Case Knife Collecting - Patterns, Handles, or ???

[Happy Hippo]

I've been collecting Buck knives for awhile but I've just recently started acquiring some modern Case knives. I want to know. How do you Case collectors go about your collecting?
1) like a handle then collect all the patterns variations
2) like a pattern then collect all the handle variations
3) collect any knife that meets your fancy
4) primarily collect only vintage and rare models

some other thing

I have to say, I've been using method (1) so far. For instance, I like pocket worn old red bone handle, so then I'd try to get all the patterns. Number 4 is probably the most interesting but too expensive for me. It seems like alot of people do the second method. For example, I've seen videos that say, "Here are all my Stockman Knives."

I like the red handles, so maybe I am also doing method number 3. The issue I have with the way I am collecting is that they all look the same, in the sense they are all red, albiet they have different patterns. But I wanted to put some limit on my collecting and save more money for Buck knives. I thought it might be interesting to get a least one red example of every pattern. I will also get other knives that are not red but are on sale and/or interesting in some manner.

 

[Jakeywax31]

I am starting to get into carbon steel mini trappers. I don't particularly care for the stainless models all that much.

 

[jmh33]

I have 300plus knives in my collection.. About 2/3rds of those are Case.. I have pretty much run the gamete on collecting directions.. Been into Case since the middle 70s.. I have any where from 1-30plus of any given pattern..
Right now I am trying to get patterns that I don't have!! I don't try to collect all of any one handle/pattern/year etc..
There are so many Case out there that it would be impossible and very expensive to try to collect all of any of your questions..
Also learn as much as you can as there are ALOT of Fakes out there.. And as long as I have been into the Case game I know very little..
Happy Hunting..
Case collecting is WAAYY more involved than collecting Bucks..
John

 

[Happy Hippo]

I have 300plus knives in my collection.. About 2/3rds of those are Case.. I have pretty much run the gamete on collecting directions.. Been into Case since the middle 70s.. I have any where from 1-30plus of any given pattern..
Right now I am trying to get patterns that I don't have!! I don't try to collect all of any one handle/pattern/year etc..
There are so many Case out there that it would be impossible and very expensive to try to collect all of any of your questions..
Also learn as much as you can as there are ALOT of Fakes out there.. And as long as I have been into the Case game I know very little..
Happy Hunting..
Case collecting is WAAYY more involved than collecting Bucks..
John

Thanks for that advice and experience. So far, I am only collecting relatively new knives that I am buying at online retailers, so I don't think they are fake. But the universe of CASE knives is expansive, as you indicate. That is why I would just like to limit my focus. I like knives a lot so I have to check myself. I wish I would have started earlier. I still like Bucks better because they are generally bigger but CASE knives are cool too.

 

[CVamberbonehead]

I like to get new patterns and covers that I like that I dont already have an example of.

 

[Happy Hippo]

I am starting to get into carbon steel mini trappers. I don't particularly care for the stainless models all that much.

Yes, there was an American Workman Smooth Red Bone and Dark Red Bone Peach Bone that I liked but I was worried about getting into the CS. I will probably eventually get it, since my willpower is very low when it comes to knives.

 

[Dan1892]

I have about 40 or 50 Case knives. I started out trying to collect all of the different patterns and would just get whatever handle I liked best in what was available at the time for that pattern. Lately I've been concentrating on the 70s redbone patterns and picking up a few small patterns in blue. I like to pair a small blue Case with a larger wood handled GEC. So basically not much rhyme or reason.

 

[Dan1892]

And because this thread needs pics, here are my red and chestnut jigged bone Case. Not all are vintage though.

 

[JM2]

I am a user of knives. I tend to use a knife a while after getting it to familiarize myself with the pattern and handle material. I may get a couple of the same pattern. I also may get whatever is available if it’s on discount. Then there is the gifts. That leads me in a new direction. Mostly I’m just swimming in a sea of knives and I don’t want to be rescued. So far my favorite is the 75 pattern stockman. I only have the one, in stainless. I’m looking forward to finding a suitable carbon steel.

This mornings coffee.

https://imgur.com/CFDmMRV

 

[brownshoe]

Bose-Case patterns is what I accummulate.

 

[Bull71]

I believe Case is the most collected knife in the world, you have limitless possibilities as to what you decide
to collect. The best advice I can give you is to buy what you like and enjoy.

I have quite a few Case knives and enjoy the vintage ones most. As I have gotten older I enjoy buying and using older used knives. When I was younger I only wanted near mint knives but have come to realize there is much
satisfaction in buying knives that you use, carry, and sharpen. That also gives more opportunities. Many used vintage knives can still be bought at a reasonable price.

 

[Happy Hippo]

I believe Case is the most collected knife in the world, you have limitless possibilities as to what you decide
to collect. The best advice I can give you is to buy what you like and enjoy.

I have quite a few Case knives and enjoy the vintage ones most. As I have gotten older I enjoy buying and using older used knives. When I was younger I only wanted near mint knives but have come to realize there is much
satisfaction in buying knives that you use, carry, and sharpen. That also gives more opportunities. Many used vintage knives can still be bought at a reasonable price.

I am pretty old myself so I don't think I'll probably have the time to transition from mint knives to used ones. I enjoy mint knives with the box still.

 

[Bull71]

I am pretty old myself so I don't think I'll probably have the time to transition from mint knives to used ones. I enjoy mint knives with the box still.

I understand and many collectors agree with you. Good luck with whatever you decide to collect.

 

[helobite]

I like the larger Case pocket knives, and I like red bone. So I keep my eye for bargains and go get some.

My first Tribal lock, and I liked it.

When Orange came out, I got one of them too. Orange is a good color, and easier to find if you drop it.

I do have an abalone Tribal lock. The colors are eyepopping.


Have a bunch of red bone Trappers, but no pictures to post. These are all 4.25" closed. Case has made a few longer folding knives, but for the pocket knives, it seems 4.25 is the max length. To me, if the blade is too short to use as a paring knife, I don't want it. A Stockman was a number of blades, and I have some Case whittlers which have useful pen knife blades.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

If you looked at my Case "collection" you might think "wow, that's really random!" and it is. I guess I follow system #3 for the most part and pick up anything that I really like and (perhaps most important) that I might use. You might detect a slight tendency to go for Wharncliffe blades and "TB" pattern numbers. In terms of extremes, you'll find things ranging from a big Wharncliffe copperlock to a five-bladed tiny trapper. I may have more muskrats than any other pattern, having once declared it a "weird pattern, why would anyone want that?" I now have six of them (only four are Case)! Some I bought mostly for my "gosh, that's pretty" reaction (e.g., Carribean blue Wharncliffe copperhead).

 

[JM2]

I like the larger Case pocket knives, and I like red bone. So I keep my eye for bargains and go get some.

My first Tribal lock, and I liked it.

When Orange came out, I got one of them too. Orange is a good color, and easier to find if you drop it.

I do have an abalone Tribal lock. The colors are eyepopping.


Have a bunch of red bone Trappers, but no pictures to post. These are all 4.25" closed. Case has made a few longer folding knives, but for the pocket knives, it seems 4.25 is the max length. To me, if the blade is too short to use as a paring knife, I don't want it. A Stockman was a number of blades, and I have some Case whittlers which have useful pen knife blades.

Howdy. That Crimson stockman is a thing of beauty. I’ve not seen that color before. Wow, at that deep jigging too. Thank you for sharing.

 

[RattlerXX]

I like the Trappers. I just pick one up when it stands out to me. I'd like to pick up more carbon blades, and not really focused on one handle. Just like different ones. The Eye Brand snuck in there at the top.

 

[Happy Hippo]

I like the larger Case pocket knives, and I like red bone. So I keep my eye for bargains and go get some.

My first Tribal lock, and I liked it.

When Orange came out, I got one of them too. Orange is a good color, and easier to find if you drop it.

I do have an abalone Tribal lock. The colors are eyepopping.


Have a bunch of red bone Trappers, but no pictures to post. These are all 4.25" closed. Case has made a few longer folding knives, but for the pocket knives, it seems 4.25 is the max length. To me, if the blade is too short to use as a paring knife, I don't want it. A Stockman was a number of blades, and I have some Case whittlers which have useful pen knife blades.

Hey, would it be possible to give any more info on the red one? I really like that one and want to find it and other patterns within that same family. It.looks brighter red than just red bone, unless your lighting is making it pop. Do you know the part number? Thanks.

 

[ron55]

I’m mostly into patterns now. Canoes. Only have 5 so far, but I have a list of about 14 more that I’m looking for. Buying a canoe a month now. Looking into branching out to barlows.

 

[Happy Hippo]

I’m mostly into patterns now. Canoes. Only have 5 so far, but I have a list of about 14 more that I’m looking for. Buying a canoe a month now. Looking into branching out to barlows.

I think a lot of people collect by patterns. A knife store I found in the Detroit area organizes their display cases by pattern. I love canoes and barlows. Even though I said I am collecting mostly red families of handles, I may buy a few others that look tasty. I am kind of liking the buffalo but unsure of whether buffalo are being harmed for their horn. Would not be into that. I know for elk, their horns fall off every year but I don't know about buffalo.