Which knife/knives to buy?

J

joepa150

Joined
Mar 15, 2010
Messages
350
I have some left over birthday money I want to spend. Which option would you go with?

Here are my options:
1) Case Swayback Jack
2) Peanut and Case Sodbuster Jr
3) Peanut and Queen Country Cousin
4) Queen County Cousin Green Micarta
5) GEC Bullnose

Here are some facts about what I own and want.
I don't own any really small pocket knives such as the Peanut.
I only own 2 Case knives that are Vintage so I am curious about the quality of new Case knives.
I don't own any brand or type of "Sodbuster/work" knife.
I am curious about the great fit and finish of the Swayback Jacks.
I don't own any Queens.
I own 2 GECs.
 
Small, Case peanut.

Work knife, GEC bullnose.

All of your listed options are great knives. The Queen country cousin is nice but I don't like the feel in hand. The butt edge (blade well side) of the handle tends to put pressure on the palm, I wish it was a bit more rounded personally. It's still a good knife however and the micarta version maybe a bit more comfortable?????

Your results may vary, just my 2 cents for what it's worth.

From your options I would go #2 or #3 you can't go wrong with either choice.
 
Last edited:
Joe, I'd go with either the Case swayback jack or Case peanut. Both are good knives. Modern Case v. Vintage Case: the swayback I've got is a couple years old and superbly made. Got several peanuts, modern and vintage. While the vintage ones are superb, the modern ones are good too.
 
Of your listed choices, I would go with #3. Case Peanut in your choice of scales, and a Queen Country Cousin in your choice of color.
 
In your list of choices, I would go with #3 as well. I have both, use both. The peanut has a lot of cutting power in that little package, and kept sharp it is actually about as much as anyone needs most of the time. It doesn't take up any real estate at all in your pocket and can be used just about anywhere without offending anyone.

But for those times it isn't enough, the Queen CC is an excellent choice. The D2 is a tough steel, and for once Queen ground one of their blades right. It has a longer point than the Case soddie which makes it a bit more usable to me. But more importantly, they actually ground the blade to a nice, flat, thin edge which makes it the best slicer of all the Queen knives I own.

Robert
 
The main reason I even have the Swayback Jack on the list is because I read that the quality of them is really high compared to other cases. If this "quality" thing didn't exist, I would get the Peanut hands down.
How is the quality of the Peanut compared to SBJ?
In my opinion, my GEC knives are about 8/10 for fit and finish.
On a scale of 1-10, what would the peanut and SBJ rank as far as overall fit and finish?
 
You can't go wrong with a peanut and whatever, I always carry a peanut and pair it with so thing else, peanut works well in public and for most task but nice to have something for the just in case factor just my opinion.

Pete
 
All good choices, but I guess you've listed these 5 options because it's either one or the other. From your list, I think you'd be best served by option 2 or 3.
 
joepa150 said:
The main reason I even have the Swayback Jack on the list is because I read that the quality of them is really high compared to other cases. If this "quality" thing didn't exist, I would get the Peanut hands down.
How is the quality of the Peanut compared to SBJ?
In my opinion, my GEC knives are about 8/10 for fit and finish.
On a scale of 1-10, what would the peanut and SBJ rank as far as overall fit and finish?
Click to expand...

My Chestnut Bone CV SBJ I would rate a 10. I'd have to give my Peanut - Chestnut Bone CV - a 10 also. Very limited sample size there, but from what I hear the SBJ consistently ranks right up there in F&F. I'm not sure about the Peanuts overall - I don't recall hearing many complaints about the Peanut F&F.

The Peanut, even though smaller, feels better in my hand than the SBJ - personally I like the butt end of a knife to curve into my fingers rather than away. YMMV depending on how you hold your knife and the uses you put it to. I'd give the Peanut a shot if I were you. ;)

P.S. I'd go with your #3 choice - Peanut & Queen Country Cousin. It kills more birds with just one stone - a Peanut and a Queen and a "Sodbuster"! :D
 
Last edited:
If you really like the look and design of the Sway Back Jack, I would pick option #1. Otherwise I'd pick #2 or #3.

If you're looking for the best fit and finish, pick the SBJ. I would probably give mine (Chestnut bone CV) a 10, I can't find anything about it that could be improved. It's perfect.

My Peanuts are all pretty good, the Damascus model being pretty much perfect. The Peanuts are just cool and they're so tiny, but still very usable.

You should try to find a Case dealer and pick out a good one yourself. If you can't find a dealer close, call one and ask them to look through them and pick out a good one for you.
 
Since I haven't tried out a Case Swayback Jack, I would go with that. Although for almost the same price, you could pick up a GEC Bullnose, and a Case Peanut (Both great knives that I have owned and would own again).
 
I like 3 the Queen / Peanut choice. The Country Cousin with D2 steel and green Linen Micarta is a Sod Buster on steroids. Are you looking at one with a shield? It was a toss up between the Country Cousin and the Bullnose. The Sod Buster is nice but D2 (Queen)or O1 (GEC) Tuff choice. Then go get the Peanut of your choice. God knows you have many different handle materials and colors to wade through.
Good Luck
 
Last edited:
Just off of looks the peanut looks much more appealing. I don't really care for the look of the SBJ. Only reason I want a SBJ is the F&F to price value I have been reading about.
 
joepa150 said:
Any vendors carry a lot of case knives for a reasonable price?
Click to expand...

I sugest that you search the Web. Case vendors are all pretty close in price. This Forum has a list of vendors who are also paid contributors on it so it wouldn't be right if I gave a vendor name that's not part of BF. I'm sure some other members are more tuned in to the member venders. You will or should get some replies.
 
Last edited:
There are many on-line vendors that carry a wide array of Case knives. If you have any skills at all in searching the Internet you should do well finding the good deals.
 
I did a little looking around and it looks like you can get a Sod Buster for about half or less than a Queen or GEC. So if your budget is $60 or less a Soddy and Peanut both with Delrin handles is the way to go. You'll have to deceide if you want CV or Stainless steel.
 
wazu013 said:
I sugest that you search the Web. Case vendors are all pretty close in price. This Forum has a list of vendors who are also paid contributors on it so it wouldn't be right if I gave a vendor name that's not part of BF. I'm sure some other members are more tuned in to the member venders. You will or should get some replies.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. Where is that vendor list out located
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top