Mint seventies Case knives question

IMHO, They were made to be used.

The question is, do you want to use any of them?
If you do, then use the ones you want to use.
If you don't, then don't.

They are your knives. If you would enjoy using them more than displaying them, then by all means use them.
If you would enjoy displaying them more than using them, then by all means display them.
 
mas113m said:
I do not really care about making money but I do feel a little guilty about using them. Almost seems a shame to use a knife that made it 43 plus years. On the other hand, they are really nice.
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It's up to you. What I would or wouldn't do makes no difference, because we have different motivations.

I have a couple of suggestions:
1 - Do some research on sales of similar knives on one of the big auction sites to see how much they really sell for, so at least you'd know whether you are choosing to carry a $50 knife or a $200 knife (based on current market value).
2 - Pick ONE out that collection of older knives that really appeals to you the most, and carry that one. That way you don't feel completely deprived while at the same time you've only changed the relative value / pristine nature of one of them, not all of them. After you've carried it for a while, you can then decide if you want to carry more of them (or all of them).

In the end, they are just tools, but they do have the added significance to you of because of your family history. I'd personally want to experience having at least one of them with me on occasion just for the memories and connections it would evoke.
 
Here is a few favorites from this haul. Please excuse the poor photography- no natural light on this snowy day and juggling a 7 month old too.



casestock.jpg


Two I really like, the mini trapper and the stockman.



The stockman bone has an appaloosa look to it around the edges on both sides. Tried to capture it next to this red letter stag:


l48hurjmd
 
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black mamba said:
A great looking stockman, what is the pattern number on the tang?
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6392 from 1977

I do not know what the bone color was called. I did not do a good job of capturing the lighter tones in the photo. My favorite from this haul. There are a few more I haven't photographed yet plus a Vince Feragotti stag hunter.
 
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mas113m said:
Here is a few favorites from this haul. Please excuse the poor photography- no natural light on this snowy day and juggling a 7 month old too.



casestock.jpg


Two I really like, the mini trapper and the stockman.



The stockman bone has an appaloosa look to it around the edges on both sides. Tried to capture it next to this red letter stag:


l48hurjmd
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Those look fantastic! Congrats!

Now use them and enjoy them like they were meant to be! :)
 
Thanks for the pictures !!
This is like hitting lottery for we knife nuts who hang out here. Congratulations.
Use the ones you like. Give the others to family and close friends you would understand what these knives mean.
 
Thank you all for the advice and kind words. I have decided to go ahead and use them. The stockman and mini trapper mostly since those are patterns I like. Maybe the mother of pearl one as a dress knife occasionally. I weighed the advice and realized that one day my son will have these knives. What would I say, "You are now the 3rd generation to have this knife and it has never been used. We just look at it"? There does not seem to be much point in that. One thing that will make some of the guns my son inherits special is when I tell him how this was his great grandfather's Browning A5 Light Twelve that he bought in 1958. Sure it has been used extensively but the condition is immaculate(like the others) and it is that use that makes them special. So why not the same with the knives? I do not think most would be used hard anyway since I have quite a few EDC knives that I rotate. They will just end up being knives that have been used yet well cared for.

Thanks again.
 
Sharpen 'em and put them in an EDC rotation. Take your kids and go have fun and y'all use these knives to make memories with. Hand them down to your kids when they get old enough. At that point they will be worth a whole lot more to you than if you'd kept them in a safe. --IMHO:)--KV
 
That's a good idea John. That shouldn't be a hardship as I probably have about 30 or so more of these Case knives being doled out to me. I also bought two of the GEC 78s in white bone. One for me and he'll have a matching one made the year he was born. One of these NIB Cases knives would be great too.
 
I had an experience yesterday that made me think your decision to use them is the right one. Well, it would be the right one for me, anyway -- ultimately I think it comes down to whether you are a collector or not. I stopped by the local knife shop. He had picked up some nice "vintage" Case knives (1970s and 1980s). The one that really "got my motor running" was a 1989 Case Centennial 6111 1/2L in Case Red Bone with engraved blade, and he had a good price on it. And then I thought -- Why on earth would I want a knife that all I could ever do was look at it? A guy would be crazy to ever use it. I buy knives because I think I'll enjoy carrying them and using them, that's their appeal to me. Just my two cents worth!
 
I certainly wouldn't rush out and use them. I'd oil the joints, wipe the rest of the knives with a slightly oily rag, and contemplate the knives for a few months, before using one.
I personally have seen a $400 knife turned into a $75 knife, just by sharpening it!
You don't want to rush out and do something rash!!
And 70s Case in fact are collectible, especially the 10, 9, 8 and 7 Dots!
 
Wow, that longhorn steer model is very cool :thumbsup:

I'm generally in the use 'em, don't abuse 'em camp, but Waynorth's advice is sound... no rush at this point.
 
afishhunter said:
The question is, do you want to use any of them?
If you do, then use the ones you want to use.
If you don't, then don't.

They are your knives. If you would enjoy using them more than displaying them, then by all means use them.
If you would enjoy displaying them more than using them, then by all means display them.
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Perfectly stated :)
 
Your knives are plenty mint - nice examples and collectible. I own some like that and display them; you can find plenty of the same models (or close) on the secondary market (try the ads section here or on the typical marketplaces on the internet) - buy one or two used one's of the same model at a moderate price and carry them - that will help you contemplate (as Charlie wisely recommended). After a few months you'll know what to do. Beautiful Case knives you've got! OH
 
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