Qn for Case Sm Stockman owners

[Chinpo]

I just received this Amber Bone example yesterday, and it's my first Case Small Stockman. I noticed a lot of scratches and scuffs from the blades rubbing on each other when they open and close. Also, the wharncliffe/sheepsfoot blade stands up quite high (You can see it in the last picture).
It's a nice knife and I'll probably just keep it (Especially as I'm in Japan and returning it would cost a lot). I'd just like to know if this is normal.
Thanks for any help.

 

[Railsplitter]

Blade rub is common on multi bladed production slipjoints but the rub marks on yours look excessive.

If that Sheepsfoot blade is closed all the way, it should not sit that high. The cutting edge should be below the handle scales when closed.

Is it rubbing on the liner thus keeping it from closing all the way?

 

[Ed T]

Seems to be a bit excessive. The blade should not be that high and could cause you a real problem. You might look in the maintenance and tinkering subforum for tips?

 

[Planterz]

If you don't wish to send the knife back (understandable, as shipping might cost nearly as much as simply buying a new one), you can file down the kick of the sheepsfoot blade to make it sit lower. It's not uncommon for the sheepsfoot blade on stockmans to sit a bit high, sometimes with the edge proud of the scales, but yours is beyond excessive. Although having the pen blade in the half position like in your photo will make the sheepsfoot rise about a millimeter higher than it normally sits; or at least that's the case with my Case 6344 medium stockman (3 1/8" closed).

As for the scratches, they seem excessive as well, but as long as the edge doesn't hit the other blades, it's more cosmetic than anything and doesn't really affect the functionality. At the very least, you should try to contact the dealer you bought it from and see what their return policy is. If they'd be willing to replace it, it might be worth it to ship it back to them. Rather than sending it back to Case.

 

[Chinpo]

Thanks very much guys. It looks like the kick is catching on the liner. The blades also tend to catch on each others nail nicks, which appears to be what is scratching them. After reading your advice, I was playing with it a little more and I cut my pinky finger on the exposed point of the sheepsfoot when the clip point was out. I think I may have to try to return it.