What would you do?

Stich2442

Stich2442

Joined
May 6, 2012
Messages
3,557
I was wondering what you guys would do? This was my first " good pocket knife " and also my first stainless steel knife, prior to this I only had Imperials, a Kamp-King and a two blade fishing knife.
4956b7d4.jpg

74ccb43f.jpg

I can remember going to the hardware store early Saturday mornings with my dad and standing in front of the Case, Schrade, Imperial knife, display in awe, hypnotized, mesmerized by all the different patterns. I don't remember what made me pick this pattern, but if I recall correctly it was the bail/shackle, which brings me to my question, would you send this knife back to Case to have a new Bail put on ? The bone is perfect, plenty of life still in the blades snap is great, very slight play in the main blade.it's a Case 6201 it's a 10 dot from 1980, and is near mint, I have had this knife for 32 years and can remember always having in my pocket when in school, and trimming fishing lines as a kid.
Tang Stamp
05db930e.jpg

cbe53a9a.jpg

557b806e.jpg

0f94c2ef.jpg

9ffd5521.jpg


I would be really bummed if it got lost in the mail or if Case misplaced it.
790633bf.jpg

It's pretty small knife, smaller than a peanut.

6e2a94f8.jpg

3659f82d.jpg


I really like the color of the bone and the jigging.
Would like to have some feedback and if any of you fellas have sent back a sentimental knife back to Case and how was your experience?
Thanks in advance,
Pete
 
I have sent knives to Case but never sent one that was sentimental.If u decide to send it make sure you send a letter stating what is wrong with it what u want done to it if u want it cleaned or sharpened.i dought i would have it cleaned as u have carried it all these years take away all the battle scars,I always send mine priority insured.i hope this helps and keep us informed
 
Find yourself some music wire of the appropriate diameter and make your own bail.

I don't think CASE would lose it, and the post is pretty safe if you choose that route.

Don't have the slightest idea what the turn around time would be.
 
I've sent knives to Case twice. They have a lot of experience handling knives with sentimental value since a lot of Case knives out there have sentimental value to their owners. They even ask you to specify in the letter whether or not the knife has sentimental value to you (although that is most likely to help them figure out whether to fix it or replace it). So I wouldn't worry about them losing it.

I would recommend you contact them by email first, before sending the knife in, just to make sure they'll replace the bail.
 
AKC said:
Find yourself some music wire of the appropriate diameter and make your own bail.
Click to expand...

This would be my suggestion as well. Just make your own bail or maybe see if Case can send you one to fit your knife.

Having said that, I have sent a sentimental knife to Case for a scale replacement and all went well. If I remember correctly, I got it back about 3 weeks after I sent it to them.
 
stich2442 said;

I would be really bummed if it got lost in the mail or if Case misplaced it.
Click to expand...

The exact reason I would not send it in if it was mine.

I'd keep an eye out for a Case knife in rough condition with a bail, buy it, remove the bail, and put it on the one which is the subject of this thread.
 
It never hurts to talk to Case, and ask them very specifically how they'd handle this. So long as they know exactly what your concerns are, I'm sure they'll give you a straight answer as to whether they can fix it to your liking or not. If you're explicitly clear with them about wanting the knife back, as is, and not wanting an exchange or replacement (if they can't otherwise fix it), there's little reason to worry. If you do choose to send it in, put your specific needs and concerns in writing, to pack with the knife.

Case pretty regularly publishes articles in their Case Collectors Club mailings, about the refurbishments they've done on old knives like these. If they have the parts, tools and appropriate expertise to handle it, I know they'd take great pride in doing so. This knife looks very good and, it seems to me, it may not be too difficult a task for them to replace the bail.
 
Last edited:
Yeah i would give them a call like the others have said. I had the thumb stud on a trapperlock fall off and lost a few sheilds and they just mail it to you with out sending your knife in so it's worth a shot
 
I really like the "state of being" that it is in, right now. I would not change a thing, if it were mine. Every condition nuance of the knife hold a memory. Each has its story, elicits a feeling, a state of being. As one is, at heart, so is he
 
Of course I'd send it back and have a new bail put on it if that was an option.

If you had an old pick up truck that you scrimped and saved up for in high school would you ignore a broken off mirror or a door handle that fell off? Would fixing those problems make the truck less desirable? Big difference between cleaning away the naturally earned finish and fixing real mechanical problems with an old and valued antique.

But that's just me. I never understood applying the collector's mindset of 'don't touch it, it's perfect' when it comes to minor mechanical breakage.

A beautiful little knife for sure. I think you picked out a great one as your first knife!

Will
 
If it were mine, I would contact Case and see what they would do. If it is what you want, then I would send it in.

I've regularly sent sentimental old watches out to be repaired, usually to specialist watchmakers because either the company doesn't exist or does not do that work, 1964 Bulova Accutron Spaceview, 1972 Seiko 6139 automatic chronograph for 2 examples, both very valuable and difficult if not impossible to replace in existing condition.

Just my humble opinion...good luck in whatever you decide!
 
If Case will sell you a bail, I'd go that route.
otherwise, I'd make one myself.
 
Why speculate on the unknown? Give them a call and talk to them. They have some great people that specialize in fixing old knives. Can't loose anything with a phone call.

Carl.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top