I'm a little hesitant on buying a case cv blade.

[FW JSB]

I have a CV Texas Jack and love it. IMO, basic care is easy and the steel takes a razor edge. I don't think oiling it after every use is necessary at all. Just wipe it down then oil it occasionally.

 

[Planterz]

As mentioned above, if you're wary of carbon steel, buy a cheapo. An Opinel or Svord Peasant comes cheap, but if you still want the true experience of a Case slipjoint in CV, check out a Sodbuster Jr (3137 CV) or a barehead slimline trapper (31048 CV). Either can be had for under $30 shipped if you know where to look. Use it like a normal knife to see what happens if you don't keep it oiled, then polish it up again. Or let a patina develop naturally to see if you like the way it looks. Or force a patina and see if you like that. Or just plain neglect and abuse it to see how it turns out.

 

[338375]

As others have already mentioned, they aren't as bad as some would have you believe...
Look at all of the old knives from the late 1800's and the early 1900's. Carbon blades, and many are still very nice, and will be used for another 100 years, if not abused..

If you are going too use the knife for food prep, make sure you use an oil that isn't harmful if ingested.

 

[lightskyam]

As mentioned above, if you're wary of carbon steel, buy a cheapo. An Opinel or Svord Peasant comes cheap, but if you still want the true experience of a Case slipjoint in CV, check out a Sodbuster Jr (3137 CV) or a barehead slimline trapper (31048 CV). Either can be had for under $30 shipped if you know where to look. Use it like a normal knife to see what happens if you don't keep it oiled, then polish it up again. Or let a patina develop naturally to see if you like the way it looks. Or force a patina and see if you like that. Or just plain neglect and abuse it to see how it turns out.

thanks for everyone's input. i'm going to try out a sodbuster jr like you mentioned but having a hard time finding it in black. still looking.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

thanks for everyone's input. i'm going to try out a sodbuster jr like you mentioned but having a hard time finding it in black. still looking.

Case hasn't made the Jr. version in black (carbon 2137) in quite some time. The most recent black Jr. models are only in stainless (2137 SS). Only carbon version available in recent years and in the current line is the yellow one (3137 CV). Might have to watch the 'bay and other similar secondary market sellers for older vintage 2137s (might have to look back to '70s/'80s vintages). The older carbon-bladed models weren't designated with the 'CV' suffix; just as '2137'.


David

 

[Woodrow F Call]

I don't really oil mine very often. I just wipe them clean..... unless something that promotes rust (salt for example) gets on them. I'll wash it with some water. Every now and then, I clean and oil, but it's really not that often that I oil them.

 

[Humppa]

I wouldn´t be worried about rust. The only time I oil my blades when I plan not to use the knife for too long. When I use it frequently just the joints get oiled, but that´s normal.

I didn´t make any bad experience with Case CV steel. It takes a hair whittling edge and has a good edge retention. I don´t life in any saltwater enviroment, so I don´t know how the steel is performing there.

 

[waltmc]

I concur with the others who say that rust shouldn't be a great worry on the knife you're interested in. I live in Florida (inland, but it's as hot and humid as the Devil's armpit here) and carry a CV swayback jack nearly every day. I don't give it any special treatment other than to wipe the blade dry with a shirttail after I cut something wet. I honestly cannot remember the last time the blades got oiled. Just like our bodies, neglect and carelessness are probably more a danger than honest use.

 

[LKJW]

I have had carbon steel get rust, but never Case's CV. My swayback jack is a wonderful knife. I tend to prefer carbon steel myself. It depends where you live, but my knives to a lot of 'wet' work. Fishing. Sittin my my sweaty pocket on my bike. Working with sweaty hands (it's hot here). Not HEAVY use, but definitely opportunities for rust. Only ever had trouble with one or two knives and it was pilot error.

 

[Fanglekai]

Use it, wipe it off, oil the pivot once in a while. That's all I ever do.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

I like the deep canyon chestnut bone:

Ed J

I really like that bone Ed, kinda looks a little like Stag, just a little but it looks warm.

As far as CV goes, I don't oil mine everyday, I do wipe it off and make sure it's dry before I close it and if the oil from my fingers ain't enough, . M I'll tend to it when I go home.

One of the reasons I carry a small SS blade is for food and other things that might accelerate rust on a CV blade.

 

[CJZ]

I have the same dilemma. I have a saltwater canal ij my backyard, plus nowadays it is very humid. Was surprised to see rust on two knives a couple of weeks ago.
Out of a Camillus TL-29, Case Mini Trapper, Spyderco Tenacious, Leatherman Wave, Imperial Kamp King, Cold Steel Urban Pal, and a Mercator K55, the Imperial + Mercator had rust on the blades. I bugged out, these are two of my favorite knives. That's why they are in the top drawer among the others.
Also, the Wave had rust on the handles. So I wiped 'em down, used steel wool, and some elbow grease. The Wave came out fine. The Imperial was already scratched up, no loss there.
But my precious.
My favorite.
My baby.

Little Ms. Mercator had refused to let me win, as I had to keep going until she was scratched and dull. She had rust on her blade, on the tang, on the lockback itself.... Now I think there is some pitting although the rust is gone. But rust is an enemy that never sleeps, and I noticed rust again after a few days. So I repeated what I had done, and then oiled her down with Blue Lube, now I notice no returning rust. But the pitting... She is no longer as beautiful as she once was...
But I care about personality. Walk & Talk. And thus she still accompanies the lint in my pockets...


Does anyone have some life saving tips for me and my battle against the heart breaking rust?

 

[peterscd]

I force the patina when new and never worry about it..a little oil on the joints every so often but thats normal maintenance...I happen to like the look of a patina whether you allow it to form naturally or force it...some may not