sodbusters

N

Neo

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Sep 12, 2002
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I really like the look and build of sodbusters and got a couple of questions.

The Sodbusters from case seem to be the most preferred?
Are they available in CV steel? On Case website I see only SS listed
What's the diff between the jr and the John Deere jr? Only the etching?

What about kissing cranes sodbusters?
How do they compare to the case an queen sodbusters?

I've a black handled queen country cousin and really like the delrin handles.
What's the handle material on the case and the kissing cranes like?
 
You'll probably get a better response to this post in the Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades section of the forum, where most of the Case, Queen, Sodbuster and general slip-joint fans congregate. The talk here is mostly focused on more contemporary style knives. ;)
 
Yes...soddies are available in CV. They are also offered by various other makers as well, some can be found in carbon steel. The will also go by other names from makers other than Case.

here are mine...on top is a Case in CV with black scales, a German Bull in stag and a Fight'n Rooster...

soddies2a.jpg
 
Case is very popular, but I actually prefer the blade shape of the Queen. The black and yellow Case sodbusters are in Delrin as are the Queens. For Case most people seem to like the CV over the SS. The Queens come in D2 which is a great steel, but harder to sharpen. This is especially a problem because Queen knives are known to often come with poor edges.

Here's a picture of my Case & Queen sodbusters. The Case is the black handled one on top and the Queen is the yellow one.

Queen_Sodbuster_Case_1.jpg
 
Nice to know the ones from case are also from delrin.
The CV version seems more difficult to be found than the SS version.
 
cgmblade said:
Case is very popular, but I actually prefer the blade shape of the Queen. The black and yellow Case sodbusters are in Delrin as are the Queens. For Case most people seem to like the CV over the SS. The Queens come in D2 which is a great steel, but harder to sharpen. This is especially a problem because Queen knives are known to often come with poor edges.
Click to expand...

The Queen is a rounder, fuller handle than the CASE. To me, the CASE is easier to carry with its flatter handles. So for an outstanding EDC jeans knife, tough to beat.

But the Queen is a much better feel (to me) in the hand when using, especially if you are using it for more than a few slices. It makes a difference when you use the knife to do some camp chores (fuzz up some tinder), then turn around and cut up a chicken and then a pile of veggies. The difference shows up too, when I use it in some of my normal carpentry chores. The smaller, flatter, more square handle of the CASE doesn't seem as comfortable.

I certainly agree with the comment in the Queen's initial edge. On the last three Queens, not just my 4 month old soddie, it was OK, but not great. I had the soddie whipped into shape in short order on the diamond rod, though. I prefer the D2 because it holds the edge much better than the CASE.

Then on the other hand, once properly sharpened, the CASE can be returned into a mean slicer with a piece of sandpaper or whatever you might have if you aren't around your regular sharpening stuff.

You know it's coming..... there is only ONE choice.....






Buy both! :D

At the prices both Queen and CASE get for these knives, they are a steal. I think I paid $22 for my Queen.

Robert
 
The kissing crane brown mule soddies, have wood handles with a carbon blade. The blades will take a very dark patina with use. The fit and finish on these is only fair to mediocre compared to the case or queen models. The carbon blade, decent tip shape, and wood handles sold it for me, its probably the best slicer I own.
 
in CV! This is mine and one of my favorites, a mean slicer, almost perfect size, holds a deent edge, takes a mean patina too!
above all its yeller!
ivan
soddie.jpg
 
Not all soddies are slipjoint. Even Case has fitted some soddies with a linerlock, although not currently. Bear & Son and Bokker Plus offer lockbacks. If you are shopping, they are often listed as "work knives", so search on that, too, or you will miss some goodies.

I have a small and growing assortment of soddies, and it is my impression that most are made with decent steels. They are working knives, not looking at knives so they need a decent steel. Haven't gotten a Queen, yet, but good arguments can be made for both great edge retention and ease of sharpening. I can testify that Case's CV is easy to sharpen and has all the edge retention I need. For that matter, Rough Rider's 440 does well enough for EDC carry for me, although that might not be the case were I working with a knife all day long.
 
Hi,

I think Kissing Cranes get made in several different countries these days. I can't speak directly to their quality, Kissing Cranes are generally considered to be of fair fit and finish for user knives. And due to low cost of Soddies anyway, people tend to go for the Case, Queen, and Bokers with their carbon steel blades anyway.

I would go with the Case CV myself. I would get one from each if I were you.:thumbup:

dalee
 
Neo said:
Nice to know the ones from case are also from delrin.
The CV version seems more difficult to be found than the SS version.
Click to expand...

It's available here:
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=CA032

Neo said:
Interesting, looking at the pictures they seemed similar.
Click to expand...

It's hard to tell looking at the pictures, but the handle of the Case is flater (more square) than the Queen. midnight flyer is right about carry, comfort, etc. Both are nice knives. I'm sure you'll like which ever one you get.

sodbusters_a1.jpg


sodbusters_a2.jpg


sodbusters_a3.jpg


sodbusters_a4.jpg
 
Leftoverdj said:
They are working knives, not looking at knives so they need a decent steel.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say that exactly...this Fight'n Rooster is definitely a looker...

xmassoddie.jpg


and I have seen some mighty nice stag as well...they can be lookers and workers at the same time...
 
I have a Case Sod Buster in my pocket as we speak...It's a good EDC in your pocket. Alot of the old timers carried them back in the day. I knew some OT's that carried two, one was a drop knife...you drop it and when the guy bent down to get it you stabbed him with your other Sod Buster...a true story from an OLD TIMER. You could always tell which one was the drop knife, it had chips and dents in the handle.
 
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dalee100 said:
Hi,

I think Kissing Cranes get made in several different countries these days. I can't speak directly to their quality, Kissing Cranes are generally considered to be of fair fit and finish for user knives. And due to low cost of Soddies anyway, people tend to go for the Case, Queen, and Bokers with their carbon steel blades anyway.

I would go with the Case CV myself. I would get one from each if I were you.:thumbup:

dalee
Click to expand...

Agreed, I have a used Kissing Crane that was made in Italy and it is a lil rough. But keep in mind Soddies are meant to be users and the carbon steel blade works quite well in this case. If you're going to do some work with the knife then the Kissing Crane would definitely handle just fine.....it's just not that fine of a looker if you know what i mean...:p
 
When I was a kid, seems like we all had a Case Sodbuster in our pockets. I found a '74 vintage one the other day that I've had since I was in high school. I sharpened her up and carry it again on occasion-it goes into San Antonio a lot as they don't care for lockblades there.
 
for me the king of all the soddies are the eye brands. still have one from 80s in knife block to open boxes with since it holds an edge forever.their soddies in yellow celluloid have never been surpassed i.m.h.o.
 
Neo said:
What about kissing cranes sodbusters?
How do they compare to the case an queen sodbusters?

I've a black handled queen country cousin and really like the delrin handles.
What's the handle material on the case and the kissing cranes like?
Click to expand...

The steel and handle questions about the Cases have already been answered by others.

I personally like the blade shape on the Kissing Cranes (Black Angus and Coal Miner). They have more of a clip point than on most sodbusters. I believe the KC Brown Mule is a traditional soddie blade shape.

The handle on the Coal Miner model I have is molded ABS plastic. Definitely feels cheaper than the Boker and Case, but coincidentally, the cost is cheaper, too.

Here's my crappy picture of a Large Boker, KC Coal Miner and a Case Sodbuster Jr. for size comparison.
attachment.php
 
I've got a yellow Case CV in my pocket as I type. I grab it a lot, but no more than my Queens. The Case came with a great edge, the Queens had to be coaxed with diamonds to be sharp. Queens love diamonds, don't they?

I also have a Bulldog, which had less than stellar fit and finish, but took a great edge! It's a very flat knife, even thinner than the Case, so it carries very well.

The sodbuster is just a great knife!
 
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