Quality of modern Case knives

JohnDF said:
I'm seeing a lot of "Case Issues" getting blown way out of proportion.
Case isn't perfect, but they are way better than some would have you believe.
I've had similar issues with GEC and Boker too, still mostly non-issues unless you desire perfection.
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I guess you are right. But I would say that if you buy Case nowadays, you're more likely to run into some issues.
 
JohnDF said:
Oh ya, Case built fantastic knives in the 60s, 70s, and 80s... probably some of the absolute best.
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Sadly, I haven't got my hand on those yet. The oldest I have is a 2008 Crandall. And those seemed to be of a so-so quality already, though not as bad as modern.
 
coolhand68 said:
They are good knives. Not GEC quality, but for the price and availability they are great users. Still made in U.S.
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I agree, I feel they serve two purposes, one as a good user knife that doesn’t break the bank, the other is as a collectible for the folks who like to put them in a display case by those who collect them by patterns or scale material, etc. and never use them.
If you are looking for an exquisite knife with perfect fit and finish, not saying you can’t find them in Case, but most probably will not be perfect. Because they are hand assembled and finished you do get some variation. On occasion I do notice gaps, some uneven or irregular finishing, some with blade rub, etc. nothing that really hinders the use of the tool, but not exactly a flawless showpiece either.
For the money they are good, and as a user knife they are excellent, especially considering the materials used and US manufacturing.
Personally I like them and would recommend them unless you are a perfectionist, and in that case I would say you need to either examine it before you buy or spend more money for that level of fit and finish
 
K.Coper said:
Normally I'm stictly a SAK guy but I am thinking of picking up a Case Peanut in SS.
Before I do so, I have a few questions that hope you can answer.

What is the general quality of modern Case knives? I read mixed opinions. Some say they're good, others say things like "gap city" etc. etc.
Also, how is the 'tru sharp' steel compared to Victorinox and how sharp do they come out of the box? Do they need a lot of work to get really sharp?
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I buy a Peanut every year. After carrying it for a week I gift it to my daughter to ad to her growing Peanut collection :) Never had any big issues with Peanuts except for uneven grinding in the edge. Just got 2 Medium Jacks with gaps in backsprings and small things here and there. Not exhibition knifes, but good edc´s. The steel sharpens fine :)
 
Update: I ordered the yellow one in CV with the delrin scales. It came in today and to my eyes, the fit and finish is just fine. Just a very slight gap on one side, but nothing really. Glad I took a chance. I'm happy to add my first US made knife to my small Euro collection of mostly SAK's! Thanks for all advice and help, it is very much appreciated!
 
K.Coper said:
Update: I ordered the yellow one in CV with the delrin scales. It came in today and to my eyes, the fit and finish is just fine. Just a very slight gap on one side, but nothing really. Glad I took a chance. I'm happy to add my first US made knife to my small Euro collection of mostly SAK's! Thanks for all advice and help, it is very much appreciated!
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Congrats on buying a quality pocket knife... may it serve you well. 🤠:thumbsup:
 
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K.Coper said:
Update: I ordered the yellow one in CV with the delrin scales. It came in today and to my eyes, the fit and finish is just fine. Just a very slight gap on one side, but nothing really. Glad I took a chance. I'm happy to add my first US made knife to my small Euro collection of mostly SAK's! Thanks for all advice and help, it is very much appreciated!
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Which pattern?
 
Alex.Y. said:
Sadly, I haven't got my hand on those yet. The oldest I have is a 2008 Crandall. And those seemed to be of a so-so quality already, though not as bad as modern.
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Why do you continue to buy Case if they don’t meet your personal standards?
 
brownshoe said:
Why do you continue to buy Case if they don’t meet your personal standards?
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I don't. What makes you think that I do? 2008 one I bought only recently, I don't buy thee since 2008, if that's what you were thinking. I only get them occasionally and hope for good. Slimline trapper itself, fir example, really appeals to me, but the quality of mine is... well, you know. That's why I don't try them much.
 
K.Coper said:
Update: I ordered the yellow one in CV with the delrin scales. It came in today and to my eyes, the fit and finish is just fine. Just a very slight gap on one side, but nothing really. Glad I took a chance. I'm happy to add my first US made knife to my small Euro collection of mostly SAK's! Thanks for all advice and help, it is very much appreciated!
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Congratulations on getting a good knife for your collection. Hopefully it serves you well, as many countless case knives have, for many people, for many years.
 
Alex.Y. said:
I don't. What makes you think that I do? 2008 one I bought only recently, I don't buy thee since 2008, if that's what you were thinking. I only get them occasionally and hope for good. Slimline trapper itself, fir example, really appeals to me, but the quality of mine is... well, you know. That's why I don't try them much.
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Post #33, shown below, sorry I'm not good at quoting posts. How can you speak of Case quality, sharpening, etc. w/o owning them? You're just a hater?

K.Coper said:
What is the general quality of modern Case knives?
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Pretty bad, I would say. Gaps, uneven thickness of scales (even the synthetic ones!), blade play, poor sharpening.
K.Coper said:
... how sharp do they come out of the box?
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They don't, lol. Joking aside, pretty bad either.

K.Coper said:
Do they need a lot of work to get really sharp?
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They do. Not really a lot, because have you seen the width of their blades? What's more annoying is trying to sharpen them good without grinding off too much so they won't look like years of use or something.
 
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brownshoe said:
Pretty bad, I would say. Gaps, uneven thickness of scales (even the synthetic ones!), blade play, poor sharpening.
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Wherever you've been buying your Case knives... I'd stop. :rolleyes:
I've bought well over 100 Case knives and I've received nothing anywhere near as bad as you describe.
Ore are you just the Case Hater???
 
JohnDF said:
Wherever you've been buying your Case knives... I'd stop. :rolleyes:
I've bought well over 100 Case knives and I've received nothing anywhere near as bad as you describe.
Ore are you just the Case Hater???
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Sorry that's not me that's Alex Y, I bolded my remark.
 
I would like to clarify something that I said in an earlier post about the Case knives that I bought at a really big knife shop in Tennessee .
The Peanut that I finally bought was one of 5 or 6 that I sorted through for the appearance of the Stag only . Everything else was spot on for all of the Peanuts that I saw . I have seen other posts here that seem to agree with the Peanut quality also . They are a pretty nice little knife and well worth what they cost IMHO .
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Harry
 
Grabbed a random handful of Case knives from my drawer.
As you can see, the handle slabs are all even side-to-side, blades are well centered, blade stock is typical for the style, and I can guarantee you the blades are sharp and there is no blade play. Yes, there are small liner gaps... full disclosure.

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Next time I go back to town, if I can remember, and if they still have it, and if the clerk don’t mind, I’ll get pics of that teardrop I mentioned.

I forgot to mention, they had a canoe that was pretty clean too. I hadn’t ever handled that pattern and I was surprised by how thin the blades are.
 
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Case can and does make good knives. It would be nice to see them step up the quality control and attention to detail. Just ordered a few swell center jacks, fingers crossed.

Glad you got a good Peanut K.Coper, careful they tend to multiply. :)
 
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