Questions about the Case Pen knife

[dogstar]

Folks, I am seriously considering springing for a Case #109 (32087 CV). I'd prefer to buy this knife in a Jack configuration (larger peanut), but I'm tired of waiting. A Buck 309 is my usual pocket knife, but I hear the siren call of yellow CV. I'd appreciate your answers to a few questions:

1. Why does Case have two numbers for each item?

2. I realize this model has two blades on one back spring, which makes it more compact, and the blades are tapered and ground unevenly to fit in one slot (I forget the word for this). Does this make it more likely to have blade rubbing issues?

3. Are the blades in the pen knife bigger than the ones in the peanut?

4. If you own this knife, what are your overall impressions, and how often do you carry it?

5. What's gonna happen to my 309 if I buy the Case?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Regarding two identifying numbers for each knife:

The catalog or item number is a specific reference to an exact, specific configuration within a pattern, such as a specific pattern with specific embellishments (color of scales, or specific jigging, special marks/shields/engraving, limited edition, etc.). The pattern number, like 32087 CV, refers to the frame/blades/handle material configuration only. For example, a pattern number like 6347 SS could and would imply multiple different variations on the '47 pattern stockman, but possibly with different colors of bone, or different jigging, and across many generations of the same pattern over many, many years. Each of those individual variations on the pattern would be catalogued with a different and unique item number.

 

[yablanowitz]

1) SKU and pattern number. The SKU gives more detail, the pattern number is more general.

2) If the baldes rubbing together is an issue for you, don't buy anything with more blades than springs.

3) No.

4) Nice little cutter, the little bit of handle length over the peanut gets it up to the bottom end of my personal comfort zone. I carry mine every othr blue moon.

5) It will get terribly jealous and bite you every time you touch the Case. How would we know?

 

[dogstar]

2) If the baldes rubbing together is an issue for you, don't buy anything with more blades than springs.

3) No.

5) It will get terribly jealous and bite you every time you touch the Case. How would we know?

Thanks for your replies, gentlemen.

2) Thanks for that.

3) Hmmm, maybe I should get a peanut.

5) Yes, it is purely speculative.

 

[yablanowitz]

As I said, the extra bit of length on the pen makes a big difference to me. I may not carry the little pen very often, but I do use it when I carry it. The peanuts do ride alongs about half as often as the pen, but they almost never get used. I just can't get comfortable with that short handle.

 

[popedandy]

As I said, the extra bit of length on the pen makes a big difference to me. I may not carry the little pen very often, but I do use it when I carry it. The peanuts do ride alongs about half as often as the pen, but they almost never get used. I just can't get comfortable with that short handle.

Same here. I prefer something with longer handle length than the peanut. The peanut is a nice knife, but I could never get used to a 2-finger grip.

 

[Will Power]

Blade rub is always a potential issue with crinked blades or on single-spring knives.

That said, my cv and ss CASE Pens seem to have very little if any rub unless pressing the blades hard when opening, not a problem on mine anyway.

Well I disagree, the Pen has larger blades than the Peanut, broader and the Pen has 5.5cm cutting edge as opposed to the Peanut's under 5 cm. GEC's Conductor, the king of single-springs...has nearly 6cm and is broader still. But, you get a good blade in compact frame whatever.

As for the Buck, it's a different style, 2 springs and narrow sabre blades, fine small cutter too.

I often use the CASE Pen as it's light, unobtrusive and just feels right for me. I just wish they'd offer some more scales in this pattern, Amber Bone for instance.

Thanks, Will

 

[Doug Add]

Thanks to pertinux for alerting me to this discussion. I have been offline most of the afternoon, but when I checked in I saw her VM linking me to this.

I really enjoy both my peanut and pen. Different of course, as the peanut has two springs and both blades pivot on the same end, while the pen has a single spring, is slightly longer, and the blades pivot on opposite ends. Below I am linking to three posts (actually four) I made comparing the two.

This is a photo comparison I did for another member between the pen and the peanut, also the pen and the mini copperhead.

This is a post comparing blade lengths of the pen and peanut.

The very next post is a couple shots showing the relative blade shapes/lengths.

Finally, this compares the widths of my chestnut bone peanut and yeller composite pen.

Overall impressions? I love it. It is one of my favorites due to its compact profile and blade length. I usually prefer a jack knife to a pen, but this is one very useful and handy knife. It is part of my regular carry rotation along with the peanut, one of my two mini copperheads, and a few others. I would hate to be without it.

 

[yablanowitz]

Yeah, I kinda forgot about the time I got the main blade of my pen too close to the torch at work, so it's a little shorter than it started.

 

[dogstar]

Doug Add, thanks for bringing those links together. They are very helpful. I think my 309 is very close in size to the Peanut, though the Peanut is a special knife in its own right. A few months from now I will probably be talking about joining the peanut club anyway.

 

[Doug Add]

You mentioned that you prefer the jack knife pattern, as do I. Have you considered the 22087? It cannot be had in yellow CV, but is about the same length as the 32087 and a jack knife.

 

[CoffeeCat2112]

One thing to add about the 22087 is that the pen blade is longer on it than on the pen; maybe 3/16" or so.

And Pertinux is a she? Huh.

 

[dogstar]

One thing to add about the 22087 is that the pen blade is longer on it than on the pen; maybe 3/16" or so.

Very interesting. I don't necessarily need the pen blade to be long, but it helps to be thin and sharp. The little blade on my Vic Classic out cuts the pen on my 309 for this reason. I'd love if the 22087 was available in CV. I'd jump on that in a second!

 

[Doug Add]

I'd love if the 22087 was available in CV. I'd jump on that in a second!

So would I!

 

[pertinux]

Thanks to pertinux for alerting me to this discussion. I have been offline most of the afternoon, but when I checked in I saw her VM linking me to this.

I know you consistently carry the Case pen knife, and remembered that you'd compared it to other knives and the blades thereof, and specifically the Peanut (with helpful pictures, to boot). Instead of searching for your threads, I decided to activate the Bat Signal. Still, I hadn't realized how thorough you've been. Thanks for locating and placing the links here together, and creating such an excellent resource with your post. :thumbup:

One thing to add about the 22087 is that the pen blade is longer on it than on the pen; maybe 3/16" or so.

I'd love if the 22087 was available in CV. I'd jump on that in a second!

So would I!

As would I, especially after seeing bwperdue's picture above. In fact, a CV 22087 would likely hold me in better stead than the "right" CV Peanut I keep hoping will appear.

Edited to add: actually, a 62087 would be better yet.

And Pertinux is a she? Huh.

~ P.

 

[JAB]

For those wishing for a 22087 in CV - vintage versions are often available for very reasonable prices (since they aren't in as great of a demand as the bone or stag versions) if one searches around.

ETA: As much as I love the Peanut, I do find the 087s to be a little more comfy to use and, for all intents and purposes, they carry about the same. Also, even though the cutting edge is pretty close between the two, I find the overall length of the 087's master blade to be slightly better suited when it comes to cutting a sammich or some such.

 

[Doug Add]

Thanks for that photo comparison Blaine. I did not realize there were differences in pen blade lengths. I do want a 22087, but Vanguard's recent find of a (presumably) 62087 has me thinking about one of those.

 

[dogstar]

For those wishing for a 22087 in CV - vintage versions are often available for very reasonable prices (since they aren't in as great of a demand as the bone or stag versions) if one searches around.

I will search around. I'm wary of buying used on the internet because it's hard to tell via photos what the condition is really like.