EDCing an older slipjoint

JC972

JC972

Joined
Mar 17, 2015
Messages
1,627
Hi all

As of late I've rediscovered my love for the Case Copperhead. I have owned one for a few years but have rarely carried it because of its age (1965-70 era). It is in very good condition and I like it a lot but since it's the only Copperhead I've ever owned I choose to keep it in the gun safe lest it get damaged or lost.

Well the wife and kids have ordered me a new-in-box one from the 90's and I'd like to now carry the old one and put the new one up. You see, I'm gentle on my knives and I'd love to carry the old copperhead but I'm concerned about metal fatigue in the springs and just normal wear and tear on it. I strop way more than actually sharpen and I don't carry change or keys in the pocket with any knife (I need to get one of those nice leather pocket sheaths so many of you have when I find one!).

I guess I'm just nervous about carrying a nice old knife, being that I usually carry newer ones simply because if It gets dropped at work (machine shop, concrete floors) or, God forbid, lost. I'm just wondering if any of y'all EDC anything older like that or what y'all do.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated!

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I carry a couple knives from that era and never worry about them. I have guns with springs over 100 years old that still work fine and they get used.
 
I EDC much older knives with no fear. If you don't drop the newer knives then you shouldn't have problems with the older one.

Mike
 
My stepdad shoots a 130 year old gun and carries a knife that was originally sold with it. I think you'll be fine


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I carry this Case Barlow a lot it is a 1974, 42 years old and going strong. I would trust this knife more than a lot of my newer ones. As long as you take care of your knife it should be fine just remember that knives are like cars and require maintenance.


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There is a risk of loss or damage to anything that you carry. But life is short. I get a kick out of using 100 year old knives.

An exception is if the knife has sentimental value that truly makes it un-replaceable. A family heirloom, for example.
 
Original poster, we sound a lot alike. I'll get an old knife, then decide it's too nice to use and put it in the safe and then try to find another that isn't as nice to carry. One thing, I have an old jack knife, and one of the springs doesn't have any snap whatsoever. It's not a broken spring, but very weak but it doesn't hurt the function one bit. It would never open in your pocket. If I use the knife, the blade with the weak spring is usually the one I use because it's so easy to open.
I also have an old case that is from around 1920. It belonged to someone in my family, but I have no idea if it was my dad's or grandpa's, it has just been a knife that was in a toolbox for as long as I can remember. Never once thought to look check for side to side play until I got "educated" from these forums. But yes, it actually has quiet a bit of side to side play and in all my years, I never once noticed. I guess what I am trying to say is as long as it isn't actually broke, a weak spring and some play and flaws just add to the character. I've even seen a few that had a broken blade, and it still just looked right on the given knife.
 
I have a whittler I was gifted thats going on 100, and once I clean up the blades and clean and oil the joints ill be carrying it from time to time.

Connor
 
I carry this sometimes. Cool knife. 3 blades and 2 springs. The main blade is larger and uses 2 springs to support the blade. Cool concept.

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I love to carry and use my vintage knives! I am carrying this one today:

It is a 30s or 40s era pen knife with terrific snap and nice carbon steel blades. I also shave every day with a straight razor, and many in my rotation are well over 100 years old!
I figure that these tools were meant to be used, so I will do just that:thumbup:
 
JC972 said:
Hi all

As of late I've rediscovered my love for the Case Copperhead. I have owned one for a few years but have rarely carried it because of its age (1965-70 era). It is in very good condition and I like it a lot but since it's the only Copperhead I've ever owned I choose to keep it in the gun safe lest it get damaged or lost.

Well the wife and kids have ordered me a new-in-box one from the 90's and I'd like to now carry the old one and put the new one up. You see, I'm gentle on my knives and I'd love to carry the old copperhead but I'm concerned about metal fatigue in the springs and just normal wear and tear on it. I strop way more than actually sharpen and I don't carry change or keys in the pocket with any knife (I need to get one of those nice leather pocket sheaths so many of you have when I find one!).

I guess I'm just nervous about carrying a nice old knife, being that I usually carry newer ones simply because if It gets dropped at work (machine shop, concrete floors) or, God forbid, lost. I'm just wondering if any of y'all EDC anything older like that or what y'all do.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated!

Sent from my SM-S820L using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I have a 1920-1940 Case and a Remington from the same era that are both in my EDC rotation. However, those knives were in used condition when I bought them. I have several 1940-1964 Case knives and one 1965-1969 Case knife that are all in mint or near mint condition. I won't carry those because of their age/condition ratio but that's just my own personal decision.

I can't bring myself to bugger up and old knife in excellent condition but if it's already somewhat worn I'm all for it.

I guess what I'm saying is that if I were in your shoes I would probably not carry that knife if its condition is as you describe. I would look for a more worn version and keep that one preserved.
 
Railsplitter said:
I have a 1920-1940 Case and a Remington from the same era that are both in my EDC rotation. However, those knives were in used condition when I bought them. I have several 1940-1964 Case knives and one 1965-1969 Case knife that are all in mint or near mint condition. I won't carry those because of their age/condition ratio but that's just my own personal decision.

I can't bring myself to bugger up and old knife in excellent condition but if it's already somewhat worn I'm all for it.

I guess what I'm saying is that if I were in your shoes I would probably not carry that knife if its condition is as you describe. I would look for a more worn version and keep that one preserved.
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The copperhead has been carried before I got it. Maybe in a pocket for a year or so I'll wager. Not NIB by no means but still very nice by my standards. If it were in mint condition there's no way I could make myself carry it.

It has been sharpened by a previous owner but very very sparingly and they have a great gray patina.

Sometimes I forget that what constitutes very good condition to me personally, is a bit different than a collector's definition of it. I'm more of an accumulator.

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Some greAt looking knives in the responses! I do appreciate everyone's input. I'll probably carry it now knowing what I know now.

Can anyone point me in the direction of some leather pocket sheaths for folders? (is that even the right terminology?) It'd be appreciated [emoji2]

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r8shell said:
There is a risk of loss or damage to anything that you carry. But life is short. I get a kick out of using 100 year old knives.

An exception is if the knife has sentimental value that truly makes it un-replaceable. A family heirloom, for example.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I go with this!:thumb up:

I've carried old knives, and enjoyed them. It was like a trip down memory lane every time I pulled it out to cut something. But a few family members took action to preserve the old knives that were personal belongings of long passed family. I'm not allowed to have them anymore!:(

But I'll still use the slip joint made on the Moran farm about 1943 and carried by Bill until the 70's. It still works just fine.
 
JC972 said:
Some greAt looking knives in the responses! I do appreciate everyone's input. I'll probably carry it now knowing what I know now.

Can anyone point me in the direction of some leather pocket sheaths for folders? (is that even the right terminology?) It'd be appreciated [emoji2]

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Click to expand...

Case makes some inexpensive sueded leather pocket pouches with a flap and Velcro closure. Like "5 for $11" inexpensive. Three sizes. When searching look for Case part # 9066, 9067, and 9068. Small, med, large respectively.

Knivesshipfree.com sells some very nice leather pocket slips. https://www.knivesshipfree.com/sheaths/ Collectorknives.net also carries some. http://www.collectorknives.net/accessories/

I'm a fan of the Case Copperhead pattern myself. I have three of the clip-point and three of the Wharncliffe varieties. It's a shame Case discontinued the pattern.
 
I say carry the oldies but take a little extra car with them. Make a little extra effort to keep them clean and oil the joints.
 
flatblackcapo said:
I say carry the oldies but take a little extra car with them. Make a little extra effort to keep them clean and oil the joints.
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I have to keep my slipjoints clean and the joints oiled, I have awful nails so it's a must for me.

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It's just a knife. Unless it's particularly valuable or a sentimental favorite, drop it in your pocket. You won't hurt it any.
 
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