Change in Case tang stamps

[Mumbleypeg]

Just announced on the Case Collector’s Club site. Immediately followed by posts there with concerns over counterfeiting. I don’t see a problem myself, at least not for years - no one counterfeits modern Case knives - there’s no money in it! Plus lasers are not cheap, even more so those capable of doing what Case describes in that announcement.

Ken

[cody6268]

Makes perfect sense to me. Most other cutlery companies do it these days. Most of my US-made Spydercos, Benchmades, Esees, and even some Bear models have a lasered stamp.

Making tang stamping dies has to be pricey, and those wear out and have to be replaced over time. A laser is almost a one-and-done purchase and does not need to be replaced. Also, I'm sure it works much better on some of the harder, tougher premium steels Case has recently introduced. I'm sure this will also help to keep costs down, which means Case is better off financially, and it means they can keep costs passed on to us consumers down.

I wonder if this also means patterns that typically don't have a date stamp (i.e. Mini Blackhorn) will?

[centennialknives]

I read this too on the Case collector's forum. Mixed feelings from me. But having spent 30 years in manufacturing, I understand. As a collector, it's the turn of a page into a new era. It happens.

Regarding the counterfeit potential, they shared a photo showing they will be doing "deep engraving" vs. just a surface scan. So it should turn out well.

**Edit: Just realized you show the laser tang example they posted. Looks good!

[OLDE CUTLER]

Maybe Case could offer a new service. For a fee you could send your Case knife back to them and have it authenticated. They would then laser mark something on the pile side of the blades that it is indeed a real Case. Or maybe this wouldn't work because there are so many knives that people think are real , but aren't. Or counterfeiters would take the authenticated blades out and put them into Kutmasters. Nah, bad idea.

[1967redrider]

Interesting, thanks Ken. Things will be bad when one can 3D print old Tested blades.

[Gunsil]

Maybe Case could offer a new service. For a fee you could send your Case knife back to them and have it authenticated. They would then laser mark something on the pile side of the blades that it is indeed a real Case. Or maybe this wouldn't work because there are so many knives that people think are real , but aren't. Or counterfeiters would take the authenticated blades out and put them into Kutmasters. Nah, bad idea.

There isn't anybody at Case who could authenticate any knife more than 20 or so years old. They have nobody there with any experience with older knives, there are people here who'd do a better job of authenticating old or antique Case knives.

As far as using a laser rather than a stamp, I am sure it simply boils down to that the laser is cheaper.

[98src]

+1