Please school me on Case Knives. Select, Pocket Worn, Rare Finds?

[Merovingian]

I am looking for a more old school feel in a knife, a sort of heirloom quality knife to keep with me always and then pass down.

My grandfather carried a Case knife, or did before I grew estranged from that side of the family and I would like to continue the tradition.

I am rather confused as to the various levels of knives they carry.

I am mostly looking at the Sowbelly or Coffin Jack, but I am pretty confused as to the differences between say Select and Pocket Worn?

I can get a hold of a Sowbelly Select pretty easily, but the green scales are not exactly my cup of tea. However the Sowbelly comes in pocket-worn (supposed to be smoother?).

Im sure Ill get yelled at for considering carrying a 'Select' in my pocket since I think they are supposed to be collector grade, but that's kinda the point I guess.

Ive trolled the WR Case Website and came away confused as to the compare and contrast between the different lines such as Pocket Worn and Select.

If Select is supposed to be their best fit/finish, is it also 'pocket worn'? Ill admit I am a bit confused.

Also I can get a Sowbelly Select for 90$, but a Basic Coffin Jack runs $300?

 

[Old Hunter]

Oh boy, schooling someone up in all aspects of Case (past & present) is a matter for a series of books!

Pocket-worn is a style of jigging of the bone handles - it is made to look as if it has already been carried for decades in your pocket.

The Coffin Jack knives in that price range are a collaborative effort between Case and Tony Bose - they are limited editions of high end knives.

Case Select is one of many lines (or series) of knives that Case offers - they add and delete lines often (patterns too).

Pick a Case knife pattern that you like, that meets your needs for a carrying knife, and that doesn't hurt your pocketbook - that will get you started, then read, read, read, and you will slowly gather up the info concerning Case. Welcome and enjoy the ride!

 

[Old Hunter]

Ps these two Case knives are examples of Pocket Worn bone handles (one blue and one red). OH

 

[black mamba]

I would not think in terms of "collector grade," as that means different things to different people. Some active members of this forum carry $7 imports, and others carry and use customs which cost in excess of $1,000. The Case sowbelly is a pattern designed by slipjoint master Tony Bose, and comes in many different handle materials, as well as either stainless (Tru-Sharp) or carbon steel (CV). I have one from 2001 in cranberry bone with a silver script shield inlay. It is a beautiful knife, and in my opinion well worthy of being an heirloom.

 

[jc57]

As mentioned by others, Pocket Worn is just one of their jigging styles, where they polish the bone a bit more to give it a smooth feel. Current production is only in Bermuda Green and Harvest Orange. It has also been offered in Caramel, Blue, and Old Red (which is my favorite if you get a good dye job).

Case Select is allegedly a slightly higher trim line, but in my personal opinion not worth the extra they charge for it. Current patterns are in a Brick Red Winterbottom bone jigging. The ones I have seen actual pics of didn't wow me. The previous Select line was in Moss Green Winterbottom bone, also not an eye popper for me.

Rare Finds typically means: "Stuff we discontinued a while back but some dealers still have it in stock," or it could be a few limited editions of some kind that are still floating around.

Sowbellies are a pattern of a 3-blade Stockman (also offered in a single-blade version) with a curved, fat handle. It's available in several bone handle styles. They are a current production knife and Case seems to keep coming out with them in new handle styles.

 

[bill boyd]

If you like the Tony Bose designed Sowbelly you can still get the 2012 Shot Show edition
in ebony if you look around.
--Mike

 

[jujigatame]

Are you looking strictly to get something that's newer production? If so the non-limited pieces can be plenty nice and certainly something one can pass down if they are cared for well. But a model like the coffin jack is the best of the best for quality from a modern day Case. Whether it's truly worth the going rate is up to the individual. For what you pay to get one of those you could have at least a few of the other less expensive models.

 

[Merovingian]

Thank you guys for the replies.

I am indifferent as to a 'new' knife or 'old stock' as long as the knife isnt used.

I am currently looking at:

#1: Case Coffin Jack, but having a hard time justifying the purchase price.

#2: Select/Pocket Worn Seahorse Whittler

#3: Select/Pocket Worn 3 blade Sowbelly

Is the 'select' also 'pocket worn'? I am having a hard time comparing/contrasting the two lines.

 

[jc57]

Pocket Worn:
http://www.wrcase.com/special_programs/pocket_worn/
http://www.wrcase.com/special_programs/pocket_worn/current_products/

Case Select:
http://www.wrcase.com/special_programs/case_xx_select/
http://www.wrcase.com/special_programs/case_xx_select/current_products/

Note: Case's web site is not always up to date. The Select knives they list are from the 2011 Moss Green Winterbottom bone series. The new ones just coming out are in Brick Red Winterbottom bone:
This is the list:

Brick Red Winterbottom Jigged Trapper (6254 SS)
Brick Red Winterbottom Jigged Peanut (6220 SS)
Brick Red Winterbottom Jigged Copperlock (61549L SS)
Brick Red Winterbottom Jigged Canoe (62131 SS)
Brick Red Winterbottom Jigged Stockman (6347 SS)
Brick Red Winterbottom Jigged Small Texas Toothpick (610096 SS)
Brick Red Winterbottom Jigged Wharncliffe Mini Trapper (6207W SS)
Brick Red Winterbottom Jigged Texas Jack (62032 SS)

No Sowbellies or Seahorse Whittlers in that group. There was Sowbelly 3-blade in the 2011 Moss Green group, though you may have to call around to dealers to ask if they have it because the Select products are not supposed to be advertised online.