Moore maker vs case?

[RescueRiley]

Howdy Gents , I am in the market for a New stockman was looking at moore maker or case how do these compare in terms of fit and finish? Thanks

 

[Blues]

I don't think there's a great deal of difference between my Case stock knives and Queen built Moore Maker stock knives.

Were it me I'd just choose the size and pattern and steel that appealed to me. I don't know if that's much help but it shouldn't preclude one or the other imho.

Others with more recent experience may be able to help further as mine are a few years old (and older).

 

[Planterz]

Specifically, which knife/knives are you looking at? With Moore Maker, it's important to know everything about the knife in particular, because depending on which one it is, and how old it is, it could be made from one of five different companies. The higher end ones are/were made by Queen, and now Canal Street makes some of their high end ones as well. The lower end ones used to be made by Camillus (and are of good quality), but the new ones are made by Bear (will have a B after the serial number) and Utica (with a U after the serial number), and won't be as good as the old Camillus ones were.

 

[X12E]

Truthfully both can be a hit or a miss. I've handled a few Canal Streets made for Moore Maker, and they were very nice. I've also handled a few Bear MGC, and they were awful.

 

[RescueRiley]

Thanks for the feed back so far I'll add some specifics I'm primarily looking for something in the 4 inch range maybe 4.25 but that's pushing it LOL

I was looking at these Moore make models
http://catalog.mooremaker.com/viewProduct.cfm?item_id=622780
http://catalog.mooremaker.com/viewProduct.cfm?item_id=687343

or these case models
6375
http://www.wrcase.com/knives/by_steel/cv/browse.php?Family='Amber Bone CV'&CV='1']
6347
http://www.wrcase.com/knives/by_steel/stainless/browse.php?Family='Amber Bone SS'&SS='1']
I have my concerns with case SS in the long term

I'm not nec glued to these 2 brands but they are both in the same price range
Thanks everyone

 

[Modoc ED]

If you can find an older Moore Maker made by Queen, it would be a great knife but I don't think Queen makes knives for Moore Maker anymore.

The Case 47 pattern is a nice knife. They are 3 7/8" long. Case is currently making the 3347 in both CV and SS.

Here's a few of mine.

CV Case 6347 from the 1940 through 1964 era (CASE XX).

SS Case 3347 manufactured in 2011

Case CV 6347 5-dot (1985 manufacture)

I don't understand some people's complaints about Case Stainless Steel. It sharpens right up and holds a good edge plus it wears well. What's not to like? Case sells their knives with SS by the bushel basket so somebody must like them.

 

[lambertiana]

If you can find a Queen-made Moore Maker the fit and finish is noticeably better than the Case knives that I have. However, you will pay more for them than the equivalent Case. The Moore Maker models that you linked to in your post are not Queen-made. The older ones were made by Camillus, I don't know who is making them now. Here is my Queen-made 5301

 

[jth250]

I would go with the case 6347. I have a couple of Moore Maker stockmans made by queen and they both have blade play.

 

[RescueRiley]

thanks for the advice guys.. much obliged

 

[Modoc ED]

The last I head Bear & Son were making Moore Maker knives.

 

[supratentorial]

I don't think those particular Moore Makers are made by Queen... Ed is probably right about it being Bear but I'm not sure. The Case 47 is a favorite of mine and the yeller delrin is available with stainless or carbon blades. Instead of the Case or either of those two Moore Makers, I suggest a discontinued Winchester (made by Queen) stock knife with carbon blades and bone handles. In my opinion, the older discontinued Winchesters are some of the best values. Although they are discontinued the stock knives are readily available for about the same price as those Moore Makers. If you have trouble finding one you can PM me and I'll point you to where I got mine. The Case has thinner blades and springs (3 springs) whereas the Winchesters are built the old fashion way with 2 springs and a crinked sheepfoot. You will need to sharpen the blade on the Winchester though. It'll be dull out of the box. It's a matter of personal preference but I prefer the Winchester. If it was a 1970 or older Case 47 pattern, it would win hands down. Both the modern Case and discontinued "black box" Winchester stock knives are fine knives.

Here's a photo:

 

[Stich2442]

You can still get Queen made Moore Makers, you just have to look at the dates made on the Moore Maker site,
Planterz is correct about the letters U-Utica, B-Bear & Sons, also Boker make a few, but I've noticed that they started to leave off the B on some of the knives ie. the # 5210 is made by Bear & Sons but no "B" in the numbering system. I have the Moore Maker 5 blade Stockman/sowbelly made by Queen, I had to send it back two times, first one came with three blades that had really bad play, they sent me a new one with two blades with bad play and the third had very minor play on one blade. There was no hassle from them about sending it back, but it kind of soured me on the brand, I could have bought two Case knives maybe three for the price of the one Moore Maker. In the end it's a nice knife but I've never had to send a Case knife back.

 

[RescueRiley]

thank you guys, allot of knowledge here. Pardon my lack of knowledge here, But what is a crinked blade? THanks

 

[henryhide]

IMHO, go with Case. The current line of working knives from MM has its problems and is overpriced for what you get. You can deal directly with Bear and Son and get the same knife for less if you really want it.

 

[IVANKERLEY]

thank you guys, allot of knowledge here. Pardon my lack of knowledge here, But what is a crinked blade? THanks

when a three bladed knife runs on 2 back springs, instead of 3, they crink (blade is intentially off center) a blade so that it nestles in between the other two...
my explanation is probably lacking but its obvious when ya see one...
personally id go with a Case too
good luck
Gene

 

[Seals]

I'd go with the Case.Both the 75 and 47 are great patterns.The 47 with the serpintine shape and rounded bolsters slips nicely in and out of the pocket.Both Case knives will come razor sharp, not immediately needing attention like many of the Queen and Bear made knives.

 

[zippofan]

I've been lucky with both Bear and Utica, but I hand picked my Bear stockman (3 1/4" delrin 'stag', <$20), and the three Utica's I've received have been tight with only the premium style not being sharp out of the box.

I've wanted one of the yellow jigged bone MM's for awhile but they are more expensive than Case and even Queen's regular line like their Zebra wood or amber carved stag bone (ACSB).

 

[knarfeng]

thank you guys, allot of knowledge here. Pardon my lack of knowledge here, But what is a crinked blade? THanks

when a three bladed knife runs on 2 back springs, instead of 3, they crink (blade is intentially off center) a blade so that it nestles in between the other two...
my explanation is probably lacking but its obvious when ya see one...
personally id go with a Case too
good luck
Gene

To put it more bluntly, "crinked" means "bent". The blades are bent in order to fit 3 blades on two springs.

 

[Blues]

To put it more bluntly, "crinked" means "bent". The blades are bent in order to fit 3 blades on two springs.

So Frank, in an argument between two knife enthusiasts would "Get crinked!" be fighting words?

 

[knarfeng]

Absolutely. Just listen to any argument between 2-spring and 3-spring stockman enthusiasts. It gets ugly real fast.