Hey yall. I really like Case pocket knives....and bought myself a Sodbuster Jr. around a year ago. I really like it....but the skinner blade is too thick @ the point sometimes, for some purposes where I need a knife thats (crap cant find the termonology) pointier lol. I was thinking about the Case Stockman/Trapper, but dont know if those will suit my needs. I need a knife that is realatively the same overall size as a Sodbuster, but with 1-3 blades. The Sodbuster is a great everyday work knife....just is a little fat sometimes to get into tight spots lol. Also, do the yellow composition handles on Case knives age/darken over time? My grandfather had a Eyebrand Stockman with yellow handles that look awesome....but its about 30 or more years old. Any opinions and suggestions are welcome. Thanks.
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New some ideas....
- Thread starter Georgian
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waynorth
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Well, a stockman with a clip blade would probably cover most "pointy" situations. I personally like Wharncliffe blades, for their straight edge and "pointy" nature. I was looking at my Case sodbuster, and the nail nick is too far out to allow much re-shaping.
As far as the yellow handles, this modern plastic is pretty impervious, and a year or two of use produces no noticeable change, other than light scratches etc.
Great choice of carry knife though!
As far as the yellow handles, this modern plastic is pretty impervious, and a year or two of use produces no noticeable change, other than light scratches etc.
Great choice of carry knife though!
waynorth
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Well, ivory mellows and gains character, bone does a bit too. They do so by absorbing oil from your skin, as well as other sources. And Ivory gets a nice amber yellow that's inherently beautiful. It has depth!
Tough delrin plastic gets worn, maybe a little polished by your pocket. Admittedly it gets character from the wear, but not the beauty that the natural materials get.
An old alley cat gains character. A beautiful woman glows, like old ivory! It's all in how you define character!
As far as blade sizes, there is no limit to the variation. You can easily buy a stockman (not necessarily a Case) in anything from 2 3/4" to 4 1/2" (you correctly measure a folding knife CLOSED!). The blades will be in proportion to the knife size. If you put out the effort, you'll find anything you want! Good luck!
Tough delrin plastic gets worn, maybe a little polished by your pocket. Admittedly it gets character from the wear, but not the beauty that the natural materials get.
An old alley cat gains character. A beautiful woman glows, like old ivory! It's all in how you define character!
As far as blade sizes, there is no limit to the variation. You can easily buy a stockman (not necessarily a Case) in anything from 2 3/4" to 4 1/2" (you correctly measure a folding knife CLOSED!). The blades will be in proportion to the knife size. If you put out the effort, you'll find anything you want! Good luck!
I'm mainly looking for something 3-4 inches long. My grandfather had an old Eyebrand stockman with yellow handles and they look great, as far as color etc. I would use it, but the fact that its an heirloom and that the blades no longer want to hold an edge no matter what I do. I just measured it, and it's actually the same size as Case's Medium Stockman. The blade is around 2 1/4 incehes long. I wish I had something of comparative size to the Case Trapper....
Alright....the Mini Trapper and Stockman might be the right size that I'm looking for. The knife I was talking about was 3 1/2 inches long closed...and so is the Case Med. Stockman. The thing that gets me the most is when most guys seem to think that having the biggest blade makes them stand a little taller. One of my buddies has an S&W folder/liner lock with a pocket clip. Yeah I like pocket clip folders to get em out quickly, but most of em are just way too big. When I pull out my Case Sodbuster Jr., which is still a little too big, not the knife itself, just the blade for small tasks, he mentions how small it is, etc. I guess its the same as hunters always wanting the biggest/baddest hunting rifle to bring down a deer. I mean, I like my knife to be reasonably sized, so not too small or big, and will work over a wide range of uses. What do yall think?
waynorth
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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I can skin a deer with a 2 3/4" blade if it's got the right belly. A pocket knife is actually a sheath knife if it's over about 3 3/4" IMO. Why carry a monster thing around for 12 hours to use it for 3 minutes?? You obviously know what you like, and personally I'm not impressed by people who whip out a huge knife. I inwardley snicker at their obvious insecurity!!
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There's a big difference between macho and manhood. Macho is usually someone who is insecure in his manhood and over compensating. There was a book back that came out back in the early 80s called, "Real Men Don't Eat Quiche." Quite frankly I feel real men are secure enough to eat whatever they want and don't really care what other people think. Mind you, I am a little suspicious of any male who makes SGT or higher in the Army, but doesn't drink coffee or know how to drive a standard shift vehicle, but that's a special situation.
All that said, I'm secure enough in my manhood I carry whatever I darn well enjoy carrying. I've found that I like a knife that does the job, but carries like it isn't there most of the time. I used to carry the Soddie Jr in one pocket and a single blade, bare head, slimline Case trapper in the other for the reasons you pointed out Georgian, sometimes the soddie is too wide for small work.
Like Jackknife on here and some others, I found that a little Case yellow-handled peanut in CV was plenty of knife for day to day carry at work. I have three, well maybe four counting the new Russlock, knives that are my true EDC knives. These all share one thing in common besides being really usable knives, and that is that they each carry in the pocket of my dress slacks that are part of our uniform so unnoticed that I will often pat my pocket or stick my hand in to make sure the knife is still there. Those knives are 1.) A Camillus Yello-Jaket Congress 712Y, with a handy little serrated sheepsfoot among the four blades. 2.) The aforementioned Case CV Peanut. 3.) A simple, delrin stag looking Queen single blade, swell end jack - This one is my hands down favorite carry. And finally, 4.) A recently aquired Bone Stage Case Russlock. After a few more days of carrying the Russlock I'll probably go right back to that Queen. Anything else I carry is just because I felt like it that day or I'm trying it out to test its handling and utility characteristics as relates to my needs.
You would probably find the Queen's blade a little to fat for tiny work too given the criteria you've set out. If you want a dandy little, easy to carry knife with a couple of blades, give the Case CV peanut a try, either in Yellow Handle or Red Bone. You will be really surprised at just how much you can do with that little knife and it will ride very nicely and unnoticed in your pocket until you need it. If you aren't sure, carry both your Soddie Jr and the Peanut for a few days. Use the peanut as your first choice with the soddie as backup.
Next time a buddy whips out his macho knife, ask him what he's compensating for.
All that said, I'm secure enough in my manhood I carry whatever I darn well enjoy carrying. I've found that I like a knife that does the job, but carries like it isn't there most of the time. I used to carry the Soddie Jr in one pocket and a single blade, bare head, slimline Case trapper in the other for the reasons you pointed out Georgian, sometimes the soddie is too wide for small work.
Like Jackknife on here and some others, I found that a little Case yellow-handled peanut in CV was plenty of knife for day to day carry at work. I have three, well maybe four counting the new Russlock, knives that are my true EDC knives. These all share one thing in common besides being really usable knives, and that is that they each carry in the pocket of my dress slacks that are part of our uniform so unnoticed that I will often pat my pocket or stick my hand in to make sure the knife is still there. Those knives are 1.) A Camillus Yello-Jaket Congress 712Y, with a handy little serrated sheepsfoot among the four blades. 2.) The aforementioned Case CV Peanut. 3.) A simple, delrin stag looking Queen single blade, swell end jack - This one is my hands down favorite carry. And finally, 4.) A recently aquired Bone Stage Case Russlock. After a few more days of carrying the Russlock I'll probably go right back to that Queen. Anything else I carry is just because I felt like it that day or I'm trying it out to test its handling and utility characteristics as relates to my needs.
You would probably find the Queen's blade a little to fat for tiny work too given the criteria you've set out. If you want a dandy little, easy to carry knife with a couple of blades, give the Case CV peanut a try, either in Yellow Handle or Red Bone. You will be really surprised at just how much you can do with that little knife and it will ride very nicely and unnoticed in your pocket until you need it. If you aren't sure, carry both your Soddie Jr and the Peanut for a few days. Use the peanut as your first choice with the soddie as backup.
Next time a buddy whips out his macho knife, ask him what he's compensating for.
10-4 Wolf, read ya loud and clear thar buddy, lol. I thought the Peanut was a nice looking little knife, but didnt think about considering b/c of its size until you mentioned something. Preciate the extra thought....Heck, I still have my fone of my first pocket knives that I really like for the reasons I stated earlier....its a Uncle Henry Stockman, which is great and still holds a good edge to this day, but I was looking into getting me a Case. There is just something about a knife that has those double XX's on it....and says USA on it.
I recall one night after church this really nice lady began handing out candy. Well after the cloud of little children had lifted, she offered some to the adults who were just beginning to become visible. Well this one retired friend of mine took a piece of candy all wrapped up and then whipped out this big honkin 4 1/8" trapper just to cut open the candy wrapper. I stepped back and just looked at him, with all these little children running around with their candy wrappers already violated and the candy half way to unobtainium, going to work on that little wrapper with that gigantic moose dressin trapper of his. It made me have to rethink my whole approach to EDC. Now I'm all about using the right tool for the right job. For EDC I keep the 3" SAK executive with me all the time and it usually does the job. When I need a back up I have the small tinker SAK that always finishes whatever the executive starts. The bigger ones like my SAK 91mm (soldier, super tinker, scientist, etc. . .) and my traditional slip joints (case 6318, 62032, 6347, and some old shrades and camco's) are all kept handy in desk drawers, glove boxes, tool boxes etc, camping gear. . . Like today, I was workin on my acreage and had a bunch of 50 lb bags to open. The 6347 was in the bag I had with me and so I was able to use the right tool for the right job. Last week I was having to shim up a post on my front porch and after everything was ready, I grabbed my 62032 from my toolbox where I keep it and was easily able to trim the remaining pieces of shim stock. This was again the right tool for the right job. As for EDC, I'm not going to whip out a 4 1/8" trapper in order to cut open a ream of printer paper. That would not be the right tool. I will have the executive right there in my pocket and since I can keep it scary sharp, I can carve a paper caddy-dispenser in seconds and make a neat job of it. As for candy wrappers, I'm goin with my incisors just like little kids after church.
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Yep, the heritage of the Cases, Queens, etc., are something you just can't get in a Chinese made knife. No matter how good the Chinese can ever make a knife, there is just something about reaching in your pocket and pulling out a handful of your national heritage and history that can't be touched by an "outsourced" knife.
Case is the predominant brand in my modest collection and I fully understand whay your saying about having one. Nothing wrong with Schrade/Uncle Henry. I carried a 44OT years back and an Uncle Henry Stockman for awhile. Great knives, but they never walked and talked and that's something I just like. Those thin blades on the Old Timers could get really sharp, but the thin tips liked to break off. I've seen a lot of reshaped clip blades on Old Timers. Heck, I popped the tip on that 44OT trying to get a .22 slug out of some tree bark. But there is something very classic about using a Case XX. It is such a part of Americana that it is hard not to feel generations of knife using Americans when you take one out. There are (were) many great US cutlery companies, but if anyone is even remotely aware of pocket knives they will know the Case name if none else. They've had their ups and downs on quality just like most, but a good Case XX is a solid value in the hand.
Whatever you get, enjoy it, and remember two things. 1) It probably won't be your last. 2) Show us pictures!
I just had a vision of one of these guys on here popping open a wallet and all those folding picture windows drop down and every one is filled with a different knife picture. I need to go find one of those wallets.
Case is the predominant brand in my modest collection and I fully understand whay your saying about having one. Nothing wrong with Schrade/Uncle Henry. I carried a 44OT years back and an Uncle Henry Stockman for awhile. Great knives, but they never walked and talked and that's something I just like. Those thin blades on the Old Timers could get really sharp, but the thin tips liked to break off. I've seen a lot of reshaped clip blades on Old Timers. Heck, I popped the tip on that 44OT trying to get a .22 slug out of some tree bark. But there is something very classic about using a Case XX. It is such a part of Americana that it is hard not to feel generations of knife using Americans when you take one out. There are (were) many great US cutlery companies, but if anyone is even remotely aware of pocket knives they will know the Case name if none else. They've had their ups and downs on quality just like most, but a good Case XX is a solid value in the hand.
Whatever you get, enjoy it, and remember two things. 1) It probably won't be your last. 2) Show us pictures!
I just had a vision of one of these guys on here popping open a wallet and all those folding picture windows drop down and every one is filled with a different knife picture. I need to go find one of those wallets.
I would really like to start collecting Case pocket knives, but @ the current time I'm in college, and I really only have the money to buy one good knife. I already have prob. 4 Cases....my grandpa's brand spanking new Stockman with bone, my grandpa's old Case Stockman, my Dad's (never uses it) Barnboard Stockman, and my Sodbuster Jr. I have tons of knives, but to me pocket knives show character, like I said earlier. All of those all black tactical knives aint squat to me, yeah they might be great knives to use, but there is just something unexplainable about an old Case pocket knife, that shows years of pocket wear and use. I guess its the same ppl now a days wanting a rifle/shotgun that is all black and tactical, not the beautiful walnut or cold blue steel.
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I think you will find many folks here who are of a like mind. My few black knives are good tools, but they just don't stir the heart like good looking, traditonal knives.
I had a Glock 22, 40&W. It is a fine, durable, rugged, combat tool. I respect it for what it is, but it doesn't stir me. I've been too much of a blued steel and figured wood kind of guy in the past. Once I determined I was going to stay on an unarmed post that paid the same as an armed one, but was 10 or so minutes from home I decided to trade it off and go more traditonal. First I traded it on a blued Blackhawk in .357 mag. That went down the road though in favor of what is to be part of my basic homestead kit. Mind you this one is stainless. Even I can recognize the advantage of it for long term, all around use. I ended up with a 5 1/2 inch New Model, Blackhawk in .45 Colt. Not only did I have to accept stainless as being useful, I even finally made peace with the New Model lockwork. Mind you I did find an Iver Johnson lablelled Uberti Colt Clone with really nice color case hardening, good bluing, tight, and with adjustable sights on the trade in shelf when I picked this one up Friday. I called the shop back Saturday on the way home from work. That one is now sitting on a shelf with my name on it and I'll swing by and lay it away mid week. Unless he gives me a good price quote on an 1863 Cavalry Sharps repro he took in on trade. Those use paper cartridges. Since I eventually plan on reloading my .45 Colt cartridges with Triple 7 blackpowder substitute for a traditoinal load anyway (with Keith style bullets, not round), why not .54 caliber paper cartridges for a Sharps.
My down home assault rifle is a Marlin 336 in .30-30 Win, though I'm keeping an eye out for a short barrelled lever gun in .45 Colt too.
I am confident you will find others on here with similar things laying around. We do have a few other "black" toys spread about among us, but by and large, we feel well equipped with the good old stuff.
The four Cases you have are a fine start on a Case collection. If you are getting real pleasure out of those then you are on the right track. As I get more knives, I still find my favorites list is small. My favorite EDC selection is even smaller and represent working knives in their character.
I guess that's a long winded way of saying have a seat on the porch, prop your feet on the rail, and start swappin tales. You're among like minded folks. Check back a ways and you can find some good reading on cane poles and peanuts (the knife that is), stuff on cast iron cookware and stove fired coffeepots mixed in with a stockman thread, and who knows what else.
Did I mention we're a bunch of old fashioned, unrepentant reprobates, regadless of chronological age?
Amos
I had a Glock 22, 40&W. It is a fine, durable, rugged, combat tool. I respect it for what it is, but it doesn't stir me. I've been too much of a blued steel and figured wood kind of guy in the past. Once I determined I was going to stay on an unarmed post that paid the same as an armed one, but was 10 or so minutes from home I decided to trade it off and go more traditonal. First I traded it on a blued Blackhawk in .357 mag. That went down the road though in favor of what is to be part of my basic homestead kit. Mind you this one is stainless. Even I can recognize the advantage of it for long term, all around use. I ended up with a 5 1/2 inch New Model, Blackhawk in .45 Colt. Not only did I have to accept stainless as being useful, I even finally made peace with the New Model lockwork. Mind you I did find an Iver Johnson lablelled Uberti Colt Clone with really nice color case hardening, good bluing, tight, and with adjustable sights on the trade in shelf when I picked this one up Friday. I called the shop back Saturday on the way home from work. That one is now sitting on a shelf with my name on it and I'll swing by and lay it away mid week. Unless he gives me a good price quote on an 1863 Cavalry Sharps repro he took in on trade. Those use paper cartridges. Since I eventually plan on reloading my .45 Colt cartridges with Triple 7 blackpowder substitute for a traditoinal load anyway (with Keith style bullets, not round), why not .54 caliber paper cartridges for a Sharps.
My down home assault rifle is a Marlin 336 in .30-30 Win, though I'm keeping an eye out for a short barrelled lever gun in .45 Colt too.
I am confident you will find others on here with similar things laying around. We do have a few other "black" toys spread about among us, but by and large, we feel well equipped with the good old stuff.
The four Cases you have are a fine start on a Case collection. If you are getting real pleasure out of those then you are on the right track. As I get more knives, I still find my favorites list is small. My favorite EDC selection is even smaller and represent working knives in their character.
I guess that's a long winded way of saying have a seat on the porch, prop your feet on the rail, and start swappin tales. You're among like minded folks. Check back a ways and you can find some good reading on cane poles and peanuts (the knife that is), stuff on cast iron cookware and stove fired coffeepots mixed in with a stockman thread, and who knows what else.
Did I mention we're a bunch of old fashioned, unrepentant reprobates, regadless of chronological age?
Amos