Considering a Case in MOP

[kc2kth]

I've been hanging around the Blade Discussion forum and the MultiTool forum for a couple of months now. I've bought a few knives and found some I like. I carry a Boker Trance or Spyderco Delica at the moment, depending on what I'm doing. I'm thinking of adding a traditional folder to the mix - specifically the Case models have caught my eye, especially the mother of pearl handled ones.

Hanging in the other forums I've gotten used to steels like 154cm and AUS8. The Case models use "surgical stainless" from what I've read, and I'm not sure I quite know what that means. Could anyone provide some input on this as compared to other steels?

Also, those of you with Case's in MOP or another "premium" material, would you carry these daily or do you keep them as collectibles? I'm thinking it is a knife I would carry from time to time, but I don't want to destroy one carrying it around in my pocket.

thanks!

 

[kc2kth]

Wow, 30 people looked and not a response? Consider this an enhanced bump.

So I found a bit more info over at A G Russell on the steel Case uses and satisfied my curiosity. While looking and reading other posts here I see Queen mentioned almost as often as Case (well, maybe not quite that often).

Anyone care to compare the two? Still haven't purchased, but I'm looking at grabbing a med Stockman or mini Trapper, plus probably a Peanut for good measure. Definitely not all MOP - I'm not rich! I'll probably go with stag or that Caribbean Blue material Case has. Very nice stuff from the look of it!

Looking forward to a bit of input!

 

[Durwood]

I've carried both factory and custom slipjoints with MOP scales. MOP is actually fairly durable as long as you don't drop it. I carried a vintage Mother of Pearl Keen Kutter with its original Pearl scales for quite a while when I was doing Factory work, It was never harmed. Still, I prefer bone scales for the slipjoints I carry...it is durable and develops character as it's carried, while Mother of pearl tends to lose its lustre unless protected in a carry pouch etc. Most of the vintage MOP knives, many of which were elaborate pattens, were considered Sunday knives, and as such you find a good number of them in better condition than expected. I'd go out on a limb and say that most MOP knives, both factory and custom, are not carried and used regularly even today.

 

[kc2kth]

Most of the vintage MOP knives, many of which were elaborate pattens, were considered Sunday knives, and as such you find a good number of them in better condition than expected. I'd go out on a limb and say that most MOP knives, both factory and custom, are not carried and used regularly even today.

Nice insight. I hadn't thought of that. I'm pretty well decided on a MOP for the collection, but another material for edc purposes.

thanks!