Case's new 154CM trapper

And Case now has my attention again.

If they start using 154CM in some of their smaller models, or perhaps in one of their stockmen, I'm there.
 
Tempting tempting... Now if they start offering this steel with other patterns they will earn a new customer!
 
Love to see one of these Case Knives in the 6318 or 6347 pattern - that would be a home run! OH
 
I'd really really go for a Case Texas Jack in 154CM.
 
This may just get me to pick up my first new Case in 20 years. :)

I was always fond of 154CM/ATS34 type steels, they've always held up well but they were the first alloys that required a diamond hone to maintain heavily used edge. Maybe I can pick up someone's catch and release and save a few more $. I always was a fan of the 2 longer full length blades on the trappers. :)
 
I just like the fact that the blades don't look like they've been tumbled polished too. That's always bugged me about Case. It cheapens their look.
 
Rooboy123 said:
Might have to look for that one. Would love a Barlow with the 154cm too
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The barlow was from 2007. Photo from the web (not my knife, unfortunately). 250 made.

003.JPG
 
mnblade said:
That GEC hasn't been around all that long and is making the "noise" they are in the knife world, is the point. There's no way Case is ignorant of their success.

In a (maybe not) related development, Mark Paup was named the new President and CEO of Case as of April this year. Here's a cool interview with him. In it, Paup says:

"We have to reinvest in this company, in this brand. So, $30 million in improving efficiencies.

"It’s all about remaining relevant and being competitive. That’s the other challenge we have is making sure we’re competitive with price, and there’s a lot of competition out there, and it takes a lot of discipline, and sometimes you have to challenge the status quo within your organization. In a small town there’s a lot of hard habits and a lot of paradigms to break down. There’s a strong culture there and you don’t want to lose that, but you have to be a realist.

"... We've basically reorganized that entire plant to maximize ... our performance and how we serve customers. So, we’ve put a lot of people through a lot of change, and there’s been a lot of heartburn, but it’s all about making sure we’re positioned for the next 125 years."

Something's in the air at Case.

-- Mark
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IIRC, Case makes about a million knives a year. I'm not sure if there are any other US manufacturer of knives making that many. GEC and Queen definitely aren't. There's a lot of competition from imports as well as domestic. I suspect the greatest competition might be from knives that aren't traditional.
 
supratentorial said:
IIRC, Case makes about a million knives a year. I'm not sure if there are any other US manufacturer of knives making that many. GEC and Queen definitely aren't. There's a lot of competition from imports as well as domestic. I suspect the greatest competition might be from knives that aren't traditional.
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The vast majority of which are far better steel than the Surgical stuff Case are using right now. Looking forward to this big boy bringing the traditional market up to a point where they can compete with the modern market on somewhat equal terms.
 
That's exactly what I was thinking, Jake. Case makes around 1,000,000 a year and GEC's goal is 160 a day, which puts them somewhere around 41,000 a year. GEC is definitely popular among us collectors, but I don't think Case sees them as a threat at this point. It seems to me that these knives are chasing the crowd that usually goes for more modern knives and is accustomed to a product with higher end steels.

I think it's great that Case is expanding their offerings. I'd love to see them keep going down this road. I've had a couple knives with 154CM and it's a great steel. If they got into some of the higher end non-stainless types I'd definitely be picking up one or two. I know it's a big jump from this to that, but it's a step in that direction.
 
Yesterday I e-mailed Case, saying: "Your new full-sized trapper with Burnt Amber Bone handles and satin-finished blades from premium (154CM) steel looks amazing! Are there plans to introduce other models with 154CM steel and Burnt Amber handles?"

I got this reply: "Thank you for your email. I currently do not have any information that we will be doing other patterns in the 154CM. So far, I have information on #09645-Trapper and also on the BackPocket ®, Item#09646."

I then replied: "I think you all should really consider it. There is a thread at the popular Bladeforums.com site where guys are raving about the possibility."

And their rep replied: "Thanks Mark. I forward the email to the Product Development Team that makes these decisions."

Fingers crossed.

-- Mark
 
There's competition from a lot of sources but I suspect imports and modern knives are probably the greatest.

I put together a list of a few other exotic steel knives that I found in a quick keyword searches but there are likely others. Some of those knives are patterns that were shown interest in this discussion... like the barlow, copperlock, mini trapper, and 47 stockman. Case may have been ahead of their time.... even though the patterns are more than 100 years old. ;) I think the knife market has changed and some of these knives may do better today than they did when they were first released.

I don't recall when Case started the "exotic steel" family of knives. If anyone has a complete list of knives, I'd enjoy seeing it.

2005
Large Gunstock 62130 ATS-34
Yukon TB612001 ATS-34
Trapper 6254 ATS-34
CopperLock 61549L ATS-34
Muskrat ATS-34

2007
Trapper 6254 154CM
Folding Hunter 6265 154CM
Stockman 6347 154CM
Mini Trapper 6207 154CM
Barlow 62009 1/2 154CM
Medium Stockman 63032 154CM
Small Texas Toothpick 610096 154CM
 
mnblade said:
Yesterday I e-mailed Case, saying: "Your new full-sized trapper with Burnt Amber Bone handles and satin-finished blades from premium (154CM) steel looks amazing! Are there plans to introduce other models with 154CM steel and Burnt Amber handles?"

I got this reply: "Thank you for your email. I currently do not have any information that we will be doing other patterns in the 154CM. So far, I have information on #09645-Trapper and also on the BackPocket ®, Item#09646."

I then replied: "I think you all should really consider it. There is a thread at the popular Bladeforums.com site where guys are raving about the possibility."

And their rep replied: "Thanks Mark. I forward the email to the Product Development Team that makes these decisions."

Fingers crossed.

-- Mark
Click to expand...

Thanks Mark!

Sowbelly, barlow, and mini trapper w/clip and Wharncliffe baldes are at the top of my list! Swayback jack is runner up since I prefer the Norfolk (and already have two). ...Also would like a 47 stockman.
 
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