Old vs New production knives

[jk13542]

I am just wonder that the quality of the knives between the current production and the older on is differ significantly or not. In this case it is Case XX Prime stag Barlow 51009 1/2 vs 1998 Case Stag Barlow 52009 1/2. The latter one will cost 15$USD more. Which one is better choice?

 

[Railsplitter]

It really depends on the individual knives themselves and whether you want one or two blades.

Generally speaking, the older Case knives tend to be made a little better than the newer ones. If by "Case XX" you mean 1940-1964 production, I would go with that one without seeing or handling the knives.

 

[jk13542]

It really depends on the individual knives themselves and whether you want one or two blades.

Generally speaking, the older Case knives tend to be made a little better than the newer ones. If by "Case XX" you mean 1940-1964 production, I would go with that one without seeing or handling the knives.

It's a 1998 knives vs current

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

My impression of the '90s vintage knives from Case is, they're essentially same/similar in quality to current production. However, I do think Case has been doing a better job with edge grinds on the post-2000 knives. I say this because, when I was really getting interested in collecting knives back in the '90s, I eye-balled a bunch of Case's line at gun/knife shows back then. I started to avoid them a bit then, because I all-too-often was seeing fairly thick/blunt/asymmetrical edges on many of the knives I looked at. Not saying all of them were this way, but consistency seemed to be hit-or-miss. When I gave them a 2nd chance a few years later (post-2000), I immediately noticed the improvement in edge grinds on their blades, and more consistently so. They went a little more acute, and more symmetrically-ground, and it changed my outlook on them after that.

If you're already comfortable with re-bevelling your own edges, the above distinction is essentially moot. AND, there's always the chance you'll get a '90s knife that has a decent edge grind. Barring that, I think it should come down to your own preference/tastes/aesthetics then, as to deciding which to buy. Either that, or just get both!