Info re the Case "Rigging Set"

[Shepherd Jim]

I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the "Case Rigging Set" that WR Case apparently was selling back around 1980?

The "set" consisted of a leather sheath which had a one pocket for a knife and a second for a nice marlin spike.

The knife I'm seeing listed as being issued in the "set" is the Case 6265 SAB -- a two-bladed "jack". I'd have figured that ONE of the blades would have been a sheepfoot, the most common style blade asociated with rigging/rope knives. But, the two blades on the 6265 SAB appear to be a clip and a skinner.

I see the Ka-Bar sheathed set quite often, I even inherited one from ny Dad the sailor, but this Case offering is new to me.

Jim

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the "Case Rigging Set" that WR Case apparently was selling back around 1980?

The "set" consisted of a leather sheath which had a one pocket for a knife and a second for a nice marlin spike.

The knife I'm seeing listed as being issued in the "set" is the Case 6265 SAB -- a two-bladed "jack". I'd have figured that ONE of the blades would have been a sheepfoot, the most common style blade asociated with rigging/rope knives. But, the two blades on the 6265 SAB appear to be a clip and a skinner.

I see the Ka-Bar sheathed set quite often, I even inherited one from ny Dad the sailor, but this Case offering is new to me.

Jim

I have one of the Case Rigging Sets. I think, but don't quote me on this, that in some form or another, these sets were available prior to 1980 as well. The knife in the set has always been the 'standard' 6265SAB Folding Hunter (with at least some versions in stainless, maybe all), with the main clip and secondary skinner blades. I suppose it's possible that at one time or another, these sets might've included a knife with a serrated skinner blade, as that version of the 6265SAB has been produced on occasion. I've never seen or heard of a sheepsfoot blade for this knife, although that would be an interesting (& logical) option for a mariner's set.

For more info, you might post in the 'Traditional' forum, or in Bernard Levine's sub-forum here on BF. You might find more expertise in either of those two places...

 

[Shepherd Jim]

...<snip>...I've never seen or heard of a sheepsfoot blade for this knife, although that would be an interesting (& logical) option for a mariner's set....<snip>...

Hey OWEdges! Thanks for at least confirming that the Case "set" was originally put together using that two blade style (WHAT name DOES Case use for that pattern?).

It is weird that EVERYone has used a sheepfoot blade for either a "rigger" or "rope" knife since like before WWI. And then Case comes along and decides their rigging set should not conform and they offer TWO blade styles -- not one of those being a sheepfoot.

Of course, the more I talk about this the happier I am that I'm adding a Case rigger set to my collection. Who knows, it might wind up being the most unusual item in the collection.

Jim

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Hey OWEdges! Thanks for at least confirming that the Case "set" was originally put together using that two blade style (WHAT name DOES Case use for that pattern?).

It is weird that EVERYone has used a sheepfoot blade for either a "rigger" or "rope" knife since like before WWI. And then Case comes along and decides their rigging set should not conform and they offer TWO blade styles -- not one of those being a sheepfoot.

Of course, the more I talk about this the happier I am that I'm adding a Case rigger set to my collection. Who knows, it might wind up being the most unusual item in the collection.

Jim

With regard to the pattern name of the 6265SAB, it's what Case calls the 'Folding Hunter' pattern (signified by the '65' in the pattern number). A one-blade version of their folding hunter is known as the 6165SAB. It has the large clip blade only. There was also a '6165L' that had a single locking (clip) blade. If you already know this, please forgive me.

I suspect the 'mariner's set', as it's generally known, was probably put together more or less as an afterthought. From a business sense, it might've been a fairly savvy decision. They didn't have to retool for a dedicated rigger's knife, which might've only had limited appeal anyway. Just simply combine the spike and leather scabbard with an already popular knife pattern. I think it's pretty unique and cool myself. I'm a fan of the '65 pattern folding hunters anyway, and I felt compelled to add this variation to my collection. I like the separate marlinspike especially. Don't have any logical excuse to use it, but I think it's pretty neat anyway.

 

[VA27]

My dad (a WWII sailor) gave me a 6265 when I shipped out to Vietnam for my first tour. While it might not be the typical 'sailor' pattern knife, it was carried by at least one sailor!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I spent six years in the Navy ('81 - '87), and I would've loved to have one of these back then. That was before my 'Obsession' with knives took hold of me (and before I'd made enough money to even consider knives as a hobby). If I'd even been vaguely aware of this knife (or many others), I'd have picked one up (or two). The 6265 is a knife that's big enough and versatile enough to be used for most any task. I'm sure it'd be quite handy aboard ship, at least back then. Nowadays, knives aren't as 'PC' in the workplace anymore, even in the Navy. More restrictions now, it's just too sad.