Thoughts about Case?

I got a new or almost new Red handled Case Sod Buster Jr SS last summer in trade. It's been great.

My new Yellow handled CV Medium stockman is great also. Been carrying it since Monday and use it more then the knife clipped to my pocket. Cuts leather like a lazer. :D

Guess I could nitpick those two knives and find some flaw (like the Sheeps foot blade sitting a little high), but they work, they cut and they don't cut me when closed so I'm happy.
 
I have run across three Case knives in the last 3 months that had issues that should not have gotten out of the factory - a new Case Barlow, a new Case humpback stockman, and the 6347 stockman that I had posted in my 1000 post give away. I pulled it down because, even though minor, it had too much blade play on the sheepsfoot. I'm going to send in for repair/replacement. But, I have also some really nice knives from Case, both new and old production - my sway back jack is perfect as is my amber bone Texas Jack.

This discussion brings me to issues that I lose patience with and that not the making of a defective knife because that is going to happen from time to time, but they should never leave the factory. The persons making these knives know when they have made an error and should send it straightly to the rework process before QC even gets a look at it. Quality is building it right the first time. QC inspectors know what's right and what's wrong with these knives as well after all they've seen many thousands of them if they've been working any length of time. I don't know if they are, but pocket knives should be 100% inspected. Letting a bad knife out of the factory should not happen.

During the timeframe late last year that I came in contact with these 3 knives, I bought about 9 Case knives. 3 of 9 is too high a percentage.

I still like Case knives and I will still buy Case knives (bought three peanuts this week and the Case was perfect, the other two not so much). I had considered the 6347 stockman fine until I inspected it in prep for my give away. Both of the other two knives were exchanged by the seller for good ones. I currently own 23 Case traditional pocket knives. Case is a good knife company and because of that I hold them to a higher standard maybe. And my association with the good folks on this forum have possibly made me a bit more discerning concerning my knives.

I would have to say, buy the Case and inspect it carefully to make sure it meets your expectations. If it doesn't send it back to your "knife store" or to Case. They will stand behind their product; you won't be stuck with a bad knife. - Ed

- Ed
 
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Think they're using Statisctical QC? Modern way to go about it; but I think you're right there's too much handwork on these knives for SPC to be a very good idea. Then again maybe it's working just fine for their bottom line.
 
MarkPinTx said:
Think they're using Statisctical QC? Modern way to go about it; but I think you're right there's too much handwork on these knives for SPC to be a very good idea. Then again maybe it's working just fine for their bottom line.
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Perhaps it is. Still, a lack of consistency is a problem for any company because it's going to mean your best customers encounter the lower levels of quality more often than the non-knife enthusiast who buys one knife and that's it. Eventually those repeat customers will turn elsewhere to spend some or all of their knife dollars if they feel they cannot count on getting a quality product. Ed said it was 3 of 9 in his case and that's enough to give anyone second thoughts, IMO.

Sometimes it doesn't even have to be that many examples because when a seriously flawed knife slips out and ends up in the hands of someone who can see all the warts it can seriously sour them. That's how I feel after my experience with the S&M cotton sampler. It left me at the point that I wouldn't buy a Queen knife I couldn't see first hand or get detailed info on from someone I could trust. I had 5 or 6 Queens before that and never a serious problem but that one sampler made me feel I couldn't trust their current production sight unseen.
 
I just recieved my first casexx sodbuster jr today, it walks and talks excelent. but... i was worried becouse your experience exposed in this thread. maybe it is my last casexx.
 
Like others have said, with Case it's hit or miss. However, their W&R department is very good: it does a great job and turnaroud (for me) has been one to two weeks. They are a great company, but their QC should be better.
 
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I have many Case knives, a majority are Trappers. Only one was a disappointment. The first Case/Bose collaboration was, I thought, overpriced for the quality offered.

I've collected Schatt & Morgan and like them very much. But in recent months I've been trying the Queen label and have been very impressed. I far prefer their D2 steel to Case's SS. Their limited editions (QCCC) are excellent quality. I believe these are put together on their S&M lines. And I am enormously impressed with their Burke and Pardue collaborations at modest prices.

Bottom line, buy the Case. Odds are you will receive a decent knife. Later you can explore other brands.
 
I've only had 3 case knives. My Yellow CV Peanut is a beaut. My Red Bone Peanut has off centre blades. The Main clip rubs slightly on the liner (Only cosmetic, doesn't affect the edge). My latest one, a Sm Stockman in Amber bone was returned for excessive blade rubbing and a sheepsfoot blade that sat so high, I cut my pinkie on it.
 
Well, guys, I must apologize to you all and to Case as well because I unintentionally misrepresented my quality experience with Case knives in the post above. I went back and physically counted the Case knives I have and I have 23 knives and so their track record is significantly better than 1 out of three. The three knives with issues were purchased in 2010.

I apologize for the error in my earlier post. I still like Case knives and I will still buy Case knives (bought three peanuts this week and the Case was perfect, the other two not so much). I had considered the 6347 stockman fine until I inspected it in prep for my give away. Both of the other two knives were exchanged by the seller for good ones.

I have edited the previous post. - Ed
 
TLARbb said:
Well, guys, I must apologize to you all and to Case as well because I unintentionally misrepresented my quality experience with Case knives in the post above. I went back and physically counted the Case knives I have and I have 23 knives and so their track record is significantly better than 1 out of three. The three knives with issues were purchased in 2010.

I apologize for the error in my earlier post. I still like Case knives and I will still buy Case knives (bought three peanuts this week and the Case was perfect, the other two not so much). I had considered the 6347 stockman fine until I inspected it in prep for my give away. Both of the other two knives were exchanged by the seller for good ones.

I have edited the previous post. - Ed
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ed, i really appreciate you coming back and making this statement, i love case knives, and your post had me just a little bit worried about the quality of my favorite company, i just wanted to say that you have made me feel better. i love the knife people they are honest for the most part it seems like. Having said that, i still have yet to order anything, i can't get over the thought of not actually handling it myself to make sure it suits me, but there are a few that i haven't been able to find or have my local guy order and let me inspect first.


i currently own about 25 case knives and the only one that isn't perfect is the one that i carry to work everyday(i work in a body shop and the dust has taken a toll on it yet it is holding up well). i love case and would recommend then to anyone.

thanks
sam
 
I have a handful of Case knives and there are some amazing ones and some that miss the quality mark a little. For example my Swayback CV has amazing fit and finish. Of course the Bose collaboration knives are near custom quality. I do have two half congresses that have gaps in the liners and have weak springs. My mini-trapper has scratched the main blade and has such a weak spring on the small pen blade that I chose to only use the main blade.

Best thing to do is probably find one that you can handle first before you buy.
 
I will add that the knife that is quickly becoming my absolute favorite is my Case/Bose Tribal Spear. Simply a perfect knife.
 
I own right at 20 Case knives of various models. A few are excellent with no faults that I can find. But, on several I can find a minor fault or two, like small gaps between springs and liners, or small gaps between scales and bolster. But, none of the faults affect the functionality of the knives. And, you would have to be looking really close to see the faults. So, they don't bother me at all. In the last two years I have had to send back two Case knives that I ordered on line. One was a Trapperlock that had significant blade play. The other was one of the new Trapper Rancher CV models. It had an off center main blade that was rubbing the liner, and when the blades were open the springs stood proud on it. In both cases I contacted the sellers. Both sellers did an exchange and picked out excellent replacements that had zero faults that I could find. And, I have sent in two old Case knives for repair. One was a Slim line trapper that had scales which were warping. The other was a large Folding Hunter which had a scale that had fallen off. Case cleaned up both of them, repaired them, and sent them back better than I expected. And, all at no charge. Will I buy another Case? You bet I will.
 
rarreola said:
I just recieved my first casexx sodbuster jr today, it walks and talks excelent. but... i was worried becouse your experience exposed in this thread. maybe it is my last casexx.
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Even though I have seen some quality issues with 3 of the Case knives I bought in the second half of 2010, I would not blink to order another Case and I will. I like Case knives and Queen and GEC and others too. I'm not going to let a small sample of knives keep me from buying more. I just had to speak my mind concerning quality issues that the manufacturer should easily be able to deal with (it's less costly for them too) before the knives are shipped to retailers. It's a pet peeve really, right up there with shipping a dull knife (Queen, GEC). BTW most Case knives I have gotten are pretty sharp out of the box.

Case knives are sold by more retailers than any other knife brand. If you are concerned, buy your Case knives from a local reseller where you can inspect the knife before you give them your money. I personally am in a rural area and have to travel at least an hour to find a store with lots of patterns and stock. The largest Case dealer I know of in north Louisiana is a 3 hour round trip to go to their brick and mortar store, so I have not yet made a trip there, but I do shop their internet store because it saves me time and money not to have to make the drive. I also buy from a Case dealer in Mississippi for the same reason. I did see some nice Case knives at my local Ace Hardware and a local men's store, so I will probably buy some there as well. Surely, if you are interested in a Case knife you can find a dealer in your area that has something you like. If not, shop the internet stores. Everyone I have used has been very up front about making sure your Case knife is satisfactory. Having said that, who needs a hassle, however slight when buying knives. You will have to decide that yourself, but use your own experiences, not mine to make the decision about whether or not to buy Case.

A story to relate to you, many years ago, I bought a Buck trapper. I did not inspect it until I got home with it and sure enough I had a problem with the knife, the spey blade would hit the outer liner hard enough that I had to put pressure on the side of the blade to get it to go home. I took it back to the dealer and he exchanged it, but he was out of the trapper model and I picked out a stockman. This knife the sheepsfoot blade rubbed hard on the main clip when closing, so I had to exchange it again. Got a very nice stockman on the third try and gave it to my dad for father's day, which was the goal all along and he loved it, but I was soured enough not to buy anymore Buck knives of any kind for the next 25 years until recently and every one of the ones I have bought (3 now) this year have been fine. So now I am good with buying Buck knives after all that time. I probably missed out on some very good knives because of the two bad ones I got in a row.

Finally, I purchased three peanut pocket knives from a Chinese company, Case and a company that had the knife made in Germany. Of the three, the Case knife was the only one I felt was perfect with the "made in Germany" model the prettiest but with the most problems.

So, just in case I have rambled on too much, let me sum it up again. If you see a Case knife you like, buy it. Buy it from a dealer where you can look at the knife you are getting if you feel you need to. But, use your own experience to decide not mine or anyone else's. Case has some wonderful knives and they deserve your consideration. - Ed
 
I know I'm kind of late here, but, don't you all think that any production knife from any company whether it be GEC, QUEEN, BUCK, CASE or any other of the many conpanies out there could produce a knife that has gaps or blade wobble or proud back springs or dull blades or any of the other various problems that we look for in a knife?
Until the last week or so I have not been able to purchase a new knife for 3 years or so. When I finally did I purchased a knife had been eyeing for several months because you folks spoke so highly of the brand. The more I inspected the knife the more that was found wrong with it, but you know if you look hard enough you can always find something wrong. Thats when I begged my wife to let me buy a Case 6375 large stockman. And when I recieved the Case knife there were no complaints.
Would I buy a Case knife, you bet ya. I also would buy them for my father, sons, daughter, friends and even the preacher at church.
I have not been disappointed yet.
God Bless
Tracy
 
Good point Tracy, all production knives have bad examples. It is very annoying when you get one as sending it back is always a nuisance, or worse....

Mind you, what is very useful and constructive in this forum is that members are very willing to share their experiences, good and bad, telling it how it is. You don't get any of that pack-like behaviour of fan-boys here: baying at people who question a certain model or manufacturer with all the boorish manners that come with it. Discussion of knives, all aspects good and bad is key.
 
Case may be a little bit hit or miss, and may make a less than perfect knife now and then. But to me it all boils down to this; Anyone can make a mistake, but how that mistake is handled is important.

I will buy a Case because I know how their customer service works. I know they will make it right. No questions. No problemo.

Carl.
 
I like the slimline trapper - I have a blue jigged delrin version. I have no complaints about any of my Case knives. I think the quality and value is there. I have some that show imperfect fit/finish that would not be acceptable on a higher-priced or custom knife, but nothing that I would complain about considering that they are generally fair-priced production knives. I have others that are just about perfect. I have some that have been used quite a bit and they keep on working and working. Gotta love Case!
 
Sometimes a flaw is in the eye of the beholder. Maybe a flaw to one guy but not to another guy.

Take this Case 10-Dot (1970 manufacture) 62009 1/2 Barlow with red, rough cut, bone handles. Note the obvious, rather large, bone marrow canal running almost the entire length of the handle on the back side of the knife and the less obvious one on the front side of the knife. The knife came this way NIB from Case. Case not only knew about it when it left the factory but they were probably darn proud of this knife. Case turned out many a Barlow with scales like this with very obvious bone marrow canals to less obvious ones. I think Case's philosophy must have been; "waste not, want not" when it came to handles with these canals in them.

This knife is my favorite and most carried slip-joint knife.

casebarlowredbone3.jpg


casebarlowredbone2.jpg


I have many Case Barlow knives with more than a few of them like the one pictured. I even look for them and when I find one, I snatch it up.

Heck, I bought this knife exactly as it's pictured and have left it the way it is in the pictures. I'd bet that some guys would ruin this knife by trying to sand the bone marrow canals out of the handles or worse yet, try to sand out the sharpening scratches (they are kinda prominent), any patina or marks on the blades, in order to make the blades look shiny-new which would take the character right out of the knife and ruin it.

We're just a few guys talking about knives in this sub-forum. There are maybe 12 to 15 guys in this thread complaining about Case flaws but think about the hundreds of thousands of knives that leave Case each year. I'd say our complaints are miniscule compared to the number of Case knives put in circulation each year. My .02¢
 
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jackknife said:
Case may be a little bit hit or miss, and may make a less than perfect knife now and then. But to me it all boils down to this; Anyone can make a mistake, but how that mistake is handled is important.

I will buy a Case because I know how their customer service works. I know they will make it right. No questions. No problemo.

Carl.
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True enough... well said! Nobody's perfect, and everyone makes mistakes... it's what you do to fix the situation that counts!

The trapper that I mentioned earlier in this thread has a similar back-story... It's actually the second one I got from Case. Back in 2000 when I bought it, the first one came with a big crack in the bone, near the center pin. I contacted Case, and they replaced it promptly and without question, even though the damage could conceivably have been caused by dropping the knife or other careless handling. They took my word for it, and acted accordingly. This type of CS, combined with a generally very solid product, makes Case a winner in my book.

Alex
 
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