Case knives

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dguzzi

Joined
Jan 15, 2023
Messages
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Does anyone know how to date Case knives? I have a couple that I'd like to learn more about.
 
Moving to Tradional forum. Lots of folks who will help you there.
 
It's a dot system that counts down from the beginning of the decade.
So 1980 is 10 dot, 1981 is 9 dot etc.
except '90 to '93 or so, when they just put the date on there.
2000 - 2019 is dots and X's. First half of the decade dots are removed, second half X's are.
2020 is just dots again.
The Font changes are the best way I know of to track decade.
I dunno, it's complicated
 
One of the major online dealers has a page explaining the date system and tang stamp.. I don’t think I can post ther name here so I will just say they are based out of Mission.
 
I saw one site with a "guide", my knives don't seem to fall into their descriptions. I sent them a request but not holding my breath,
 
There are pages on numerous sites on this subject; but there are codes that don't seem to match - the most common one I've noted being where the references show a lightning bolt S, but the knife has a regular S.

www.knifeguides.com

How to Date a Case Knife

The historical context is important because you want to be able to date your Case knife! The company started out as one man's dream in 1880, but by 1905 had
www.knifeguides.com www.knifeguides.com

*Edited to change link, as the previous was on a site that sold knives
 
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kyhunt said:
One of the major online dealers has a page explaining the date system and tang stamp.. I don’t think I can post ther name here so I will just say they are based out of Mission.
Click to expand...
You can link to the page with the information. It's information, not selling.
 
Thanks kyhunt, I was hoping for more than that, I have a knife that has more than just the Case logo etc.
Case site was no help other than that logo stamping info.
 
dguzzi said:
Thanks kyhunt, I was hoping for more than that, I have a knife that has more than just the Case logo etc.
Case site was no help other than that logo stamping info.
Click to expand...

If you have pictures someone on here might be able to help. There’s a lot of knowledgeable folks on here.
 
Thanks for these information. I have a Case Caliber Lockback, one of the cheapest Case model, linerless FRN. The logo on mine looks simple than the ones on the promotional picture and thought they made a little false advertising to cheap out further, still too inexpensive for me to care. Now, I see why, mine was made in 2020, say on the box.
 
IMG-20230115-163820043.jpg
Should be able to zoom in easy.
 
looks like something in the 1972 range? the stamp of 'CASE XX STAINLESS USA' gets you to at least to 1965-69 and beyond. depending on if your blade had those dots beneath it'd put it in the 1970-1979 range. (edit: looking around the internet, the models for 70-79 have the dots distinct even half open so disregard - thought the angle of the photo could've obscured them)

6265 breaks down to [handle number][# of blades][two digit pattern number] so: 6 is jigged bone, synthetic, or laminate, two blades (obviously) and pattern 65 which is the folding hunter here.

The SAB is for the saber grind on the main blade and the SS indicates that its Tru-Sharp stainless steel (i think?i'm not sure how early 'tru-sharp' started) as opposed to other metals Case has used in their knives (such as CV-Chrome Vanadium, SS-Case Tru-Sharp Stainless Steel, ATS-34, DAM-Damascus, BG42, 154-CM). That being said, you could choose to go down the rabbit hole about what 'Tru-Sharp' actually was made of. Some threads here point to 420 HC https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/420hc-thoughts.1212920/page-7#post-14034913)

granted that was just some googling and i bet someone here has a more definitive answer like a advert.
 
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