How common are off-center blades on Case CV Sodbuster Jrs?

C

CoffeeCat2112

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Is this a common problem with current production Sodbusters? On the one I just received, the left side of the blade rubs the liner starting at about the last 1/4" of blade, from where the blade sinks into the handle, all the way down to the grind. I noticed the blade was off center and colored it with a Sharpie to see if there was any rubbing. It would rub more, but the blade's taper at the tip takes it away from the liner. I have read some good and bad about returning knives to Case for work, so maybe I should just let it be?

Here's a pic:

IMG_2087.jpg
 
On a sodbuster especially, there's no point in worring about such things. It's an inexpensive 'working' knife, with very little lateral support in the pivot (no bolster). Any number of things can make the tip rub:

1.) Warped blade. You'll probably see this most often. Blades will often warp or bend a little from heat treat & quench. Look along the spine, with the knife pointed toward/away from you; you'll often see the bend in the blade. I have at a couple or three sodbusters of different sizes & makes, with at least a little warp in the blades. I seem to notice it more with carbon or CV blades, especially thin ones; not sure why.
2.) Loose pivot w/sideways play.
3.) Frame/handle not squarely aligned, which will make the blade deflect to one side or the other.

The last two points will always be an issue, to greater or lesser degree. Even if it's perfect when new, the pivot will loosen up with use. And, the frame & liners will flex & bend, especially if it's used hard and if it's sat on (in a back pocket). It's the nature of a sodbuster's construction, with no bolster, liners made of thin, SOFT brass, and flexible handle scales.
 
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arent case blades made from steel rolls? read once that they may "bent back" even after HT , slightly but it can happen, so non straight blades can happen
don't know if it's true but remember I read it on BF

the nick is also on one side only, when you open the knife you force it to the non mark side liner so the pivot may loose on that side allowing more rub
or at least that's what makes most rub marks on multiblades

Maxx
 
It's a brand new knife; I just got it today, so there hasn't been any force applied to it over time, FWIW. I can live with it as long as it won't impact the edge.
 
If it impacted the edge, then I'd worry. But I've never seen it that bad, with an edge actually rubbing/hitting a liner. Hitting the backspring or lockbar? Yes, but that's another issue, altogether ;).

And Maxx's comment about a blade being pushed to the side, when opening, is another valid point. Especially so on multi-blades with minimal space between the blades. Also, I have read a post from one of the members here, about gently/carefully 'bending' a blade back in line. But, with these knives, I personally wouldn't worry about it. Two of my Old Timer knives (8OT and 108OT), with carbon blades, have a little warp in the clip blade. They have enough 'springy' temper, they wouldn't be fazed by trying to bend them back. Most of the bend is close to the (very thin) tip. Very risky trying to bend it there. I just leave 'em be.
 
bwperdue said:
So it rubbing down to the grind is nothing to be concerned about, then?
Click to expand...

If the liner's not actually colliding with the edge itself, I wouldn't worry about it at all. The liners are brass anyway; much softer than the blade. The likelihood of the blade's primary grind being damaged in any significant way is virtually nil. If you're still concerned about the scratches, you might sand/burnish the inside of the liner a bit. There might be a burr or rough edge on the liner, which may account for most of the rubbing.
 
It shouldn't hurt the actual edge and I wouldn't worry about its function as a work knife.
 
I don't know how common it is overall, but the half dozen or so I have owned/handled all have off-center blades. Not as bad as yours, but either real close to, or barely touching the liners when closed. I figure it's just the nature of the beast, and considering I use mine to do the "dirty work" I don't care.
 
Very common on 4 5/8" Sod Busters but not as common on 3 5/8" Sod Buster Juniors. To my mind, it's not worth returning the knife to Case. You can krink it yourself to get the blade more to center. That scratch will be minimal to the other scratches you get on your blade as you use it.

Here's a link to the way I krink an off centered blade. Amateur but it works fine. Read some of the thoughts of others in the thread.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...g-on-new-Case-Sodbuster?p=9822596#post9822596
 
Noddy said:
It's a Case :D Being a Case
Click to expand...

Not unique to Case only. After reading this thread yesterday, I looked at my soddies (Case, Queen, Eye, Moore Maker among them). All have at least a little 'bend' or offset, one way or the other. It's an imprecisely-designed pattern, made to do honest, but 'imprecise' work (mostly).
 
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Off center blade I can live with. Blade rubbing on a liner is too much, however. Sadly, this does look like another example of a Case being a Case. I say send it back, if for no other reason than to let Case know that this kind of sloppiness won't win them many fans in the long run.
 
Case's sodbuster pattern goes back to the mid-to-late 1960s, at least, with the first version of the large 2138 model in the '65 to '69 period. The 'Jr.' 2137 soddie came in 1970. In all that time, the basic character of the knife has remained essentially the same, 'warts and all'. It was specifically designed as a basic & affordable working pattern, for hard-working people. The name 'Sodbuster' even alludes to that. That basic, hard-working and imperfect character is what specifically appeals to so many fans, over a very long run. 45 years at least, from Case alone. They've already sold about a zillion of them (give or take ;)). Other brands of the same pattern have been around at least as long, maybe longer, with similar imperfections. Fans of the pattern already know it isn't perfect, and most are fine with that. I doubt Case will ever worry too much about losing many fans over it. It's track record is already long-proven.
 
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I couldn't agree more with everything being said here.

One more thing to think about, though. If you are right handed and actually USE this knife as a work knife, you might actually use it enough to bend the blade the other way. I have had older work knives that are bent in the opposite direction after years of hard work because I have had to use a lot of pressure on them to cut during the work day. Can't stop at 10:00 in the morning to go home and do a touch up after you hit a hidden staple on an equipment package, right?

For you, some good hard use could be "problem solved". And think how much you will have enjoyed that knife by that time if you actually slightly bend that blade back the other way!

It's a great work knife, so enjoy it as such.

Robert
 
At the price point of a Case Sod Buster -- large or small, what's to complain about?
 
I'd bet that sometimes (not meaning the OP) some guys that think their blades are off-center are actually cock-eyed.:rolleyes::)
 
Personally I wouldn't think twice about it. People don't buy sodbusters to stick them in a box and keep them safe. They are a ruff and tumble knife that is made to be beat up. Even if it gets close to the edge, just sharpen it (although I don't see how that rub could affect the edge). It's a sodbuster. Use it until it breaks and then buy another.
 
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