Thoughts about Case?

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gottahaveit27

Joined
Aug 31, 2008
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I'm new to slipjoints. I'm about to purchase the St. Patrick's Day 2011 Case Slimline Trapper. I'm just wondering what are your thoughts on this knife? Has Case maintained the quality that they have been known for? What do you think about this particular knife/design. Thanks!
 
I have purchased three new knives from Case in my life. Two cheetah cubs (one I sent back because the blade was off center and rubbed, one I am about to send back because the blade is off center and the back spring sticks, one is coming in the mail...trapper...we'll see). I'm picky, but I think most would agree that the answer to your question is no, not as good as they used to be. Good if you get a good one or are willing to deal with the return.
 
I've never have to send any Case repair yet, but they're not perfect. However Case makes wonderful knives and has great warranty. I am extremely picky about my blades or have become but I trust Case.
 
I own two Case knives. One a sod buster I purchased from the local big box store. Then I ordered a humpback whittler last November for a Christmas present to myself. I had such high hopes for that knife, but was extremely disappointed. I ended up sending it back to Case for a replacement. The hassle was more than I care for. I finally received my replacement, but the sour taste still lingers. I'd have to think long and hard before spending that much on a slippy from them again.
 
I own a couple Case knives, and am happy with their current production line. Other than my Bose Tribal Spear, I have a Sodbuster, Bose backpocket and humpback stockman from their current line. The sodbuster and BP are great knives. Only complaint about the humpback is that the spey blade is a nail breaker and too thin to get a good purchase on when opening it. They are often railed on, and I am guilty of it too, for their SS steel. Their CV is great, their fit and finish isn't bad, the edges on their SS blades could be better, but they are easy to sharpen for the average user. Many of their offerings are made for the collector market.

When you look at the other major slipjoint manufacturers, Queen and GEC have their need for improvement. Queen is famous for not always sending blades out with a good edge, and GEC's are known as being nail breakers, until they are "broken in". Bucks are good knives, and their 420HC, while not a super steel, is better than SS from Case.

While it will cost you, if you can, get a few knives from each company. A Case swayback jack, which seems to be very popular on this subforum, in addition to a Buck 301 or 303, would be a great start. Just to get a feel for what works for you.

BTW, I found a well used and little loved Case double jack knife, with red bone scales. It has a half stop, carbon steel blades, and still has walk and talk. Little bit of wiggle, but not bad. From the 50's. You can still find useable old Case knives in thrift and junk shops.
 
From my experience Case is very hit or miss with the exception being the Tony Bose collaborations.
 
If your going Case,I'd go with the CV steel.It is much better than their stainless,in my opinion.I have a Case Sodbuster Jr. in CV that rarely leaves my pocket now.Yeah,I love that little yella handled knife with the CV steel!:D
 
I'm a big fan of Case knives. I own more of them than any other manufacturer.

Only two of my Case knives have had issues bad enough to send them in for repair or replacement. The nail nicks on my Humpback Whittler sit just barely above the handle scales making them very difficult to open. I have a Congress that had a crack in the bone handle scale when I got it NIB.

I sent the Congress back to Case and they fixed er right up with a new scale.
I have yet to return the Humpback Whittler.

I have two Slimline Trappers. One from 2000 and one from 2002. No issues with either one. Both are fine knives although a bit too long and skinny for EDC in my opinion. That's just me though.

In all honesty, you are always taking a chance when you buy something on the internet. I say if you want a Case Slimline Trapper just go ahead and get one. In my opinion, you are more likely to be happy with it than not.
 
They have modernized production and dont have the hand built quality as before.That said,they've made great strides in improving their quality the past several years and i believe it is quite good.I like the slim line trapper very much and have both the SS and CV varieties.I think youll be quite happy with the knife.Be sure to let us know and post pics if possible.:D
 
My experience with Case is pretty much limited to current production. I'm a bit of a noob with traditional folders. Pretty much been a fixed blade guy most of my life. Had a couple when I was younger, but never really got into them at the time.

I'm pretty nitpicky about some things, but realistic at the same time. Case makes mass produced knives...I'm not expecting anything on a custom level, but for what they make, the make it quite well. I'm sure the older Case knives are nicer, but the current production is quite good overall in my opinion.

I've bought 5 different Case knives over the last month or so. Only one of them had any glaring defect. The one in question had some fairly mismatched handle scales. Case however though has offered to replace the knife for me free of charge and they're going to send me one that matches up better. Good customer service. Didn't have to haggle with them over it, just sent an email with a couple of pics and they said..."no problem, we'll take care of it." I've not heard anything bad about them in that regard if you did have a problem.

Other than that one minor issue, in terms of construction, I have no complaints about any of my Case knives. They're all great for what they are.

Case is a great place to start in my opinion for traditional folders. It gives you a chance to get a feel for traditonals and learn more without breaking the bank right away. Lots of great custom makers out there who I know I'll make a purchase from eventually. But I really like the fact Case is there for noobs like me. They make good stuff....I say go for it...you really don't have anything to lose. If you encounter a problem, Case will make it right.
 
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Just a follow up since the trapper came today. It's nice. A LITTLE gap. Not real sharp. Nothing major...won't be going back. But that is the last new Case I buy probably. You can get old ones that are better used. My .02.
 
I like the Slimline Trapper, very versatile knife that feels good in the hand and light. I also prefer it not having half-stops unlike the GEC version, a smoother opener with a long blade. I also like their Pen knife and Small Texas Jack a lot.

Got about 20 CASE knives all from this century. Most are well up to snuff,about 6 are EXCELLENT. One knife had some issues and I wrote to CASE about it, they sent me a replacement, really good reaction.However, it's ironic&unlucky that the one CASE knife I'm least happy with is the CASE/Bose collab Norfolk, too many issues at a high price. I don't return it as it's no longer in production and is specialist.I don't reckon they can fix it and I assume they have no spare stock to replace it with.

Despite this, the ordinary CASE knives provide a decent knife at reasonable cost and more often than not, a very good knife too.
 
I have a few from the eighties and I like them. Smooth walk and talk. I have a newer mini copperlock that I like too. Like Seals says, they mass produce them and the think I don't like about the new ones is they tumble their blades. At some point I will pick up another stockman 63032 in cv and hope it's half the knife my old one is. My gut is I would be happy with it.
 
I have had mixed experience. I have older Case knives...1980s and 90s...excellent, very well made. Bought a CV small stockman last summer here in UK... very poor, gap in the scale, also sheepsfoot blade has such a large kick, it would not sit properly...adjusted this easily.blades seem to be made of some strange soft material that will just not sharpen. Not like the CV steel on my other older knives. So, not happy with this one. I cannot send it back now, having filed down the kick. I will not buy another Case, unless it is an older one.

I have a great CV canoe that is just perfect, two old barlows that are stunning and some old texas jacks in CV that have to be the nicest slipjoints I own.
I also bought a new mini copperlock last November and it is very good indeed - perfect fit and finish.

So it must be a quality assurance problem.
 
I'm new to traditional, but I have a Canoe and a Medium Stockman. Both have been awesome in my experience.
 
I have 5 case xx knivrs from 2007 to 2010
they are fine knives, good quality and finish, walk and talk are fine, with no nail brakers, and sure not the best available, GEC offers the highes and queen is pretty good (canoe I have is TOP notch)

I'd say get a few and make yourself an idea, they work, they cut are sharpenable by anyone and will hardly brake on yourself

to me sometimes they may be expensive for what they really give you, steel is ok and finish is good, egdes cut but could be sharpened more even

but again they work, they cut and the price is not a bank breaker
so go for them, try them and you will be happy, maybe a benchmade or kershaw could be better and in fact these are better but the feel is different, a slipjoint is easier looks classy and cut like nothing else, and will cut for many years to come

my 2 cents

Maxx
 
Well, what Maxx says is alright. They are good knives and good fellows for an EDC. I own two Case (til now) two others are already ordered. But what Maxx says are these knives here in Europe a little bit expensive. I like them.
I own only a RR Congress in Orange bone (the other Traditional Knife from the US). This knife is a real nailbreaker. But the Case Knives aren´t such breakers...

Kind regards...
 
I enjoy Case's tools... I've never had a bad one. My favorite is a really nice CV trapper in chestnut bone, made in 2000. I'm the original owner, bought that year... sees a lot of use, and it's still in great shape.
:thumbup: :thumbup:
 
It's true that for us in Europe, these knives offer some aspect of exotica but are also authentic American cutlery with a fine tradition behind them:thumbup:

Not that expensive, you need to start direct imports from the US:D Forget local sellers.

Oddly, Böker offers very fine competition on the carbon level to CASE but even these I need to source from America not Germany:eek:

I'd state that really good CASE patterns I've had are the Swayback Jack, Small Texas Jack, Large Stockman,Slimline Trapper, Wharncliffe Mini Trapper,Small Saddlehorn. Not exactly a small selection eh?:thumbup:
 
I'm happy with all of mine and except for my canoe they are all out of the factory in the last two years!
 
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