Sodbuster/Sodbuster Jr durability?

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Bartleby

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Oct 28, 2005
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I am considering getting a Case Sodbuster Jr as a loaner/dirty jobs knife. They look pretty stout, but I wonder about how the bolsterless design holds up in use. Has anyone had much experience with one of these? How well or poorly do they hold up? Thanks for the input.
 
My experience is with a Chech made Sodbuster with no brand name. The spring is amazingly strong and has steel liners. I love this design and wouldn't worry about the lack of bolsters as they are often just decoration anyway.
 
Considering my dad had 2 old ones that have been used hard and they still work real good. I would say they will take some abuse and give you years of service.
 
If you tear up a Case Sodbuster it would suprise me. My Jr. is built like a tank, strong backspring and zero bladeplay.
 
Has anyone tried Queen Cutlerys sodbuster called the Country Cousin? I'm interested in hearing how its D2 steel blade performs.
 
I don't have Queens Country Cousin version of the Sodbuster (maybe you just gave me an excuse to buy one!), but their D2 on all the other Queen's I have is great, holds an edge really well.
 
Thanks for the input. I had seen a chinese made "Game Winner" version that had the two halves of the rivet glued together fall to pieces when the glue failed. I was thinking that the Case version might be stronger, and it is available in CV. I'll check out the Queen D2 version also, sounds like an interesting version.
 
I have two uncles who run workboats down on the Chesapeake Bay, and both carry sodbusters as thier edc pocket knife. Both are hard on stuff, real work. Niether has managed to wear out thier sodbusters.
 
Yep, sodbusters are just as strong as any other decent quality pocketknife.
Case CV steel is my favorite steel in the world, and I am a big fan of Queen's D2 knives (have a D2 toothpick in my pocket right now).
Either way, you can't go wrong. Both knives will be sturdy, both steels will take and hold a wicked edge.
Also check out the Boker Tree Brand sodbuster, I think they call it a Gaucho. It's got an old-fashioned carbon steel blade, as do most of the Boker slipjoints. Very nice, on a par with the old Schrade carbon steel blades. I'm going to get one of these soon.
Peace.
Alex.
 
I have a case sodbuster jr, and I like it pretty good. I somehow managed to work the blade loose, so it has a little play in it now, does anyone know how to fix this? I would like to get a black handled sodbuster in both sizes next..
 
joncevans,
Is the blade loose from wear to the liner or is the rivet loose? I have seen German and Italian versions of this design with "birdseye" rivets, which can be tightened by peening lightly. I don't know how the rivet is held together on the Case version, so this may not work with theirs. Judging from the responses here so far, I would certainly think that they aren't glued like the chinese disaster I mentioned above. Has anyone had one of the Case versions apart?
 
All this discussion is gonna make me break down and order a Queen D2 Country Cousin. I love the D2 blades on my Large Congress. At ~ $25 shipped for the Cousin it seems like you can't go wrong!
 
I've been checking out the different manufacturers that people have mentioned, thanks for the input. I looked at some clampacked Case sodbusters at one of the big box homestores and noticed that some of them have liners and pins that "lean" noticebly left or right while others are "true". I realize that this design is the entry level product, but is this normal, or did I stumble across a bad batch?
 
QC (quality control) can vary, for every manufacturer. Pick a good one, and you'll be fine.
 
Picked up a stainless Case Sodbuster Jr and am pleased at its walk and talk. It will make a good back-up for my medium stockman. Thanks to everyone (I'm still thinking of getting a Queen, just to try out D2...).
 
Bartleby said:
(I'm still thinking of getting a Queen, just to try out D2...)
Click to expand...
Definitely do. Case's stainless, while still about the same as the stainless in a Buck 110 or 112 (in other words not too shabby), doesn't hold an edge very long compared to their CV, or Queen's D2.
 
I love my sod buster. It is a SS, now that I know more, I wish I had the CV blade. I made a leather pouch sheath and it gets constant wear on the weekends doing yard chores and gardening. It is a good old fashioned folding knife. When camping, it serves as good camp knife.
 
Well this thread has really grabbed my interest, I have never even held a SodBuster but after reading these posts I think I need Case's Sr and Jr Sodbuster and Queens Country Cousin!

Kap
 
I have a Sod Buster and I really liked it till it closed up on my hand. I bought it blind and assumed it had a lock like the old ones. If you can find a old one with lock I would highly recommend it!
 
I have one Jr. that is around 25 years old and has seen what I would call hard to moderate use and occasional abuse for a pocket knife that is still rock solid.
 
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