Thoughts on Case/Bose Knives

I've got two Tribal Spears, I EDC an ebony model. I have a Lannys Clip, coffin jack, wharncliff trapper, dogleg jack. I think that's it. The coffin jack wasn't as sharp as the others, the ebony on my tribal spear developed gaps and was repaired by Case. The dogleg jack was the only one gotten second hand. All have held their own with custom slipjoints I've owned. No wiggle, no gaps etc.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
I've got two Tribal Spears, I EDC an ebony model. I have a Lannys Clip, coffin jack, wharncliff trapper, dogleg jack. I think that's it. The coffin jack wasn't as sharp as the others, the ebony on my tribal spear developed gaps and was repaired by Case. The dogleg jack was the only one gotten second hand. All have held their own with custom slipjoints I've owned. No wiggle, no gaps etc.
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Thanks for your thoughts.

I was looking at a Coffin Jack, but actually would like something bigger. The Wharncliffe Trapper looks about right.

I've contacted a couple makers in hopes of perhaps finding a multi blade. The Bose will be my backup if I can't find the model

I would like at an "affordable" price( as far as custom slipjoints go)
 
I was able to get a Zulu from J Oeser for a great price. The half stop I feels a little off when I close it, but other than that the knife is flawless. All for under 400. You can find Case Bose annuals in the 300 and less range, depending on pattern. Some were very popular others sit on the shelf. Secondary market is best bet. Look at secondary market for custom too.

As far as collaborations go, Case and ZT, for example, are two companies which capture the original makers design the best. I've never handled a true Bose but by the pics Case can become a boutique maker of high end blades ala GEC or CRK.
 
ThievesLikeUs said:
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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I know Tim Britton accepts orders. Don't know if he'll make any new to him patterns though you could always ask him.
 
Here is a Lannys clip that I picked up from a very young and talented new maker, Josh Miller, 19 years old and Canadian. It was well under any of the Case Bose models on the after market. The Horn scales are vey nice, the wraught iron bolster is a very neat touch IMO, the half stop is truly amazing as it snaps into the half position with the authority of no other knife I have held. All in all a very nice rendition of the Lannys clip IMO.

I still NEEEED a Case Bose Norfolk though :D

Best regards

Robin



 
Pieman,

That is super nice!!

Those wrought iron bolsters are a great touch! 19 yrs old you say, wow hes got some great knives ahead.
 
I've got a half dozen of the Case/Bose yearly knives. They have all been excellent and in my opinion better then any other manufactured traditional knife I own or have handled. That being said they are a little pricey. I always reserve one and I pay big time for that. Check the forum and auction sites for better pricing.

That being said the mechanics, durability and materials have been peerless on the CB knives. If they are hand finished it's a pretty rough finish. Most custom makers have a much better finish on their knives. That's been my experience anyway.
 
I've never owned or handled any of the Case/Bose collaborations. By all accounts they are a well made knife. But from what I've seen they are a bit more clunky than most customs I've seen. They look flatter and more boxy. They aren't as svelte, aren't as contoured. Are my impressions correct or am I seeing things?

- Christian
 
kamagong said:
I've never owned or handled any of the Case/Bose collaborations. By all accounts they are a well made knife. But from what I've seen they are a bit more clunky than most customs I've seen. They look flatter and more boxy. They aren't as svelte, aren't as contoured. Are my impressions correct or am I seeing things?

- Christian
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That's a good observation, Christian. The ones I have are pretty hefty and could be more contoured.
The exceptions I have are the Norfolk and the lock back whittler. In my opinion these are the best of the bunch.
I carry the WT quite a bit, being my favorite pattern. It could be slimmer and lighter but I believe it could do anything reasonably asked of it, and still last a lifetime.
Bottom line is we're paying something to have T. Bose on the tang.
 
Thanks Gary. That boxiness has kept me from picking them up. They're definitely robust, but sometimes that can be too much of a good thing. We are talking about pocketknives after all.

- Christian
 
I own several Case Bose collaborations and have owned several more. They can be hit or miss. My Lanny's and Tribal are excellent, my Slim Trapper is so-so (uneven blade pulls). The two blade versions are a tad clunky feeling to me. After handling a real Bose, they are disappointing :)
 
Primble said:
I might guess that after handling a real Bose, most any other knife might be a bit disappointing! ;):D
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Folks always wonder if there's that much difference between the collaborations and the real thing: there is :) truly flawless craftsmanship.
 
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I still have Case/Bose models made from the 1st in 1999 to 2002 and 2-3 of each. All seem to be made very, very well.
 
My Norfolk was disappointing, build issues. I must've got a bad one but at that price plus import duties it rather put me off the line. That may be unlucky or unrepresentative but it had an effect.
 
I carry Case-Bose WT regularly. It has superb F&F the size is perfect and its quality is no less than custom one. I found mine on the bay much less than the list price.

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You can't go wrong with this one

Mike
 
I have the Tribal Spear and Norfolk, both are quite slim and rounded, as per design. I have the Yukon Jack and Ar hunter, these are somewhat "boxy" but then again, it's also their design. I use all of them and they are good knives. The fit and finish were fine given the price, materials and design...and I'm OCD eneough to notice "flaws" but for my knives, they are not anything more than the sign of a factory hand assembled and finished product.
 
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