Case to replace Victorinox

[Neil]

As the title suggests Case is to replace Victorinox..... in my pocket for a while at least.

Hearing my whining and moaning that everyone and their dog had a Case except me Aaron (Swiss Man) kindly agreed to lend me one for a while so that I could find out what they're all about. 

My experience until this morning with Case knives was looking at lots of pretty pictures. A bit sad really considering their fame and my interest in pocket knives but they just aren't common over here.

Less waffle more pictures..



  Here it is, your traditional stockman knife, at roughly 9cm long its very similar in size to a 91mm SAK.  Its around 15g heavier than the Scientist whose place in my pocket it will temporarily be usurping but that's no big deal.
Now obviously it doesn't have the additional tools of a SAK but as the blade is my most commonly used tool that's OK.  When I know I'm going to need other tools I can still grab them.  The point of this exercise is to gain a familiarity with Case and the only way that's going to happen is by sitting in my pocket.

For a dedicated SAKaholic this should be interesting

[Benner]

I hope you get on with it Neil.  The stockman is the pattern I have and feels more "special" than a SAK.

[nuphoria]

They do feel like quality blades and I was assured whilst in the US that "Case is king"!

[Neil]

All I've done so far is reprofile the broken tip..



.. not quite the same as the original but I didn't want to encroach on the nail nick.

Don't panic I did get permission before attacking it

[Swiss Man]

That is incredible work, WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION? 

[AHB]

Great work Neil.. 

[Neil]

Thanks, it looks better in the photograph but it 'll do the job nicely

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Typically fine work there mate

I'll be watching this thread with interest, as I've always gone back to a sak after a day or two at most

[Neil]

SAKs will be hanging around on standby, the difference is the Case will be along for the ride.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

SAKs will be hanging around on standby, the difference is the Case will be along for the ride.

"No officer, I really do need 13 different blades on me"

[Neil]

That'll be something else interesting actually.  Which blades get used for what.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

That'll be something else interesting actually.  Which blades get used for what.

You could always spey yourself now you've the right tool for the job

[Neil]

That'll be something else interesting actually.  Which blades get used for what.

You could always spey yourself now you've the right tool for the job

An option for sure but you know what, I think I'll pass

[2xTap]

Neil,

Good for you bud, nice #18 pattern stockman you got. While SAK's are all fine and good I am of the opinion for everyday cutting chores nothing beats a well made traditional slippie......and you can't go wrong with a Case. 

Though be careful, slippies can be addicting.....particularly Case's and the like.

And might I add, if you every get the hankering to go up a notch with another stockman give Case's larger #75 pattern a look. One like this Silverscript piece..........



..............these'll spoil ya! 

2xTap

[Benner]

Great work on that blade Neil. 

[Neil]

Neil,

Good for you bud, nice #18 pattern stockman you got. While SAK's are all fine and good I am of the opinion for everyday cutting chores nothing beats a well made traditional slippie......and you can't go wrong with a Case. 

Though be careful, slippies can be addicting.....particularly Case's and the like.

And might I add, if you every get the hankering to go up a notch with another stockman give Case's larger #75 pattern a look. One like this Silverscript piece..........

...

..............these'll spoil ya! 

2xTap

I thought you'd approve of my little experiment

  Now quit showing me lovely looking knives that I can't afford

This evening the Case has been doing packaging duty. 
This brings up a discussion Gareth and I had the other week, how sharp is sharp enough.  For me if a blade can slice through a sheet of bubblewrap without snagging its sharp enough. 
Well the newly repaired sheepsfoot blade accomplished that without issue and then went on to the slightly more arduous task of slicing up corrugated cardboard. I've got it set presently with a thirty degree bevel so it'll be interesting to see how long that holds up.  I would have been better using the clip blade for the bubblewrap but it wasn't quite sharp enough, tomorrow I'll give its edge a tickle

Great work on that blade Neil. 

Thanks Ben, you'll be able to check it out in person next weekend

[gunga]

Wow!

How do you reprofile blades?  I am unfamiliar with the methods.  Tis brilliant!

[Neil]

I use sharpening stones.  Much slower than hitting it with a Dremel but you don't have to fret about mucking up the temper and because you're working slower you're also less likely to make a mistake and muck it up

[jzmtl]

You have patience, I'd throw it on a belt sander.

[Swiss Man]

You have patience, I'd throw it on a belt sander.

Thank you for not throwing it on a belt sander.

[Gareth]

Nice repair job as always Neil.   I've been carrying a very similar Case Stockman on and off for a couple of weeks now, while I don't think it's replaced a SAKs' special place in my heart there's no doubt it's a cracking knife. 

[Ashley]

I love Case knives. I always have some kind of slippie on me and a little sak. 

[Neil]

Nice knife Gareth Do you ever use the spey blade?  If so what for?  So far its the blade that has seen no use.

[GMArthur]

Nice knife Gareth Do you ever use the spey blade?  If so what for?  So far its the blade that has seen no use.

 The spey blades always seem to end up as my beater blade. It doesn't get used in too many cutting chores but when I have to scrape something or dig at something I'll pull out the spey blade. It doesn't get the acute sharp edge my other blades get. I keep the clip point sharp for food chores and pointy cutting. The sheepsfoot is by far my most used blade shape. For utility work the sheepsfoot is outstanding.

[Zed]

great work on that blade neil, lovely knife   

[DaveK]

How are you getting along with it v a SAK so far then Neil?

[Sean]

Nice work on the blade there Neil.    That Case you posted and 2taps are beauts!  The only thing I have with
most SAKS and knives of that size is that I'm into a sheath carry.  I'd love to pocket them but they are just way
to uncomfortable for me for any length of time. 

[Styerman]

Back in Jurassic times ( the sixties ) I used to rock Case slippies , usually Stockman patterns and most especially Trappers . Preference eventually went to Trappers . The Spey long Spey kept almost razor like , and the Turkish clip for chores . With Stockmen , the Spey never got any lovin , it was just the clip and the sheepsfoot . The Sheepsfoot doing the dirty work .

Chris

[Gareth]

Nice knife Gareth Do you ever use the spey blade?  If so what for?  So far its the blade that has seen no use.

Actually no, not much.  My "go too" blade seems to be the sheepsfoot more than the other two.  Partly as the nail nick is positioned well for a left hander, party because it makes for a more comfortable grip if the sheepsfoot is deployed out of the way.

[Poncho65]

Nice knife Gareth Do you ever use the spey blade?  If so what for?  So far its the blade that has seen no use.

Actually no, not much.  My "go too" blade seems to be the sheepsfoot more than the other two.  Partly as the nail nick is positioned well for a left hander, party because it makes for a more comfortable grip if the sheepsfoot is deployed out of the way.

You need a good 2 or 4 blade congress if the sheepsfoot is you fav blade as it is mine

Neat experiment Neil BTW I carry a slippie all the time (4 blade congress ) but I carry an Executive for the scissors and file that way I get the best of both worlds