DavidZ
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2004
- Messages
- 4,122
I have over the years, as I am sure many of you have or you would not be on this forum, searched for a pocket knife that was somehow better and more satisfying than one you currently carried. At least I did! It was always very elusive, and things like better fit and finish, smoother action, and improved style and design was just your next purchase away. We all really know however, that the real joy is in the hunt! In this post, I just want to share a comparison between what could be considered the best of the old and the new. In the modern corner, I have placed what I consider what is currently the best of the modern production world in a traditional pocket knife - the Case - Bose series, vs. the Bertram Hen and Rooster's from when A.G. Russell owned the company, before it became what it is currently managed to be. This is not a criticism of the current crop of knives, so please let's stay on the comparison.
First the Case / Bose:
I have owned a few, and they are awesome. Fit and finish is nearly high end custom quality, and the designs are time honored classics. The steel is of modern lineage, so performance is outstanding! They have a technical precision about them that is incredible as well.
Next, the Hen and Roosters that I got, made in 1976.
Fit and finish is also impeccable. The designs and style are equally beautiful. The steel is certainly the best they had at that time, but probably not equal to the standards of today. They have a high polish, both inside and out, but there is more to it. They have a certain feel about them. The action is much smoother and does not have a robotic - CNC feel to it. The action and the design sort of "flows". They seem to be more than the sum of their parts assembled in a technically perfect way.
The conclusion? The modern classics of the Case / Bose series of today, as well as many customs, have a technical precision about them that while beautiful in style, and perfect in precision, come off as cold and robotic in nature. Sort of CNC cloned and without a personality or life. It is difficult to describe, but very obvious in "feel". I wish I could command my words to better describe this. As an illustration, here is an incident that happened at work. I have a friend at work that really likes and appreciates nice traditional pocket knives, but is not one who is actively in pursuit like we are. I regularly show him my latest finds. I showed him one of each the other day, and his reaction to the Case was matter of factly "nice knife". The H&R was another story, he studied it and handled it, until I almost thought he was not going to give it back. even he commented about how well it "felt" Anyone else experience this? Here are some pics:
First the Case / Bose:
I have owned a few, and they are awesome. Fit and finish is nearly high end custom quality, and the designs are time honored classics. The steel is of modern lineage, so performance is outstanding! They have a technical precision about them that is incredible as well.
Next, the Hen and Roosters that I got, made in 1976.
Fit and finish is also impeccable. The designs and style are equally beautiful. The steel is certainly the best they had at that time, but probably not equal to the standards of today. They have a high polish, both inside and out, but there is more to it. They have a certain feel about them. The action is much smoother and does not have a robotic - CNC feel to it. The action and the design sort of "flows". They seem to be more than the sum of their parts assembled in a technically perfect way.
The conclusion? The modern classics of the Case / Bose series of today, as well as many customs, have a technical precision about them that while beautiful in style, and perfect in precision, come off as cold and robotic in nature. Sort of CNC cloned and without a personality or life. It is difficult to describe, but very obvious in "feel". I wish I could command my words to better describe this. As an illustration, here is an incident that happened at work. I have a friend at work that really likes and appreciates nice traditional pocket knives, but is not one who is actively in pursuit like we are. I regularly show him my latest finds. I showed him one of each the other day, and his reaction to the Case was matter of factly "nice knife". The H&R was another story, he studied it and handled it, until I almost thought he was not going to give it back. even he commented about how well it "felt" Anyone else experience this? Here are some pics: