Case knives, are in my opinion, dressed up cheapies. For a traditional pocket knive I MUCH prefer Queen Cuterly and Schatt&Morgan (which is owned by Queen). Camillus makes some very nice pocket knives too, but they tend to be a little less traditional.



ASS_CLOWN

If you buy new Case knives....you pay far too much for a VERY ordinary product. Why collect something that will, in all likelihood, deserve no pride of ownership, and gain no value? I respectfully suggest you first LEARN about older knives....U.S. and European products... find something (maker, component/make-up, model/type, historical factors, QUALITY, anticipated improving worth....) that really appeals to you, and then be consistent in following through with your choice(s). Forty-five years ago.....when I began collecting, there were wonderful bargains in old knives found readily everywhere. Now, it's infrequent luck. But when you DO encounter a unique treasure, it's an exciting moment. Keep at it, and the exciting moments will accumulate into a collection, an authoritative education and a fun circle of pals with similar interests.

Many of the older Case XX knifes are collectable. Ask questions here:

http://www.knifeforums.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB57

These guys know!

Does anyone know the steel types used on 1970's, or 80's or even newer case knives? My older 70's knives are nice and soft and easy to sharpen. The SS knives seem brittle and a fine wetstone just don't cut it anymore.

bigcountry,

Not exactly sure what the older Case knife alloy was, but it was a low chromium / low vanadium alloy. Reportedly, the new CV knives use this same alloy of the 70's and earlier.

The SS (Stainless steel) knives are 420 HC hardened to Rc 57+. I don't find it hard to sharpen with Arkansas whetstones, at least not when compared to 440C, and particularly not when compared to D2! Admittedly, it is tougher to sharpen than 1084 (high carbon steel) and the older chrome vanadium blades.

ASS_CLOWN