All About Pocket Knives

In the knife collecting community you often hear the wishful exclamation, "If only that knife could talk, imagine the stories it could tell", said about an old battle scarred HOK survivor. Although most of the knives in my collection are fairly new and relatively "inexperienced" safe queens, that doesn't mean they don't have stories to tell and hold and memories for me. Today's Mini TrapPER DIEM is a perfect example.

This 2002 Case 6107W was given to me by Kevin 'knifeaddict1965' about four years ago. Being a 107W, I really liked the knife, of course, but I was not a fan of the Delrin handle scales. So, I sent it to Barry 'BIGHEAD' with a couple slabs of Natural Jade G-10, a synthetic handle material I do like, and asked him to work his magic on it Now it's one of my favorite 107Ws.....not only because of the knife itself, but also because of the personal connections and backstory of its provenance. Someday, years from now, after I am dead and gone, someone will likely look at this knife and think to themself, "If only this knife could talk, I wonder what stories it could tell."

Q - great backstory. Bighead does some absolutely stellar work - I can't say I've ever seen filework of that quality ... truly awe inspiring. I can only imagine how much time and effort it must take to execute such craftsmanship, plus the artistic eye (and actual keen eye sight) required ... bravo Bighead !!!!

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2026 8:58 pm In the knife collecting community you often hear the wishful exclamation, "If only that knife could talk, imagine the stories it could tell", said about an old battle scarred HOK survivor. Although most of the knives in my collection are fairly new and relatively "inexperienced" safe queens, that doesn't mean they don't have stories to tell and hold and memories for me. Today's Mini TrapPER DIEM is a perfect example.

This 2002 Case 6107W was given to me by Kevin 'knifeaddict1965' about four years ago. Being a 107W, I really liked the knife, of course, but I was not a fan of the Delrin handle scales. So, I sent it to Barry 'BIGHEAD' with a couple slabs of Natural Jade G-10, a synthetic handle material I do like, and asked him to work his magic on it Now it's one of my favorite 107Ws.....not only because of the knife itself, but also because of the personal connections and backstory of its provenance. Someday, years from now, after I am dead and gone, someone will likely look at this knife and think to themself, "If only this knife could talk, I wonder what stories it could tell."

Another fantastic BIGHEAD Barry upgrade! I was glad to see ya change out those humdrum Delrin scales.

Mahalo, John & Kevin

Yeah, some knives beg to be modified, but I wouldn’t dream of messing with factory Ivory. The ivory on this Bulldog Mini-T has passed through a few different owners but despite all the miles it has under the hood, it only looks better and better.

Common sense dictates that a "Mini Trapper" is simply a smaller version of a (full size) Trapper. But, what do you call it when it has a pen secondary instead of a spay blade?
At first I wasn’t all that enamored with Birds Eye Maple as a handle material. But it has grown on me and now I really like it. As wood scales go, highly figured BEM is one of the more interesting wood types IMO. I was amazed at how different colors appear under different light conditions: from greenish gray to pinkish red.

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 8:41 pm Common sense dictates that a "Mini Trapper" is simply a smaller version of a (full size) Trapper. But, what do you call it when it has a pen secondary instead of a spay blade?

Why, a “Mini Trappen,” of course! Ok, that was dumb. Anyway, I think you got a good looking handle there, Q! Color is all a matter of personal taste, right?

I really like that birdseye maple - some are always better than others - those 2 are really exceptional !

tvic wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 9:09 pm

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 8:41 pm Common sense dictates that a "Mini Trapper" is simply a smaller version of a (full size) Trapper. But, what do you call it when it has a pen secondary instead of a spay blade?

Why, a “Mini Trappen,” of course!

You know that and I know that, Tim....but not everyone agrees with us on that detail. Apparently, some folks think the spay blade is an essential component for a knife to be called a "Trapper". I guess I can kind of see their point, but I'm so used to calling all my 3½" folding knives "Mini Trappers", that is just what they are and always will be in my mind regardless of whether or not they have a spay blade

Lansky1 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 27, 2026 2:10 am I really like that birdseye maple - some are always better than others - those 2 are really exceptional !

Mahalo, John I think BEM may be somewhat of an acquired taste.....took me awhile to warm up to it, but having it on one of my favorite knife patterns probably helped me gain an appreciation for it


Another type of wood that I really like and that Queen used quite a bit is Curly Zebra wood Here's another Queen #51 Mini Trapper (with a spay blade!) showing some nice grain in the colorful and highly figured Curly Zebra:

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 8:41 pm Common sense dictates that a "Mini Trapper" is simply a smaller version of a (full size) Trapper. But, what do you call it when it has a pen secondary instead of a spay blade? ::hmm::IMG_1246.jpeg
[...]

Case's name for their Peanut assembled with a long spay in place of the usual pen blade is TrapperNut, pattern *220 1/2. Similar to a six blade stockman how its blades vary from standard preseeds the pattern name. I call knives with one long and one short blades that pivot on the same end jack knives. That makes most early *207s JackMini-Ts.

BTW, *220 1/2 is the only Case patter number I know of in which 1/2 does not indicate a clip point master blade. Pen blades in tiny knives are so small that replacing the pen with a long blade is an improvement. I'm sure you need one for something.

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 28, 2026 10:20 pm Another type of wood that I really like and that Queen used quite a bit is Curly Zebra wood Here's another Queen #51 Mini Trapper (with a spay blade!) showing some nice grain in the colorful and highly figured Curly Zebra:

Great colors on that Zebra Wood, Q, and Great shots on the tree!

Mahalo, Kevin

Figured it was about time for another MTPD….some neighbors’ coconut palm trimmings provided a nice setting for this Case 6107W in Antique Bone.

Really like the handle on that one, Q!

Great shot of your 07W, Q! And I Love the Antique Bone!

tvic wrote: ↑Mon May 11, 2026 2:52 pm Really like the handle on that one, Q!

knifeaddict1965 wrote: ↑Tue May 12, 2026 3:13 am Great shot of your 07W, Q! And I Love the Antique Bone!

Mahalo, Tim & Kevin.....I too am a big fan of Case's Antique Bone and I really like that pseudo-Winterbottom jigging style, too....and also the badge shield and of course the single Wharncliffe blade Cosmetically, I like everything about that knife The only negative is it's somewhat soft snap. Post 1970s Case 07s are not known for having especially strong snaps in general, but the snap on this one is even softer than would be expected. I've owned about half dozen or so of this 2010 model and the snap was pretty much the same on every one of them. I've probably used up at least half a bottle of Quick Release trying to get them to have more snap but I think that's just the way they were made.


Today's Mini TrapPER DIEM will likely give Kevin a passing wave of wistful nostalgia as it was his half of the first knife trade we ever made. Normally, I'm not a big blade etch or bolster embellishment kinda guy, but the etch and embellishments on this one, also from 2010, really grabbed me. Love the fine detail in the two-color blade etch with the pinstripe swirls, and long tail C with five X's and five dots. Notice that the bolsters (both mark & pile sides) have three X's, two dots on the top bolster, and two X's, three dots on the bottom bolster which mirrors the 2010 date code on the tang stamp. I think that's pretty cool....oh, and the stag is nice, too

She’s a beauty, Q - and I LIKE the blade etch!

Really love those last two posts, ~Q~. That 6107 is too cool..

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Tue May 12, 2026 10:21 pm Today's Mini TrapPER DIEM will likely give Kevin a passing wave of wistful nostalgia as it was his half of the first knife trade we ever made.

Oh Yeeaaahhhh... And that Stag Mini-T looks as Beautiful as ever. Hard to believe it's been 4 1/2 years since our first of many successful trades.

Mahalo Tim, Kerry & Kevin


The embellishment on that 2010 5207 got The Monkey rummaging around in my collection looking for other Mini-Ts with cool blade etches. Didn’t take long for him to find this one with the rare and highly coveted red scroll.

While I'm on the subject of blade etches, it's only fair to give the blue scroll Mini-T equal time in the PER DIEM spotlight...
As I've said previously, I'm not a big fan of blade etches in general; however, there was a short period of time during the height of my 07 obsession in which The Monkey was fixated on collecting every Mini-T with an etch. Here's a photo from my archive showing some of the Case Mini Trappers I collected with blade etches.

Dang! Gorgeous collection of Stags, Q!

tvic wrote: ↑Sat May 16, 2026 2:33 pm Dang! Gorgeous collection of Stags, Q!

X2

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Sat May 16, 2026 1:49 pm As I've said previously, I'm not a big fan of blade etches in general; however, there was a short period of time during the height of my 07 obsession in which The Monkey was fixated on collecting every Mini-T with an etch. Here's a photo from my archive showing some of the Case Mini Trappers I collected with blade etches.

Fantastic group of Antler, Q! That Blue Scroll with the engraved bolsters is gorgeous!
At the height of your Mini-T obsession, I'm guessing you must have been pushing 200 or so of that pattern. Very impressive dedication and focus, sir!

Mahalo Tim, Floyd & Kevin

I don't know the total number of Mini Trappers I had when Mini-T Mountain was at its peak height, Kevin, but I know I had 4 or 5 of the 42-knife zippered cases filled to capacity, so I would guess 200 is probably pretty close.

I believe it's time for another 107W to strut its stuff on the PER DIEM red carpet.....I'm really taken with the color and character of the Blue Curly Oak handle on this 2026 release.....

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Sun May 31, 2026 6:17 pm I don't know the total number of Mini Trappers I had when Mini-T Mountain was at its peak height, Kevin, but I know I had 4 or 5 of the 42-knife zippered cases filled to capacity, so I would guess 200 is probably pretty close.

I believe it's time for another 107W to strut its stuff on the PER DIEM red carpet.....I'm really taken with the color and character of the Blue Curly Oak handle on this 2026 release.....

There's been a lot of beautiful Mini-Ts make their rounds through the Big Island!
Any time I think about Mini-Ts, you and JerryD come to mind, and that Blue Curly Oak with the beautiful grain is another fine example from your beautiful collection! And I love the settings in your last two pics.

I got this 107W, that you may recognize, outside on this beautiful Trapper Tuesday afternoon for a floral shot.

Just beautiful, ~Q~ and Kevin! here's an old Case of mine from 1974..