Sodbuster Smackdown

E

EDCanAdamas

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Sep 8, 2013
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I have wanted a sodbuster for a long time, and am considering either the Case sodbuster with either black or yellow delrin handles or the GEC Farm and Field tool with the black nylon handle (I'm not really into the micrata version). As far as I can tell, the Case is cheaper at around $30, and the black version has the picture of the old-style farm plow which is cool. The GEC "Bullnose" F&F tool seems to be of a higher quality and it has a hole for a lanyard string, which the Case lacks.

Which one would you choose? (Please commit to one and don't just say "both" :D)
 
GEC. Can't beat the edge holding ability of O1 steel. I do like a lanyard when I'm using mine for outside work. I have the maroon linen micarta handle and I love it. :D
 
The Case sodbuster Jr started it all for me with sodbusters and is a great value for what you get. That said, the GEC is a hands down winner for me, despite the added cost. 01 tool steel holds a great edge, fit and finish is superior to the Case and the knife feels better in my hand due to the slight added length. I own over 100 different sodbuster made by god knows how many different manufacturers, the GEC reigns at the top of all them with only a few that I would consider a close second. I'm hoping they expand into some natural handle materials for the Bullnose but there's a good chance that won't happen due to cost. Here is a pic of my Queen, Case and GEC's by each other.

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To muddy your waters somewhat, I actually favour the Queen Country Coz most. Thick handles, more pointed blade and D2 steel. Hardly any dearer than the CASE.

IMG_1867.jpg
 
Well, why not buy…

Okay, okay, I get it. If I were to choose only one, like there can be only one, as much as a love the Case, the GEC does give you a better steel and a lanyard hole. Yeah, the GEC. Believe it or not, I am influenced by the lanyard hole. I once watched a knife of mine slide over the side to Davy Jones's locker, and since then I like a lanyard attachment to a knife that goes on the boat with me.

And the GEC does give you quite a choice of handles.

Maybe once you have the GEC for a while, you can get a yella Case…
:D
 
Best steel for edge holding (once reprofiled): queen country cousin
Best fit and finish (by far!): GEC
 
Keep in mind, with the Case products there are two sizes. The Sod Buster, and the Sod Buster Jr.

The Sod Buster is 4 5/8" closed, while the smaller Sod Buster Jr. is 3 5/8" closed.

The Queen Country cousin is the same length as the Sod Buster Jr (3 5/8"), but the GEC 71 Bullnose is a bit larger, at 3 7/8".

The blade etch with the plow only comes on the black synthetic stainless steel versions, both full sized and junior.

Case offers a number of handle options in the JR version, including several choices in jigged bone as well as the synthetics, with a jigged rosewood and orange synthetic coming out this fall.

The full-sized has four - black w/stainless, yellow w/CV, navy blue w/brushed stainless, carbon fiber w/brushed stainless.
 
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Steel wise I like Queen's D2, GEC's 01 and Case's CV in that order. Fit & finish on the GEC is the best not that it matters because GEC had me at "lanyard hole" anyhow. Bullnose by more than a bullnose hair for me.

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I'm sure the GEC is the better compared to a Case Jr, but believe me the Case Jr is a fantastic little work-horse. The GEC can only be as good or better. You can't go wrong.

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Sorry can't resist the chance to show off my CV Soddie Jr :)
 
Oh, I never answered the actual question, of which one *I* would choose. Neither, really. The one I did choose was a Queen Country Cousin in green linen Micarta. It's my only representative of that pattern style in my collection.
 
Must be a Sodbuster kind of day. I just posted about my Sodbuster Jr. Well, I have the Case, but honestly I've been salivating over GEC's Bullnose for quite a while. If someone had a Case in one hand and the Bullnose in the other and let me pick which one I wanted, I'd grab the Bull by the horns so to speak. But, I think the Case will get you 99% of the performance at 50% of the price, and the CV steel only takes a couple licks on the Lansky crock sticks to get nice and sharp. I really like the GEC micarta scales, the fit and finish are rumored to be top of the line, and the lanyard hole is bonus for those that like them. If you can afford it, get the GEC. If not, there's no shame in the Case game.
 
Dale Gribble said:
Must be a Sodbuster kind of day. I just posted about my Sodbuster Jr. Well, I have the Case, but honestly I've been salivating over GEC's Bullnose for quite a while. If someone had a Case in one hand and the Bullnose in the other and let me pick which one I wanted, I'd grab the Bull by the horns so to speak. But, I think the Case will get you 99% of the performance at 50% of the price, and the CV steel only takes a couple licks on the Lansky crock sticks to get nice and sharp. I really like the GEC micarta scales, the fit and finish are rumored to be top of the line, and the lanyard hole is bonus for those that like them. If you can afford it, get the GEC. If not, there's no shame in the Case game.
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Oh heck no! No shame at all in a Case. The way I see it, the sodbusters are like cars. If the bull nose and the Case were both VW's, the bull nose would be the "new" bug, while the Case is the old air cooled bug that I loved in the 60's, and drove until the 90's. I mean, Case is like the old man who's the pro from Dover. The bull nose is the new kid, he may have better steel, better fit and finish, but the old man has the class of a long history. Either one will do ya good.
 
willgoy said:
To muddy your waters somewhat, I actually favour the Queen Country Coz most. Thick handles, more pointed blade and D2 steel. Hardly any dearer than the CASE.

IMG_1867.jpg
Click to expand...

agreed D2 wins hands down once you learn how to get it properly sharp
 
I am also looking to pick up a sodbuster pattern and have been researching which would be best for me. My question is- Does the D2 or 01 steels impart a metallic taste on foods? 90% of my pocket knife use is cutting up apples and food stuff. I had an Opinel with the carbon steel blade and the metallic taste was not to my liking. I would like to get a sodbuster with a lanyard hole but I cannot seem to find one with stainless. Does this exist?
Thanks
 
I'm with you on this one, I very much dislike the taste even 'patina' carbon imparts on foods, fruits and cheeses in particular!

Not found this problem with D2 knives at all. I use them and stainless for food. Carbon is for 'not by mouth' situations....
 
I would choose the Case. Maybe they are not quite as good of a F&F, but they are excellent cutting tools and are a great value.
 
I started out with the Case Soddie Jr in yellow delrin CV. Then I got a black delrin stainless Jr. And I thought I was a happy puppy.
After a couple of weeks, I got the itch to try a Bull Nose as the funds were available. So I got a maroon micarta.
The Bull Nose really DOES feel much better in hand than the Soddie. Fit and finish is excellent on mine.

Without taking anything away from the Case, I believe the GEC is a better buy despite the higher price. You'll be very satisfied with a Case. That is until you get to borrow or otherwise get your hands on a GEC. After that, there's no going back.

So bottom line is, buy the Case if you know for sure you won't look at a Bull Nose ever. Otherwise, just bite the bullet. You won't regret either way.

Linus
 
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