Looking For Information on Two Case Knives: 1994 75039 #0000

[1366JRG]

Hello, My father just recently passed it was surprising and unexpected, he was in very good health (or so we thought). He power walked 2 hours a day, took lots of Vitamins, cholesterol and blood pressure were great and he ate very healthy. As a kid growing up every month or so he would bring out his two big cases of knives, take them out of the box, polish them, and then put them away. It was about a 3-4 hour process but he enjoyed it and I enjoyed watching him and asking questions, they were kid questions so I still don't have much knowledge of knives. I know what Stag is but not the different types and I know that most of the time the type of steel used is numbered on the blade, that's about it. I have always liked knives but never collected like my father, the few I have are not collector worthy and see regular use. Anyway to the point of this post, I recently found these 2 knives separate from his collection in another part of his house. I don't remember these knives from growing up, I remember all the rest but not these even though they are dated 1994. All the other knives he had were white pearls without color or stag. He also has some modern 2000's and up Spyderco, CRKT and Benchmades but those are easyish to research. The reason I believe that I never saw these knives a child was because I think they were suppose to be a "His and Hers" gift to my wife and I on our 11th Anniversary (11th is Steel). weather he purchased them at a later date or kept them separate from the rest since 1994 I do not know.

The questions I have are:
Does the 0000 stand for serial number 1?
if so why are their two 0000 of the similar style, did every color variation have a specific 0000? (the NO.____________ on the boxes are blank)
what exactly is the handle made out of?

 

[sgt1372]

You may have better luck asking in the Traditional Folders & Fixed Blades SubForum here.

 

[killgar]

Welcome to Bladeforums. My condolences for the loss of your father. I've been there (although it was a long illness).

The handle of the first knife looks like mother of pearl (MOP for short). It's made from the inner lining of a sea shell (oyster, abalone, etc). It's considered rather fancy and high-end, and is popular among many.

The second knife handle looks like some form of plastic to me (celluloid maybe?), but I can't say for sure.

In any event, they are beautiful knives.

Those knives are often referred to as "traditionals", as in older, old-fashioned style/designs, unlike say "modern" or "tactical" etc. Sgt1372 is correct, you might get more responses and info if you post the same questions and pictures in the "Traditional" sub-forum.

 

[Arathol]

That looks like it might be from Parkers Case Classic series, this one a 39 pattern from 1994. Many had numbers on the bolsters, but they mean nothing. You could call Kevin Pipes at Smoky Mountain Knife Works and get whatever number you wanted.
The handles might be pearl, or they might be fake pearl, hard to tell really from the pics. There were some Case Classics offered in both regular MOP and black pearl.

 

[1366JRG]

That looks like it might be from Parkers Case Classic series, this one a 39 pattern from 1994. Many had numbers on the bolsters, but they mean nothing. You could call Kevin Pipes at Smoky Mountain Knife Works and get whatever number you wanted.
The handles might be pearl, or they might be fake pearl, hard to tell really from the pics. There were some Case Classics offered in both regular MOP and black pearl.

How would I determine if the handles are real pearl?

 

[1366JRG]

Welcome to Bladeforums. My condolences for the loss of your father. I've been there (although it was a long illness).

The handle of the first knife looks like mother of pearl (MOP for short). It's made from the inner lining of a sea shell (oyster, abalone, etc). It's considered rather fancy and high-end, and is popular among many.

The second knife handle looks like some form of plastic to me (celluloid maybe?), but I can't say for sure.

In any event, they are beautiful knives.

Those knives are often referred to as "traditionals", as in older, old-fashioned style/designs, unlike say "modern" or "tactical" etc. Sgt1372 is correct, you might get more responses and info if you post the same questions and pictures in the "Traditional" sub-forum.

“Fancy and high end” is definitely the type of knife my Dad would purchase that made me chuckle

 

[Arathol]

One of the blades in each knife should have a pattern number, something like 8539. Look to see if you can find them.

 

[1366JRG]

One of the blades in each knife should have a pattern number, something like 8539. Look to see if you can find them.

The only other number on them is 75039 it is on the reverse side of the main blade in the picture, same number on both knives

 

[afishhunter]

Sowbelly Stockman's
Great knives.

A Case expert who can decipher the 75039 should be along soon. I think the "7" is the cover material code.

 

[Arathol]

If the handles were pearl the first number would be 8. Unless the handles have been replaced chances are they are imitation.

 

[waynorth]

They both look like they have synthetic handles. Celluloid or acrylic. Pearl and abalone look different when photographed or scanned. Nice sowbelly stockman knives!
Take clear pictures showing all tang markings - it is amazing what information can show up!!
That tang stamps you show indicate the knives as Case Classics - they used to have a separate website - Most Case Classics were made by other manufacturers (such as Queen), not Case.

 

[Planterz]

The 7 indicates certain woods or synthetics, so I'd wager that it's acrylic. Googling finds some pictures of what appears to be the same knife, described as "abalone swirl" (it's definitely not actual abalone), and 200 were made. However, none of the ones I see have the engraving on the bolsters like those do.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Regarding the pattern number "75039," "7" would indicate synthetic covers and "5" would indicate five blades. Are you sure it doesn't say "73039"? "9" would indicate imitation MOP, so these are probably acrylic, as has already been suggested. "73039" would be a traditional three-blade sowbelly stockman with synthetic cover material. Here's a link to Case codes: https://www.casexx.com/Library/Secret.asp . The "$100" stamp is curious.

 

[1366JRG]

Regarding the pattern number "75039," "7" would indicate synthetic covers and "5" would indicate five blades. Are you sure it doesn't say "73039"? "9" would indicate imitation MOP, so these are probably acrylic, as has already been suggested. "73039" would be a traditional three-blade sowbelly stockman with synthetic cover material. Here's a link to Case codes: https://www.casexx.com/Library/Secret.asp . The "$100" stamp is curious.

They both have 5 blades so the 5 is accurate

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

75039 is a 5-blade sowbelly pattern from the Case Classic series of knives originated by Jim Parker in 1990 and ending it's run in 1998. The patterns created (or re-created) were intended to represent older patterns in Case's history, including older stampings on blades & such. They've sometimes been confused for much older Case knives, due to the fact they were deliberately made to resemble knives of those earlier periods.

There's a collecting guidebook titled 'Pocket Knife Trader's Price Guide', authored by Jim Parker's son (James 'Buzz' Parker). That's one of the few (maybe only) guides listing the Case Classic series in detail. In that book, the 75039 pattern is listed in various handle cover materials which likely are not genuine pearl, but simulated pearl. They list materials like 'Black Lip Allante', 'Pink Lip Allante', 'Gold Lip Allante', 'White Pearl Allante', etc. I don't know what 'Allante' is supposed to mean in this context. But it wouldn't surprise me if it's a trade name for some sort of synthetic material like acrylic, etc. Some others of the '039 Sowbellies in the Case Classic line are listed in that book as being genuine pearl, marked as the 85039 pattern or as 'pearl prototypes' with no designated pattern# given.

 

[1366JRG]

75039 is a 5-blade sowbelly pattern from the Case Classic series of knives originated by Jim Parker in 1990 and ending it's run in 1998. The patterns created (or re-created) were intended to represent older patterns in Case's history, including older stampings on blades & such. They've sometimes been confused for much older Case knives, due to the fact they were deliberately made to resemble knives of those earlier periods.

There's a collecting guidebook titled 'Pocket Knife Trader's Price Guide', authored by Jim Parker's son (James 'Buzz' Parker). That's one of the few (maybe) only guides listing the Case Classic series in detail. In that book, the 75039 pattern is listed in various handle cover materials which likely are not genuine pearl, but simulated pearl. They list materials like 'Black Lip Allante', 'Pink Lip Allante', 'Gold Lip Allante', 'White Pearl Allante', etc. I don't know what 'Allante' is supposed to mean in this context. But it wouldn't surprise me if it's a trade name for some sort of synthetic material like acrylic, etc. Some others of the '039 Sowbellies in the Case Classic line are listed in that book as being genuine pearl, marked as the 85039 pattern or as 'pearl prototypes' with no designated pattern# given.

Thank you for the detailed response, I will look into purchasing this book as their are many other older case knives in my dads collection (late 80’s and early to 90’s) I’m sure this book will be helpful for identifying and general knowledge

 

[1366JRG]

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[Obsessed with Edges]

Thank you for the detailed response, I will look into purchasing this book as their are many other older case knives in my dads collection (late 80’s and early to 90’s) I’m sure this book will be helpful for identifying and general knowledge

Take the info in the book with a grain of salt, in terms of the stated 'values' and general collectibility info. Being that both the knives and the authors of the guide are from the same family stock, it would be a stretch to say they could be impartial with such information. But having said that, details like specific patterns and handle materials might not be found anywhere else. James Parker also owned Bulldog Knives for awhile, and many of those are also listed in the same book and could provide useful details there.

Jim Parker also briefly owned Case for awhile. So there are also listings in that book detailing the standard Case patterns.

 

[1366JRG]

Take the info in the book with a grain of salt, in terms of the stated 'values' and general collectibility info. Being that both the knives and the authors of the guide are from the same family stock, it would be a stretch to say they could be impartial with such information. But having said that, details like specific patterns and handle materials might not be found anywhere else. James Parker also owned Bulldog Knives for awhile, and many of those are also listed in the same book and could provide useful details there.

Jim Parker also briefly owned Case for awhile. So there are also listings in that book detailing the standard Case patterns.

I am not really interested in the value at this point I don’t plan on selling them anytime soon, more with just identifying all the different handles patterns. He also has a handful of bulldog knives so this book should help with those too

 

[Arathol]

Regarding the pattern number "75039," "7" would indicate synthetic covers and "5" would indicate five blades. Are you sure it doesn't say "73039"? "9" would indicate imitation MOP, so these are probably acrylic, as has already been suggested. "73039" would be a traditional three-blade sowbelly stockman with synthetic cover material. Here's a link to Case codes: https://www.casexx.com/Library/Secret.asp . The "$100" stamp is curious.

Its not $100, its $1.00. Case at one time years ago made knives with similar stamps. When Parker made the Case Classics some were marked $1.00, as in a dollar knife.

There's a collecting guidebook titled 'Pocket Knife Trader's Price Guide', authored by Jim Parker's son (James 'Buzz' Parker). That's one of the few (maybe only) guides listing the Case Classic series in detail. In that book, the 75039 pattern is listed in various handle cover materials which likely are not genuine pearl, but simulated pearl. They list materials like 'Black Lip Allante', 'Pink Lip Allante', 'Gold Lip Allante', 'White Pearl Allante', etc. I don't know what 'Allante' is supposed to mean in this context. But it wouldn't surprise me if it's a trade name for some sort of synthetic material like acrylic, etc. Some others of the '039 Sowbellies in the Case Classic line are listed in that book as being genuine pearl, marked as the 85039 pattern or as 'pearl prototypes' with no designated pattern# given.

Allante lip is what Parker called imitation pearl. He used it on some Bulldog knives too.