More Layoffs at Case

[JAlexander]

I hate to hear that. I'll be buying one or two new Case knives, as well.

James

 

[hunterfisher808]

Maybe they laid off by seniority and quality will take another jump

This is not always the case (no pun). The senior guys have more experience, but experience does not always equate to Skill/craftsmanship. The younger guys also bring enthusiasm, energy and stamina to the table as seen by the many great young custom makers around (pretty prolific bunch too). I think Case would be making a big mistake to lay-off solely based on seniority. Of course if they're a union shop then all bets are off, as seniority would rule then.

That said, guess I'll buy a Case or two

 

[Durwood]

Sometimes it's better to just not say anything.

(Even when it's a poor attempt at humor. (If that's what it was.)

Actually, it wasn't an attempt at humor it wasn't folksy enough, I guess.

I just bought two new Case knives at a Shepherd Hills Case shop this past weekend and while the quality, fit and finish is well above what it was 10 years ago it is STILL nothing like it used to be.

It takes experienced cutlers to make a consistent product and I'm hoping that the experience is still there so the quality will continue to improve and therefore the market for the product.

While most of us (knife nuts) don't think twice about dropping $30-$75 for a decent factory slipjoint made by a well known company like CASE, the fact is there are other options. I think CASE is underestimating the market for a better made slightly more expensive product. There are modern cutlery companies producing a Quality product and people are buying it.

I'd go broke buying new CASE knives with fit and finish equaling that of the sixties.:thumbup:

 

[joe-bob]

I'm sorry to hear that. I bought one just a few weeks ago. I can't really afford to buy much more.

 

[Durwood]

To expand upon what I said above without editing again

I know we all, at times, see ourselves as having the solution to the problems of others, but in this CASE, I really do believe a true premium line would improve the bottom line. Something below the cost of the Bose collaborations, but with the nickel liners, pinned shields and walk and talk of the days of yore. In other words a true CASE Select series, not just the nickel liners (as on some of the CASE select models) but overall superior fit and finish.

 

[Rick]

I wish the venerable old company luck and hope they stay afloat. I just ordered one o' those little CV Swaybacks that everyone's been gushing about.

 

[alfbacca]

Couldn't wait so I went ahead and ordered two stockmans, one in black G-10 and a chestnut bone CV. Looking forward to using these.

 

[orca8589]

Boy, rough day. My wife just spent the last 1-1/2 hours crying because four of her co-workers got laid off today. Pretty devastating for all involved; great people, and I knew three of the four. We've had friends laid off before, but this one today really hit home.

And now this, again, with Case. I'll keep getting a Case occasionally, and I wish I had the $$ resources to buy more.

thx - cpr

 

[SPXTrader]

Stop thinking about it and buy one. Buy some for Christmas presents for friends and family.

I'm going shopping tomorrow for a Case or two. I have a nephew showing some interest in knives and he's being officially hooked up by Uncle Jason tomorrow.

Excellent idea. I'll buy one or two later today.

 

[RobbW]

Stop thinking about it and buy one. Buy some for Christmas presents for friends and family.

I did buy a Chestnut Swayback Jack, that's how I knew the quality was improved. I also bought a Chestnut Peanut and a couple of CV Redbone Peanuts. What I meant by "thinking of the chestnut swayback jack" was that I was thinking of it as an example of Case's recently improved quality.

 

[dalefuller]

I picked up 2 G10 Trappers at Blade and a dark red CV Trapper last weekend. I'll go back for the dark red CV mini-Trapper next weekend and then pick up the Texas Jack I saw hiding in the bottom of a display case a few weeks ago. Didn't know that one was disco'd.

Best wishes to the folks at Case. That's the first actual knife brand I can remember being familiar with from... um-m-m... 50+ years ago.

 

[mendezj]

Very sad news. I've been buying the Bose Case knives.

 

[grelcar]

It is sad to see any Americam icon struggling. I think one reason that Case has experienced a decline in sales over the years is the lack of availibility. Years ago you could find Case knives at any hardware, sporting good, drug or department store. Now days there are hard to find at any retail store. I live in an area with over a million people and only know of a couple of places that carry any Case knives and the selection is very limited. Perhaps stores don't carry them because they don't sell as well as the cheap imported knives or the latest tactical designs. Maybe Case could do a better job of marketing their product or producing some products that follow the latest trends. I think the traditional slipjoint market is just a small nitch market and is probably shrinking. Adding some modern tactical designs and perhaps a budget line could generate additional sales. I would hope they can survive without resorting to offshore production, however this seems to be the modern business approach in these economic times.

Greg

 

[moonwilson]

That's terrible news. I love Case. I've been wondering about how well their parent company, Zippo is doing these days. My guess is not good.

I'll have to get out and buy some more Case. Money's tight these days though.

 

[texasflyfisher]

... next weekend and then pick up the Texas Jack I saw hiding in the bottom of a display case a few weeks ago. Didn't know that one was disco'd.

If you were referencing my previous comment about the Amber Bone Texas Jack being discontinued inventory, I checked and the Case web site still shows them in CV knives category so I expect what I said was incorrect.

 

[BJE]

Come the first of the month, I will be picking up a small texas jack. Hope it helps.

 

[Morrow]

I did buy a Chestnut Swayback Jack, that's how I knew the quality was improved. I also bought a Chestnut Peanut and a couple of CV Redbone Peanuts. What I meant by "thinking of the chestnut swayback jack" was that I was thinking of it as an example of Case's recently improved quality.

My mistake....I misunderstood. :foot:

Your choice of patterns is right inline with mine. Now you've got me wanting another CV redbone peanut. It is wrong to have more than one...two or three of them?

 

[DaveinNY]

Come the first of the month, I will be picking up a small texas jack. Hope it helps.

Every knife we buy will help the bottom line. I don't think Case itself is in trouble, but the bean counters having to keep labor in line with sales/throughput. Years ago they would have carried a few extra people in production, that just does not happen anymore,corporate loyalty has been replaced with spreadsheets and accountants.

 

[RKH]

I bought a Chestnut Bone Sway back Jack and a Single Blade Red Bone Sway Back Gents by case a few weeks ago. Both knives are very well made knives. These knives are about close to perfect that you could expect from a manufacturer. The bone on both knives are well matched. I have a Sway Back Jack in Stag that I bought when they first came out that is very well made but the Stag is not matched well. One side is nice dark color and the other is fairly light.
My recent purchases show a very high high quality and if the Stag was better matched on my first SWJ I would be totally happy. I may send it any and see if they can match the Stag better for me. Because of the Layoffs at Case I will buy one or two knives a month to try help out. I DO NOT WANT THIS GREAT KNIFE COMPANY TO CLOSE!

RKH

 

[Yosemite Sam]

Note the comment on the article. Sounds like another great institution, laying off the workers and keeping the management in place.

I'm really sorry to hear this.

-- Sam