Thoughts on Case/Bose Knives

ThievesLikeUs

ThievesLikeUs

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Aug 2, 2009
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Hey all.

I'm interested in a larger custom traditional, but just can't afford what the larger ones go for. In lieu of a custom I am thinking about the Case/Bose knives

I've been watching some vids on YT about them and am thinking about making a purchase. They look incredibly nice and its got the Bose name behind them

so that goes a long way.

I've never held or seen one for real though, so I thought I'd ask those in the know what they think of them.

How is the build quality, is it consistent from knife to knifere these made in small runs? How may? Are the shields pinned or glued?

I have my sights on a Coffin Jack, does anyone here have any experience with that model?

Thanks so much for your time and insight.

-jon
 
I have the coffin jack model from Case/Bose and found it to be just as good of quality that it will compare quite favorable to customs.

Top notch fit & finish, good blade steel, great ergos, not much else you can ask for. Shield are pinned I believe. I've handled two with the antique jigged bone, and one in ebony. All were good to go. And it's just a cool knife. :)

If you're looking for a traditional pocket knife with high quality, without the true custom $500 price tag, this will fill that order just fine.
 
Joe58 said:
I have the coffin jack model from Case/Bose and found it to be just as good of quality that it will compare quite favorable to customs.

Top notch fit & finish, good blade steel, great ergos, not much else you can ask for. Shield are pinned I believe. I've handled two with the antique jigged bone, and one in ebony. All were good to go. And it's just a cool knife. :)

If you're looking for a traditional pocket knife with high quality, without the true custom $500 price tag, this will fill that order just fine.
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Thanks, that's what I was hoping to hear!
 
I think the "old dog" himself thinks very highly of the Case/Bose Coffin Jack - taken from memory where he replied in another and older thread. I have these two and they are excellent knives!
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You never know - he might even chime in if he gets to browsing around this weekend. ;):D


ThievesLikeUs said:
How is the build quality, is it consistent from knife to knife, are these made in small runs? How may? Are the shields pinned or glued?-jon
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The shields are pinned - normally around 1,000 knives per model per year - 300 chestnut bone - 300 antique bone - 200 ebony - 100 stag - 100 abalone. It is my understanding that Tony Bose submits two prototypes per year for the collaborative knife. The prototypes are measured and computer recorded. The actual parts are wire cut and assisted by the computer. The knife assembly is solely by Case employees - probably some of their best craftsmen/craftswomen - with initial cut guidance by Mr. Bose. That is how I think I remember what I have read in the past. This results in pretty consistent quality, but, not absolute - different skills will always make a difference. I would recommend you look at a knife at that price in person - just to be safe. Nothing to fear - there are some pretty talented craftsmen/women employed at Case USA!

I would call a Case/Bose collaborative knife a semi-custom knife. It is not intended to be a custom or beat a custom. That being said, I think it does beat quite a few customs. It would not compete with a true Bose made knife. I make that statement only from Bose knife pictures I have saved and drooled over. I do not own a true Bose knife. The most obvious differences are the fit and finish, bone color and jigging, and the head on the center rivet pin on a Case/Bose will be be much larger - I don't really know why. The Bose knife is a knife that is made by arguably the best knife maker in the land - from start to finish. The Case/Bose is a knife designed by T. Bose and a real sample(s) submitted for "reverse engineering" - if you will. The Bose knife will normally require a pretty long wait, if you are lucky enough to get on the waiting list at all. That is how I remember it and that is how I see it.

P.S. - and since I got to thinking about it - that Coffin Jack has now been dropped in my pocket for the remainder of the day! :p T. Bose on one side of the tang - Case USA on the other. :thumbup:
 
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Not to diminish the Case/Bose collaborations in the least, but there a number of full custom knife makers that are in that price range.
 
Yes, Craig Brewer, Jim Dunlap to name a couple, these gentleman build beautiful knives at very reasonable prices.

I feel that if you are going to spend the amount of money necessary to buy a Case/Bose, buy a full custom and who knows these makers

may one day become just as famous as the Old Dog!

Jeff
 
"there a number of full custom knife makers that are in that price range."

True, but the case/bose can be had for less than list price, and you won't find customs made as good, made with premium materials, and a Tony Bose design for the $250-350 you pay for a CaseBose. Plus, its a Tony Bose knife, his actual design recreated, and that means something. For example, I've seen a couple of Tribal Spear and Lanny's Clips that do not match the Case Bose version in the overall quality of design, close but not the same.

I have 4 and they are all users. The Tribal Spear is my favorite followed by the Norfolk with ebony as my favorite cover.
 
Wow, so much great information.

Thanks so much.

and Primble, a special thanks goes to you, that is very helpful info.
 
Tony Bose is an extremely generous individual and is very willing to not only give his wonderful advise, but to share his patterns!

I have only one Case/Bose knife it happens to be one of my favorite patterns, a Lanny's Clip and it no where near the level of finish of a Craig Brewer.

To be frank I was disappointed with this knife and decided not to buy another, but this is simply my experience and I am not trying to

convince anyone one way or the other, explore other options!

Jeff
 
Nice pics there guys. And I can chime in on Dunlap knives. I have one of his saddlehorn models and it's a work of art.
 
jeffsaul said:
Tony Bose is an extremely generous individual and is very willing to not only give his wonderful advise, but to share his patterns!

I have only one Case/Bose knife it happens to be one of my favorite patterns, a Lanny's Clip and it no where near the level of finish of a Craig Brewer.

To be frank I was disappointed with this knife and decided not to buy another, but this is simply my experience and I am not trying to

convince anyone one way or the other, explore other options!

Jeff
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I wonder - the one knife you refer to - why did you buy it if it did not meet your expectations - or did you buy the Case/Bose knife sight unseen?

I don't doubt that a true custom knife might have a little better level of fit and finish - maybe you could post up some photographic comparisons?

You just have me wondering what you see that some of the rest of us do not see - don't like the idea that I am throwing away my money?

Thank you kindly in advance - absolutely no disrespect intended. :)
 
ThievesLikeUs said:
Hey all.

I'm interested in a larger custom traditional, but just can't afford what the larger ones go for.

-jon
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I have handled several CASE/BOSE knives and I don't think you would be disappointed; however, the coffin jack suggested is NOT a large slipjoint.
 
I bought the Case/Bose Lanny's Clip from a person that has a part time business selling Case knives at discount. When I originally

ordered the knife from him, I wanted Stag, which he was unable to deliver and my only alternative was antiqued jigged bone. I took it

but in hind sight should have passed! The main objection I have is that the blade is well off center, I wrote to Case about and they asked

me to return the knife and they would repair the centering of the blade. I've been delinquent in returning the knife and that obviously

my decision, but I will do so and when returned it may change my feelings about this particular piece. I don't want to come off as a know it all

by any means, but I am fortunate to own many custom knives and have at least ten custom Lanny's. I just feel for the additional money I prefer

the true custom. Again, just me and my odd ball quirks. Here are some, a few others added since photo, Pena, Brewer and Case/Bose.

Jeff
IMG_0229.jpg
 
I actually tried contacting a couple makers about a 2 blade barlow, but was told they are only making single blades.

Does anyone know any makers with open books that do multi blade knives?
 
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