All About Pocket Knives

Case xx or case usa with dots I like both but I like case xx (1940-1964) better what's does everybody else like

In my opinion, Case went down the toilet when they started putting dots on the blades.

Times got tough and they cut corners and went through a string of new owners.

They've made a great comeback, they are an American owned and operated company, the name is the same, and the factory is still in the same place, but they aren't producing knives that are meant to be used anymore.

I voted for the straight XX, but I believe that during the 70's dotted era Case was still making knives as tools and not catering to the collector market so heavily as we see now. Today, and for quite some time now, the same knife is available in a rainbow of colors, forcing the collector to have to buy a TON of the same knife just to make sure he has the complete set. Just my opinion mind you, but I think the question would be more fitting if it were to catagorize the knives before and after 1980 as I think the 70's dotted knives were comparable to the XX Era. Again, just MY opinion (afterall, who would have thought in the 70's that Case would EVER come out with a handle color described as "Periwinkle"?....Yes, it exists).

Bob I totally agree with everything you said!!!!

NO brainer!

Bob,
That's a great summation of the Case quality situation. The early to mid 70's Case was still making high quality pocketknives. The 80's on....not so much.

Paul

I have some in the 80s and 90s but the only reason I got them is that they looked brand new I got one of the xx era I try to get the 70s knives much becaues I can afford them

Knife Nut wrote:Bob,
That's a great summation of the Case quality situation. The early to mid 70's Case was still making high quality pocketknives. The 80's on....not so much.

Paul

The early to mid 70's are well make knives. Look what they go for especially in stag; in just about any pattern.

Paul

I have said this before, but I'll say it again just cuz I can. I love older Case knives. Pre 1980. I concentrate on USA no dot. 65-69 for the fact that they are older but nobody thinks they are worth counterfieting yet. You can still pick up some very good knives for a reasonable price that will only go up in value. That being said, I own 3 different complete stag sets that were made in the late 70's and you will not find a better knife as far as fit and finish and handles are concerned. Now, that being said, I will not buy a modern Case for collectibilty. However, I would buy a Case of ANY time period before I would buy a Chinese knife. Of coarse, that is just me and my opinion

I agree with gunsmoke 47 I would buy any case before I would a chinese made kinves

I agree with gunsmoke 47 I would buy any case before I would a chinese made kinves

What Gunsmoke said x's 10!

Marty

I think a LOT of the Chinese knives are made by somebody (in China) taking Case Knives apart and duplicating them piece by piece. I bought a Chinese bartender's knife (I don't remember the brand, but I'm sure it was a Frost product) just to check how close they were in the design. It left me with no doubt that they are copying Case down to a "T". I wish Case had some way to bring legal action down on these clowns, but I'm guessing that they don't or the practice would've been stopped by now. As for the quality of the Case Knives of today, I feel that even with all the goofy handle colors they put out in an attempt to boost sales to collectors, the quality is almost as good as when Case was in their heyday. I also deeply admire their efforts to keep every part of their knives made in the U.S. (note: Yeah, I know the bone comes from cattle shin bone from Brazil and has for years. I'm guesing that Brazilian cow shin bone must be harder than that found in the U.S. If you've ever worked with Camel bone, it's so hard it doesn't even want to take dye. My assumption is based on such differences only.) Remember those cute ERTL Trucks that used to come with some Case Knives? When they started having them made in China, Tom Arrowsmith (Pres. & CEO of Case) put a stop to the ERTL program immediately. It's things like that, that keep me a loyal Case customer. My 2 cents. Thanks guys!

Elvis wrote:I think a LOT of the Chinese knives are made by somebody (in China) taking Case Knives apart and duplicating them piece by piece. I bought a Chinese bartender's knife (I don't remember the brand, but I'm sure it was a Frost product) just to check how close they were in the design. It left me with no doubt that they are copying Case down to a "T". I wish Case had some way to bring legal action down on these clowns, but I'm guessing that they don't or the practice would've been stopped by now. As for the quality of the Case Knives of today, I feel that even with all the goofy handle colors they put out in an attempt to boost sales to collectors, the quality is almost as good as when Case was in their heyday. I also deeply admire their efforts to keep every part of their knives made in the U.S. (note: Yeah, I know the bone comes from cattle shin bone from Brazil and has for years. I'm guesing that Brazilian cow shin bone must be harder than that found in the U.S. If you've ever worked with Camel bone, it's so hard it doesn't even want to take dye. My assumption is based on such differences only.) Remember those cute ERTL Trucks that used to come with some Case Knives? When they started having them made in China, Tom Arrowsmith (Pres. & CEO of Case) put a stop to the ERTL program immediately. It's things like that, that keep me a loyal Case customer. My 2 cents. Thanks guys!

Though this is not knife, it is thread related. In the 1970's, the Japanese bought up many, many, many vintage Martin guitars and did the same thing. They took them apart, measured each piece and built their guitars to the Martin Specs. One of the worst was Takemame(sp?). They even went so far as to have a look-alike decal on the headstock. You had to look twice to be sure it did not say Martin. They did the same thing with Gallagher Guitars. They almost got that Martin sound, but not quite. I guess that would be quite a compliment to Martin and Gallagher.

I knew the outcome of this Poll from the get go.

I still,love the Case Knives____________________from any period____________________period................

Say they don't make working knives anymore ???????????? Buy the ones without all the fancy bolsters and engraved blades,why can't you skin a deer????????? Whittle on a stick ???? Slice a tomato????

and the talk about all the copy-cat,counterfieting____they must be pretty good knives or everyone wouldn't be copying em'?????? there will always be some ""FAKE"" stuff,as long as someone will buy it

I buy knives,that I personally like and enjoy looking at,and sharing-----seems like,everytime I buy a nice shiney,new one to use it goes into my display, or safe,because I don't want to scratch it the old,the not so old,and the new ones,are all very pretty and collectable,to someone__________________________but I voted for the older knives too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm still collecting Case knives only,but I surely, have seen,some pretty ""OTHER"" knives, that you guys,collect,and share,since finding this site-----thanks for all your sharing ________Monk

Didn't do the poll but will tell ya I like all time frames that as long as Case has been around Not to many knife companys around that has history like Case anymore, we do see a couple companys that has established a great following and I wish them the best of luck But I believe Case puts out a great product as it did 50-60 years ago now

I AGREE 100% with ya' LC______________________LOVE THEM CASE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!