Just Thought I Would Show Some Love For The Wood Handles

[DM11]

Case with some walnut covers

[Dinadan]

I think this thread needs reviving.

Bloodwood

Ebony

unknown

unknown

[Steve Warden]

Looking good Mel

[hi-revr]

I'm a woodworker so these were the first knives that got me hooked on Case. I recently sold off almost all my non 54 trappers and now only collect them.
I will insert a bit a trivia where appropriate on some of the woods.

First Column>>>Box Elder Burl, Red Box Elder burl, Four different Ebony (Gabon Ebony), Curly Koa (only grows on Big Island of Hawaii), Lacewood (Australia), Laminated Rosewood, Maple Burl.

Second Column>>>Birdeye Maple( Case calls it curly for some reason), Same, club knife, 2 different curly maple, 2 different Mesquite (Texas) one is a club knife. top one is quarter sawed, bottom is rift or flat sawed, Red Oak, Curly Oak, Curly Red Oak, Rosewood (I'm fairly sure all the rosewood knives are actually Cocobolo, a member of the rosewood family Dalbergia).

Third Column>>> Three different Rosewood versions, First two quarter sawed(cut like you would slice a pie) , third is flat sawed(cut like you would to get rid of the outer crust). Snakewood, Grey Sycamore, Teak, Black Walnut, 3 versions of English Walnut(U.S. west coast) last on the side is curly red Zebrawood.

Not shown I have a few Amboyna Case but they did not make in 54 Trapper. There was a Shepherd Hills Tulipwood 54 SFO in 2001 I am in search of. Also at least one 54 with Bois D' Arc (Osage Orange).

[Dinadan]

Thanks, Steve!

I'm a woodworker so these were the first knives that got me hooked on Case. I recently sold off almost all my non 54 trappers and now only collect them.

That is a very cool theme for a collection, Hi-revr. Beautiful knives you have there. Feel free to show us close ups of any that you think are especially interesting.

I see that you only make about one post per year. With a collection like that you need to show it off more often!

[FRJ]

Good move and nice pictures of some great knives, Mel.

hi-revr, that is a good looking display of knives. Good show!

Your knowledge of wood is quite impressive.
I know Oak and Maple when I see it.

A Brown & Pharr
An Empire - Winsted
A Southington

[hi-revr]

Thanks,
My low post avg seems odd but.................. I started collecting in the mid 2000's I was all worked up for a few years and Shepherd Hills is a couple hours away. It seems like that was there glory era for wood and natural handle knives. After a few years of nothing new I was interested in and being way too intimidated to start collecting vintage stuff I lost interest. I joined here in 16 thinking I would try to make knives. A few months ago I was cleaning out the closet and sold a bunch of stuff on fleebay. Starting selling the knives and decided I still love them. I just needed to have a focus. I kept almost all the 54 Trappers. I began researching and chasing knives again in early December. I started a spreadsheet of what I have and don't have. I've been looking for any info on any 54's with wood or other natural handle materials and started researching vintage 54's. I'm amazed at how little info is available. I joined the CCC last Sunday and have yet to get my member # which means I can't access anything.

There are other woods Case could utilize, once I feel like I have a handle of what has been offered in the past I have a few ideas to submit. One wood that would be awesome for knives is Bocote (Boe-Coe-tay) from southern Mexico, Central America. Assuming it is still available, nice tight small grain lines, perfect for small knife scales.

[Dinadan]

Good move and nice pictures of some great knives, Mel.

Thanks, Joe. Those are very fine knives that you posted. To me, those old knives with the scars to prove their service can be more attractive than a shiny new knife.

Hi-revr - I think a lot of folks here have had a few twists and turns in their collecting. I do not even consider myself a collector. An enthusiast, perhaps.

[FRJ]

Thanks Mel, I agree I like old knives and old stuff in general.

I don't consider myself a collector either. No focus.
I'm an accumulator, or an enthusiast; I like that title.

[jmh58]

A couple Ebony.

[jmh58]

Curly Maple 54.

[jmh58]

Rosewood 096.

[FRJ]

Here is a nice little Bay State boys jack knife.

[FRJ]

Here is what I think might be an early Southington jack knife.

[FRJ]

Here is nice Buhl Sons Co. jack knife. (swell center)

[woodwalker]

Here is nice Buhl Sons Co. jack knife. (swell center)

Beauties your showing Joe!

[TPK]

Beautiful knives everyone!

[royal0014]

Here is nice Buhl Sons Co. jack knife. (swell center)

WOW that's gorgeous !!

Should it be in the rare tang stamp thread ???

[Dinadan]

Jmh - the rosewood and ebony are really nice. But that maple is just beautiful!

Joe - you do have some beauties. That Buhl Sons Co is a fine knife. Have you ever noticed how the blades may rust or be sharpened away, but the wood just gets better the more it is handled?

Here is another ebony.

[FRJ]

Thanks so much, woodwalker and Chris.

[jmh58]

Jmh - the rosewood and ebony are really nice. But that maple is just beautiful!

Joe - you do have some beauties. That Buhl Sons Co is a fine knife. Have you ever noticed how the blades may rust or be sharpened away, but the wood just gets better the more it is handled?

Here is another ebony.

Thank You Mel..
John

[FRJ]

Joe - you do have some beauties. That Buhl Sons Co is a fine knife. Have you ever noticed how the blades may rust or be sharpened away, but the wood just gets better the more it is handled?

Thank you, Mel.
Yes, I have noticed that. This old Excelsior jack is a good example.
I don't know if this knife was made in Torrington or Northfield.
Goin's has a nice little write up in the stamp.

[Dinadan]

That Excelsior is a really cool knife, Joe.

[FRJ]

Thank you, Mel.
It was so well built. Both of the blades are still very snappy. A bit of a hazard now that they are short.
I've had that knife for years but didn't carry it because the blade tips were above the blade well and I didn't want to take the kick down at all. I just set it aside.
After I showed it yesterday I took the top of the blades down a tad. Problem solved.
What fun it is to carry it.

[Dinadan]

Thank you, Mel.
It was so well built. Both of the blades are still very snappy. A bit of a hazard now that they are short.
I've had that knife for years but didn't carry it because the blade tips were above the blade well and I didn't want to take the kick down at all. I just set it aside.
After I showed it yesterday I took the top of the blades down a tad. Problem solved.
What fun it is to carry it.

Joe, I am trying to think of what I would say if someone I was talking too pulled that knife out to slice an apple or open a package. I think my mind would just shut down from disbelief.