Need help with Case sodbuster jr

xtonesterx

xtonesterx

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May 26, 2009
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So I just got a case sodbuster jr with chestnut bone covers today. The knife is amazing except for one detail. I'm hoping some experienced knife sharpeners can help me out. On the display side of the blade the edge grind is nice and even however on the opposite side it looks pretty chewed up. Just wondering if this can be fixed or if I should just send it back. I don't have any sharpening systems besides a couple of diamond stones but I do I a steady hand. Thanks for the help guys.

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Typical Case grind especially on some of their lower end knives. Most of what I have from recent runs have very "toothy" grinds. I usually find the grind adequate until it dulls up at which time I'll put a more refined edge on them.
 
Forgot to post a pic of the other side. This side is much better. The edge grind is definitely a different angle then the chewed up side so I'm guessing I'm gonna have to re-profile the edges.

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On that particular knife, I'd be inclined to send it back. They're simple enough to sharpen up or reprofile, especially with a diamond hone at hand. But that factory grind is both asymmetrical in bevel widths (therefore, presumably the angle on each side), and inexplicably 'different' in finish on each side as well. Personally, I could tolerate the asymmetry in bevel width and/or edge angles, and just reprofile it. All of it is fixable by redoing the edge, to make it a perfectly functional user. But that back side is pretty ugly. I don't know what caused it; but Case should be made aware of it, so they can figure out what went wrong and then make it right.


David
 
They're sharpened by hand on a belt grinder. A rumbling stomach around lunch time could have caused it... or the anticipation of happy hour right around the end of the work day.

As far as sharpening goes... you might mark the edge with a Sharpie to make sure that you are removing material from the entire edge. You'll want to be especially mindful since the angle is not uniform.
 
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I am willing to put up with a lot with my Case knives, but not that bad of a grind. I would send that right back to the dealer.
 
If it's a real user I'd reprofile it, however you shouldn't feel bad about sending that one back. It's quite asymmetrical and the bone-handled Sodbusters aren't so cheap nowadays...
 
That thing is just butchered on that one side. By the time you got an even bevel on both sides you'd have a recurve in it, or would end up with a 10 degree per side bevel. I'd even consider sending the pic and a pic of the box barcode to Case to see if they would like to use it for employee training. On what should NEVER get past QC.
 
BigBiscuit said:
Typical Case grind especially on some of their lower end knives. Most of what I have from recent runs have very "toothy" grinds. I usually find the grind adequate until it dulls up at which time I'll put a more refined edge on them.
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Couldn't have said it better than Bob...that's exactly my experience as well.

Will amend my statement somewhat as I only noticed the second picture...that is bad and I can fix quite a few grinds but that is bad. Apparently it was near quiting time on a Friday when that one was ground:o
 
I haven't bought any newer Case knives in 4 years or more, but that looks pretty rough to me. There is no shame in sending that one back.
 
I'm back and forth on this one. I'm one of those that think a knife company should be able to sharpen a blade. If somebody like me can get a decent edge on a knife it should be a simple thing for a company like Case. However, I have learned to deal with the fact that most companies can't get those edges right. I think I'd probably just sharpen it up and drop it in my pocket, but I wouldn't be happy about getting it that way and wouldn't blame anybody for sending it back.
 
Thank you guys for the responses. I contacted the dealer to see what we can do. Honestly I would rather keep it and try to fix the grind myself like I have done before but I think this one is just beyond my skill. Too uneven and too much material gone and I'm afraid I would just make it worse.


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I think contacting the dealer about a return is best only because of the amount of material you would have to remove to even that edge up.
 
You shouldn't have to remove much material to sharpen it. To completely remove the eyesore would take a lot of sharpening though.
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
On that particular knife, I'd be inclined to send it back. ... Case should be made aware of it, so they can figure out what went wrong and then make it right.
Click to expand...

jc57 said:
I'd even consider sending the pic and a pic of the box barcode to Case to see if they would like to use it for employee training.
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I'm of a mind to mail the knife to Case with a polite note stating your issue, asking them to fix (or replace) it, and suggesting they use this as a way to train their team members.

-- Mark
 
I guess I don't get where you guys are coming from. I don't see much of a learning experience here ...except as a good example of why you shouldn't sharpen pocket knives with a power tool. Of course, all of the manufacturers use power tools to sharpen knives since it wouldn't be practical to sharpen hundreds or thousands of knives on a bench stone. This subject was discussed in great detail in the topic about out of the box sharpness.

It's not desirable, but it shouldn't be much of a surprise if you buy a lot of knives. Uneven grinds were a common complaint about the forum knife from Canal Street Cutlery. I've gotten worse from from Queen and Buck. I've seen much worse from Rough Rider but people praise them because of the cost. It's uncommon with GEC because they don't use a belt grinder and they barely touch the blade to a stone grinder ....and they aren't sharp.

The edge on that Case knife could be easily sharpened so that the edge is straight. The waviness behind the edge would last a good many sharpenings so it wouldn't be perfect. But functionally, it will work fine. If he's unhappy with his purchase, he can send it back. But it's a common problem discussed in the out of box sharpness topic.

I think the only way to completely eliminate this from happening is to use an automated system.
 
That would bug the crap out of me, even after reprofiling it would have a much wider bevel on one side. I say send it back.
 
The Chestnut Bone ones are not that cheap, but nice lookers. That looks awful and your dealer should be able to exchange it for you for a decent one, why put up with it?
 
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