Wanting a Case folder for EDC

[Gary W. Graley]

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

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[Just Tom.]

I've been considering picking up a few of the options from Rough Ryder to get a better idea of what I am into before I start paying more on things I wish to keep for a much longer period of time.

While I am not a fan of Rough Ryder (only because of the country of origin), this seems like a very sensible plan. If they were made anywhere else, I would advise you to find one of the cheap ones you like and stop there.

 

[Ulfrinn]

While I am not a fan of Rough Ryder (only because of the country of origin), this seems like a very sensible plan. If they were made anywhere else, I would advise you to find one of the cheap ones you like and stop there.

Yeah, I get that, it's why I was mostly avoiding them as well. But, they are a third the price for often better fit and finish. And then when I have a better idea of what I want, I can justify spending even more for some of the better finished, more premium traditional folders, or even get an idea of all the features I want in one knife, and make my own.

 

[JohnDF]

I could do a complete teardown and cleaning of it. On something pinned, I can't. Moisture will seep in to places you won't really be able to stop it or fully address it.

If that was a worry for me, then I'd probably stick with a fixed blade for kitchen duty...

 

[JohnDF]

I am also considering getting a new knife for around my home, mostly kitchen duty... I may get a full size Sodbuster for that.

Besides, YOU were the one wondering about the Sodbuster for kitchen duty... Or were you just fishing?

 

[Ulfrinn]

Besides, YOU were the one wondering about the Sodbuster for kitchen duty... Or were you just fishing?

Yeah, I said I might, I haven't decided if that is the route I want to go. I was also looking at the "granddaddy barlow" RR has, the Opinel 12, and some fixed blade options. But that's a different topic. I think I am probably going to pick two knives that RR sells, to see how I like the shape and size of them, and use that to influence my decision. I want to try out a trapper, sowback, barlow, and a couple more, but those I will pick two. There are a couple things I have to know. I have to know just how thicc the double bladed options are, and I need to know whether or not a slipjoint will work out for me, or if I really do feel better with locked knives. I'm going to get their normal sized single blade Barlow, and their full size trapper.

 

[BrotherJim]

Since I've never held or handled any of these knife or blade styles, and have absolutely no idea what I would prefer in terms of handle length, handle shapes, the various blade shapes, thicknesses, etc, I've been considering picking up a few of the options from Rough Ryder to get a better idea of what I am into before I start paying more on things I wish to keep for a much longer period of time. I want to try out a standard trapper, stockman, barlow, and others. That would set me back hundreds if bought from Case, it'd set me back like $45 if bought from Rough Ryder, and if I decide I like one of those styles a lot, then I would pay for one of the more premium Case models in that style.

Some have used that approach with varying degrees of success. Hopefully they'll chime in with thoughts
IMHO, the only thing you can be 100% sure of is that you'll find out which RR you prefer most
The experience with one brand doesn't always fully translate to the experience felt with another of the same or similar pattern
For example, the RR (top) and Case (bottom) pictured are both swaybacks with Wharncliffe blades,
But the experience in both hand and pocket are different with each one
While I could buy 4-5 of the top for the dollar I paid for the bottom, I'd let all the RR ones go before I gave up that Case
But the honest truth is ... I'll never let either one of them go and like each in their own right

 

[JM2]

Personally I wouldn’t waste the money on a RR, I’d go ahead and buy a case mini copperlock. It’s not an obscure pattern, so they should be easy and inexpensive to get.

You should go to the knife store or hardware where they sell case knives, and handle different ones. Might be you fall in love right there. I never would have thought I’d like the swayback gent until I handled one.

 

[Ulfrinn]

I'll see if a local place has any. If they don't, then nobody in my area does. A lot of those types of places around here have long since closed, and Case doesn't list any official dealers anywhere near me, but we'll see.

Anyway, I do like the Copperlock, but Barlows are starting to grow on me, as is the idea of two blades.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Someone say Rough Ryder? this just arrived today, I was glad that it wasn't as large in person as the photos made it out to be and the blade is ground down thin and was sharp on arrival, the blade is just under 3 1/2", while not a pocketable knife, I will be making a belt sheath to carry it.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

and just added a lanyard on there, I'll be making a sheath for it in the next few days too.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

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[vinprom]

If interested, check the the Swell Center Jack. Quite comfortable in hand, and some are with the new steel.

 

[JM2]

Might check the local gun stores too. Several of the ones around here have case displays.

If you are around me, which you ain’t or you’d see case knives everywhere, I’d invite you over to get acquainted with what I have.

 

[Ulfrinn]

I heard the blades RR uses don't really hold up that well at all.

Anyway, you ever look at something enough, or think about something enough that the idea or the look begins to grow on you as you become more familiarized to it? Right now the idea of two-bladed knives are doing that. As someone said earlier, it's not that much thicker for a second blade and if that second blade can fulfill the role of a different tool, it's a net gain. Maybe I wouldn't get much use out of a spey blade on a trapper, but for opening boxes, or stripping wires (I do a lot of work on electronics), the pen knife blade could actually be a tool I end up using more frequently than the main blade. So this has me thinking about the Canoe and 2-bladed Copperheads.

 

[Bastler]

I find the canoe to be slim and pocket friendly, even those with two springs. The pen blade is large enough to be useful for me.

 

[JM2]

Jack knife or Barlow is hard to beat for the pen blade. The imperial Barlow I showed can be had for the same price range as a rough rider. They aren’t the most solidly constructed on the handles, but the blades are solid and take a good edge.

One place to look local is pawn shops. They may be over priced. A word to the wise, if you are in the states and can return a knife to case, don’t be afraid to get one with a broken blade. Send it back to them with a truthful note of how you got it and your interest, and they likely will repair it free of charge.

That 18 pattern stockman I showed was acquired that way. I got it for only $3. Then returned it. They repaired it with new blades, new shield. Then when I got it back my wife was in love with it so I gifted it to her. Case would be happy to know their efforts was not lost.

 

[Bull71]

Buy Case knives, even if you have to save awhile to afford them. In my experience, they are made to last. I broke 2 blades out of a Rough Rider whittler cutting twine. That has never happened to me with a Case. Just my opinion.

 

[Ulfrinn]

I ended up making a purchase. I bought a Sod Buster Jr from Case. The navy blue in stainless.

Why'd I go this route? The education per dollar value is the highest. This will tell me a lot of things. How good are Case's blades? How's their fit and finish? If they can't even get something like a Sod Buster right, as simple as they are, why would I spend money expecting a more intricately made, double spring multi blade knife to be any better? Is the 3.75" folded length too small for all the tasks I need it to do? Would I prefer something even smaller for everyday pocket carry? How well does that size actually fit into my hand? How comfortable am I using a slip-joint on a day to day basis vs a locking knife? All answered for $30. Also, I just learned something as well. Case isn't just a US made company, it's actually very, very local. It's 9AM here and I could drive to their factory, check stuff out, buy something, and be back before 10am, so I'll toss some support their way. I've been considering tossing some support Zippo's way too.

 

[Dadpool]

I ended up making a purchase. I bought a Sod Buster Jr from Case. The navy blue in stainless.

Why'd I go this route? The education per dollar value is the highest. This will tell me a lot of things. How good are Case's blades? How's their fit and finish? If they can't even get something like a Sod Buster right, as simple as they are, why would I spend money expecting a more intricately made, double spring multi blade knife to be any better? Is the 3.75" folded length too small for all the tasks I need it to do? Would I prefer something even smaller for everyday pocket carry? How well does that size actually fit into my hand? How comfortable am I using a slip-joint on a day to day basis vs a locking knife? All answered for $30. Also, I just learned something as well. Case isn't just a US made company, it's actually very, very local. It's 9AM here and I could drive to their factory, check stuff out, buy something, and be back before 10am, so I'll toss some support their way. I've been considering tossing some support Zippo's way too.

Good choice for good reasons! I hope you enjoy your Sodbuster Jr.

If you're that local to the Case factory, it would be a shame not to stop by and hand-pick a knife.

 

[jakemex]

All the baloney and you live that close. Drama

 

[Ulfrinn]

Good choice for good reasons! I hope you enjoy your Sodbuster Jr.

If you're that local to the Case factory, it would be a shame not to stop by and hand-pick a knife.

I may do that when I get into the more expensive stuff. The Kabar factor is just as close, and I went there to pick up a knife, but had I known it costs twice as much to do so, on top of the cost of the drive, I'd have just bought it online instead.