One "odd-ball" Case Jack Knife!

JD Mandrell

JD Mandrell

Joined
Apr 20, 2001
Messages
18,423
Folks, this is a mind twister!

About a year ago, I bought this 1975 Case XX U.S.A. 5 dot, 3299 1/2 Yellow Delrin Teardrop Jack off of Ebay.

Case-3399-1.jpg


I have been carrying it on and off since and using it a lot. I noticed a few days ago that the Pen blade had started to form a nice patina, but that the Clip blade hadn't.

Case-3399-7.jpg


I thought this was odd, since I use both blades equally and have cut a lot of apples with both.

So over the last few days, I have tried a few old tried and true methods for forming a patina on the main Clip blade and:

After slicing an apple and setting 24 hours without being wiped off..nothing.
After being covered in mustard for 6 hours..................................nothing.
After 30 minutes in warm vinegar...............................................nothing.

I am left with the conclusion that somehow this knife has 1 stainless blade and 1 carbon blade????????

Clip blade tang:Mark Side
Case-3399-3.jpg


Clip blade Tang:Pile Side
Case-3399-4.jpg


Here's the weird thing, should not the Main Clip blade have an "SS" or "STAINLESS" on it???????

Clip Blade:
Case-3399-6.jpg


Pen Blade:
Case-3399-5.jpg


Which do you think more likely?
1. Factory mistake.

2. Factory repaired at some point and they substituted a stainless blade, but again shouldn't it have an "SS" on it?

3. Home repaired "Frankenstien" job?

The real stumper here, is the stainless blade not being marked "SS" or "STAINLESS", I was under the impression that Case never made stainless blades with no stamp that identified them as stainless steel???

Weird one ain't it!
 
To be sure, wipe the edge of the ricasso next the blade edge clean (it's inconspicuous) and dab on a spot of cold gun blue. Paste works best because you can control the size of the spot. If it doesn't stain within a few seconds it's ss. If not left on carbon too long, the spot can be mostly rubbed away. The back spring or liners can be tested as well.
Regards, ss.
 
I thought those 70's knives were carbon steel. Odd indeed, as it should be stamped stainless for that time period. If it's a repair, you still have to question the blade marking????
 
Just a theory, but it could be from the CV steel being made in different batches and there may be more Chrome in the main blade. I beleive this may keep it from getting patina. For the experts, is this possible?:
 
ParaGlock said:
Please excuse the rather basic question, but what does the "1/2" signify?

-- Sam
Click to expand...

When Case uses the "1/2" it's to note that the master blade is a "clip" point blade.



Just as a further test, this morning I used the master blade to slice up an orange for breakfast and let it set with fresh orange juice on the blade for about 30 minutes....again nothing, not a trace of stain or patina.

Over on KF in the Case forum, knifeaholic suggested probably the best answer, that since Case did not make these in stainless in the 70's, a piece of stainless may have accidently got ran though and made into a blade and installed in a knife that should have been CV.

That would explain the markings all being right for the time and the knife they are on, but the wrong steel.
 
The Last Confederate said:
When Case uses the "1/2" it's to note that the master blade is a "clip" point blade.



Just as a further test, this morning I used the master blade to slice up an orange for breakfast and let it set with fresh orange juice on the blade for about 30 minutes....again nothing, not a trace of stain or patina.

Over on KF in the Case forum, knifeaholic suggested probably the best answer, that since Case did not make these in stainless in the 70's, a piece of stainless may have accidently got ran though and made into a blade and installed in a knife that should have been CV.

That would explain the markings all being right for the time and the knife they are on, but the wrong steel.
Click to expand...

So in other words, since this is the only knife that exists like this and is one-of-a-kind, so it is perhaps worth thousands of dollars..:eek::( ;) :D
 
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