Changes to the modern Case SOWBELLY (TB6339) after it was released from "The Vault"

[supratentorial]

In comparing some of my Case 6339 pattern knives, I noticed a few differences and thought it might be helpful to share that information. I think most or all of these changes may have occurred when the pattern was released from "The Vault" ...which happened around 2012 .

The most noticeable difference is that the nail nick on the sheepfoot blade was moved to the mark side and the sheepfoot blade sits slightly higher on the newer knives. I usually grind the kick down to lower the blade even on the older knives.

The blades are offset on both the newer and older sowbelly knives but prior to 2012, the sheepfoot blade was also crinked... I think that's what it is. It's slight but you can see the bend at the tang. If I understand correctly, the tangs are annealed.

The spine of the sheepfoot blade is thinner on the newer knives which probably enabled them to skip the extra step of crinking the blade.

The quality of Case's sowbelly knives is very good but I've noticed an improvement on their 2012-present knives. Some of them like this smooth natural bone sowbelly from 2012 are essentially flawless. This old red sowbelly from 2001 is pretty close but it is does have one small gap in the springs.

 

[Rockon75]

Jake-I have never owned a Sowbelly, and I found your description very enlightening. Thanks!

 

[knarfeng]

Thanks, Jake. Good to know. I remember discussing with you in another thread whether the old sowbelly blades were crinked or offset. Nice to have closure on the question.

I've noticed that a lot of the newer Case knives have an increased grade of fit and finish. My impression is that the current Case knives with the most "issues" are the old standby patterns which never go into the vault. Maybe they use the vault hiatus to renew the tooling?