Need help from XX-Changer experts

The W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company has a very rich history that began in 1889 when William Russell (“W.R.”), Jean, John, and Andrew Case began fashioning their knives and selling them along a wagon trail in upstate New York. The company has produced countless treasures and it continues to do so as one of the most collected brands in the world.
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Coinroller
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Need help from XX-Changer experts

Post by Coinroller »

Will all Changer blades fit all Changer handles? Or, over the model’s history, did Case alter the tang design such that some blades do not fit all handles?
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RevolverGuy
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Re: Need help from XX-Changer experts

Post by RevolverGuy »

Case retooled after 1990 and so the XX-Changer blades made today will not fit the older models made before then.
Modern Slip Joints
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Re: Need help from XX-Changer experts

Post by Modern Slip Joints »

While I can not verify the year of the retooling the blades for my oldest Changer were stamped out of thinner flat stock. Consequently, newer thicker blades won't fit in older handles. I'm not sure if older thinner blades will fit in newer handles but wobble.

Technically, this thread does not belong in this sub-forum which is for a late 1980s into the 1990s product line that were named Classics.
knifeaholic
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Re: Need help from XX-Changer experts

Post by knifeaholic »

The reason for the tooling change is interesting...

Prior to 1990, all of Case's modern stainless steel lockbacks, large and small, were made on contract by Alcas. This includes the Shark Tooth, Hammerhead, Mako, 051 series, and others including the XX changer.

The story is that when Parker took Case into Chapter 11, Alcas lost a big chunk of money, so they decided not to do any more contract work.

So Case had no choice but to bring them in house - and the blades for the Shark Tooth, Hammerhead, and XX changer lost the cut out below the tang, among other changes.
Steve Pfeiffer, author of Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide published by Krause Publications.
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Re: Need help from XX-Changer experts

Post by knifeaholic »

The reason for the tooling change is interesting...

Prior to 1990, all of Case's modern stainless steel lockbacks, large and small, were made on contract by Alcas. This includes the Shark Tooth, Hammerhead, Mako, 051 series, and others including the XX changer.

The story is that when Parker took Case into Chapter 11, Alcas lost a big chunk of money, so they decided not to do any more contract work.

So Case had no choice but to bring them in house - and the blades for the Shark Tooth, Hammerhead, and XX changer lost the cut out below the tang, among other changes.
Steve Pfeiffer, author of Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide published by Krause Publications.
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1967redrider
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Re: Need help from XX-Changer experts

Post by 1967redrider »

Thanks for this history lesson, Steve. ::handshake::
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
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