Here it is... My first Case/Bose, the Cattle Knife.
I can only offer my initial impressions and will be evaluating it fully over the next few days. The seller, a member here, was completely up front with what he thought the flaws were on this knife. He sent pictures and a video so I felt very confident in buying this knife for the price he was asking. The first flaw he mentioned was a slight gap at the bolster. It does have a slight gap, but it's not too bad at all. I'd expect no gaps at this price, but it's completely livable for me. The second thing he mentioned was a lighter pull on the main blade. I agree that the pull is lighter than the secondary blades but it's well within what I would consider to be acceptable. Besides the two he mentioned, I
think there is slight blade rub on the secondary blades, I can't see it but i can feel it.
The F&F is almost perfect besides those small issues. The bone handles have beautiful color and jigging, the finish on the blades and bolsters is perfect, all the blades are nice and 'snappy', the back spring is perfectly flush in all positions on all three blades, and everything is just beautifully finished. The thing I like most is the design of the knife, and that's what really makes the knife worth the money. The blades all sit low, all the nicks on the same side and accessible, the slanted bolsters, the swedge work, it's all fabulous.
I've often wondered if a Case built knife was worth this amount of money and I'd say it was definitely worth at least what I paid for it. Which could be dangerous for my pocket book in the future. They definitely are a step above the usual production knives I've bough so far and I'm happy I finally pulled the trigger.
So I got another pair of collabs in the mail. The first is a wharncliff trapper in antique bone. This one is darn near perfect. Tight snap, maybe 6/7 by my totally subjective interpretation, no gaps in liners, very matched scaled. The wharncliff blade is a tiny bit off center but that doesn’t bother me at all. I am a nut for great snap and matching covers so this knife is really working for me...and the tight liners are a major plus. I like the size and heft too. It’s pocketable at 3 and a half -ish inches but has the feeling of substance as it’s a two blade knife to give it that “chunk of steel” feeling. All in all a great piece.
