Is quality control at CASE going down?

[Quiet]

Maybe he needs the shield itself?

Good point, I presumed that "new un used" meant that it hadn't been used, and therefore hadn't presented the possibility of the shield being lost.

 

[Kvk09]

How do I fix that. It was loose and I banged it to tighten and now have this sticking out and a little rough

 

[SharpBits]

As far as I know, you need to carefully file that down, then use a progression of ever increasing sandpaper grits, then polish to match.

 

[JTR357]

I guess I've been lucky. Of the dozen or so Case knives that I have, I've never gotten a dud. The medium stockman in CV/stag I keep in my work pouch, as primarily a pencil sharpener/wire stripper has held up well. The shield did fall off years ago, which I would expect considering the abuse it goes through in that pouch. I'm pretty much rolling on top of it sometimes on the roof.

 

[BoDiddly01]

I have one medium stockman in the red workmen scales that has slight blade rub. To get the spade blade out I have to lift the sheeps foot first so as not to scratch it.

Out of 10 case knives I’ve bought since around 2001ish that was the only one, also the most recent.

 

[ACfixer]

I only have one, a recent trapper I bought from a neighbor kid who's starting his online biz. I think I gave him $50 for it pretty much sight unseen and although my experience with them is very limited I have to say for $50 it would be hard to find a nicer pocketknife IMO. Made in USA, quite sharp for what it is, and just darn useful without having to worry about scratching a $600 knife or something.

 

[Onies]

My most recent, a carbon steel, mahogany jigged bone Sodbuster Jr. Came with a small crack in the bone on one cover. It looked to have happened when the pivot was peened. I was a little disappointed at first, thought about sending it back, then thought "I fill voids on knife handles with crazy glue", so, a pin, some Loctite 425, a jewelers loupe and 20 minutes, the crack is now filled, and I am still happy with the Sodbuster.

 

[SharpBits]

My last three all have issues they should not have, blade wobble, cracked scale, scale that was not pinned down fully. It seems I never learn my lesson.

Still a couple more I have my eye on…

 

[Zornhau]

Well... I like Case knives and I'll probably buy another, after I convince myself that I don't already have too many knives. That being said, the last two I bought had issues. I sent the stockman back because of blade rub that prevented the sheepfoot blade from closing without an extra push. I kept the peanut, but I had to tighten the blade play and do some buffing to bring it to the standards of what I usually get from Case.
I still think that Case offers a reasonable product that is priced fairly and easily available. I don't need perfection and I can't afford to pay for it, but I do expect functional quality. Blades shouldn't wiggle and burrs should be removed.