Anyone have any input on the new production Case knives? I'm searching for a new daily carry folder and have become quite interested in Case knives. Trying to make my mind up between a Trapper, mini-Trapper, or Sod Buster in synthetic orange handle.

The fit and finish on the current Case pocketknives is much improved from the late 1980's to mid 1990's when they were at a low point in quality. While not quite at the 1970's levels they are close. Most of the blades are stainless now, some models are available in CV (their traditional carbon steel). The pull is lighter now than they used to be, closing snap varies from moderate to moderately heavy - not Gator Jaw snappers like you used to see in some of the older knives. I like to pick mine out in person, as there is some variation between individual knives.

I have carried a Case Carhartt Sowbelly a bit lately. It is SS and not too bad.

But I really prefer their CV blades.....

I have a plain Jane large yellow trapper with CV blades I bought year before last. I really like it, seems to be a pretty good knife. It sharpens up really nice and seems to hold an edge well. Considering what some people pay for knives these days, I don't really see how you go wrong with one.


My Dad had one back in the 70's with a red bone handle. I was a kid and can't remember if his was better than mine or not.....prettier no doubt. I had my first experience with sharpness with that knife. Dad had evidently sharpened his knife quite recently and I picked it up and opened it. He said, "Son, be careful its sharp"! I ran my finger along the blade as if to test his work and cut it pretty good. "Dadgummit Son, I TOLD you it was sharp, Go tell your Momma you need a bandaid!"

The yellow trapper in CV just may be their best seller. It is never a bad choice. I just traded a newer one to Fieldgrade not long ago. Mine was made in 1986....

I have been wanting a yellow Sodbuster Jr. and just came across a Hardware store that is stocking them. Next time I am in that area my plan is to ask them to pull out several and find one where the closed blade lays centered.

I have a med stockman in CV and really like it. mine is from late 80's I think, however if their fit and finish was considered poor back then I would love to see them now. then again I may have gotten lucky.

If the mini trapper size works for you, its a good choice, but take a look at their saddlehorn pattern too. It has the clip and the skinner rather than the spey blade. With very nice swedges too. The mini copperlock is good too.

So I'm thinking I'd like the new synthetic orange handle model, but I'm seeing that's not available in carbon steel (CV). How is Case's stainless? Easy to sharpen? Hold an edge?

If the CV is that much more adventitious, handle material is not a deal breaker.

adventitious?

Industry term used by Case.........

No, that's my question. Is there an advantage of one of their steels over the other based on edge holding and sharpening?

I like the CV a whole lot more, myself. It gets a patina to it which doesn't bother me a bit. It's not SS. It sharpens easier, to a better edge IMO. And holds it plenty good for a pocket knife IMO...

Case 1970-79 are a better built knife. Take a look at the AAPK forum and look at some of those knives in the forum store. I like the mini trapper in ss .

I like Case pocket knives and prefer CV over stainless. A yellow handle Trapper is in my pocket now.

The same should be in my mailbox by Tuesday. Thanks for the suggestions and input, guys!

Good choice!!!

Thought you were holding out for orange.

Charlie, totally forgot about your offer. Please check your PM.

I ordered a pair of large CV stockmans for Christmas...........traditional yellow, and amber bone. I hate buying sight unseen, but I've rolled the dice.

I was a loyal Case user since childhood, but was very displeased with the company almost 10yrs ago and bought a Moore Maker (Camillus) stockman instead. The 3 7/8" stockman has proven to be the perfect size for daily carry and feels great in my hand compared to the smaller models. I'm curious if the 4 1/4" Stockman will work for hip pocket carry.

only if you have 4 1/4 pockets......

I do, but fitting well doesn't guarantee carrying well.

Just a quick update. My two Stockmans arrived yesterday, and they're both built with excellent attention to detail. Everything is ground and polished evenly, and no ugly gaps appear around the handles or springs. The blades open and close with authority, and the factory edges are evenly ground------------very toothy, as expected, but even. I'm VERY pleased after my last experience ten years ago.

Glad to hear that worked out.

I have owned Case knives since I was a kid. I have some Circle C knives from the 40s and really like them. Quality is top notch. Case also has a great service department. I recently sent them a medium sized stockman that I bought on eBay and they returned it looking like new, even replaced the scales. No charge. That is why I don't buy Chinese junk.

Ditto ^^^^^^ With all the other cheap ass Chinaland crap that's force fed to us these days it boggles me that anyone would buy a Chinaland knife when American knife makers are one of the last bastions of quality and service at a fair price between our shores.

Well said Charlie...

This is a great one.... it comes in a G10 orange too.
Mid folding hunter

EXACTLY. I think it boils down to what's hanging in the bubble packs at the big box stores. The hardware stores, independent lumber yards, and especially mens work clothes stores with their traditional (and enticing) knife displays are becoming more and more a thing of our past............a past I miss more each day.

You guys should have seen the NASTY letter I wrote the NRA when they sent me a "free" chinkwanese knife when I renewed my membership.

Needless to say, I sent the knife back. The other I had was sold.

All the USA knifemakers going out of business and struggling. Ebay pushing Chinkwanese crap down our throats.

I wonder if the gun companies started dropping like flies and chinaland rifles flooded the market, if the NRA would get it then?

Filson tried the offshore approach a few years ago (while charging USA made prices), and most of it ended up on clearance at deep discount. They apparently misunderstood why customers are willing to pay that much for their clothing and underestimated the stubborness of consumers with strong beliefs.

They're now making some other dumb moves, but at least the majority of items are coming from Seattle again.

In the interest of full disclosure, I thought I'd update my Case report. After receiving two perfectly built large stockmans, I decided to order one more as a Christmas gift. It arrived today and is a complete letdown. It's a Monday or Friday knife for sure. It's not the worst job I've ever seen, but it's definitely a user grade and not one to admire when pulled out for use. It'll cost more than it's worth to ship back to Case, so I'll toss it in the knife box as a future gift to someone who isn't cursed with an attention to detail.

So in my recent sample of three, I'd give two knives an A+ and one a C-. Knives like these still have quite a lot of hand work, which is increasingly rare in todays tool world. It's one of the things I love about slip joints, but it also adds risk to buying knives sight unseen. Paying a little more at the local feedstore/lumberyard is probably smartest approach.

I've had a number of Case knives since my mother gave me a 4" carbon steel sheath knife for Christmas in 1950 (still use it, gone thru a couple of sheaths, tho!).

My current fixed blade favorite is a plain 5" "Finn-5" sheath knife that I got this year, but I'm looking for a sheath of the original pattern--don't like the newer "wrap around" style much.

I got a "Baby Butterbean" in honey bone recently to carry in situations where a larger knife might scare some ninny. It'll do to open the modern packaging which my arthritic fingers have more and more trouble with. It's a miniature of my daily carry folder, a "red barnboard bone" Case "Canoe," a pattern I find works for most everyday tasks. Have two; an old carbon steel and stag one and this newer barnboard bone stainless.

Used a single blade carbon "Folding Hunter" for years; finally retired it when I quit big game hunting, and gave it to my son. Good cutter!

Keep buying Case; we need 'em!

I carry a Case most everyday (sometimes a Stockman by Buck or Schrade) - this Case Big Whittler is my favorite.

Now that's a handsome knife! And you can do a LOT of things with it, I bet.

Thanks Mike, it is a fine and useful knife - and like a pre-64 Winchester or Belgian Browning, simply a joy to own.