Large sodbusters... Is it just bad luck?

Cap’n Smudge

Cap’n Smudge

“Helpful”
Platinum Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2011
Messages
4,985
I have always carried fixed blades and a SAK. I own quite a few SAKs. This past year I have gotten more into traditionals. I have become a big fan of the stockman pattern. I have picked up some old buck 301's also a newer one and love them. Also picked up a few old schrade 8OT, I really like these with their thin blades. I was given a case sodbuster jr ss. It quickly became one of my favorite work knives. It is tough and cheap - perfect for the type of abuse it receives on the job (my job). I am an electrician and every once in a while while stripping a live line things go boom, so a cheap knife is best for this sort of thing.
I have come to like this knife so much that I bought two others in yellow with the CV blade. I don't use these at work because I like them too much.
I was on the road for work and happened into a hardware store that had the full size SS version. I was so excited, I bought it immediately. After getting back to the hotel I promptly began my new knife ritual. Got out my rags, cotton swabs and mineral oil. That's when I noticed the blade is so off center it rubs the liner on one side. "No problem.", I thought. I will just exchange it tomorrow. They had three others in stock, all of which, with the same problem. Upon closer inspection I noticed the handles were rather asymmetric in their shaping. I decided I would just make it a work knife. Every time I carried it(3X's), I just couldn't bring myself to actually use it. So I boxed it back up intending to send it in.
Before sending it in I decided to purchase a large yellow CV one. When this one arrived I was initially thrilled. The blade was centered enough and the handles looked fairly symmetric. Then I looked at the butt of the handle and found it was....off.
I realize these are cheap work knives but so are my OT's. I am sending them both in to see what Case thinks. But I was just wondering if others have seen F&F issues on the large case sodbusters or is this just some bad luck on my part.
 
They are cheap work knives. I'm not sure that F&F is the priority with them. You might ask Case.

If you aren't happy, you might check out the GEC Farm and Field or Queen Country Cousin, AG Russell has one too.
 
My Jr. is wayyyy off. Blade is centered, but the shaping of the handles is far from symmetrical. But, it's tight and has strong snap, so I've kept it. Not willing to risk returning it and receiving a different batch of issues than the ones I've just now learned to work around.
 
That's the Case Sod Buster, as it's become known to me. ;)

Not to say that they can't make 'em 'pretty' (perfectly centered, symmetrical, etc.), and they sometimes do. But that end result seems to be just luck of the draw, and not guaranteed (based on what I've seen). I have 1 small one and 4 large versions, including a 'near-mint' 1970 model (2138) that's no more aesthetically perfect than my newer ones (2137 SS, 2138 SS and two 3138 CV). Case never marketed this knife to be anything other than a basic & economical working knife that will do a lot of work and absorb a lot of hard knocks. Other longtime makers' versions of the pattern aren't much different in that regard; it's almost the definition of the pattern (basic, inexpensive, solid worker). Blade centering and handle asymmetry don't impact those attributes to any significant degree. Very basic construction with simple and inexpensive materials. So long as the pivot holds up and the blade will take and hold a sharp edge reasonably well, that's essentially all the knife was meant to be. I know there are many who expect it to be more aesthetically 'perfect', and some makers have additionally dressed up their own version of the pattern a little more. But Case didn't design or market it to those ends. Very seldom, if ever, do we hear of the knife actually failing to work or otherwise malfunctioning, and that's all it was ever built for. No other pretenses built into it or even implied; it is what it is, and has never really changed.


David
 
I've had a few of the Case yellow large sodbusters, and not a single one had a blade that was centered in the handle. The sodbuster is the semi disposable working knife from Case. But I don't think the off center blade will make a whit bit of difference in cutting, so use the livin' heck out of it. :thumbup:

Carl.
 
Usually I am a proponent of making sure that I get what I pay for, and actually, in this case (no pun intended) it is no different. I agree with everyone here as far as the knife being a "utility" grade working knife. The price certainly reflects that.

David's post (OWE) made me think of all the soddies (mostly CASE) I have seen over the years, and it has always been hit and miss as far as fit and finish go with these knives. I was in the big blue home improvement box last week, and this dang knife is still only $24!! How? Dunno. This was actually designed for a working man as a tool, and it fills that bill in spades no matter the position of the blade when closed or if the blade/spring/scales don't line up perfectly.

The one thing that stands true is the fact that you almost can't kill the knife even when using as something other than a knife. I would drop it in my pocket and put it to work.

Robert
 
Put it through its paces, it's a beater, Sodbusters are pretty much the epitome of a working knife, I'm glad to see people picking up the large #3138 CV yellow delrin Sodbuster It's a wise choice, and great value IMO. I can't figure out for the life of me why they discontinued it. :confused:
 
whetrock said:
Put it through its paces, it's a beater, Sodbusters are pretty much the epitome of a working knife, I'm glad to see people picking up the large #3138 CV yellow delrin Sodbuster It's a wise choice, and great value IMO. I can't figure out for the life of me why they discontinued it. :confused:
Click to expand...

:thumbup:
The two I have were slightly earlier models (2006), bought second-hand ('As New') on the 'bay, before Case made the (correct) decision to resurrect this version. Being that mine were 'hard to find' when I picked them up, I paid a little more for them (as Homer Simpson would say: Doh!!). Oh well, I still like 'em... :D


David
 
Yes! Pull out that Soddie, use it, wipe it down and put it back in your pocket!!!!
 
I just received a yellow Case CV Sodbuster from Woodrow F Call (thanks pal :), and fit and finish are spot on, couldn't be better.

Jack
 
You might also consider the fact that Case is the "Wal-Mart" of the knife industry so to speak. They are a large Corporation the mass produces their knives by the 10's of thousands. What you are buying and what you are getting is a mass produced,assembly line product. Quality Control can only do so much when you're running thousands of knives off the line.
 
Odog27 said:
I'll trade you.
Click to expand...

Sorry pal, I'm afraid it's definitely a keeper! :D

I only have a few Case knives, but the fit and finish on the three I've had new could not have been better.
 
rma100 said:
You might also consider the fact that Case is the "Wal-Mart" of the knife industry so to speak. They are a large Corporation the mass produces their knives by the 10's of thousands. What you are buying and what you are getting is a mass produced,assembly line product. Quality Control can only do so much when you're running thousands of knives off the line.
Click to expand...

Me thinks you paint Case Knives with too broad a brush. These knives are not too shabby having come from the "Wal-Mart" knife company of the knife industry. These knives range from very old to very new - all have very good to excellent fit and finish. Many of them meet or exceed GEC's fit and finish.

casegroup1.jpg


casegroup2.jpg


I gotta admit that the large Case Sod Busters come with off-center blades. I usually fix them by krinking the blade. I posted an article about it some time ago.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...g-on-new-Case-Sodbuster?p=9822596#post9822596

If you do use the method linked, be sure to use a gentle touch/strike as I said in my post. It works well.
 
Jack Black said:
I just received a yellow Case CV Sodbuster from Woodrow F Call (thanks pal :), and fit and finish are spot on, couldn't be better.

Jack
Click to expand...

I'll admit. The first one I looked at was a little off center. :o Seen a few peanuts that way too. I've gotten to where I try to inspect them first.
 
rma100 said:
You might also consider the fact that Case is the "Wal-Mart" of the knife industry so to speak. They are a large Corporation the mass produces their knives by the 10's of thousands. What you are buying and what you are getting is a mass produced,assembly line product. Quality Control can only do so much when you're running thousands of knives off the line.
Click to expand...

It's the truth when concerning mass production. It takes a lot of work to be consistent when making a bunch of knives. I think most of what they make is pretty good though. They also don't cost as much as something like a GEC.
 
Case knives are clearly mass-produced for the most part, rather than 'hand made', but they seem to be able to put a good consistent edge on them, which not all smaller companies seem to be able to manage :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top