Making a case for Case.

[yobbos1]

Don't own a case knife but I really would like one. I kind of like the Sowbelly Stockman models. All my kinives are users and this one will be as well. Can anyone out there tell me about Case blade steels? What is Chrome Vanadium?
Is their carbon any good?

 

[knifeaholic]

Chrom Vanadium is Case's carbon steel. The majority of the Case line is stainless steel, which I have been told is some version of 420, but probably not 420HC.

In looking at a lot of posts over the years here and at KF, I can make the following generalizations, all applying to the CURRENT Case products:

- Most people HATE Case's stainless steel as a using steel
- A very few people (maybe 1 out of 100) will defend it
- Most people are OK with Case's chrome vanadium
- Their chrome Vanadium is viewed as being not as good as the 1095 used by Schrade, Camillus, and Queen (on Q made contract knives like Moore Maker).

I have not used any Case knives in a long time, but I believe that the above assesments are correct. I think that either the CV or SS will TAKE a good edge, but will not HOLD it very well.

 

[Harry Callahan]

Since you're after a user, Case's stainless blade steel is out of the question. The CV knives are pretty limited but they do offer a nice looking line in Amber Bone that can be found here. I think the only other way they offer CV blade steel in is the yellow handle line. The yellow series has quite a few more patterns, including the workhorse Copperlock (yes even the Warncliff version!). They can be found here.

 

[dennisb1975]

I think the stainless is ok for very light jobs but would rather the chrome vanadium for knives that need to be "used". Decent quality all around, imo.

 

[Sword and Shield]

Howdy all, first time poster, long time lurker.

When I emailed Case a while ago asking, they claimed that the stainless is 440XC. Anybody ever heard of that one? Their carbon appears to be 0176C, which is pretty good.

I'd avoid their SS, as it's edgeholding is pretty bad. Their carbon is pretty decent, but a step or five below the D2 that Queen is using.

 

[collecter]

I've bought several Case knives over the last few months.

I bought my first Case was a few months ago. I was in line at a hardware store and saw it across the room....amber bone mini trapper, I asked to see it and it was perfect so I bought it.

Based on this mini trapper I thought Case's products were pretty good but I was wrong.

I ordered my other Case knives over the internet and regret it. Their quality is so "hit or mis", unless you can personally examine the knife it will most likely be a "mis".

As far as the stainless vs carbon, my mini trapper is stainless, it was OK sharpness when I bought it but it sharpened easliy and edge holding is acceptable to me. I use it for every day stuff like opening mail/packages, cutting fruits for lunch, and other light stuff.

I don't think their products are tough enough for heavier uses. My Copperlock is just wimpy compared to my Buck 112 but costs twice as much.

My overall opinion of Case, is their quality is poor compared to other slipjoint manufacturers. If there is a particular model you like, I recommend hand picking it from a local store and do not buy over the internet!

There was a good write up on how to pick a slipjoint posted about 2 months ago on this forum. I recommend reading it before you buy any slipjoint, except those by Victorinox or Wenger.

Good luck,
Collecter

 

[glennbad]

I do not use Case knives regularly, but I do have a few in my collection. I would say however, go with the carbon if you can find one. Maybe get an older one.

Here's a pic of an older hunter that I own...

Solid knife and 'scary' sharp.

 

[mnblade]

>"I kind of like the Sowbelly Stockman models. <snip> What is Chrome Vanadium? Is their carbon any good?"

==============================

They don't make any Sowbelly Stockman in CV, unfortunately. I LOVE the looks of those Sowbellys but there's no way I'm buying that crappy "surgical stainless," no matter how pretty the handles are. :grumpy:

 

[yobbos1]

Thanks for all the great info all. Unfortunately when I was a kid, the family tackle-box had a stainless Case for whatever uses came up. I remember being baffled when I told my father one day that "the knife" was dull and needed to be sharpened and he said "you can't sharpen that thing it'll just dull the next time you use it". I guess things haven't changed much. Harry Callahan, I'm gonna go for the copperlock. Thanks again.

 

[mooseman]

I just got a Chrome Vanadium trapper ( yellow handle) and after sharpening it properly, it took a very nice edge. even after tropping the spey on chrome oxide and then plain leather it still slices fairly aggresively. I believe this is due to the super hard vanadium carbides. So far, it is holding the edge better than any of my Schrade 1095 oldtimers. This one is a "new" 2001, and fit and finish are very good, although I hear that newer ones are not so good.