Case mini-trapper: user or...

J

James Y

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Feb 18, 1999
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Today I picked up a Case amber bone mini-trapper at Ace Hardware. It was the only one, out of the display. Other than very slight grittiness in the pivot area, this knife seems perfect. The edge bevels and sharpness are better than the ones on my other Case knives (all purchased in the 1990s), and even the fit and finish seem nicer. It seems like the perfect balance between hefty enough for considerable work, and being small enough for EDC.

In fact, it's the nicest-looking traditional slipjoint I've owned so far, and I've had a lot. Which almost makes it hard to use it, yet I did not buy it just to add it to a collection.

Does anyone else carry and use a perfectly nice Case knife? I know it sounds weird, when I have no qualms about using my Sebenza for whatever, yet feel iffy about marring this Case(?). I know I'll enjoy it more if it really becomes "mine" through use; it's just the hesitancy of lessening the pristine-ness of a new traditional knife that's kinda hard for me.

Any comments are appreciated!
Jim
 
I've heard there is a saying among the Case employees at the factory in Bradford CT:

"They are tools, not jewels".

Whether true or not, I agree with the sentiment. I say rider 'er hard, make 'er yours, and enjoy the knife the way it was meant to be.
 
You bet. They make a very nice knife, but that's one of the things I like about carrying and using them.
 
personally the first thing i do with a knife is get it out and scuff up the blades and bolsters using it.

knives can be sharpened, blades and bolsters polished. would you hesitate to use a new shovel? a hammer? use your new tool like the fine tool it was built to be.
 
Thanks for the quick replies!
Yep, you are all telling me what my feeling is; I know once I've carried and used it, gotten the bolsters and blades scratched and scruffed through normal carry/use, that hesitancy will be gone.

I suppose it can be seen in this way, too:
We all have only one body; yet we use our hands, legs, feet, knees, etc., etc., every single day. A knife is replaceable, our body is not. Why, then, be hesitant to use a pocketknife? All my EDCs have scuffs and various scratches on 'em, anyway. I also think this knife will be happier living the "pocket knife's life." :)
Jim
 
I'm just the same with my knives. I'm getting over it though thank goodness.
I still pamper the pretty ones a little mind;)
I've got a peach of a mini-trapper in my pocket now, a little while ago it would not have come out of the safe. You're doing the right thing by using it, it's a lot more fun too.
I like the Case mini-trapper for the same reasons you gave...
nice pattern, and well done Case for the perfect fit and finish:thumbup:
 
Here's the key...use, don't abuse...take care of your knife...no neglect...ENJOY YOUR KNIFE!
Blessings & Merry Christmas!
 
The most valuable knife in my meager collection is the knife my grandfather carreid every day. Its a Case 6208 Half Whittler. Probably worth about 15¢ today.

A knife that grandpa used is worth more than any safe queen in my opinion. Use it and enjoy it and its true value will only increase.

Merry Christmas Jim.

CS
 
Coincidentally, I have the same knife, from an ACE Hardware here in Concord, and the last one they had as well. I love it; got me interested in Case knives again. (I also got their last SchradeUSA knife too.) Don't be afraid to use it. Even if it's used, it'll still hold it's value, although I can't imagine ever selling any of my Case's. I've carried mine quite a bit, use it occasionally, and when needed, a regular cleaning/sharpening, then some polishing, will usually get it back to almost new. I had a Case Stockman from my dad (carried for ten years) that needed a break, and the timing was right when I saw the Mini-Trapper. Made a nice change.

thx - cpr
 
Very decent EDC and a looker, Amber Bone is becoming a fetish of mine...
What more can you ask for? Get it working and happy Yuletide!
 
Clean the grit out, smooth it up, give it a wee drop of oil, sharpen 'er up, and stick it in your pocket. Enjoy! Mini trappers are a great pattern for EDC.
 
I like the mini trapper. I like it even more if it's a wharncliffe mini trapper in Carribean blue.

Good to see your going to use it. It's always hard to put those first scratches on a knife you really like the looks of. But those scratches become like the scars on your hands, you remember every one.
 
I've said it before, I'll say it again, the only way one can truly appreciate a knife is to use it. Safe Queens? No way. I can understand if you are a collector, sure, but then it is no different then a stamp, or coin. Knives are made to be used, so use it. Let it accumilate stories and history, some scrathes and scars, and THEN it will mean something. Then it will be an extension of you. Then it will truly be yours.
 
A Case min-trapper is just too great of an EDC knife not to carry.

This full size trapper got carried and used pretty regularly for a while with no special pocket protection. I got the most joy from it by using it.
Eng-KYBG-Trapper-2_web.jpg


Enjoy.
 
I presently have two knives in my left front pocket:

--A Victorinox Rambler on a keychain with a Photon Microlight and a Peanut lighter.
--A Case red bone CV Moose.

Use it, put some scratches on it, give it some character. :)
 
I'd say that grittiness that you feel is from too many months/years of sitting on display and not getting proper care. For heaven sakes oil it up and use it, so that never happens again:D! I think you're like a lot of us here in the Traditional forum. I'm forcing myself to use my knives and to sell off the ones I don't. I'm realizing just like the rest of the guys that using your nice stuff is a lot more fun than leaving it in a safe where no one else can even see it.
 
Ok, it's pretty strange, but I bought an amber bone mini-trapper tonight and got a good deal on it too. And mine went right into my pocket. Glad to see that yours will be getting used as well.
 
Mini-Trappers have become a favorite edc for me as of late. I have some old, some new and the one in my pocket, which is hanging on my chair right at this particular moment.. It is the 6207W model, same as this one here..

000_1371.jpg


But not to digress....

My advice is to go and oil her up like some of the other members stated already..

.. Then go and whittle something!. Anything. Even if its just making a feather stick outside in your own back yard. You will start to break her in, and I know its sounds a little crazy perhaps, but you will feel a sense of bonding with her... After that, she is yours in a way that you can really feel!. I hope this makes sense and doesn't sound too sappy.

Please enjoy your new knife whilst you let 'er do all the work!:)
 
Thanks for all the replies, and hoping that everyone's had a great X-Mas and a Happy New Year!

The gritty feeling went away after I lubed the mini-trapper with some White Lightning. I've been carrying it in my left cargo pocket; in my right cargo pocket is my Vic Soldier; clipped to that pocket is my Seb; and in the r. front pocket is my Vic Executive.

At the Ace Hardware where I bought it, they had a display case of knives; several Case knives, some Victorinox, Gerber, and Bear. I have bunches of Vics, so my interest here was Case, which you can't find everywhere to handle/buy in person. I think they're going re-order another/more mini-trappers, according to the salesman who opened the case for me. Since I'm not buying so many knives anymore, I was particularly pleased with this acquisition.

I've been using it whenever possible, so far in simple, typical pocket knife chores; opening packaging, cutting plastic strapping, slicing down boxes, and slicing fruit. So far its performance had been exceptional; its edge is very nicely beveled and it has a very "toothy, grabby" sharpness that parts matter like butter. The only thing that kinda sucks is that having seen those other Case knives in the case, I'm playing around with the idea of getting more...Arrrrggh! ;)

Jim
 
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