended to be used, as a simple & reliable cutting tool with a minimum of upkeep & maintenance hassles.


David

 

[Coonskinner]

There really isn't a nickel's worth of difference in the CV performance and that of the Case SS.

At least not that most folks would notice.

But like someone has already said, I like the way a carbon steel blade ages and takes on a patina.

A scratched up stainless blade is ugly to me.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Many of us like the old school patina that carbon steel gets. Case makes/sells more knives in SS with a wider range of options.

 

[Old Hunter]

I am perfectly content with either steel; I pick the pattern knife I like, the type of handles I like, and take it in the steel it's offered in - both types of steel have performed well for me in my everyday chores. OH

 

[stevomiller]

I find CV easier to sharpen quickly in the field, not because it's softer or less abrasion resistant but because it doesn't form that tenacious wire edge TruSharp does. Also, it is harder and is thus a bit more stable with acute edges when cutting harder woods, etc.

 

[hunterjrg]

I am perfectly content with either steel; I pick the pattern knife I like, the type of handles I like, and take it in the steel it's offered in - both types of steel have performed well for me in my everyday chores. OH

I feel the same way

 

[akadave2]

Based solely on the percentage of SS knives sold by Case (which is HUGE, over their CV options), I'd say Case already knows their popularity isn't in question. The vast majority of real-world users of pocketknives won't see any reason to fault these blades, and rightly so. Compound that with the fact that most real-world users of pocketknives don't want to worry or fuss with blades that can rust easily. It's just knife & steel nuts like us who might look for reason to fault or dismiss the SS blades, based on nuances of edge-fineness or aesthetics (patina). We knife nuts can be a picky lot, and we view things from a very skewed perspective as compared to the vast majority of pocketknife users. But it doesn't really reflect the quality of the product as it's intended to be used, as a simple & reliable cutting tool with a minimum of upkeep & maintenance hassles.


David

I do love the Case brand. However I would say that they sell much of their product based on name brand and collectors and not as much on the criteria that is used when evaluating a GEC or Queen or other high end brand offering.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I do love the Case brand. However I would say that they sell much of their product based on name brand and collectors and not as much on the criteria that is used when evaluating a GEC or Queen or other high end brand offering.

That's the point I was attempting to make, actually. When we talk about 'evaluating high end brands' like GEC or Queen, that's exactly the 'skewed perspective' I spoke of, from which we view knives, as opposed to what most of the rest of knife users & buyers are looking for. Many or most casual knife users likely haven't even heard of 'high end' brands like GEC or Queen, which aren't often seen in brick-and-mortar stores, so they remain pretty obscure to the general public. The Case brand was originally built on making knives as simple and reliable tools to be used, as opposed to what we (knife nuts) now look for in higher end brands. They built their brand's reputation selling knives out of stores people commonly shopped in. If buyers are now trusting in the brand itself as enough justification for buying the product, I'd say Case has gotten it exactly right. Most manufacturers can only dream of attaining that kind of loyalty from their customers.


David

 

[cards94]

That's the point I was attempting to make, actually. When we talk about 'evaluating high end brands' like GEC or Queen, that's exactly the 'skewed perspective' I spoke of, from which we view knives, as opposed to what most of the rest of knife users & buyers are looking for. Many or most casual knife users likely haven't even heard of 'high end' brands like GEC or Queen, which aren't often seen in brick-and-mortar stores, so they remain pretty obscure to the general public. The Case brand was originally built on making knives as simple and reliable tools to be used, as opposed to what we (knife nuts) now look for in higher end brands. They built their brand's reputation selling knives out of stores people commonly shopped in. If buyers are now trusting in the brand itself as enough justification for buying the product, I'd say Case has gotten it exactly right. Most manufacturers can only dream of attaining that kind of loyalty from their customers.


David

i just looked at the queen cutlery website and they have some reaaly nice looking knives. so nice i would hate to carry it around. i'm not a collector and whatever knives i buy will be in the daily rotation.

 

[stevomiller]

Queen has a couple tiers of knives, including worker grade knives, just like Case. And makes Case super duper exhibition stuff too, that would never gut a deer or scrape off old gaskets (but it sure could if needed).

 

[jazub]

Ebony and stainless; my favorite combination. Thanks, Case!

:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Will Power]

All very true and sensible answers here.:thumbup:

I've been very pleased with the performance of Trusharp: I generally cut twine, prune small shoots,prepare snacks fruit/veg and open packets/sacks with my pocket-knife. For these tasks and the fact hat it won't rust or spot up, Trusharp works well. I keep a Yellow Slimline Trapper as my dedicated Steak/food out knife, it's so sharp&thin and imparts no flavours to food either. As for a shiny stainless knife getting scratched up, it's easy enough to put a matte brushed finish on it, case closed

 

[jc57]

I have Case knives in both CV and SS. Both work fine for my needs. I usually buy knives based on the pattern and handle combination. The choice of steel is secondary to me. I tend to carry a couple of CV steel knives more often than others just due to liking those patterns for carry and that the ones I own happen to be CV steel. I also keep a Case Slimline Trapper in SS as a food knife. I just wash it with warm soapy water and rinse it out under the faucet, no worries about rusting or having to keep it oiled up as much, though every now and then I'll give the pivot area a bit of oil.

 

[jakemex]

I use Case SS knives to clean up corroded battery cable ends like I always have. I particularly like the trapper model in chestnut bone for that job. Just like I used my yellow delrin slimline trapper in CV for 39 years for the same job. As a matter of fact, last week I did the same thing as I always have. Case knives are my corrosive environment, crummy gasket cleaning, beater knives of choice-regardless of steel type. My good knives never see that type of usage.

 

[jakemex]

Also great for cleaning/scraping the green gunk off the weedwhacker. Still has a great edge

 

[akadave2]

I thnk Case also uses True Sharp because its most likely the easiest on cutting dies and stamping equipment. Those things cost money and the softest least abrasive material you process with it, the longer they last and that saves real money.