Help me pick a new traditional that will look better with age

J

jec88

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Mar 6, 2012
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I'm usually into Bucks and Saks. I'm 43 and we've had this old worn pocket knife laying around the house for as long as I can remember. It's always been in a tool box or kitchen drawer or tackle box. Don't know who's it was or where it came from, it could have been my dad's when he was a kid, or my grandpas or great grandpa's. I got it out and wiped it down and did a little reasearch and from what I can tell by the tang, it's a 1919-1940 case peanut. No one in my family has carried it in the last 40 years, but you can tell someone did, and alot. The scales are all worn down smooth and the circle around the case logo on the scales is worn smooth in places. I wouldn't mind carrying it, but I'd hate to lose it in case it was my dad's. This knife has gotten my interest up in carrying a knife like this, but a little bigger. Carrying Saks and Bucks, none of my knives have blade patina and I usually carry a bucklite type of knife, so the scales usually always look new.
Looking on the net, I'm really liking the looks of the yellow case knives with patina on the blade. I see how you can buy a case knife that is pocket worn. I'd like to pick up a new knife and carry it for along time so that it gets that look on it's own. I really like the yellow scales on a case , but it looks like it would always look new? Do the yellow scale ever wear? I think i'd like to try a Case with a CV blade but am open to suggestions.
I live in the country and hunt and fish out my back door, but work in an office so the knife could be used for anything from opening an envelope to cleaning deer and fish. If I'm going to carry one knife, I think I might like the idea of maybe 3 blades. 1 for cleaning game, 1 for skinning and then maybe 1 small blade for opening boxes and such and cutting vegetable out of the garden.
Appreciate any suggestions and pics.
 
If you're looking for a Case CV Peanut, perhaps one with Chestnut bone? My yellow peanut looks new except for the patina but the bone should wear with time.
 
The pocket worn is a bit smoother than other jigged bone offerings but it is not like an actual pocket worn knife. Because you already like yellow with cv (carbon), I would recommend one to start and then look out! It doesn't really wear, but the bolsters do and of course the blades.
 
Something a little larger would be a Case Mini Trapper with cv blades. Half stops just like the peanut. Clip and Spay blades. 3 1/2" closed length very pocket friendly and still big enough to do quite a bit with.

Here's mine. CV with chestnut bone scales. Hasn't had enough time to form much patina but it will.

hInHK0J.jpg
 
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Perhaps try a Stockman or Whittler pattern in carbon steel. If you go with the Case brand, look for CV rather than stainless--the blades will patina nicely over time... :thumbup:

Good luck! :)

-Brett
 
Or just go with one knife and one blade for everything ~~the CV Case Sodbuster with yellow scales.! my .02 cents worth.*
 
Case CV, GEC 1095, and Queen D2 will all take a nice patina. A jigged bone will eventually get that pocket worn look, especially if you carry it in the same pocket with keys and change, leave it laying on the ground while you're fishing and rinse it off in the creek.

The yellow Delrin handles will scuff up a bit over time and may bleach out some.
 
I don't have any picture here, but my vote goes for any ebony and carbon steel combo (GEC #15 or #66 come to mind).
Nice ebony and a good patina will surely make the knife look used and aged.

Fausto
:cool:
 
Case mini copperhead.
New:

Now:


Find a stockman or trapper in similar scales and you will love it.
 
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Sounds like you want a stockman. There's the 3318CV (3 5/8"), 3347CV* (3 7/8"), TB3339 CV sowbelly* (3 7/8"), and the 3375 CV (4 1/4").

*these are exclusives for a specific dealer (google them). I'd venture that the sowbelly is the nicest, since it's a Tony Bose pattern, which are typically better F&F than their regular models.

The yellow delrin is pretty durable. It'll show scratches and scuffing, and it's possible that it'll crack at the center pin, where there's very little material (when you look for vintage delrin Cases on eBay, it's rare to find ones that aren't cracked there). But it won't really age much.

If you choose to go with bone, there's the 63032 stockman in chestnut bone, which I find the most attractive, and amber bone, and the 6318 in amber bone. There's also the dark red bone CV line, but the stockmans are smallish, and "dark" isn't very likely. Bone will smooth out over time from use and carry. A lightly colored or natural (undyed) bone will "age" a bit like ivory does.
 
How big of a knife are you looking for? A nice medium sized 3-blade knife that fits the bill pretty well is the Case Medium Stockman 63032 in Chestnut Bone CV, but I don't know how well that would work for skinning a deer.

The next size up is the '47 pattern, but the only CV offerings in that pattern are the Stag Rancher 5347, which is a bit more expensive, and the 3347 yellow Delrin, which is only sold by a single dealer (initials are SHC).

Then you move up to the big one, the '75 pattern, which is available in CV in yellow Delrin, jigged amber bone, and sawcut amber bone.

Did you have a specific budget in mind?
 
I also like to carry and use things, not collect them. I'm relatively new to carrying traditional pocket knives, but at 50 yrs old I sure do remember them and like them. I love their look, simplicity and the tradition and history behind them. I've found GEC to make outrageously high quality folders and have three of them now. One of them I carry religiously 24/7 in my right front pocket (a single blade #55 Northfield Houndstooth) and the other two will rotate, but the 55 is always in my pocket or within arms reach of me. It's been a couple months now and is rapidly taking on a character of it's own and has really become a dear little companion.

Case folders and the Peanut in particular are wonderful little knife and have gobs of tradition and history behind it. Whether it's the Peanut, MiniTrapper, etc pick one that suits your needs and then adopt it as a part of your life. Take it wherever you go, use it for whatever knife tasks you have and grow and age along with it. You'll find it's a very enjoyable and faithful companion.

If you haven't already, I think you'll really enjoy jackknife's short stories here... (he's a huge fan of the Peanut in fact)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-jackknife-s-tales-With-thanks-to-stockman242

Let us know what you select and of course post some pics!
 
My daily companion... :)

GEC #55 Houndstooth w/single spear blade
 

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Thanks for the info and pics. I've never heard of GEC and have been looking at their site. Definitly some nice knives! I might try a case for now because I can pick one up almost anywhere.
I think I might lean toward a large Stockman. I don't think it will be too large since I'm use to a 112 buck size knife. I like the idea of 3 blades, if I'm going to carry one knife. That way I can keep 2 blades for gutting and skinning deer and fish, and then have an extra blade to just use for everyday stuff.
It will be tough deciding between yellow scales and a bone!
 
Sounds like you would be very happy with a Case #6375, their XL stockman in CV and amber bone, under $50 just about anywhere.
 
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