Case knife CV identification?

messer454

messer454

Joined
Oct 2, 2006
Messages
2,122
Is there a way you can tell a Case knife is CV as opposed to SS by looking at the blade markings?
 
Yes, look at the tang stamps with the pattern number and after this the letters cv or ss appear:thumbup:
 
Also, when you look at them side by side, you will see a slight difference in how shiny they are. The cv is slightly duller.
 
That and the s in "Case" is a lightning bolt or runic s on the SS models and a regular s on CV.
 
They only started stamping the "CV" as part of the pattern number in 1996. So you won't see that on an older knife. On pre 1996 knives, the knife is CV unless there is SS after the pattern number or otherwise SS or STAINLESS on the blade tang.

On much older XX era knives they sometimes skipped the SS after pattern number on stainless knives but on XX, USA, and 70's knives the word STAINLESS will be in the tang stamping.

That in addition to what Mark P said about the tang stamp but that is for 1990 and newer only.
 
Back to the top with another question if you don't mind: if the mark after the pattern number is "SSP", does that still indicate stainless? The knife in question is a "CaseXX" and billed as a 1976-4 dot. The surface finish appears rather dull. Any help is appreciated.
 
Blue Sky said:
Back to the top with another question if you don't mind: if the mark after the pattern number is "SSP", does that still indicate stainless? The knife in question is a "CaseXX" and billed as a 1976-4 dot. The surface finish appears rather dull. Any help is appreciated.
Click to expand...

Yes, it indicates stainless steel and "polished" edges/finish.
 
Also keep in mind the Case eras.

We have fleabay to thank for the confusion.

Tested era knives are 1920 to 1940.
XX era are 1940 to 1964
XX USA are 1964 to 69.
The more modern ones start with dots in 1970's and 80's with variations on location and font styles of the Case and USA stamp.
 
Last edited:
Bastid said:
Also keep in mind that Case eras.

We have fleabay to thank for the confusion.

Tested era knives are 1920 to 1940.
XX era are 1940 to 1964
XX USA are 1964 to 69.
The more modern ones start with dots in 1970's and 80's with variations on location and font styles of the Case and USA stamp.
Click to expand...

Gus, I think that it's now believed that some of the "Tested" era knives extend up to the end of WWII (1946 actually, iirc).
 
Runic S does not mean stainless, the runic S was used starting in 1980 for dating purposes as they used the same dot system as in the 70s. For example runic S + 9 dots =1981
 
Absintheur said:
Runic S does not mean stainless, the runic S was used starting in 1980 for dating purposes as they used the same dot system as in the 70s. For example runic S + 9 dots =1981
Click to expand...

The dot system was not the same. The 80's knives have the dots between Case XX and USA.

The 70's knives have the dots below USA.
 
Absintheur said:
Runic S does not mean stainless, the runic S was used starting in 1980 for dating purposes as they used the same dot system as in the 70s. For example runic S + 9 dots =1981
Click to expand...

On more modern knives, 1990 to current, the "lightning" S in the word CASE does indicate a stainless knife, whereas the regular S indicates CV.

For the 1980 decade you are correct, all knives had the lightning S; however for 1990 up to the present lightning S indicates stainless.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top