What current production is the quintessential Case knife?

Tyson A Wright

Tyson A Wright

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I've never quite gotten around to buying anything from Case. I kind of have my eye on the Tractor Supply '47 Stockman, which is an odd choice for me, since I almost always prefer single blade knives. But I do have a fondness for TL-29s and the occasional stockman. And that '47 is a good looking occasional stockman.

I've seen mentions in the past about "Case model X tends to have better fit and finish; model Y tends to have uneven grinds" and so on. But I don't know if there is any consensus on which models are better or worse.

So, with the caveat that I won't be able to pick it out in person (it will be bought online), what would you recommend? What currently available slipjoint from Case would be my best first foray into this brand? I look forward to hearing from the Case aficionados. Thanks!
 
Recently I’ve gotten two excellent small Case knives. A Zippo Peanut single blade and a Pocket Hunter. The fit and finish on both has been noticeably better than the larger ones I have. Granted it could be totally antidotal. In the last year I did purchase several Cases out of a private collection that were from the early and mid 70s. The pulls and snap are much more pronounced. I think the Stockman is an excellent choice. I think it is one of their most popular models. Have fun!
 
I'd say the most iconic Case period is the #20 peanut, as far as I know that's the only truly Case specific pattern.

The only other American made peanut I've seen is the B&S #219, every other similar knife I've seen has been a small dogleg jack.

I personally really love the 032.
That can be the 62032 Texas Jack or the 63032 stockman.
The square bolster serpentine frame from Case is just great.

In my experience they really have the 032 down ( I've only had the 62032 though), and they really have the 08 half whittler down too.
 
No clue, really. I don't recall reports of problems with the Sodbuster and Sodbuster Jr.

I don't know the various Case Stockman pattern numbers, which are large vs medium, or two spring vs 3 spring.
I have seen on Case's website their accusation "blade rub goes with the pattern" regarding the two spring three blade stockman, and they won't fix the blade rub issues on their two spring stockmans under warranty.
(Strange that. My two spring $9.⁹⁹ shipped plus tax Rough Rider/Ryder stockmans, and slightly more expensive two spring BTI Old Timer 858OT and 858OTB Lumberjack stockmans, and vintage 1978 to 1986 two spring Schrade Old Timer 858 (no "OT" in/on the tang stamp, but it does have "SCHRADE +") Lumberjack Stockman, and GEC 828318 Dixie Stockman, also a two spring, all lack blade rub.
If the offshore produced Rough Rider/Ryder that retails for call it "$10" to call it "$19", depending on the series, can be produced without blade rub (again, all are a 2 spring) ... Why can't Case make a two spring Stockman (in PA, not offshore) that retails for 4 to 7x as much as the Rough Rider/Ryder, without blade rub?)

I've never seen or handled a Utica or Bear and Son stockman, so I don't know if they have blade rub. I don't remember the shell construction Imperial and Colonial stockman I had as a kid possessing blade or liner rub either. If they did, it didn't affect using the knife, or making one or more blades harder to open.

Anyway, because of Case's stance on the two spring having blade rub "going with the pattern" and their refusal to make it right under warranty, I strongly recommend getting one of their three spring stockman, or a Buck 301/303 stockman. The Buck are a 3 spring, but are no wider than a two spring.
 
afishhunter said:
...I strongly recommend getting one of their three spring stockman, or a Buck 301/303 stockman. The Buck are a 3 spring, but are no wider than a two spring.
Click to expand...
I had '80's era Buck 303. It was made by Camillus, and had two springs. I've only seen one of the newer Buck-made 303s once, and didn't have my older 303 with me for comparison, but my impression was that the three spring was definitely wider.

I don't know whether the '47 Stockman is two or three spring - I probably need to figure that out.
 
Tyson A Wright said:
Interesting. I have a 1977 Craftsman (Schrade-made) peanut. Recycled photo here:
View attachment 1733329
Does this not count as a real Peanut? (Honest question - not trying to start a fight one way or the other.)
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Technically the knife is a small dogleg jack pattern, but the front bolster is the only real difference between a small dogleg jack and a peanut
A peanut has front bolster that kinda curves upwards.
 
The 47 is 3 springs and the 18 is 2 springs. The 47 is a little longer but not much wider. The yellow one is an 18 and the bone one is a 47.
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The stockmen are nice. The swayback jack is also nice. To me, the quintessential Case knife is a yellow delrin mini trapper or regular trapper. It seems like they really have the fit and finish dialed in on the trappers also.
Ix6Sew3.jpg

I may be biased. It’s a pretty popular cowboy knife so I see more yellow delrin trappers.
 
What? No CASE in your collection Sir??? Are you posing as a Knife Connoisseur??? You may have to be escorted off the premises if this lapse in taste continues! ;)

Since you like a single blade, a Slimline Trapper is certainly worth a look- Barehead looks better in my view. But why not look into one of these? Tribal Lock, variety of scales, Barehead, End-Capped, stainless or cv.

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In terms of quintessential, any Stockman would qualify- the Medium ones are I think, better than any other competitor, a very useful compact and pleasant pocket-knife.

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Hickory n steel said:
I'd say the most iconic Case period is the #20 peanut, as far as I know that's the only truly Case specific pattern.

The only other American made peanut I've seen is the B&S #219, every other similar knife I've seen has been a small dogleg jack.

I personally really love the 032.
That can be the 62032 Texas Jack or the 63032 stockman.
The square bolster serpentine frame from Case is just great.

In my experience they really have the 032 down ( I've only had the 62032 though), and they really have the 08 half whittler down too.
Click to expand...

My 62032 is the nicest Case I have and the one I've carried the most. I made it almost a solid year as the only knife I carried which is really rare because I usually mix it up a lot. I think the yellow delrin Mini Trapper, Peanut, Stockman, or Pen are also really nice and may be the "quintessential" Case knife.
 
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I have had nothing but great examples of the swayback jacks, the sowbellies, and the tribal locks. The sowbelly stockman is getting very close to my "if you could only have one knife" selection...
Honorable mention goes to the large Texas Jack, and the 47 stockman (three spring preferred)
 
As is often the case, and especially since you prefer single blades, I have to agree with Will on the Tribal Lock. I've never even heard of any problems with this model, and the blade size and shape is absolutely ideal for a single blade, do-it-all pocket knife. You also have a choice of carbon or stainless in a wide variety of covers.NavyTribalLockOpen.jpg
 
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