Not really impressed with new Case Swayback Gent

[WillieD]

Received my Case Swayback Gent with navy blue scales today. This has been a long process and it just adds to the disappointment. My wife bought it for me as a birthday gift and had it sent to my daughters new apartment. She didn't get around to taking off the vacant note on her mailbox and mailman took it back. My wife tried to call the post office for 2 hours and no one would answer the phone to stop the package from getting shipped back. Anyway, it's over a week late, but it's here!
So I open the package and the metal case has a dent in the corner. Darn, but it pushed out pretty well. Not Case's fault. However the rest I have issue with. This may seem petty, but there is a lot of white showing through in the blue scales. I guess every set of scales is unique, but is this the way these usually turn out? I was expecting more light blue fading into the navy. Next thing I don't think I'm being petty with. The blade is not centered. As a matter of fact, it rubs the liner making for a soft close and marking the side of the blade. I would assume that this is not normal, but only owning one other Case, is this fairly normal for Case quality? Wanted to get your opinions before I contact Case about my issues. I really like the knife other than really, the blade issue. I can live with the scales. Nice and thin. Can't wait to get it in my pocket. I'll hold off till I know if it's getting sent in or not. Thanks

 

[TLARbb]

I can understand your feelings about this knife. I would contact your dealer and return it for an exchange. I don't think this is typical, but it is clearly objectionable. If it were mine, I'd be sending it back for an exchange or contacting Case about a replacement. The blade defect is clearly that, a defect and is reason to push for a replacement.

Ed J

 

[Planterz]

I'd be very unhappy with that knife. Scales are unlikely to ever be 100% mirrors of each other, but that's an example of some fairly extreme mismatching. And the blade being way off-center is certainly not typical of the F&F usually seen in the Case/Bose collaborations. I doubt any dealer with reputable customer service would object to you returning it for an exchange.

One question: Was the metal case shrink-wrapped? I believe they should be from the factory, and if it wasn't, it was likely either opened to take pictures of (unlikely in this case), or has already been purchased, opened, and returned for the same reasons.

 

[paulhilborn]

I totally agree with Ed, I for one would not be happy and pursue the exchange route.

Paul

 

[Django.cj]

Agreed, return it. I have the same gent, and the blade is dead on center, and not nearly so much white.

 

[apintandafight]

My swayback jack came with the blade off center, but it doesn't rub the liners so for me its a non issue.

 

[PaulBosley]

Mine arrived today as well

Blade is centered, this is my second one of these I gave the first one to a buddy who is a huge UK basketball fan ( team colors are blue and white) the f and f were very good on both.

 

[CoffeeCat2112]

Yeah, I'd return that one, too, WillieD. The swaybacks seem to be a pattern that has seemed relatively trouble-free, but yours is definitely off.

 

[Ken44]

Thats more white than I've seen in one of their blue bone knives. I would try to swap it. You'll likely get better scales, and a more centered blade.

 

[WillieD]

Mine arrived today as well

Blade is centered, this is my second one of these I gave the first one to a buddy who is a huge UK basketball fan ( team colors are blue and white) the f and f were very good on both.

Well, the problem is obvious now. Apparently you received my knife! Wife is going to email the dealer pics tomorrow. It's some random dealer off Amazon. Yes, it was shrink wrapped when I got it. If the dealer doesn't man up, hopefully there is a place for negative feedback and I can rely on Case to pull through for me.

 

[markpmc]

I'd send it back without a second thought. I muddled through 10 years with a bad dye job (lots of white on the blue bone) on my medium stockman. Still bothers me. Get it fixed to your satisfaction.

 

[CARRERA50]

Received my Case Swayback Gent with navy blue scales today. This has been a long process and it just adds to the disappointment. My wife bought it for me as a birthday gift and had it sent to my daughters new apartment. She didn't get around to taking off the vacant note on her mailbox and mailman took it back. My wife tried to call the post office for 2 hours and no one would answer the phone to stop the package from getting shipped back. Anyway, it's over a week late, but it's here!
So I open the package and the metal case has a dent in the corner. Darn, but it pushed out pretty well. Not Case's fault. However the rest I have issue with. This may seem petty, but there is a lot of white showing through in the blue scales. I guess every set of scales is unique, but is this the way these usually turn out? I was expecting more light blue fading into the navy. Next thing I don't think I'm being petty with. The blade is not centered. As a matter of fact, it rubs the liner making for a soft close and marking the side of the blade. I would assume that this is not normal, but only owning one other Case, is this fairly normal for Case quality? Wanted to get your opinions before I contact Case about my issues. I really like the knife other than really, the blade issue. I can live with the scales. Nice and thin. Can't wait to get it in my pocket. I'll hold off till I know if it's getting sent in or not. Thanks

Mine has the same issue w/ the centering; didn't rub on the liners so I decided to keep it as a user. This one is in
pocket worn redbone; one of the rivets is a little too "pocketworn" for its own good and was over polished in the
process. Sticks up a tad.....
Got a local Case dealer down on the boulevard...I won't buy another Case unless I can see/handle prior to purchase.

 

[timberweasel]

I hear ya, WillieD! I have a Sway Back Gent with the same issue. Still have to get around to sending it in to Case... :/

-Brett

 

[Will Power]

That dye job is very poor, should never have passed QC.

Blade centre does not bother me that much, BUT if it touches a liner then ditto the above.

If it goes in one of those presentation tins (which are very nice and useful for storing stuff on your desk etc) you would have thought they would've been extra careful about the QC. Seems not....This is an unpleasant and I think uneccessary situation, particularly as it was a present. It's these kind of stories-not uncommon- that put people off buying CASE unseen.

That said, when I had an issue with one of their knives (excessive blade play/gaps) they simply replaced the knife for me and I'm an overseas customer. So their dealing with this was excellent. I just wish they would be a bit more critical about what they let out of the plant in the first place, it has long-term benefits...

Regards, Will

 

[Rusty1]

I have many Case knives in my collection, but I have not bought a Case knife in about four years. Fed up with receiving knives with poor quality control. On the last four that I bought there were issues with every one of them. Soft closing, rubbing blades, of center blades, poor dye saturation, so from then on curbed the Case purchases. Seems to me that it's a "just get them out the door" mentality, sorry to say!

Russell

 

[puukkoman]

I'd just dye it black.

...then again, blue is not my favorite color...

 

[brownshoe]

Per "I have many Case knives in my collection, but I have not bought a Case knife in about four years. Fed up with receiving knives with poor quality control. On the last four that I bought there were issues with every one of them."

My experience is the opposite. In the last 5 years, I've bought 4 CaseBose and 6 Case "regular product" and they have all been fine except for one. The one problem knife was dull due to a burr, which I removed with a few swipes on a stone.

 

[WillieD]

OK, dealer is taking it back for a REFUND. Now I guess I need to decide if I'm going to maybe go through this again... or maybe go another route. I really like the GEC I just got. Maybe I pay up the difference and see what the wife says. ETA... I'm not anti-Case now or anything, but maybe will reserve buying Case knives I can at least see a pic of before hand. I originally picked this knife, so I don't think the wife will mind if I change models. If this was one that she liked, picked for me, and thought I would like, I would most definately replace it with the same model. I didn't want to come off sounding inconsiderate for the gift or anything.

 

[richstag]

OK, dealer is taking it back for a REFUND. Now I guess I need to decide if I'm going to maybe go through this again... or maybe go another route. I really like the GEC I just got. Maybe I pay up the difference and see what the wife says. ETA... I'm not anti-Case now or anything, but maybe will reserve buying Case knives I can at least see a pic of before hand. I originally picked this knife, so I don't think the wife will mind if I change models. If this was one that she liked, picked for me, and thought I would like, I would most definately replace it with the same model. I didn't want to come off sounding inconsiderate for the gift or anything.

I have seen better dollar knives at the flea market. Some of the sway backs by Case I see on here look up to par, maybe try again?

That said, I would go GEC, my 2cents.

 

[Will Power]

You could consider the new Pemberton model from GEC. Small Peanut sized knife, single blade (in Bule Acrylic too!). GEC's Conductor is another small but superb knife.

The 2 bladed CASE Swayback Jacks I have, cv and ss are very well finished knives indeed.