Did I get taken for a ride?

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Corn Fed

Corn Fed

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Jan 14, 2017
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Hey guys. Need some expert advise. Bought this Case XX advertised as "Case XX USA 1965-69 62009 Barlow Super Red Bone MINT & Pumpkin Box & Wrapper". Looking at the "Case XX" on the bolster, it appears that it has been under the buffer wheel. Or are some of these markings shallow from the factory? I don't think this knife is "mint". Has someone just doctored up this old knife? I think that Corn Fed has been taken for a ride. What do you guys think? Any and all info is appreciated. Thanks for your knowledge and lay it on me!

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The bolster is suspect. It could've been under stamped but that looks like wear, other suspect aspect is that the handles and pins are not worn in any way and it's a strange colour Red.

A CASE collector will soon be able to settle this but I'm uneasy about it, initially.
 
IMO, it does look to have been cleaned, especially the bolsters that you mentioned. The lettering is a red flag to me. However, the knife does look to be in nice shape, so if you didn't pay a lot for it, it would make a great user.
 
It really looks like the bolsters have been polished and some wear in the lettering resulted. Also, agree the handles are a color I have not seen but, I am not a Case knife expert by any stretch.
 
Sure looks like it’s been polished to me. I’m sure no expert but have bought and sold LOTS of old case knives and that one is “ too pretty” to have the wear it does show. Just my opinion and it’s worth exactly what I charged for it.

Nice knife though.
 
Looks legit to me, other than being overly buffed on a powered wheel. As long as you are happy with what you paid, no problems. The buffing decreases the collector value but it should be a good user knife. "Mint" is an outright lie, which is obvious from the pics.
 
It looks like the bolster has been polished. I'm not an expert though. It depends on what you paid. Should be a good user.
 
You should probably express your concerns to the seller. If it's who I think it is, he's a very respected member of the knife community and should be able to explain how the bolster looks like that and yet he is calling it "mint."
 
The tang stamp looks correct for the time period, and the covers look like Case's red appaloosa bone. Case has produced Barlows with that sort of lettering stamped on the bolster, so that looks right to me as well.

I can't comment on whether or not that's a shallow strike on the stamp or buffing/polishing; I'm not knowledgeable enough about that.
 
Thanks for the responses. I definitely paid more than I would have for a user. This knife is stated to have been from a prominent collection.
 
For what it's worth, the blade choil's look like they still have that factory proudness that would indicate this knife hasn't see a lot of use, or at least sharpening. Are the edge grind marks still present and perpendicular? IMO the shallow part of the C could very well be from an overzealous polisher at the factory, or a shallow strike(it is on the down-slope of the bolster after all). Look at your other indicators of wear (inside the liners, tang wear against the springs, etc). If this knife doesn't have a lot of other indications of wear, it probably didn't get used that much where it would need to be buffed out to look "mint", and therefore is probably actually "mint". Probably. Also keep in mind I have only been a "collector" for a few years, but I hope this helps.
 
That slightly shimmery or orange-peel look on the blades is from a buffing wheel. So are the somewhat rounded edges at the plunge cuts etc. The knife is full but does not have the original factory finish. "Polished to resemble mint", is a more correct description, IMO. That will be 2 cents please!!:D
 
I’m not qualified to opine on the possible polishing, or the classification of “mint”.

Although I have noticed great disparity in descriptions in for sale/auction ads.

I’m at the point where I move on if the seller does not reveal blade snap when looking at vintage knives.

That’s a pretty knife, though! I love the color of the bone. But... zooming in as far as my iphone will go, I’m wondering if that is a crack through the rear pin on the stamped side?
 
Put some mustard on it and leave it overnight to bring it back to "original ". In all seriousness good looking knife
 
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