All About Pocket Knives

I have a few of the colabs that I bought on the secondary market. They were basically new, but just changing hands. They're about as close as you can get to a full on custom in a production knife. They're fine knives, and the pricing is somewhat in line with quality single blade customs and lower end multiblade customs.

Like anything new (a car, for example), you always pay more for the latest shiny off the bench, and less a year or two later.

Is Tony Bose untimely death going to drive up the prices of all of his knives out there, as there will be no more? What think you collectors?

I am very shocked and saddened at the news of Tony Bose's passing. I have met him a few times, and have always had a very high opinion of him as a person and as an extraordinary knife artisan. He was easy to talk to, and he never tired of talking knives with anyone, whether they were a novice user or a seasoned collector.

That said, I was disappointed when the Case/Bose Collaborations starting using 6.5 BoneStag rather than genuine Stag. Knives priced at the level of these Case/Bose Collaborations should not include compromises of any kind. I have never been able to accept 6.5 BoneStag as genuine bone, just faux Stag. But, I have some good friends who love 6.5 BoneStag, so I guess that just proves the old adage "different knives for different guys."

I don't know what the future holds for the values on the Case/Bose Collaborations. Or even if they will necessarily end with his passing. Perhaps he had one or two designs already in the vault for future years. I am lucky enough to have a few of them, and I will hold on to them not based on value possibilities but because they are just dang fine knives.

The Bose/Case collaboration knives are out of my reach, mores the pitty. But I do own three of the regular production CASE TB stamped knives in CV and I must say I think they are well worth what they cost. It’s the little things like flat ground blades, swedges, and how the blades are fitted. I like mine very much.

There are limitless ways to collect knives. One man might buy ten $30 knives and another might buy one $300 knife. Same amount of money out and both fellows satisfied. Different philosophies. So a guy who owns 30 knives and spent $900 can't 'afford' a $300 knife? Just depends on how you look at it. The $300 knife I own burns bright in my consciousness, whereas none of the $30 knives are more than a vague awareness. I have both.

Are they crazy? "It's complicated" a) only one pattern a year. b)more than one handle material. c) not the same number of knives made in each material. Not positive but I believe the "bone stag" was the least produced handle material of the Lanny's Clip model.....think they used 3 or 4 handle materials that year

ken98k wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 6:24 pm I'd love to have one but, there comes a point when things just get ridicules and this is a good example of just plain foolishness.
This is just the kind of foolishness that puts American knife companies out of business. I'll wait for the Rough Ryder Version!

This response is the only crazy I see. Yes, screw the American company for providing a premium knife, and go spend your money on cheap, Chinese knives. There is your foolishness.

All well said. It all comes down to the individual taste. The article in Knife Magazine https://www.knifemagazine.com/tony-bose ... way-at-74/ about Tony’s passing says his son Reese, who has worked with Tony for years, will carry on the business. Whether that includes the Case collaboration remains to be seen, but wouldn’t surprise me. From what little I know it’s my understanding the Case-Bose knives are true collaborations, with both having input regarding what patterns to make. So they may continue. I hope so as I always enjoy seeing old patterns resurrected. Modern premium steels being used is a bonus. That seems to me a unique niche market no one other than some custom makers are addressing.

What will obviously be missed is Tony’s presence as a spokesman and advocate for Case. He made appearances at several Case retailer tour events annually and was always a popular draw.

Ken

Montanaman wrote: ↑Mon Nov 23, 2020 10:56 pm

ken98k wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 6:24 pm I'd love to have one but, there comes a point when things just get ridicules and this is a good example of just plain foolishness.
This is just the kind of foolishness that puts American knife companies out of business. I'll wait for the Rough Ryder Version!

This response is the only crazy I see. Yes, screw the American company for providing a premium knife, and go spend your money on cheap, Chinese knives. There is your foolishness.

Well said Montanaman.

edge213 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 5:27 am

Montanaman wrote: ↑Mon Nov 23, 2020 10:56 pm

ken98k wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 6:24 pm I'd love to have one but, there comes a point when things just get ridicules and this is a good example of just plain foolishness.
This is just the kind of foolishness that puts American knife companies out of business. I'll wait for the Rough Ryder Version!

This response is the only crazy I see. Yes, screw the American company for providing a premium knife, and go spend your money on cheap, Chinese knives. There is your foolishness.

Well said Montanaman.

I agree with the importance of buying products made in one's own country. To do this the product has to be priced acceptably for what it is.
Many might see $500 for a knife with Case 6.5 handles as unacceptably high. You cannot blame the consumer for not buying it.
Time will tell if Case has priced these at 'market value' and this can be judged by if this limited production sells out or leaves many on the retailers' shelves.
The problem for the Case-Bose Collabs is GEC. With GEC you don't get a Bose pattern but you do get first rate workmanship & materials on excellent Traditional patterns, all for 1/4 to 1/5 the price of a Collab. Both are 100% USA businesses.
kj

IMO, concerning GEC, brass and 1095 are dirt cheap and are not comparable to 300 series stainless and 154cm, with mill relieved liners and EDM cut. I do agree about the bone stag. Toungerivers pearl handles were some of the finest and Case should still offer pearl, I find the abalone cheap looking. Not everyone cares for GEC. If a guy dosen't like the Case/Bose collabs, dont buy one. Tony was very proud of these collabs, and made Case better for it.

Just because I can't afford something doesn't automatically make it overpriced.
If I go thinking that way, it's just sour grapes.

The Case/Bose collabs obviously aren't for everybody but I sure do like them.

I hope it doesn't happen but if Tony's passing should happen to mean the end of the Case/Bose collabs, I would be genuinely sad. I look forward to each year's release whether I buy one or not.

I'm not buying this year's Locking Lanny's Clip but I do like it. Instead I've got one just like this in transit as we speak and I don't mind saying that I'm very excited about it.

Case Bose collaboration knives do not usually sell for $500. The GECs in some iterations (many) are similar in price to the CASE collaboration knives.

I like the third blade on that stockman. I call it a 'spen.'

kootenay joe wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 5:37 pm I agree with the importance of buying products made in one's own country. To do this the product has to be priced acceptably for what it is.
Many might see $500 for a knife with Case 6.5 handles as unacceptably high. You cannot blame the consumer for not buying it.
Time will tell if Case has priced these at 'market value' and this can be judged by if this limited production sells out or leaves many on the retailers' shelves.
The problem for the Case-Bose Collabs is GEC. With GEC you don't get a Bose pattern but you do get first rate workmanship & materials on excellent Traditional patterns, all for 1/4 to 1/5 the price of a Collab. Both are 100% USA businesses.
kj

Whether or not you like 6.5 Bonestag is only your opinion. As I see it, it’s just the latest attempt (possibly the best to date) to make bone look similar to stag, which cutlery companies have been doing for over a century. As to the price it’s the same as the other jigged bone (chestnut bone, red bone) being offered on the same pattern. Thankfully neither of us is the arbiter of what is reasonable, or not, for consumer purchases.

I don’t see GEC being a “problem” for Case-Bose. I rarely buy either one, but they’re largely different animals. Both are quality American-made traditional pocket knife style cutlery, but the similarity begins to diverge from there.

Using mostly “traditional” materials for blades, springs, liners etc, GEC is more conventionally-made than Case-Bose collaborations. Case-Bose collaboratives use modern deep cryo-treated stainless steel for blades and springs, stainless steel liners, etc. The market seems to currently be saturated for some Case-Bose patterns, but other patterns at similar prices are sold out, and can rarely be found even on the secondary market.

Likewise while there is currently a demand “bubble” frenzy for some GEC patterns, others are sitting in inventory for months. Contrary to perception, everything GEC produces isn’t flying off the dealer shelves, and every knife GEC produces isn’t flawless (unfortunately I have a couple of examples). I’ve read of similar problems with Case-Bose knives.

As many here have said, they like older knives. You cannot blame them for not buying GEC or Case-Bose collaboratives either. There’s a market being served for those that want it.

Ken

I like knives. Old, new, big, small, fat and tall. A few GECs and a few CASE/BOSE collaborations but mostly OLD knives. Not Chinese or Pakistan, more's the pity, I suppose, cutting myself short like that.

Some of the GEC made knives have steel liners.
kj
And i do like Case 6.5 Bone Stag on their regular knives. Here is my my appreciated Case 3 piece slot knife.
kj

Montanaman wrote: ↑Mon Nov 23, 2020 10:56 pm

ken98k wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 6:24 pm I'd love to have one but, there comes a point when things just get ridicules and this is a good example of just plain foolishness.
This is just the kind of foolishness that puts American knife companies out of business. I'll wait for the Rough Ryder Version!

This response is the only crazy I see. Yes, screw the American company for providing a premium knife, and go spend your money on cheap, Chinese knives. There is your foolishness.

I sent a letter to SMKW urging them to produce a lanny's clip in the RR line.

ken98k wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25, 2020 1:55 pm

I sent a letter to SMKW urging them to produce a lanny's clip in the RR line.

Good for you, you seem proud, for some reason.

Montanaman wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25, 2020 2:41 pm

ken98k wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25, 2020 1:55 pm

I sent a letter to SMKW urging them to produce a lanny's clip in the RR line.

Good for you, you seem proud, for some reason.

Montanaman wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 5:44 pm I find the abalone cheap looking.

Kris, having seen some of the knives you own, I know you have exquisite taste, but on this point I beg to differ.


My other Case Tony Bose Collaboration knives...I paid less than $400 for each one at eBay auction sales. The Lockback Wharncliffe Whittler is the closest I have ever seen to a full on custom handmade knife for a "factory produced" knife. I paid slightly less than $400 for mine when I bought it in 2014. The last time I saw one for sale on eBay, it sold for just over $500.

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25, 2020 5:25 pm

Montanaman wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 5:44 pm I find the abalone cheap looking.

but on this point I beg to differ.

Thanks, I find the tiny bits mosaic abalone cheap looking, I prefer long strips for a more organic look.


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