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Kissing Crane or Case Stockman

D

davide

Joined
Apr 5, 2009
Messages
267
Hi,

I want to purchases a stockman knife as the pattern seems really useful for everyday activities. My plan was to get a Case with CV blades in Amber bone. I've been seeing some posts on this site and diatribes on youtube like this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iF_aBrs59g saying that Case knives don't have the same quality control as they formerly did.

I loathe the idea of getting something poorly designed and having to send it back to get fixed or replaced. But that's what I would want to do if I invested in Case. On the other hand if I got a Kissing Crane or Rough Rider stockman for $15-20 and it's not perfect I'd be fine.

My question is two fold:

1. Are the Kissing Crane stockmans (and Rough Riders for that matter) good or is the quality trade-off too much?

2. How is the quality on recent production Case stockmans? Would I be able to expect a good fit and finish, strong springs and flush components?
 
Case quality is in great shape. Could you get a knife that cuts in a similar pattern by RR for 1/4 of what a Case costs? Sure, but to me Case is more than 4 times better than a RR. Get the best knife you can afford. Can't lose with a Case.
 
My only experience with KC or RR is one sodbuster a piece. They are both OK knives that I wouldn't cry about if I lost them. However, a Case is a Case... I bought many Case knives in the last 10 years or so and I've had one (an Eisenhower) that had a little blade play. I'd say that 1 out of 75 (or so) isn't bad. I'd recommend a Case for the pocket. RR is fine for the tacklebox or glovebox....
 
I have knives by Case, Kissing Crane, and Rough Rider - amongst others - and I would rank them in that order. Not that Rough Riders are bad knives, but you can definitely tell a difference in fit and finish moving up the line. Kissing Crane is pretty good, its hard to find a problem with the ones I have, but a Case just feels better to me.

But the big difference to me is in the steel - in amber bone Case offers the 6375 large stockman, the 63032 medium stockman, and the 6318 medium stockman all in CV. All the Chinese knives are 440A equivalent steel, not really a junk steel but CV is better. It feels sharper, gets that way eaiser, and seems to hold it better than the Chinese stainless. It also seems to maintain its cutting ability even as it loses that initial sharpness much better - I guess I would describe it as keeping its slicing aggression even as it loses that inital sharpness.

As I said initially, I have knives from all three but the one that gets the most pocket time is a Case 3318 in CV mainly because I like the feel of Case knives and because CV is an outstanding steel.
 
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Case hands down. Besides the Amber Stockmen was produced before the slip in quality. KC is good for it's money. But with a Case, you won't look back.

God Bless
 
The CASE Large Stockman (Amber Bone cv)that I have is a much liked knife: No gaps when held up to the light,a deep jig on this one almost peach kernel,all three blades sharp and no rub,zero blade play. Springs are not that heavy (but then , I favour nail busters..) but still decent. Date of manuf? 10th March 09. The Medium stockman Chestnut Bone (27th July 09) I just got is also a problem free knife, very slight gap on one liner when held up to the lamp,its springs are also moderate but no way weak-it could be a feature of the square bolster model perhaps as the serpentine and humpback stockman I own have impressive snap!

I think well of RR knives no complaints for the price or even if the price were a lot higher. I'd suggest buying an RR Old Yellow Large Stockman,testing if you like the size of the pattern then more on to a CASE if funds permit. Another good choice is the Böker Large Stockman in carbon. It's a bit smaller than the CASE pattern and has rounded bolsters, well finished and a reasonable price,comes in various bones.

Get one of these Stockman and I almost guarantee you will want to get more. I can't see a slip in CASE quality,but poor knives do get through from ALL manufacturers and it's annoying.
 
Rough Rider knives are an excellent value for the price, and a nice cheap way to try out patterns you're interested in, carry when you're afraid you might loose a knife, etc.. They're perfectly decent user knives, but in the long run, a Case is going to be the better investment.

No experience with Kissing Crane.
 
I have 19 case knives. From the 1930's to present day models. They are great quality at a great price.
Medium Stockman CV steel Amber bone is a great knife.
 
The Case medium stockman with round bolsters (6318) is a joy in the pocket or in the hand--go with it.
 
Case Case Case Case Case. No more needs to be said. It hasn't out lasted Schrade, Camillus, and tons of other American companies for no reason. Get the Case.
 
Don Hanson III said:
Recent Case quality is fine, actually better than times past, and I like to support American workers.
Click to expand...

What he said!

I'd go with a Case before any of the other mentioned brands. Case is a darn good knife any way you slice it, no matter what some self anointed internet guru babbles on about.
 
Thanks for all the advice guys. I was wavering before I posted this thread but the unanimity of opinion has made me set on investing in a Case. I just ordered a large amber bone stockman with engraving from xxcutlery (they've got a free shipping deal on orders over $50 right now).

I've got high hopes.
 
I have only had one Kissing Crane, a trapper with composite scales. I gifted the knife, and found it fell apart. I was mortified, and was not supposed to find out. I quickly recovered with a chestnut bone Swayback Jack/Gent in CV. Go with the Case.....I could not answer this thread fast enough. LOL.
 
I've a couple of Rough Rider knives and they are well worth what they cost, and I'd buy them again, but I rarely carry them, they just don't match up to a nice Case. If you can hand pick one that's best, but send it back if you aren't happy because getting a good one is worth the trouble.

Get a Case. :thumbup:
 
I have purchased several Case CV knives over the last few months and all have been super in fit and finish.

I am looking to buy a Case CV medium stockman soon and will not hesitate to purchase over the net.

Case all the way.
 
Case. The 63032 stockman would be the perfect size at 3 5/8.Deep hollow grinds just adds to the quality.There's something to be said with customer service too. I don't really see anyone on here bash Case. Maybe a little knit picking here and there from knife nuts, myself included.In my opinion if you buy a production knife that is flawless, you got lucky.There's a lot of different hand operations that they go through and that makes them unique.
 
If you dont buy a case knife,you wont have a case knife.in the last couple months I have bought 10 case knives all have been perfect,I have another one on the way(large green bone stockman).You will never have the same feeling about a $12 rr or kk that you will have with a case knife.my advice is to spend a little more and have a knife you are proud of.
 
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