What should my first case knife be?

I'm very happy with the swayback jack, peanut, sodbuster Jr. and Texas jack in cv steel. The Case that currently gets the most use is an ebony backpocket. 5 keepers in my book.
 
I'm partial to the 6347 Stockman. It's a great all around stockman, and feels almost as good to my hand as a sowbelley, but carries a little better!
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Anything in CV steel is a winner for me.I'm really partial to the Case Sodbuster Jr,in CV and yellow handles.It's the most comfortable little knife Iv'e ever used!For the asking price,it's also one of the better deals around.
 
So little love for the RussLock! Traditional style one-hand opener with a liner lock. If you're used to modern conveniences in your EDC, it is a nice transition piece. Large stockmans are a good call if you want something beefy.
 
you can't go wrong with a med. stockman with cv blades. but if you want something different than the standard traditional patterns, a swayback jack is top class.
 
For a first knife, I'd recommend a stockman, like a 63032 or 6344. Or really any of their knives. There's so many patterns that there has to be at least one that'll float your particular boat. There's even variations within patterns (there's a dozen or so stockmans alone). I'd almost hesitate to recommend a Sway Back Jack as your first Case, because it's such a nice knife and so well made that it might spoil you into thinking that all Case knives will be as nice. Unfortunately, they won't. The SBJ is on another level of finish unrivaled by other Case knives except other Tony Bose collaborations. I'm not saying that other Cases are crap, but F&F can be kinda hit-and-miss sometimes. Blade rub will be expected as the norm, rather than a flaw. There might be the occasional lazy blade. The color of the bone you order might not match the stock photo you see on the website. All-in-all Cases are pretty good. Sometimes you can get one that didn't meet your expectations. If you want one that definitely will, get a Tony Bose collaboration. Not necessarily one of the yearly limited edition ones (although these are fantastic knives, and expensive). The Sowbelly stockmans, the Sway Back Jack and Gents, Back Pocket, and Saddlehorn are all made with a higher level of craftsmanship than the normal line (and cost just a little more, but well worth it).
 
I finally bought my first Case last autumn - a Seahorse Whittler, which had at that time been recently shelved. My wife thought she'd shock me - ordered a pair via a local store - and gave them to me as early Christmas presents. So - zero to three - in days - and all the same model! Then I was to learn the real use of Case knives - collectibles. Oh, sure, the Seahorse Whittler is a useful knife - but all of mine were tight and stiffly sprung - and not overly sharp. I was not impressed - but my Bokers, Bucks, and Pumas had likely skewed the comparison - their QC was far better, their blades came sharper, too. To be blunt, which they were, sort of - pardon the pun, they are the extent of my Case desires. I have traditional slippies - USA made Bucks and German made Bokers and Pumas. The Boker 'classic' design slippies I have bought in the last year or two - from evil-bay dealers - are all carbon steel and came uniformally sharp with great fit & finish - at less than good Case prices.

My suggestion - buy a common Case - of an acceptable design. Carefully evaluate it vs your wants/needs. Perhaps compare it with a 'similar' slipjoint from another company, if you can. My three Whittlers will see some use - but it is unlikely they will gain any siblings. I don't need or want 'collectibles' - I use my knives.

Stainz
 
So many different models to choose from, I would just stick with anything CV. That said, I have had many different Case models over the years, but always traded or sold them. I picked up a humpback stockman and Backpocket, both in SS last year (I also have a Tribal Spear, that would be a helluva introduction to Case). I have been carrying the Backpocket, and it is a great knife. I wish I would've waited for one in CV though. The stockman is a great knife, however, the spey blade can be somewhat of a pain to get open.
 
With no reservations whatsoever my advice would be to go for a Sway Back Jack in CV.
Finest regular production knife Case has done in at least 30 years.
 
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