Should I get an older Case Trapper?

K

KennyB

Joined
Jan 19, 2010
Messages
2,312
So I bought a Case Trapper ( Yellow CV ) a little while ago. I really like it and everything, but it's got some issues I don't really like. For one thing, there's too much blade play in it, and for another I don't like the flat bolsters; I like the ones with the rounded bolsters more.

I've heard from various places that older Cases had better fit and finish, no blade play and that they were rounded bolsters, so I'm wondering if I should get an older one.

The thing is, the one I have is already pretty nice, and I don't really know if I want another one in addition to this one.

Does anyone here have an older Case Trapper that they can compare to the new ones and tell me if it's worth it?
 
I guess it depends on how much older you are talking about. The early Case knives were very nicely made, but for a nice specimen you will pay a lot more than a current production knife.

I haven't had any new Case knives, but from what a lot of folks say, the current offerings are very good in F&F. They won't do anything with the bolsters, but if the blade play bothers you, you can always send it in and have them repair it.
 
you could return current one for Case to fix or if you own rubber hammer or have some tough material which to cover bolster you can hammer it down carefully to make blade play away.

but if you can get Case made prior 80's, general consensus is that they're better. Though most recent 2010 models have been very, very nice.
 
I believe the yellow handle trapper is the only one with flat bolsters(i remember reading about it on the ccc forum),I have several trappers,two orange bone one amber bone,green pocketworn,three stag,one red stag,i would have to get the knife rolls out to give you a complete list, but i guess my point is that none of mine have blade play or flat bolsters.they are all recent production.i like to guy from a store where I can pick the handle color i like,especially with stag because i am picky.my advice would be to return it to case and let them fix it,i have never had to return anything for repair but i have heard the customer service is tops.
 
If you want better fit and finish that the current Case's, the easiest route would be to just buy a Great Eastern Cutlery-made trapper. And it would likely be cheaper than an old, sought-after-by-collectors Case.
 
KennyB said:
Does anyone here have an older Case Trapper that they can compare to the new ones and tell me if it's worth it?
Click to expand...
It depends on how old is old. During the 80s and 90s, Case suffered a slump in quality that is very evident compared to older and newer knives. Current production Case knives are generally very good quality, although occasionally a poor example slips through. The older, pre-1980's knives are generally very good quality, but to find a new or near-new knife from that period is going to cost significantly more than a current production knife due to the collectors demand for vintage Case knives, and I'm not sure the quality better enough to justify paying so much more for a "using" knife.

If the blade play is the main issue, you can return it to Case to get them to tighten it up. I have never had the need to return a knife but as I understand they are pretty good about fixing minor issues like that.
 
KennyB said:
So I bought a Case Trapper ( Yellow CV ) a little while ago. I really like it and everything, but it's got some issues I don't really like. For one thing, there's too much blade play in it, and for another I don't like the flat bolsters; I like the ones with the rounded bolsters more.

I've heard from various places that older Cases had better fit and finish, no blade play and that they were rounded bolsters, so I'm wondering if I should get an older one.

The thing is, the one I have is already pretty nice, and I don't really know if I want another one in addition to this one.

Does anyone here have an older Case Trapper that they can compare to the new ones and tell me if it's worth it?
Click to expand...

Well, to start off with, there's nothing wrong with having more than one Trapper.

Try this. It's a trick Rick (and others on the forum) use to tighten a loose blade. Wrap the bolster in a piece of leather or heavy cloth and put the knife in a vise. Tighten the jaws of the vice just a tad (very, very, little pressure) and see if that doesn't tighten up the loose blade.

If you don't feel comfortable doing that, send the knife to Case with a note outlining your issues with it and they'll make it right for you.
 
Modoc ED said:
Well, to start off with, there's nothing wrong with having more than one Trapper.

Try this. It's a trick Rick (and others on the forum) use to tighten a loose blade. Wrap the bolster in a piece of leather or heavy cloth and put the knife in a vise. Tighten the jaws of the vice just a tad (very, very, little pressure) and see if that doesn't tighten up the loose blade.

If you don't feel comfortable doing that, send the knife to Case with a note outlining your issues with it and they'll make it right for you.
Click to expand...

Well, I think there's something wrong with the knife in general, because I keep tapping it tight with a rubber mallet, but it keeps coming loose.

I suppose I'll just look into sending it back to Case.

Does anyone know what years they produced the round bolsters in? Do I have to get an older one to get a good one with round bolsters, or are there recent ones? I heard that they switched production in 2008 to the round bolsters, but I don't remember where I read that.
 
I hope I'm not overstepping my bounds here but I am confused. Can someone please post pics of both a rounded bolstered trapper and a square one?
 
Should you buy another knife? Yes. Whether it is older, newer or ill-advised to do so, you should buy another knife. The more you have the more you know what you like to carry. Live and learn and share your knowledge here with us.
I'll be looking forward to your report.
Because after my BM Goldclass is paid off, I am looking for a Case Trapper for my collection.
 
KennyB said:
Well, I think there's something wrong with the knife in general, because I keep tapping it tight with a rubber mallet, but it keeps coming loose.
Click to expand...
I think what's happening here is that, when you tap the pivot, you're squeezing the knife together but the parts are just moving around on the pin, and that's why they can slide back out over time. If you try the vise technique, it might work better, since you'll actually be squeezing the pin itself, which will help the knife STAY tight longer.
Otherwise, yeah: send it back to Case and they'll fix it. I've had good luck with their CS dept. :thumbup:
 
My dad's got an older Case trapper. Made in 1976 (the year he got married, coincidentally). I don't have any pics, but it is definitely more "rounded." If you look at it end-on, the rear bolsters' sides have more of a curve, similar to the pocket-worn series. Overall, the knife feels a lot "smoother" in the hand than my 2000 cv trapper.
That being said, I don't think it's worth the extra bucks, for a "user" knife, unless there's some sort of sentimental value placed on it. If you want a more rounded trapper, get a GEC, a Canal Street, or a Queen.
 
The OP might find it useful to take a look at a current thread Regular Trappers.

Can't see any rounded bolster CASE Trappers there, Buck maybe...
 
I got a yellow handled Case full sized trapper about six months ago from a local hardware store, and the slabs and bolsters were square. It was not very comfortable to use, so I took it to the trusty Harbor Freight 1x30 belt sander and rounded all the edges. It is a huge improvement in the hande. I just need to go back and use the finer grits to polish out the scratches, and it will be a real beaut. KennyB, I feel your pain.
 
protourist said:
I hope I'm not overstepping my bounds here but I am confused. Can someone please post pics of both a rounded bolstered trapper and a square one?
Click to expand...

I think this is a square bolster - Case pattern 048
http://allaboutpocketknives.com/wr_case/case_xx_pictures/048-62.jpg
and Case pattern 54:
http://allaboutpocketknives.com/wr_case/case_xx_pictures/54-82.jpg

And this is a round bolster - Case pattern 40
http://allaboutpocketknives.com/wr_case/case_xx_pictures/40-52.jpg
 
Thank you. I hadn't noticed the round bolstered ones before. I will be looking more carefully now.
I certainly like the round bolstered one better. KennyB, my opinion is, yes get the older one.
 
Actually the difference between the old and new bolsters on the Case yellow trapper is in the hafting or rounding of the edges of the bolsters and the handle material slabs, not in the shape of the bolster ends.

It is hard to show in photos, but in the older knives the bolsters were formed out of half round nickel silver slugs, while on the newer knives the bolsters are stamped out of flat sheets of nickel silver.

On the current current knives with bone, stag, and other knives with premium handles, the bolsters and the handle material are rounded off at the edges after assembly as part of the hafting process.

On the yellow handle knives and the delrin handle "working series" knives, when the knives are assembled the flat bolsters and the handle material slabs are not rounded at all (to save costs) but are left flat as a pancake giving the knife a "boxy" look and feel that does not show up in photos.
 
Heres a 54 from 81 for reference.I like the older stuff.

P1010098.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top