AFAustin
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2004
- Messages
- 2,488
A few days ago a Case Mini Moose in Sawcut Dark Red Bone landed at mi casa and I thought Id do a quick mini review of this very appealing little knife. I liked it when I first unboxed it, and today got around to sharpening it, putting it in my pocket and carrying it, and I like it even more.
Although Case has offered a large Moose pattern at various times going back many years, I believe the Mini Moose is relatively new. It measures a hair under 3 5/8" closed, and weighs in at a comfortable 2.2 oz. The frame is the Case 032 square bolster serpentine pattern, also found on the 63032 Stockman and Texas Jack.
My Mini Moose has the Sawcut Dark Red Bone scales and I like them. The tint is not the deep blood red that is so loved on this forum (and by me as well---my Mini Trapper below is a decent example) but its also not the light pinkish red tint that some Case "dark reds" can sport. Its more of a rich and bright fire engine red, and I find it very nice. The "sawcut" aspect is interesting in a couple of ways. First, Cases sawcut is pretty subtle compared to many sawcuts Ive seen and owned. The scales are smooth red bone at the edges, with a large flat panel cut in the middle, and thats where the sawcut lines are. In certain lights and at certain angles, they are barely noticeable; in other lights and at other angles, they are very apparent. On the pile side, to my surprise, the sawcut lines are horizontal, not vertical. I was curious about this and so I called Case and asked if my knife was an anomaly or if it was done this way on purpose. Their answer was "neither" the sawcut direction is random from piece to piece and they purposely dont try to match them up.
The mechanics of my Mini Moose are quite nice. The pull is moderate on both blades, maybe a 4 or 5, with smooth opening and good snap on closing. There are two springs without a center liner but very little blade rub---just a tad towards the tip of the non-nick side of the spey. Closed, both springs are flush. Open, the clip spring sits just a tiny bit proud.
Since the two blade types and overall knife size are similar to the popular Case Mini Trapper, I thought comparison shots were in order. Along with the similarities, there are a few distinctions which, for my tastes, favor the Mini Moose (and Im a big Mini Trapper fan and own several). The clip blade on the Mini Moose is "pointier" with less belly than the Mini Trappers clip. And the nail nick is close to the center of the blade, providing more leverage than the Mini Trappers, which is close to the tang. As for the speys, the Mini Mooses is narrower and likewise "pointier" than the Mini Trappers---I guess I just like points! Finally, the Mini Moose has no half stops and the Mini Trapper does.
As I mentioned, I sharpened up this Mini Moose today and it took very nice edges on both blades. Cases Tru Sharp stainless gets mediocre press in some quarters, but I'm actually a big fan. I find that it's easy to sharpen and takes a very fine edge---some of the sharpest knives I own have Case Tru Sharp blades. It may not have the best edge retention, but I use most of my knives lightly and don't need that. Moreover, when the Tru Sharp edges dull a bit, touch ups are quick and easy. The biggest drawback in my mind is that there can be some stubborn burrs on occasion, but with a little effort they are manageable.
I confess I am a big Case fan in general and this little Mini Moose is another example of why: a wide array of patterns, scales, and blade combinations; reasonable pulls; rounded tangs; flush pins; generous nail nicks; and easily sharpened steels (both Tru Sharp and CV). And if you pay attention to the trade forums, the big auction site, and even sales and specials at the dealers, you can pick up a very nice knife for a very modest price, and from a venerable American manufacturer. In fact, I like this little Mini Moose enough that it has a brother on the way---in Hunter Green Barnboard!
Thanks for reading and looking.
Andrew
Update: The Hunter Green Barnboard model I mentioned came in and I've added some pics below. Another winner in my book, with mechanics almost identical to the sawcut model.
The barnboard jigging is obviously much deeper (and dyed black) compared to the subtle sawcut jigging. Also, the blade grinds are slightly different in the barnboard knife---the spey is even "pointier" and both blades have a little more "waist" (narrower towards the tang). This is likely just a natural variation in the grinding process, although I suppose it's possible there was some tweaking going on---the barnboard's box is dated 4-20-15 and the sawcut's is 8-26-16
Although Case has offered a large Moose pattern at various times going back many years, I believe the Mini Moose is relatively new. It measures a hair under 3 5/8" closed, and weighs in at a comfortable 2.2 oz. The frame is the Case 032 square bolster serpentine pattern, also found on the 63032 Stockman and Texas Jack.
My Mini Moose has the Sawcut Dark Red Bone scales and I like them. The tint is not the deep blood red that is so loved on this forum (and by me as well---my Mini Trapper below is a decent example) but its also not the light pinkish red tint that some Case "dark reds" can sport. Its more of a rich and bright fire engine red, and I find it very nice. The "sawcut" aspect is interesting in a couple of ways. First, Cases sawcut is pretty subtle compared to many sawcuts Ive seen and owned. The scales are smooth red bone at the edges, with a large flat panel cut in the middle, and thats where the sawcut lines are. In certain lights and at certain angles, they are barely noticeable; in other lights and at other angles, they are very apparent. On the pile side, to my surprise, the sawcut lines are horizontal, not vertical. I was curious about this and so I called Case and asked if my knife was an anomaly or if it was done this way on purpose. Their answer was "neither" the sawcut direction is random from piece to piece and they purposely dont try to match them up.
The mechanics of my Mini Moose are quite nice. The pull is moderate on both blades, maybe a 4 or 5, with smooth opening and good snap on closing. There are two springs without a center liner but very little blade rub---just a tad towards the tip of the non-nick side of the spey. Closed, both springs are flush. Open, the clip spring sits just a tiny bit proud.
Since the two blade types and overall knife size are similar to the popular Case Mini Trapper, I thought comparison shots were in order. Along with the similarities, there are a few distinctions which, for my tastes, favor the Mini Moose (and Im a big Mini Trapper fan and own several). The clip blade on the Mini Moose is "pointier" with less belly than the Mini Trappers clip. And the nail nick is close to the center of the blade, providing more leverage than the Mini Trappers, which is close to the tang. As for the speys, the Mini Mooses is narrower and likewise "pointier" than the Mini Trappers---I guess I just like points! Finally, the Mini Moose has no half stops and the Mini Trapper does.
As I mentioned, I sharpened up this Mini Moose today and it took very nice edges on both blades. Cases Tru Sharp stainless gets mediocre press in some quarters, but I'm actually a big fan. I find that it's easy to sharpen and takes a very fine edge---some of the sharpest knives I own have Case Tru Sharp blades. It may not have the best edge retention, but I use most of my knives lightly and don't need that. Moreover, when the Tru Sharp edges dull a bit, touch ups are quick and easy. The biggest drawback in my mind is that there can be some stubborn burrs on occasion, but with a little effort they are manageable.
I confess I am a big Case fan in general and this little Mini Moose is another example of why: a wide array of patterns, scales, and blade combinations; reasonable pulls; rounded tangs; flush pins; generous nail nicks; and easily sharpened steels (both Tru Sharp and CV). And if you pay attention to the trade forums, the big auction site, and even sales and specials at the dealers, you can pick up a very nice knife for a very modest price, and from a venerable American manufacturer. In fact, I like this little Mini Moose enough that it has a brother on the way---in Hunter Green Barnboard!
Thanks for reading and looking.
Andrew
Update: The Hunter Green Barnboard model I mentioned came in and I've added some pics below. Another winner in my book, with mechanics almost identical to the sawcut model.
The barnboard jigging is obviously much deeper (and dyed black) compared to the subtle sawcut jigging. Also, the blade grinds are slightly different in the barnboard knife---the spey is even "pointier" and both blades have a little more "waist" (narrower towards the tang). This is likely just a natural variation in the grinding process, although I suppose it's possible there was some tweaking going on---the barnboard's box is dated 4-20-15 and the sawcut's is 8-26-16
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