Case large Toothpicks -- why are they so few in number?

MTHall720

MTHall720

Joined
Sep 21, 2010
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I have finally refined my list of patterns to just a few, one of which is the Large Toothpick. I mean, 4 inch blade or even longer. I have a nice looking one, but want another. I have no problem locating some nice examples in the Queen line, which I like too, but having a very tough time with Case. Why is that? Are the Tiny Toothpicks just more popular OR is that the Large size is sooo popular that they are much harder to find?
Any insights?
Thanks.
 
I like smaller ones that will fit in the watch pocket. Thus, baby toothpicks. GEC makes a larger one, I believe.
 
The large toothpicks are my favorite also right now. I have 2 so far and always looking at what is available. Queen has a current model. The only place I've found Case is on ebay, and they all go for a premium price if in new/mint condition. I just keep watching for a good deal on one.

I picked up a new Shcatt & Morgan a couple weeks ago - it is just beautiful!

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Case has two patterns that match your criteria - the Medium Texas Toothpick, 4 1/4" long, pattern '0094 and the Large Texas Toothpick, 5 1/2" long, pattern '0098.

The medium still appears to be in production in a couple of options, the large seems not to have been manufactured since 2010 or so. I guess however many they made must have met the demand for them because there aren't many to be found.
 
There should still be a lot of them on the auction sites and other secondary market sites. I think I have 8 or 10 of the vintage ones from Case, Ka-bar, Western, Camillus and Eye Brand (Carl Schlieper). Most of them are the 2-blade 'fishing knife' configuration, built on the toothpick frame. All or most of those go back to the '80s, at the latest. I'd bet Case has shied away from them in recent years for the same reasons as most other traditional knife manufacturers. People's tastes & perceptions have gradually shifted away from the 'big' pocketknives, thanks in no small part to greater carry restrictions in most places, I'm sure.


David
 
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Thanks all. Makes more sense now. The only two big ones I have are a Case and a S&M like Coaltrains. Wish blade length was not a carry issue so many places. When I was a kid no one would have thought the Disarming of America was ever going to become a priority.
 
The blade length isn't really a problem where I live - just about every pick-up has a rifle in a rack in the back window and a lot of guys with a fixed blade in a sheath on their belt.

I would really like to add a Case to my collection but shy away from the Buy-It-Now prices I see for nice ones. I guess part of the fun is in the hunt.......
 
MTHall720 said:
Thanks all. Makes more sense now. The only two big ones I have are a Case and a S&M like Coaltrains. Wish blade length was not a carry issue so many places. When I was a kid no one would have thought the Disarming of America was ever going to become a priority.
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Oddly enough, here in the Peoples Republik Of Maryland, there is no limit on blade length. Yes, you heard right.

They will never give us CCW, but you can carry a number 13 Opinel of a folding machete if it fits in your pocket. It's the Maryland pen knife law.:D As long as it is not one of the prohibited knives, switch blade, or other spring activated by switch or button, or gravity knife, it comes under the pen knife classification. So a 4 or 5 inch bladed toothpick in the pocket is legal. Check out Marylandistan pen knife laws. It's a surprise.

Carl.
 
Please limit the discussion to knives. Politics belongs in another forum. So do discussions of state laws.
 
The large Case Toothpick was retired to the "vault." It was resurrected for a few years, not sure how long, probably retired again. It's Case's marketing strategy to keep some patterns in the "vault" and only release them occasionally. I guess this helps keep sell out the larger production runs needed for profitability. At gun shows you can find lots of vintage large Case toothpicks.

I believe the smaller toothpick and the Case fishing knife, toothpick with fish scaler, is still in regular production.
 
I have one of the large Case toothpicks and the smaller Case toothpick in rosewood. I keep them side by side in the knife roll just for size comparison.
 
Seems like one of those patterns with limited demand. Other than the baseline demand from collectors, it's probably a bit too large for a practical carry knife and for those times when you need a longer blade, the blade profile of the Toothpick may not be as useful as some of the bigger hunter-style blades. I don't think blade length regulations are a major factor but they may play into the demand somewhat. Also, at least historically, whether justified or not, the Toothpick pattern is viewed as being on the more weapon-oriented end of the knife spectrum (when not used for fishing), and that segment of the knife consuming market has other modern options.

Collectors who just like the pattern itself for display seem to be attracted to the much smaller Tiny Toothpicks for display, since those are one of Case's most popular patterns and offered in almost every one of their handle options.

So with all of those counter-trends, I can see why there aren't really that many of them out there, at least in modern production.

Heck even the GEC toothpicks, which are truly excellent knives, are slow movers according to several of the GEC distributors who post here.
 
The old Queen line had a nice large one in D2. Not as boxy as the Case, easier on the pocket.
 
Go to a knife show if you want to find old Case toothpicks. Lots to choose from. I often carry one in my back pocket next to my billfold. Good stuff!
 
Don Hanson III said:
Go to a knife show if you want to find old Case toothpicks.
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That would be a dream come true for me - nothing even close to any kind of knife show anywhere near me. I am limited to what I can find on-line which is usually very expensive if I do fine one in good condition.

And the search goes on..........
 
coaltrain said:
That would be a dream come true for me - nothing even close to any kind of knife show anywhere near me. I am limited to what I can find on-line which is usually very expensive if I do fine one in good condition.

And the search goes on..........
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More knife shows out there than most know about. Gun shows are worth a look also. ;)
 
Interesting thread, the Large Toothpick certainly attracts user fans, but I think collectors (CASE'S meat&drink) tend to look elsewhere.

But, it brings me to another and parallel question: Why do so few other makers offer a version of CASE'S wonderful Seahorse Whittler? And they're rather costly too! Maybe that's where CASE invests its energy in large patterns....
 
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