Disappointed by Case quality...

Macchina

Macchina

Feedback: +91 / =0 / -0
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Apr 7, 2006
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As many of my recent posts have suggested, I'm currently getting into traditional knives and becoming less interested in tactical knives. I'm on my third Case, and they seem to be getting worse. My first was a CV Sodbuster and I love everything about it. My second was a Large Trapper, and one of the springs sat rather low when the clip blade was open. My third is a G-10 Med Stockman and it is the worst QC I've seen in a knife in a really long time. The think is absolutely filthy with what looks like buffing compound (abrasives in the joints does not seem good to me). The backspring has a large gap, the mainblade has a large scratch on it (all the blades have a small scratch on them), and wharncliff blade sticks up much farther than it looks like it does in the pics I've seen of other stockmen. The blades are not finished well at all.

I can fix everything but that gap in the backspring. Is this normal quality from Case, or did I get a returner?

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Mike,

I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but the gap between the liner and spring is a pretty common occurrence with production slipjoints. I know it's a bit of an eyesore, but you'll just have to accept it if you want to play the slipjoint "lottery." Production companies like Case can't put out perfect knives at the price point they inhabit, so there will be fit and finish imperfections present on many knives.
 
kamagong said:
Mike,

I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but the gap between the liner and spring is a pretty common occurrence with production slipjoints. I know it's a bit of an eyesore, but you'll just have to accept it if you want to play the slipjoint "lottery." Production companies like Case can't put out perfect knives at the price point they inhabit, so there will be fit and finish imperfections present on many knives.
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+1

Unless you are lucky enough to have a top level Case dealer near you where you can inspect the knife before you buy you should expect things like gaps, scales that don't exactly match, a wobbly blade now and then etc..
I haven't had to test Case's customer service, but I bet if you send it back to them (if the dealer wont swap) with the list of problems you posted here, they should make it right. A PITA for sure, but that comes with the convenience of the internet market.
I would start with the dealer, and see if they sound willing to inspect a replacement for you since you had this problem. If not, shop somewhere else next time:D
 
I can understand the "gap" in the backspring much more than the Sheepsfoot blade sitting high of the frame. The tip should be lower than the frame under any circumstances. I would return the knife to Case with a letter detailing the issues in a polite manner and give them a chance to correct them. If you decide to fix the knife yourself, how will Case know of the problem and hopefully correct any future knives with the same condition.

Good luck , which ever way you go, I hope this does not chill you on slipjoints.

Ken
 
ken erickson said:
I can understand the "gap" in the backspring much more than the Sheepsfoot blade sitting high of the frame. The tip should be lower than the frame under any circumstances. I would return the knife to Case with a letter detailing the issues in a polite manner and give them a chance to correct them. If you decide to fix the knife yourself, how will Case know of the problem and hopefully correct any future knives with the same condition.

Good luck , which ever way you go, I hope this does not chill you on slipjoints.

Ken
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I agree with Ken. Give Case a chance to correct the problem. They are really good about making things right for their customers. I hope it works out for you ;)
 
This is not the first case stockman this week that I have seen pictures of- on this forum- where the sheepsfoot blade sits above the liners when closed. I guess you could make the argument that the other blades when closed act as liners, as the tip of the sheepsfoot blade sits beneath the other blades when they are closed. I think that high and low springs are the cost of doing business in the case price point. Buffing compound I wouldn't consider a problem. Flush out the joints. I don't like the gap, but it may also be the cost of a price point.

Sometimes the price of buying from a brick and mortar store is offset by the cost of buying online.
 
By the looks of those pictures...they look like they've been around the block a time or two....who knows how they got scratches.....scratches on a knife????? Heaven forbid.....
 
rayban said:
By the looks of those pictures...they look like they've been around the block a time or two....who knows how they got scratches.....scratches on a knife????? Heaven forbid.....
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I hope you're kidding. A brand new knife should never "look like it's been around th block." Are you suggesting I used the knife then took pics of it?
 
Just looked at mine and it is the same. no big deal to me....I really like this pattern and carry mine all the time...good knife. I wouldn't worry about it. Slipjoints move at a different pace than the CNC hundred and fifty dollar tacticals. Just enjoy it.
 
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Apparently Rough Rider is a better deal. If one is to expect and not complain about gaps, scratches, and ill fitting blades, then pay the price for that level of labor & QC, no higher.
 
The think is absolutely filthy with what looks like buffing compound (abrasives in the joints does not seem good to me).

You see this more on Cases. I have heard that the EPA has increased restrictions on solvent baths and this step is ommitted or abbreviated by Case. Give it a good washing with Dawn and a toothbrush

The backspring has a large gap

Mainly cosmetic and if it bothers you send it back. You should note that the black Micarta is Case's economy working mans line. Don't expect custom F&F

the mainblade has a large scratch on it (all the blades have a small scratch on them)

This is a bummer. I always like to be the first to scratch my knife :)

wharncliff blade sticks up much farther than it looks like it does in the pics I've seen of other stockmen.

This is normal to all Case stockmans of the recent 6318 and 63032 lines. I have not seen one NOT like it. The good news is a file and dremel on the kicks of the pen/spey and sheepsfoot will cure it. It has never bothered me though nor have I ever been cut or harmed from it

The blades are not finished well at all.

Again this is their working line. They come with a rough brushed/satin finish. I like the finish myself in a fashion

I can fix everything but that gap in the backspring. Is this normal quality from Case, or did I get a returner?

As a user I don't see anything out of the ordinary except that big honking scratch on the main blade. If it really bothers you send it back, any good retailer should honor a return. Eveyone has knives that don't float their boat and returning it would be better than letting it get you pissed off.
 
I think I would send it back as well. I do not think the sheepfoot should stick up if folded, that is a potential finger slicer. I would be polite, but I would not be happy with that knife. If I want a used one, I will buy it "almost mint" on ebay. If I buy a new one, by cracky, it better not have no scratches. Case needs to know about it. Good luck, and do not lose your interest in slippies. Unless you want to have cash lying around doing nothing.
 
The Shepherd Hills catalog says the blade finish on these is 'as ground', meaning they aren't polished. The small scratches may be from blade rubbing, if they're not krinked properly.

That sheepfoot sits way too high; it looks like someone didn't work the kick down to make it sit lower.

thx - cpr
 
The issue of blades on knives being scratched up out of the box is something I'm seeing more and more of. I've had trouble with the last high end Kershaw (Ti Tyrade) and more recently a ZT0300 having bare metal showing through the blade-coating. The dealer we bought it from told us it's not considered a defect by manufacturers and the first time it's used it will be marked up anyway. I said it doesn't matter about that, or what I intend to do with it, new it should not be showing bare metal through the coating. So the Tyrade was sent back for a refund and the ZT0300 is back at the factory now. (Tyrade had rub marks on both sides of the blade and the dealer said all she had was like that, so she had to refund if I didn't like it)
I should add that the nice lady at KAI said that it WAS a defect and to send it (the ZT) in and they'd replace the blade. I sorta don't see why they don't just swap it for a new knife beings it's brand new and with the receipt (sale the original as a blemish, that's what it was). But, however they want to fix it is fine.
Maybe I'm picky but new is new and it doesn't mean marred up out the box. Maybe people accept it for the most part and that's why companies are sending them out that way? But, to me it's like a car dealer telling you if you drive your new car it's gonna get messed up so, don't worry about it coming off the lot in good shape!
This picture only shows a spot, but the entire tip past the bare spot is thinly coated.
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I'd send that Case back, I got a 10 dollar Chinese made clone of it as a Xmas gift from a lady at my office and it has no issues. If they can't do better than that for a lot more money, then they simply don't care IMO.
 
jill jackson said:
I'd send that Case back, I got a 10 dollar Chinese made clone of it as a Xmas gift from a lady at my office and it has no issues. If they can't do better than that for a lot more money, then they simply don't care IMO.
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+ another

Rewarding (continuing to buy) mediocrity does the buyer or manufacturer no favors in the long run, regardless of product or country of origin.

I bought a Case Cheetah swing guard that fell apart after light use.
Blade play, sloppy guard, poorly pinned, etc., etc...

Replaced it with some comparably priced Seki (Japanese) made.
NIGHT and DAY


Might be a bit harsh, but haven't bought another Case since...:(
 
I've purchased over 4 dozen Case knives in the last 3 months and only 1 had a gap on the spine.
032 Yellow Sodbuster. But it wasn't enough to worry me and I bought that one as an EDC anyway.

Like others have said, send it in and they'll fix you up. Last repair I had done took less than 2 weeks turnaround.
 
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