Got a new (old) case knife.

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Apr 2, 2011
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Found a nice case knife a couple days ago, I have the guy a spyderco delica and 5$ for it, can anyone help me with the age and pattern name?

I haven't had time to do anything with it yet, but hopefully this week I will be able to clean it, oil it, and sharpen it up to carry it.

And I just realized I can't post pictures in my phone, I'll have some up shortly
 
Here it is, unfortunately one of the blades has had the tip snapped off, but it isn't too bad, anyone have some advice on reshaping in a reasonable amount of time that won't mess up the heat treat? I'm thinking my work sharp (maybe) with frequent cold water dunks

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The tang stamp on the main clip blade indicates 1970s vintage (with the 'dots' underneath the 'U.S.A.' marking). Count the dots, and subtract from 10 to get the exact year past 1970 (ten dots that year, subtracting one dot each year thereafter).

Here's the quirky part. The small blade in the 3rd pic shows the 'long-tailed C' in 'CASE' with 'TESTED XX' underneath (see image of stamp below). That's an older blade swapped in, most likely. The visible pivot pin might indicate/confirm a blade was replaced (re-pinned) in that position. The stamp on that blade is from the latter part of the 1920-1940 era (so-called 'TESTED' era). The collecting guide I refer to(*) indicates that stamp as coming in a period from 1932-1940, though it's possible it might've come earlier (by Case's own tang stamp dating page, here -->: http://www.wrcase.com/case_college/tang_stamps/ ).

1920-1940(6).jpg


Edit:
As mentioned, the pattern is indicated by the '6347 HP' on the sheepsfoot blade shown in the 2nd pic. Pattern numbers weren't stamped on Case's blades until after 1949. The collecting guide also indicates Delrin handles occurring in 1970s or later, on this pattern. The presence of the pattern stamp, plus the 'dots' on the main clip blade and the delrin handles, all would seem to confirm it's likely a '70s vintage knife, aside from the older blade being swapped into it at some point.

* = The 'Official Price Guide to Collector Knives', Fourteenth Edition, by C. Houston Price; 2004


David
 
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Regarding reshaping & sharpening the broken-tipped blade:

Personally, I'd just use a diamond hone (coarse/coarser) and take my time with it. Grind the spine down, forward of the nail nick, to meet the edge. Make sort of a modified wharncliffe of it. I wouldn't want to chance overgrinding/overheating the blade, especially that particular older blade. It's pretty rare to see the stamp alone, of that vintage. The steel on older Case knives grinds very easily, so I'd just go easy with it. Don't rush it, and maybe even spread the work out over time.


David
 
Well, it sounds to me like I got something unique with the older blade on it. It has 5 dots on it which I believe puts it as a '75 manufacture. I am happy I was able to get ahold of it. I unfortunately don't have any real aggressive stones, so it will take me a while to fix the blade.
 
Well, it sounds to me like I got something unique with the older blade on it. It has 5 dots on it which I believe puts it as a '75 manufacture. I am happy I was able to get ahold of it. I unfortunately don't have any real aggressive stones, so it will take me a while to fix the blade.

Could also do it on a sheet of wet/dry sandpaper over a hard backing like glass; maybe 220 grit or so, or even lower to speed things along.

Agreed, with 5 dots it should be 1975. That's a pretty good find. :thumbup:


David
 
I was quite happy with the trade, my delica was just sitting in my truck unused (I used my Becker bk 17 instead). I met up with the guy to buy some 9mm ammo off him, we talked knives for a bit and he showed me what he had up for trade at the time. I saw the knife and offered my delica which he jumped on.
 
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