Not so Swell Center Jack

buckthorn said:
I'm trying not to be argumentative as that is not my intention, but what is "their place"?
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I’m not sure, but they’re still competing for dollars, so they have a place by definition. Probably the “readily available, relatively inexpensive, USA made traditional” category.

buckthorn said:
I ask, “WHY should YOU have to do these adjustments?”
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You shouldn’t have to, and Case would try to fix it for you to some degree if you mailed it in. OP had some bad luck with that swell center.

I bought a mini trapper at my local… “outdoors specialist retailer”… this past December. Walked in and bought one using a gift card I got from work. It has liner gaps I could drive a car through, but it’s otherwise fine.

Growing up, my dad showed me the ways of Case- we were a family of Case carriers. In the early 90’s, that was the brand of traditional generally known to anyone who received that Tennessee Mountain Catalogue. Hurts me to see some of the examples I’ve received over the years, and now I generally carry other more reliable knives.

There’s thread after thread full of distain for Case, and the dead horse has some more floggings left in ‘er, yet. I’m sure in the not too distant future Case will be history, and then you’ll not have to worry about why people buy new Case knives.
 
In a way, I felt like I was being punished for buying something I wanted but didn't need. My yeller stockman is just fine, but I wanted to try the newer carbon steel they are using. I guess buying in person is the only solution. Bass Pro is 30 minutes away on a good day. There are no other retailers near me that sell Case.
 
One thing I appreciate about Case is at their lower price point then GEC if I were to loose it or damage it I know I can replace it. I own many fine examples of Case knives. Sure they are not GEC but I like having the SS option for many different patterns. They have more lockbacks which I like. Also I don't have to sit at my keyboard pondering if I will ever be able to acquire one again. No more Northwoods lolly scrambles for me.

And they are still made in America. I am Canadian but still very much appreciate and support my neighbours to the south. I have visited the factory twice and was welcomed and entertained both times. They do have a long history and every company has ups and downs.

GEC is beautiful but mostly unattainable for me up here.

,,,Mike in Canada
 
I have had very good luck with Case.

None with major blade play, all with decent or good action, and generally good F&F.
The grinds on my 25-1/2 swell center were bad, but other then that it was very well done.

The green bone example I bought and gave to my dad ( took a gamble on an add typo hoping it might be CS ) was even nicer, it was very well done and I'd have definitely kept it if it weren't SS.
 
Frankly speaking, I would return it to Case and possibly call to a manager there as I don’t think they really want to send out subpar product and should back it up for you
G2
 
EngrSorenson said:
I’m not sure, but they’re still competing for dollars, so they have a place by definition. Probably the “readily available, relatively inexpensive, USA made traditional” category.


You shouldn’t have to, and Case would try to fix it for you to some degree if you mailed it in. OP had some bad luck with that swell center.

I bought a mini trapper at my local… “outdoors specialist retailer”… this past December. Walked in and bought one using a gift card I got from work. It has liner gaps I could drive a car through, but it’s otherwise fine.

Growing up, my dad showed me the ways of Case- we were a family of Case carriers. In the early 90’s, that was the brand of traditional generally known to anyone who received that Tennessee Mountain Catalogue. Hurts me to see some of the examples I’ve received over the years, and now I generally carry other more reliable knives.

There’s thread after thread full of distain for Case, and the dead horse has some more floggings left in ‘er, yet. I’m sure in the not too distant future Case will be history, and then you’ll not have to worry about why people buy new Case knives.
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I don't disdain them, I love the brand and what they do, I'd hate to see them go. They do a good job of filling the niche of sub 60 dollar made in USA slipjoints. I'd just like some better QC so that Im not able to watch TV through the liner gaps. I'd be willing to pay 10% more for this.
 
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El Jay said:
So my Swell Center Jack just returned from warranty. It was new when I got it but the springs were very lazy. 4 weeks later I get a new knife. Blade play in clip point, uneven spring grinds, pen blade looks like an Emerson Commander. Dents between the rear bolster and red bone handle. I'm going to stay away from these vault knives from now on. Just the everyday yellow handles for me. Now to put my medium Stockman back in my pocket.
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I got one that the covers were fit so poorly there was a gap between the bolster and the cover on the "show" side. The blade looked over sharpened and not ground well. I haven't received a Case knife without at least a little blade play in some time. But that swell center jack was the worst I'd seen from Case, normally the covers are the thing they do well.
 
Case can make good stuff. It is unfortunate that they let a lot of poor examples out the door.

All mine are hit or miss. I have one medium stockman that has nice covers, but the three blades are so over-ground the lifespan of the knife has been cut in half.

About half of the ones I own have have the shield pop out, and needing reglued.

Another two arrived with severe blade wobble, and needed some time in a vice.

I am rooting for the company. I just want them to do better quality control.
 
I like Case, but I'm not a fanboy. I'll call it like I see it when I get a knife, any brand. I've received everything from as close to perfect as you can make a hand-assembled and hand-finished production knife, to "nope" right out of the box and returned. Some of the issues with knives I have or have returned shouldn't have made it past the most rudimentary QC IMHO. I've also had some issues with other brands, quality control isn't just a Case issue but they need to do better as they seem to have more issues than others.

Having said that, Case has more patterns, more reasonably priced, and much more available than offerings from some other brands. Some of those brands have turned into unobtanium for most of us.
 
Reconmarui said:
I don't disdain them, I love the brand and what they do, I'd hate to see them go. They do a good job of filling the niche of sub 60 dollar made in USA slipjoints. I'd just like some better QC so that Im not able to watch TV through the liner gaps. I'd be willing to pay 10% more for this.
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At risk of playing Devil's Advocate...
so like 66 bucks vs. 60?

and that's great, but I want no blade play,
maybe Old Herc Dude doesn't want mismatched scales,
Waynorth wants centered blades
Hornetguy needs snappy springs
MolokaiRider wants better blade grinds
Gary wants smooth bolster transitions
(any likenesses to forum participants real or imaginary is by complete coincidence.)

I'm sure Case knows exactly the flaws that get sent out. I bet people at Case buy their own stuff. I'm sure it's in the math somewhere between immaculate knives that only a few people will pay for and problematic knives with a large following that can afford them.
 
I do agree Case has neat patterns and a nice price. I also appreciate that they’re evidently a good sized operation and can actually make enough of the knives they choose to produce to make sure they’re actually readily available through normal retail channels for anyone who wants one. If they could step up their QC by about 30% they would probably see their demand shoot up disproportionately, because I think there are plenty of people who would like to buy a Case but don’t, after having been burned in the past. That being said, I do wonder if half the demand for GEC these days may not lie primarily in the scarcity factor. In other words, if Case upped their game would they actually be as popular, if their stuff was good -and actually available? It’s a scary thought, I know.
 
I did get a response back today from Case concerning the quality issues as well as heat treatment of their steel for other that those that just collect for display, here is what was sent to me;

Hello Gary,

Thank you for your e-mail and taking the time to contact us regarding your concerns. Our quality is to the up-most importance for us and we strive to satisfy our customers. We will pass your comments along to the correct department.

Thank you for your interest in Case knives. Have a wonderful day!

I replied that I do hope that they discuss this at length, concerning both their heat treatment as well as cosmetic issues that get past their final inspection.
G2
 
Gary W. Graley said:
I did get a response back today from Case concerning the quality issues as well as heat treatment of their steel for other that those that just collect for display, here is what was sent to me;

Hello Gary,

Thank you for your e-mail and taking the time to contact us regarding your concerns. Our quality is to the up-most importance for us and we strive to satisfy our customers. We will pass your comments along to the correct department.

Thank you for your interest in Case knives. Have a wonderful day!

I replied that I do hope that they discuss this at length, concerning both their heat treatment as well as cosmetic issues that get past their final inspection.
G2
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Good Luck with that Gary..
Back in 2016 I had a 2hr phone call with the head of QC at that time..
Vented all my frustrations.. Guess what.. ZERO..
Hope ya get an ear but I wont hold my breath..🤔
John:)
 
That’s a sad tale right there and I can imagine there’s been a lot of people that have contacted them as well.
Here’s hoping a fresh start in 2023
G2
 
You must understand that $60 doesn’t buy you much these days, the fact that you can still buy one made in the USA that isn’t as abysmal as anything by Bear MGC is something that shouldn’t be taken for granted, especially since they are still functional workers that come with a warranty.

We all want better quality, most of us are willing to pay for it, but we are not the bulk of the market and can’t keep a company in business the size of Case.

GEC would be where I spent my dollars if I could actually buy one. I dearly miss Schrade, dearly 😢. Camillus, Queen, the list goes on for our now barely existent traditional cutlery industry. I am grateful Case is still in the game and available at prices that seem to have shirked inflation.

Spend a little time in General discussion, most of the regular and common knives people are buying from the USA are $150-$200. That’s for a knife with mostly plastic handles and little soul. The auto market is even worse, can’t even get in on the bottom level of a USA auto without spending $200-$300.

Just imagine what being a worker at case pays, say for example someone who assembles or grinds the blades, I’m betting they aren’t making great money, even at $20/hr. With all those employees, labor is expensive compared to off shore outsourced work.
 
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