I know there is much love for the Buck 110 and deservedly so (I have one of those myself as it is the first knife that I ever purchased for myself), but I never hear anybody talking about their Case Mako. I don't have the Case, but the two knives look to be about the same size and similar styles, so, why don't I hear more about the Mako?
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Any Love For The Case Mako Knife?
- Thread starter BeTheToad
- Start date
- Joined
- May 4, 2011
- Messages
- 142
I'm a Case and a Buck collector and your question actually highlights something interesting about American knife manufacturers. Both Case and Buck make just about every style of knife you can think of, from fixed blades down to small slip joint folders. However, it's clear that each manufacturer has its own area(s) of expertise. For example, Case excels at making folding pocket knives, and they are the undisputed US-based manufacturer. Their products are well fitted and finished and a delight to hold and use (and collect!). Buck's pocket folders, by comparison, are somewhat crude. They are certainly well made, but the Buck pocket folders lack the fit, finish and elegance of the corresponding product from Case.
This situation reverses when we talk about large lockback folders. In this area Buck is the clear winner. Buck's Model 110 and 112 are, in my opinion, the two best lockback folders made by an American manufacturer. Having made millions of them over the years, Buck clearly knows how to put 'em together. Every current production 110 I've looked at has been very well fitted and finished. Now, the Case Mako and Hammerhead are not bad knives, but when compared to the Buck corresponding Buck models they really are not as well fitted. In fact, every current production Hammerhead I've checked has a bit of slop in the blade joint. That just seems to be the way Case is making them.
Why don't we hear more about the Case Mako? My guess is that large lockback folders is a market niche Case is really not interested in playing in. The Mako and Hammerhead are steady sellers for Case, but the company realizes they will never be able to rival Buck's market dominance in this area so they focus on what they do best - small pocket folders.
The Mako and Hammerhead are not bad knives, it's just that the Buck 110 and 112 are better and have a lower street price too.
This situation reverses when we talk about large lockback folders. In this area Buck is the clear winner. Buck's Model 110 and 112 are, in my opinion, the two best lockback folders made by an American manufacturer. Having made millions of them over the years, Buck clearly knows how to put 'em together. Every current production 110 I've looked at has been very well fitted and finished. Now, the Case Mako and Hammerhead are not bad knives, but when compared to the Buck corresponding Buck models they really are not as well fitted. In fact, every current production Hammerhead I've checked has a bit of slop in the blade joint. That just seems to be the way Case is making them.
Why don't we hear more about the Case Mako? My guess is that large lockback folders is a market niche Case is really not interested in playing in. The Mako and Hammerhead are steady sellers for Case, but the company realizes they will never be able to rival Buck's market dominance in this area so they focus on what they do best - small pocket folders.
The Mako and Hammerhead are not bad knives, it's just that the Buck 110 and 112 are better and have a lower street price too.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2006
- Messages
- 5,603
No love from me until it's got a model with a CV blade. 
Joe
Joe
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2010
- Messages
- 349
Personally I love the looks of the Mako and Hammerhead. I've been meaning to pick one up, but I already own a 110 at half the cost.
There is just something about it that looks much nicer than the 110/112, to my eyes anyways. I just don't like the etching on the blades.
There is just something about it that looks much nicer than the 110/112, to my eyes anyways. I just don't like the etching on the blades.
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2004
- Messages
- 6,997
I have a Case Shark Tooth (the large lockback, only with rounded handles instead of squared corners... much more comfortable in the hand!) from 1980, and a Buck 110, and I'll say this:
The Case wins in the style category, hands down.
Mine are both equals in terms of fit & finish; they're both extremely well-made and strong.
HOWEVER: I would not go out of my way for a current production Case lockback... I have a tiny hunch that it wouldn't be as nice as the older one I have.
On the other hand, you can go buy a Buck 110 that was made yesterday, and it will be just as nice as one made 30 years ago.
Just my two cents.
The Case wins in the style category, hands down.
Mine are both equals in terms of fit & finish; they're both extremely well-made and strong.
HOWEVER: I would not go out of my way for a current production Case lockback... I have a tiny hunch that it wouldn't be as nice as the older one I have.
On the other hand, you can go buy a Buck 110 that was made yesterday, and it will be just as nice as one made 30 years ago.
Just my two cents.
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2011
- Messages
- 29,865
No love from me until it's got a model with a CV blade.
Joe
well said, Sir, well said. wish case would expand it's cv line more across the board in it's offerings.
JPD1998
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2004
- Messages
- 3,551
I have a Case Shark Tooth (the large lockback, only with rounded handles instead of squared corners... much more comfortable in the hand!) from 1980, and a Buck 110, and I'll say this:
The Case wins in the style category, hands down.
Mine are both equals in terms of fit & finish; they're both extremely well-made and strong.
HOWEVER: I would not go out of my way for a current production Case lockback... I have a tiny hunch that it wouldn't be as nice as the older one I have.
On the other hand, you can go buy a Buck 110 that was made yesterday, and it will be just as nice as one made 30 years ago.
Just my two cents.
I feel the same way.... I have a late 70's vintage Sharktooth in stag. I eyeball the Mako all the time but I'm afraid I'd be disapointed by the newer knife. I should take a chance and buy one.
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2010
- Messages
- 3,622
The Mako is cool but I go for my 110 any time a lockback folder is called for. Just used the 110 for a jack-o-lantern two nights ago :thumbup::thumbup:
Here are the two together:
Mako seems more similar to the Buck 112. Why didn't it occur to me sooner to photograph those two together then? Excellent question
Here are the two together:
Mako seems more similar to the Buck 112. Why didn't it occur to me sooner to photograph those two together then? Excellent question
I've got a Hammerhead and while I feel for the most part that the Buck 110 is a better knife I can't deny the coolness of the hammerheads they are just slightly off beat( I mean that in a good way) when compared to the other large lockbacks of that era (Schrade LB7,Buck110 and 112).