My Case Story. First time owner, and a thank you. (wordy)

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Aug 23, 2013
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I came to this forum a couple weeks ago to ask about Case knives and clear up a bit of my own confusion. I had done a lot of research on the internet but still walked away a bit befuddled, I had questions, concerns and just needed to talk. I wanted to say thank you.

A large portion of my family is from a little town in Oklahoma called Chickasha, it is a bit of a drive for me but its a neat little town. I came close to purchasing knives online from Graham or Fleabay, but then saw that a little store in Chickasha called "Ross Seed Company and True Value" is supposed to be the best Case dealer in the state according to the Case website. Buying a pocket knife from this little town is a sentimental act in and of itself, I have very fond memories of visiting my great grand father at his farm there. So instead of buying impersonally on the internet I waited till I could make the trip. I am glad I did.

I went in looking for a Sowbelly. After all my research that was the knife I wanted and thought I would get the most utility out of. I was also interested in looking at a Coffin Jack (Which they didnt have) and possibly a Seahorse Whittler. Walking in I was willing to purchase all three knives if they had them... I was even thinking that I would pick up a Hobo as well if they had one I liked.

You guys are right when you say that you really have to hold a Case knife in your hand to appreciate it properly. The two Sowbelly knives they had at Ross Seed were the Green Select, whos scales I think are just retched. I can't stand that green and brown combo for some reason. The other was an Orange, however the back scales were slightly off because the bone they used for that side was a darker color, so the front was bright orange and the back was a brownish, I didn't like that. So I kept looking, the Seahorse Whittler they had was nice, but just didnt say 'buy me', They lock up on it just wasnt tight and the orange color didn't speak to me either. I also decided that the Sowbelly was just too large for what I wanted in my pocket.

Feeling a bit defeated with all the research and reading I had done, I began to just cycle through all the different knives. After about 30 min of me looking and pawing at the various displays, the guy that was helping me said they might have a few that hadn't been put out yet. So we started looking through the boxes. It felt a bit like a treasure hunt, and I was excited.

I came across this little girl and fell in love. I think she is a Medium Stockman with buffalo horn scales? She reminded me a bit of the actresses in the 20's and 30's that would put on Tuxedos with tails, the black and silver look beautiful together.

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Not what I went for at all, but I am exceedingly happy with the purchase and very happy I went to the store to purchase this as my daily knife.

Then I made the awesome choice of asking to see a knife I knew would be out of my price range. I went, and would have had to talk myself out of a Coffin Jack if they had one, I was sure this knife was going to be $300 when I picked it up. It wasn't, but it prob should have been.

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Here, I don't think she will mind you guys seeing her undressed.

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Needless to say, I couldn't pick just one of them. I had to choose them both. Lifetime purchase knives, heirlooms that will be passed down, purchased in a Feed/Seed/Hardware store that my great grandfather patronized in a town where half of my family's roots are... all warranted stretching the budget a bit.

I don't know much about either knife, least of all what year they come from or anything else about them, the Select, she came with no information at all, just a box. All she needed to show me was her face and turn around and wink and I was sold.

I wanted to stop by again and say thank you for your help with these two purchases. I am NOT a collector at all, both of these knives will be used and carried for as long as they last. If they last me the next 60 years (Which they prob will) Ill pass them down.

If you guys have any information on either of them that would be great, here are the numbers on the blades.

(I havent picked names for these two girls yet)

Black: USA 6318 SS
White: Case 10 Select, USA 82009 1/2 SS

I was also wondering if it would be alright to use Rem Oil (Gun lube oil) on the pair or otherwise proper care for these two gems.

Thank you again, and God Speed.

There is just something about the traditional act of going and buying a pocket knife from a old school local hardware store that is beautiful.
 
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Wow what a great story and definitely a great experience. Congrats on being able to hand-pick two pocket knives - just the way it's supposed to be done - in an old hardware store! They're both classic choices and will serve you the rest of your days. One in each pocket!
 
Yep, for sure there's no substitute for hand selection. I'm intrigued by the third blade on the stockman, it actually looks like a second clip blade, which I've never seen on a Case. Is it, or is it really a spey like is most usual? Beautiful pearl on the barlow!
 
John, thanks for clarifying on the stockman. It sure looks like a clip in that picture to me.
 
John, thanks for clarifying on the stockman. It sure looks like a clip in that picture to me.
I see what you mean. I think it's an illusion caused by the shadow of that crumpled paper. I have one in the same pattern in Chestnut Bone. The pen blade is fairly long and doesn't have much belly.

 
I see what you mean. I think it's an illusion caused by the shadow of that crumpled paper. I have one in the same pattern in Chestnut Bone. The pen blade is fairly long and doesn't have much belly.


THAT'S a great looking knife you have pictured there jc57! Which model is that?
 
Plain old Case Medium Stockman Chestnut Bone CV 63032, current production, had it a few months. Got some patina starting on the blades. Same frame as the 62032 Small Texas Jack. I really like that pattern.
 
Great story. And super knives. I have a couple Case folders that are pretty much stored for posterity. I have a number of daily carries that I use for everyday tasks. Once in a while I will drop a case in my pocket if I am going out and don't want to carry a Kershaw or ZT. Somehow the sight of classic Case knife is less of a threat to folks.

On another note - I just ordered an Opinel #10 engraved with my name and date. A really inexpensive heirloom.
 
Beautiful knives! If that story doesn't make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside nothing will! It makes me think of my grand pa's OLD use daily, sharpened often Case knives and the thought of tradition. The thought of one day handing it down to a son or daughter with the story is amazing (especialy since online buying seems to be on the rise!). That gives me the same tingly feeling I get when I think about OLD carbon steel. Congrats!
 
Enjoyable read and two great-looking knives :) The Barlow is a stunner, glad you're pleased with your choice :thumbup:

Jack
 
Can you guys tell me anything about how to take proper care of the both of them?

Sharpening I can handle, but is rem oil ok on the joints, blades and bolsters? I just want to take care of them properly.

My grand fathers on both sides carry case or old timer knives, I wanted to continue the tradition.

John - The black does say 6318 on the blade, Ill get you a picture if needed :)
 
John - The black does say 6318 on the blade, Ill get you a picture if needed :)

I was wondering about this? You said the tang stamp read #6318 SS. But like John linked to it only shows the #63032 model available in the black jigged buffalo horn.

Factory error or re-blade maybe, hummm?

Paul
 
Congrats on your two new Case knives :thumbup:
Your story reminds me of how I used to drool over knives as a kid in the local hardware store. Sadly it is long gone, but there still are general/hardware stores here in NE PA when you drive outside of the city.

I bought two last year from those stores, a Case mini Copperhead in stag from a True Value, and a Forney/Bear MGC from a general store/gas station/bar near the PA/NY border. The Case is a sweetheart and I hand picked it out of all the stag models they had. The Bear has Delrin fake stag/bone handles but is a terrific knife and worth more than the $23.99 I paid for it. Both get plenty of pocket time, the Case to work, and the Bear goes with me on Scouting events.

We were just at the general store over the Labor Day weekend (it's by our lake) and almost grabbed a one blade Bear Peanut until my wife stopped me :D
 
Both of your Case choices are great. I really like your stockman. But I'm very fond of stockmans. I have 3 Case stockmans...none as nice as your Buffalo.

Tom
 
Merovingian, please do give us a pic of the tang stamp with 6318 on it. This is very strange as the 6318 is, and always has been, a round bolster knife.
Your black buffalo frame is definitely a square bolster 63032. Also, what does the box end flap have for a model number?
 
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