Case Cheetah 10 Dot?

[noknowledge]

Hi - I recently came across a lot of old case knives and have been working on identifying them for my collection. I believe that I may have a 10 dot cheetah but am not 100% - I can only count 8 dots due to the guard. I have attached some pictures. Here is what i know

On the side of the blade with the Cheetah etch it says
CASE XX
STAINLESS
USA
then dots

On the other side it says 5111-1/2L

Outside of the case logo on the handle these are the only identifying marks. I have attached some pictures - but my camera isn't great. If you all could help identify I would really appreciate.

[msteele6]

-

This knife is called the "Cheetah" because of the blade etch. I believe that this etch was used only on the 1971 (maybe 1970 also?) knife and the knife would therefore have 9 dots (or 10 if it was produced in 1970).

I can tell you that the knife with the cheetah etch definitely brings a premium in terms of pricing.

-

[big monk]

See if you can see ssp or ss following your model number

5111 1/2SSP ??
5111 1/2SS ???

they do list a 1970 and 1971 --------stag,with Cheetah Stamp ____ it's almost impossible to see all the dots , with the guard

and like steele said, these knives bring premium price,in good condition

According to Steve Pfeiffer's book, The Cheetah name was originated,by Case,when a special run of the pattern was made with stag handles,and a Cheetah etching in 1971 for inclusion, in the 1973 stag collectors set.The standard 6111 1/2L always had a saber-ground chrome vanadium blade and the Cheetah was made with a hollow ground stainless steel blade.The original Cheetah pattern number is 5111 1/2 L SSP

[Sanders Knives]

The 10 dot 5111 1/2L Cheetah is extremely rare. The easy way to tell the difference between the 9-Dot and the 10-Dot is not by counting dots but by the simple fact that the 10-Dot does NOT have the pattern number stamped on the back of the tang.

[robinetn]

What Steve said .

[noknowledge]

The 10 dot 5111 1/2L Cheetah is extremely rare. The easy way to tell the difference between the 9-Dot and the 10-Dot is not by counting dots but by the simple fact that the 10-Dot does NOT have the pattern number stamped on the back of the tang.

Thanks for all of the responses and information.

What exactly is the Pattern number? I assume it is the 5111-1/2L - meaning that this knife is the 9 dot.

Thanks Again

[Sanders Knives]

The pattern number is 5111 1/2L. You are correct in that it is the 9 dot version.

Steve