Case 63032 vs 6318HE

Planterz

Planterz

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I really want to pick up a Case medium stockman in CV steel. My dislike of spay blades is well documented by this point, so finding one with a pen blade instead is my goal. I love the look of the 63032 in both amber and chestnut. In fact, I had one in chestnut for a few days, but sent it back because pen and sheepsfoot blades were so close that opening when the pen blade it got jammed in the nail nick of the sheepsfoot blade. Not just blade "rub", but blade gouge. Naturally I'm wary of picking up another and finding that it has the same issue.

The other option I've found is the old 6318HE. The 6318HP has the spay blade, and that's the only 6318 they produce these days. An old 6318HE with the pen blade however looks like it might fit my bill. From what I can tell, 1970's ones seem to be the most abundant, with some from the 80's. I've read, and been personally advised to avoid ones from the 80's as the quality usually isn't as good, but if I could find one from 1980, that'd be perfect I think, as that's my year of birth. Especially on in red bone - I love the way their red bone looks from that era. I'm not interested in another 6344, even in CV, as I'm looking for something a bit bigger.

So here's my questions (regarding vintage 6318s, not new ones) ...

The clip blade on the 6318 looks like it might be flexible, or at least moreso than on the 63032, since the clip runs further down the spine (is this what's called a "California clip"?). Is this the case?

I can't tell from the photos I've seen on the 'net, but are the blades flat or hollow ground? Are there half-stops?

Does the pen/spay blade dig into the nail nick of the sheepsfoot blade like my 63032 did?

For those that own both a 63032 and a 6318 (either one), which do you prefer?

What's a reasonable market price these days for a very-good to mint/new 6318HE? I'd like a nice one of course, but it'll be to use, not sit around and collect dust and/or value.



Thanks. BTW, if anybody has both a 63032 and a 6318, I'd love to see pictures of them side-by-side, especially from the top (looking down at the blades folded).
 
I've had this same exact issue with Case stockmans that I've handled. I had to go through four at the shop to get one that didn't have significant blade rub. It doesn't seem to matter what the vintage is, even some of the older ones seem to have some degree of issue.

I think the best option would be to try and find a seller that is willing to share photos from above, or even better one you can check out in person (no small feat for a vintage knife).

One thing I love best about my GEC Stockman is that they managed to shoehorn in particularly long spey and sheepsfoot blades, and still somehow prevent significant blade rub, even in a slim knife body.
 
I never grew found of the 6318's , although for some reason I've owned quite a few :confused:

I like the 63032's though, and actually the 62032 is one of my favorite knives.

Some of the 18's had blade rub, some didn't. I have an obsession with the earlier red bone knives. Some even had nickel silver liners instead of brass. I think that the ns liners look really classy with red bone, and its something different.

I don't have any comparison pics for you, but heres a red bone 6318

022.jpg
 
That's exactly the kind of red bone I hope to find on a 6318HE. Why they don't make 'em like that now, I can't fathom. The "red" bone these days seems to be more a pastel salmon pink rather than red, and a far cry from the blood red like that one.
 
338375 said:
I never grew found of the 6318's , although for some reason I've owned quite a few :confused:

I like the 63032's though, and actually the 62032 is one of my favorite knives.

Some of the 18's had blade rub, some didn't. I have an obsession with the earlier red bone knives. Some even had nickel silver liners instead of brass. I think that the ns liners look really classy with red bone, and its something different.

I don't have any comparison pics for you, but heres a red bone 6318

022.jpg
Click to expand...

That's a 6347
 
Planterz said:
I really want to pick up a Case medium stockman in CV steel. My dislike of spay blades is well documented by this point, so finding one with a pen blade instead is my goal. I love the look of the 63032 in both amber and chestnut. In fact, I had one in chestnut for a few days, but sent it back because pen and sheepsfoot blades were so close that opening when the pen blade it got jammed in the nail nick of the sheepsfoot blade. Not just blade "rub", but blade gouge. Naturally I'm wary of picking up another and finding that it has the same issue.

The other option I've found is the old 6318HE. The 6318HP has the spay blade, and that's the only 6318 they produce these days. An old 6318HE with the pen blade however looks like it might fit my bill. From what I can tell, 1970's ones seem to be the most abundant, with some from the 80's. I've read, and been personally advised to avoid ones from the 80's as the quality usually isn't as good, but if I could find one from 1980, that'd be perfect I think, as that's my year of birth. Especially on in red bone - I love the way their red bone looks from that era. I'm not interested in another 6344, even in CV, as I'm looking for something a bit bigger.

So here's my questions (regarding vintage 6318s, not new ones) ...

The clip blade on the 6318 looks like it might be flexible, or at least moreso than on the 63032, since the clip runs further down the spine (is this what's called a "California clip"?). Is this the case?

I can't tell from the photos I've seen on the 'net, but are the blades flat or hollow ground? Are there half-stops?

Does the pen/spay blade dig into the nail nick of the sheepsfoot blade like my 63032 did?

For those that own both a 63032 and a 6318 (either one), which do you prefer?

What's a reasonable market price these days for a very-good to mint/new 6318HE? I'd like a nice one of course, but it'll be to use, not sit around and collect dust and/or value.



Thanks. BTW, if anybody has both a 63032 and a 6318, I'd love to see pictures of them side-by-side, especially from the top (looking down at the blades folded).
Click to expand...

The 6318 HE with sheepfoot and pen blades was discontinued in 1981. They are harder to find than the other two secondary blade combos made in the 6318 (sheepfoot spay and spay punch). The 18's do not have half stops. They did have nickel silver liners in the 70's. I don't think you will have a problem with the blades rubbing to the point of the pen digging in to the sheepfoot on 70's knives. I know what you mean though I had that problem on a newer 63032.

I recently sold a nice mint 6318 HE 7 dot 1973 for $85...nice red bone. Your best bet would be to find a used example on Ebay.
 
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Sorry to hear you had unpleasant issues with the 63032. I've got a Chestnut Bone one made in 09 and it works really well, no rub and fine snap. I like the pen blade too, I do feel the Stockman of all sizes would be a lot more popular if they were simply offered with the pen as an alternative(not replacement) to the spey, or a small clip even. I often use a Whittler for the reason of it having a pen blade and more compact feel in the hand, do like the sheepfoot though.
 
Guys, please adhere to forum guidelines and use email or pm for all offers to trade or sell.
This forum is not the place for such discussion which should be handled privately or in the proper areas of the "Exchange".
 
Here's a "USA Period" 6318 (1965-1969)...it's faded from the display on the mark side (the pile side is rich red bone):

orig.jpg
 
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