Case knives have always been favorites with a lot of folks, many in the south. I have heard several of the well known southern collectors say that " there are two kinds of knife collectors those who collect CASE and those other people who collect junk." I have always taken people who utter these clever little witisms for what they were just people with there own opinions.
I remember years ago at a party. ( IBM used to have a very large plant in Fishkill and Poughkeepsie. which are not to far away ). They employed many people in the area and IBM was a great employer salarys and benefits were among the best in the area or for that matter anywhere. Also at the party many of the people were there who worked for the Dept Of Correction as well as other local companies. They were there because there spouses worked for IBM. Well after a couple hours of drinks one old boy stood up on a table and exclaimed that there were only two types of people in the Hudson valley those that worked for IBM and those who wished they did. I wonder if he still felt that way when the plants closed. I know the dept of correction is still doing well ( crime is a reliable commodity ). I was often asked if I hated the cons I would always answer does a farmer hate his crops? Hell there crimes were my bread and butter. So like I said everyone has ( or is entitled to an opinion) but sometimes as people get smarter they may choose to amend or change those opinions.
Some of the automatic knives sold under the CASE name were among the most unusual and beautiful knives ever produced in the situation of some of these automatics they were Schrade contract knives sold under the CASE tang but produced by one of those companies ( Schrade ) that fall under the heading of that other junk. Buy what you like, all I suggest is that you understand what you are buying and the various aspects of the subject.
One of the most expensive, unique and beautiful, knives in my collection is a pre 1920 CASE BRADFORD ( it is a bulldog , ie clasp automatic CASE Zipper ) No one knows for sure but perhapes a total of 50 or 100 of these were made prior to 1920 I believe mine to be the nicest left in the world . It was purchased from the widowed wife of a southern doctor. He had bought 2 one he used and one he put away and it is, as, new old stock. I was recently asked what I wanted for it and my quote was 14,000 ( I am glad the potential buyer hesitated and then offered 12,000 ) so that I could turn him down and not be reniging. I will have to up it, the offers are getting to close. The point being Case has made some wonderful stuff and some junk so did Schrade, lots of junk, especially at the end. I try to judge each item for what it is. Judging it solely on brand is as wrong as hating an entire race or group of people because of color, creed, or similar reasons. beside in the case of people or knives I reserved my right to dislike something or someone on an individual basis of deserved merit or in this instance lack of merit. My exception to this are items produced by nations that use virtual slave labor and have vowed to destroy our country and way life. If I want something produced by an enemy I will take it, not support them by buying it.
Case for the most part are still american made. They are not made like they used to be, but then again what is. Schrade is gone. ( Unless you count Taylor mades ) Pick your knives like you pick your friends ( because of how you like them ). That is my opinion which I realize no one asked for. Like that would ever stop me from expounding. Yup bladeforums is back. I missed my soapbox. LT
.THIS PICTURE IS A TEST. I am living proof that even the brain dead can learn. I have just posted my first pic from another site. I sure wish I knew what the hell I did. Any way this is the case zipper I spoke about I thought it would make a good test pic to try and post. It is a picture of MY letter of authenticity in case I ever wish to sell my collection. I have hard copies of all my knives to go with them should I ever choose to sell. I have had a web site set up for this purpose for some time. In fact the prices are out of line at this point. However I have never opened the site up. THIS IS JUST A TEST
http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL357/1845546/10307568/148009492.jpg Still trying to figure this out I guess this is another way. Look at me Im walking ( almost ) Test continues.
No, no, LT.. you misunderstood! My "sellout" jest was aimed at Waliguy! Just as you would not attempt to build a $100,000 swimingpool for the county judge, I would not be a poker player! And your collection purchase would not require money, more like a bank!
