Vintage CASE Folding Knives

[steve99f]

That rough black 99 is killer Danno! Some great looking swell end jacks being shown.

[danno50]

Thanks for the kind comments, Ivoryman and Steve.
Dan

[zp4ja]

I agree with all the others Dan. Some nice knives you have there.
Jerry

[danno50]

Thanks Jerry, you should recognize a couple of them.
Dan

[Tsar Bomba]

I don't have a single XX-era Case (yet) and my USA-era collection is pitiful, bordering on nonexistent, but I do have this Tested-era knife...

And here's my nicest USA-era, a 62024½ that will soon turn 50 if it hasn't already:

[olderdogs1]

Nice knives, Tony

Tom

[Mumbleypeg]

I don't have a single XX-era Case (yet) and my USA-era collection is pitiful, bordering on nonexistent, but I do have this Tested-era knife...

26987708646_bf35fc7688_k.jpg
And here's my nicest USA-era, a 62024½ that will soon turn 50 if it hasn't already:

30725545465_e92e280d27_k.jpg

Good start! You'll soon be incurably infected with "Case fever"!

Ken

[Ivoryman]

Oh Bomba, that is some bone on that Case. Beautiful. Great years too.

[gsmith7158]

I don't have a single XX-era Case (yet) and my USA-era collection is pitiful, bordering on nonexistent, but I do have this Tested-era knife...

26987708646_bf35fc7688_k.jpg
And here's my nicest USA-era, a 62024½ that will soon turn 50 if it hasn't already:

30725545465_e92e280d27_k.jpg

Tony those 65-69 Cases had some of the prettiest red bone ever. Here's a little xx Greenbone.

[RalphAlsip]

Tony, beautiful old Case knives. There are some great Case XX knives out there. Good luck in your hunting!

Greg, those are some pretty examples.

[Tsar Bomba]

Thanks, gents, and Greg, that is some fantastic green bone!

I guess I don't often think of the USA-era knives as being "old" per se, but the fact that they're all hovering right around 50 years old tells me that we're going to start seeing fewer and fewer minty old Cases from that era.

Of course, now I just want to get another 024 for EDC.

[gsmith7158]

Thanks, gents, and Greg, that is some fantastic green bone!

I guess I don't often think of the USA-era knives as being "old" per se, but the fact that they're all hovering right around 50 years old tells me that we're going to start seeing fewer and fewer minty old Cases from that era.

Of course, now I just want to get another 024 for EDC.

Tony I put my cut off date at 1970 just because of that redbone from 65-69. I think it's the prettiest they ever made.

[Tsar Bomba]

I really do love my early dot-era red Barlows, I have to say...

They're positively modern compared to the knives in this thread, though!

[gsmith7158]

I really do love my early dot-era red Barlows, I have to say...

29778862105_84959b4210_k.jpg
They're positively modern compared to the knives in this thread, though!

Well I have to tell you I acquired a lot of good 70's Cases when I first started collecting and sold a good many when I changed the direction of my collection but I did keep a lot of those because they were just too pretty to let go of.
Edit: I sold none of my 70's stag. If a piece of stag enters my house it ain't leaving!

[gsmith7158]

Here is some xx redbone.

[RalphAlsip]

Greg & Tony, nice showing of Case Red bone.

I would agree Case XX marked knives are definitely antiques and IMO the no dot USA and 10 dot 1970 would also deserve being called antique. A differentiating characteristic of Case XX vs. the older knives for me is that many knives from that era have only been collectibles ( i.e. not used and not sharpened) which means there are some really great examples out there. In XX, I think the discontinued patterns (91, 94, etc.) are highly collectible as well as gorgeous. Even with the aforementioned being true it seems to feel more satisfying to find a rare 75+ years old knife in great condition.

[Tsar Bomba]

Thanks, Ralph!

Greg, I love that feeling when it comes to old knives, I just haven't been lucky enough for it to happen with a Case except for my TL-29. I lucked out on that one. And I agree about the ten-dot knives -- I can't see myself giving 'em up. The fraternal twin to the 10-dot 009 pictured above is in my EDC box on my desk and always in consideration for a tote. But you're absolutely right that those earlier Cases have a scarcity and a sense of the "hunt" to them when you stumble across a good'un.

That red bone toothpick is beautiful. I've been on the hunt for a XX example in lovely red bone but as of yet the few ones I've seen were either too beat up or quickly reached prices I wasn't (yet) willing to pay.

[gsmith7158]

I would agree with that Jerry . When you find one from the age that people used these as tools and had no intention of buying one and putting it in the cabinet for posterity it Is much more satisfying. But boy those are hard to come by. As we know though they are out there. Just one more aspect of this hobby that makes it so enjoyable. I do believe though that the XX knives are on the cusp of that transition and are highly collectable. I wonder how many of the Xx, USA and early dots will make it into the next century and provide to some the joy that we have in them today.

[gsmith7158]

Tony we were typing at the same time. Thanks for the complement on the toothpick that's my seventh upgrade, always looking for a better one. The one thing I like about Case knives is they are the most collected knife in the world and there are a lot of them. They generally hold their value and you can get in and out if neccesary . Plus there is no doubt that Case exudes the essence of this country.

[Tsar Bomba]

Tony we were typing at the same time. Thanks for the complement on the toothpick that's my seventh upgrade, always looking for a better one.

Geez. I got to two upgrades on my ten-dot 009 and I called it a day. Not that I haven't had to fight the urge to bid on an especially clean one since...

I can see how it would take more attempts to find the older eras in such wonderful condition, though. The hunt's half the fun, right?

[RalphAlsip]

Carrying on the red bone theme, here is a Case Tested XX 6294 in red bone. The 94 is the only Tested pattern where I have seen red bone. I have heard of 2nd cut red bone on a few Tested patterns ($$$$), but haven't seen one or any pictures that I remember. I have been told that Tested red bone should be accompanied by a pattern number stamp like this example demonstrates. This knife has an XX shield. I have an unsubstantiated theory that the red bone Tested 6294's might date very close to 1940 because of A) the shield, B) the pattern number stamp and C) the bone jigging pattern. The Tested green bone 6294's I have seen have a different jigging pattern while this Tested red bone jigging more closely resembles Case XX 6294 jigging. Maybe there were some leftover Tested XX blades

[peanut740]

Jerry no one can argue about that being RED bone!

[jlw257]

Carrying on the red bone theme, here is a Case Tested XX 6294 in red bone. The 94 is the only Tested pattern where I have seen red bone. I have heard of 2nd cut red bone on a few Tested patterns ($$$$), but haven't seen one or any pictures that I remember. I have been told that Tested red bone should be accompanied by a pattern number stamp like this example demonstrates. This knife has an XX shield. I have an unsubstantiated theory that the red bone Tested 6294's might date very close to 1940 because of A) the shield, B) the pattern number stamp and C) the bone jigging pattern. The Tested green bone 6294's I have seen have a different jigging pattern while this Tested red bone jigging more closely resembles Case XX 6294 jigging. Maybe there were some leftover Tested XX blades

It's my belief that Case only made Red Bone in the Tested and XX. All Case USA Bone knives were called Pretty Bone.

Larry

[gsmith7158]

Most all of them look like "Pretty" bone to me.

[Ivoryman]

Bravo Ralph, absolutely gorgeous color and knife all around.