Question about Case Quality

J

jtd302

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Nov 29, 2015
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I have been reading the forum for a few weeks and decided to take the plunge into the world of traditionals. I started off by ordering a CV medium stockman that I was really happy with the finish of the scales and bolsters, but the main clip blade had 1/4" front to back play when extended. I tried to let that slide since I really wanted to like the knife, but in the end it really bothered me. So, off to Case it went for repair. In the meantime, while the stockman was away I decided to give a CV Peanut a try. Pulling it out of the package everything was great until I extended the clip blade and it is bent (or mis-ground) at the tip where the clip starts to the end (last 1/2"+/-). Otherwise the finish seems okay.

I have really been trying to buy a US made knife, but honestly I am very disappointed in the quality I have received from Case to this point. Is this pretty standard when dealing with Case? Is the only way to get an okay version of their knives to hand pick them? Or, am I just being too demanding and most people just accept fore-aft blade play and bent blades as par for the course?

Thank for the help.
 
Case knives are well made, but do often have some problems and are best picked in person.

Look at GEC. Some of their offerings aren't too far above the price of a CV Medium Stockman and will have better fit and finish. American made by a small company in Titusville Pennsylvania.
 
I've never encountered a bent blade tip on a new Case knife. I've found some blade play on some Case knives if I specifically go out of my way to wiggle the blade, but never actually loose (where it would wobble on it's own).

Case could do a better job in their quality control and consistency, to be honest about it. There's a certain level of variation in fit and finish you have to be willing to accept if you want to buy Case knives unseen. I am less picky than some and as such I accept things as par for the course that others might consider unacceptable. If you have high standards for what you are looking for, you'll probably be happier going up the price ladder to GEC. Though I do have a number of Case knives that had a very good fit and finish right out of the box, not all are like that.

It's unfortunate that they don't produce a more consistent product, but eventually the market will punish or reward them as it sees fit.
 
jtd302 said:
I have been reading the forum for a few weeks and decided to take the plunge into the world of traditionals. I started off by ordering a CV medium stockman that I was really happy with the finish of the scales and bolsters, but the main clip blade had 1/4" front to back play when extended. I tried to let that slide since I really wanted to like the knife, but in the end it really bothered me. So, off to Case it went for repair. In the meantime, while the stockman was away I decided to give a CV Peanut a try. Pulling it out of the package everything was great until I extended the clip blade and it is bent (or mis-ground) at the tip where the clip starts to the end (last 1/2"+/-). Otherwise the finish seems okay.

I have really been trying to buy a US made knife, but honestly I am very disappointed in the quality I have received from Case to this point. Is this pretty standard when dealing with Case? Is the only way to get an okay version of their knives to hand pick them? Or, am I just being too demanding and most people just accept fore-aft blade play and bent blades as par for the course?

Thank for the help.
Click to expand...

I only buy Case knives in person, usually at a large dealer in Missouri. My most common complaints with Case knives I've inspected but not purchased, wobbly blades and coarse jagged edges.
 
I am a fan of Case because of the fact they have so many patterns to choose from and the price point for a USA made knife IMO is very good. However it seems for the last few years with out hand picking them it can be somewhat of a crap shoot. That said I have never found one to be really bad in F&F or blade play. I have also found this to be true with Queen, S&M and other USA made knives. GEC seems to be the best overall these days but I have saw some of them with the same issues but no where near as often. I will continue to buy Case knives as well as other USA made ones. I have also began to buy imported knives such as Rough Rider because they have a great selection of patterns and I have found them to be basically as good as Case at 1/3 or less the price. I wish Buck would start making more patterns Just my 2 cents.
 
Maybe it's luck of the draw. I have roughly a dozen Case knives. I've had minor issues with only one. But I tend to buy the less common models, rather than the ones they pump out year after year.
 
Thanks. I must have hit a bad string of knives.

I am generally okay with external F&F issues since I buy knives to be users and not as collector items. Part of what draws me to traditional knives is the variation between each individual knife. I love that each has its own special story and character. Saying that, I can't handle blade issues. Side to side play doesn't bother me all, but I can't do fore-aft movement to the point of popping when loaded or blades so arched they rub both sides of the liners.

It sounds like I will have to find a Case dealer in the Seattle area to go pick my next one out in person. Good to know...
 
I purchase around 15 or 20 Case xx knives per year,and have for probably 15 years. I have sent one back to be repaired due to gaps in between the back springs and spacers. I'm not saying all of them are perfect,but I am picky and I am pleased with the quality of the knives in my collection. Case repaired the knife I sent in to perfection and got it two me in less than 2 weeks.
 
Yeah, don't take my comments wrong above - I have 80+ Case knives and am happy with almost all of them. Some are flawless, most are very good, a few have some minor fit and finish issues that don't really bother me. I have never had one I considered sending in for service. But, i also understand that things like less than perfectly centered blades, blade rub on double-hinged knives, and small backspring gaps, which are things I don't much notice or care about, do bother some people. So without knowing someone's perfection tolerance, it's hard to recommend them across the board. I can usually tell by the tone of someone's posts whether they should probably avoid Case knives.

Best analogy I have - Guy I worked with in the early 90s loved GM cars. He referred to them as having "GM-itis" - little rattles and squeaks and minor issues, but since he was into cars he could fix those easy. Otherwise good solid cars that worked. Similarly, Case knives tend to have "Case-itis." Minor fit and finish issues that bother some people, but if you're a Case person, you're used to them and they don't bother you. So, when I get a Case knife with beautiful bone handles, perfect blade grinds, and discover that the backspring is a little proud when open, I am a little disappointed (proud backsprings tend to annoy me because I can feel them in use) but I still just use it. Meanwhile, I still wonder why they couldn't, after so many years of making Trapper patterns, get that kind of detail down pat by now.
 
JTD it must be late and I'm getting old I just noticed that you are new here and this thread was your first post. Welcome, we call this little sub forum the porch and the folks here make you feel like pulling up a chair and having a conversation with a bunch of old friends. Glad you found your way here because there are a lot of people here with a tremendous amount of knowledge of traditional knives and are more than happy to share. Good luck.
 
Welcome to the Porch. Hope you find a Case you like. I have a ton, and have yet to experience what you have (concerning fore and aft movement). Wish the best to you! Thanks for being here.
 
I have a couple with minor issues like blade rub but since I put all of my knives to use it didn't bother me too much. Never had one come with a bent blade, I'd be pretty upset about that.

Safest bet is to find your closest brick and mortar store, I try to support mine as much as possible. Also take a look at the traditional section of the exchange ( http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/f...raditionals-Slipjoints-Old-Timey-style-knives ), people usually post nice clear pictures of the knives they are selling and you can occasionally find a really good deal (if you're fast enough).
 
I understand it's disappointing for you, perplexing even, but you are on the right track....

I very much agree with John's assessment - I have quite a lot of CASE knives and as I live in Europe I have to take my chance and buy them on-line. Generally speaking I have been very satisfied with them and regard them as decent knives that you could like for life. However, I too believe that CASE's QC should be made more rigorous, they are a large volume producer so they may take the attitude that fix later is a better option, I question this strategy. Their Customer service as used by me has proved remarkable, they replaced a knife no question, so they stand by their product not just words or marketing speak. Still feel it would be better to be a bit more tight in their QC in the first place.

Some people might spin the line of "handmade and old world, you have to expect faults don't you whine, stick a bit of wood in the gap" I don't accept this position at all and for those new to Traditionals or coming from Moderns it might come as a shock or simply ridiculous. Traditional knives are usually made using many different materials, some companies might be using old or worn equipment, this might sometimes impact on quality. But only sometimes and it should not be used as an excuse for arbitrary QC and part of the 'mystique' or 'aura' of Traditionals. When you get a decent knife from CASE, GEC, Queen, Böker, Buck and RR it is not a surprise thing but the norm and that knife will give you great pleasure for probably a lifetime.

When you get one with clearly perplexing faults like you have, you are on the right track in sending it back and wanting it as it should be. There's no point sitting in the corner being aggrieved by your knife and being told it's no big deal anyway and use it to death and forget about it. Things such as bent tips, large gaps, appreciable play, weak snap, non flush springs on open/close ARE quality issues and do prevent the owner from getting what they should from their knife:satisfaction.

I hope you develop an interesting and enthusiasm for Traditionals.:thumbup:

Regards, Will
 
Thanks for the welcome. Seems like there a lot of good folks in here.

I can completely see the GM analogy. Over the years I have been guilty of that myself. I build skis and mountain bikes in my spare time so I know all about learning to deal with things that are not 100% perfect. It is amazing what you can get used to if you have too.

I decided I need to chill out a little and that I easily have the technology to fix a bent blade. I pulled the 123 blocks off the lathe for a reference and cold set the blade on the vice. Not perfect, but close enough to not see the arc by eye. After only a day of carry I can really see why there is a forum love for the Peanut. I am looking forward to getting my stockman back to put that back into the rotation.

Thanks everyone for your help.
 
I have only purchased one new Case knife recently, the Bose / Case lockback whittler. It is a crappy knife with many problems. The worst is a grinding main blade, due to an unfinished section on the tang. The other is the clip secondary blade rubbing the liner for 2/3 of its length. It rubs so badly that it has to be pushed closed if released gently. I am keeping it because I purchased it mainly for the interesting locking mechanism. Returning any knife from Canada is too much of a pain, so it is the last new Case I will be buying.

Wolfe
 
ALLHSS said:
Case knives are well made, but do often have some problems and are best picked in person.

Look at GEC. Some of their offerings aren't too far above the price of a CV Medium Stockman and will have better fit and finish. American made by a small company in Titusville Pennsylvania.
Click to expand...

When it comes to Case usually anything before the millennium were on average good quality, after it seems like unless it's a Case/Bose production like the Swayback Jacks and the Sowbellys you're better off handling before buyin' or dealin' with an online store with a liberal return policy.

I only own maybe half a dozen Case made after 2000 all the rest are earlier years and the quality is great on all of them. Than again I held each one before buyin' it and I don't think I paid over $10 foe any one of them, in fact most were $5 and under. :)
 
T. Erdelyi said:
When it comes to Case usually anything before the millennium were on average good quality, after it seems like unless it's a Case/Bose production like the Swayback Jacks and the Sowbellys you're better off handling before buyin' or dealin' with an online store with a liberal return policy.

I only own maybe half a dozen Case made after 2000 all the rest are earlier years and the quality is great on all of them. Than again I held each one before buyin' it and I don't think I paid over $10 foe any one of them, in fact most were $5 and under. :)
Click to expand...
Good finds. The flea markets etc I go to always seem way overpriced.
 
wolfeknives said:
I have only purchased one new Case knife recently, the Bose / Case lockback whittler. It is a crappy knife with many problems. The worst is a grinding main blade, due to an unfinished section on the tang. The other is the clip secondary blade rubbing the liner for 2/3 of its length. It rubs so badly that it has to be pushed closed if released gently. I am keeping it because I purchased it mainly for the interesting locking mechanism. Returning any knife from Canada is too much of a pain, so it is the last new Case I will be buying.

Wolfe
Click to expand...

You should contact Case. In the past on this forum, they said Case would pay for shipping to and fro for any repairs on their Case Bose collaboration knives. I needed some repair work and sent it in myself. It was back, repaired free of charge, in less than 2 weeks, sent home by express shipping.

Which version of the lockback whittler did you purchase?

My personal experience with Case has been good. Never received one that needed to go back. If I can, I like to buy in person so I can pick a perfect specimen, but I've gotten good ones in the mail as well.
 
Hello,

Case knives are hard to find in my neck of the woods, and are very overpriced when found.
I have managed to find and purchase 2 of them.
One is OK the other is poorly assembled.
That is a fifty percent failure rate in my book.

Needless to say I will not look for or purchase any more Case knives.

Just saying.

Bye.
 
These days Case fit and finish is hit or miss. I have three that had zero issues. Every single one of the rest (8 or so) have had or still have quality issues. I think this may be due to Case catering to collectors that never use the knives they buy.
 
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