Help identifying a Case pocket knife.

[DaveK]

My father bought me this back from a business trip to the US in around about 1976. I don't recall ever using it at all, although the main blade looks as though it's been used a few times at least - so I may have forgotten 

If anyone recognises any features that might help me to identify the model, I'd really appreciate it, I don't even known what the handle material is!

The large blade tang is stamped "CASE XX -----SS----- ", the small blade simply says "278",

The box has a Case label on the bottom, with the numbers: "S 278 SS", and "(232)"

[Benner]

I have no help to offer I'm afraid, but that is one beautiful knife Dave. 

[DaveK]

It is really isn't it?

In truth, I feel a bit guilty about this knife. I don't recall ever using it, and it has a few rust spots, which I would never let happen to the SAK he bought me. I guess I didn't really like it that much. 32 years later, it's time to make my peace with this little knife....

Case make so many knives, that I've no chance of identifying it without a couple of clues to start off with 

I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have been anything too expensive, I was only 10 and my brother (who lost his shortly afterwards) was even younger.

[Benner]

You certainly kept it all in good condition (packaging and paperwork) considering you got it when you were 10.    Most kids of that age would have taken the knife out, thrown the box and papers in the bin and then start attacking conkers with it .

[Tarrodemierda]

You certainly kept it all in good condition (packaging and paperwork) considering you got it when you were 10.    Most kids of that age would have taken the knife out, thrown the box and papers in the bin and then start attacking conkers with it .

+1


atleast the first vic with actual tools instead of just two blades,i got from my dad,some 22 yrs ago is far more worst condition but atleast i still have it.

[DaveK]

You certainly kept it all in good condition (packaging and paperwork) considering you got it when you were 10.    Most kids of that age would have taken the knife out, thrown the box and papers in the bin and then start attacking conkers with it .

+1


atleast the first vic with actual tools instead of just two blades,i got from my dad,some 22 yrs ago is far more worst condition but atleast i still have it.

That's my point really! By then I had a Wenger that he'd bought me before hand - so the Case just got ignored. Maybe that's a good thing after all, as it is intact and I'm enjoying it now. (Better late than never).

Here's a couple more pics:

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Still looking as good as when I saw it then

Try this and see if it helps... http://www.casexx.com/PatternPageFH.asp

[DaveK]

Still looking as good as when I saw it then

Try this and see if it helps... http://www.casexx.com/PatternPageFH.asp

Bah. Blocked at work: Reason "Weapons" 

Cheers Mike - I'll try it later.

[Benner]

Thanks for this thread Dave.    It has inspired me to clean up an old Wenger penknife that I had.

[DaveK]

Thanks for this thread Dave.    It has inspired me to clean up an old Wenger penknife that I had.

Now that I am (or might become) poor, I have found a whole new world of satisfaction in fixed old stuff up.

It is actually, much more rewarding than buying new stuff. And it's cheaper 

[Benner]

Thanks for this thread Dave.    It has inspired me to clean up an old Wenger penknife that I had.

Now that I am (or might become) poor, I have found a whole new world of satisfaction in fixed old stuff up.

It is actually, much more rewarding than buying new stuff. And it's cheaper 

I have said this many times before but it won't hurt to say it once more.    I enjoy "doing up" old knives and tools.  Part of the fun is buying something manky and then cleaning and oiling it up so it looks like new.  In my collection of over 50 sharps etc I can only see 6 things that I have bought new and they were only bought new because I couldn't find a used one at the time.  I can't understand this "must have new" mentality.

[Neil]

I agree so much.  Where's the fun in buying new?  I don't get it    Far too passive for my liking

Much more eco friendly as well, someone (braver than me) should mention that to Mike

Neil

[Benner]

Much more eco friendly as well, someone (braver than me) should mention that to Mike

Neil

Hadn't thought of that!    He's a "must have new" kinda guy.

I just don't see the point in spending mega bucks when you can usually get stuff for near half the price just because someone has held it to take a picture. Things are even cheaper if it is a really manky one.  But dirt can be washed off. 

[Benner]

Dave, just looked it up and according to Case that tang stamp was used on knives made between 1980 and 1989.

[David Bowen]

1980-1989
Composition Handle Material
2 Blades (Stainless Steel)

Pattern # 08
 

08 patterns have been manufactured in at least three different styles. There are two 2-blade versions, and one 3-blade version.

The oldest 08 pattern is a 3 7/8" Jack knife that is known as a coke bottle. They were manufactured by Case sometime prior to 1915.

The most recent two-bladed 08 patterns are pen knives that are usually called half or two bladed whittlers, or swell-center pen knives.  The master blade is most always a clip blade, and the other a pen blade.  They measures 3 1/4" closed and were introduced sometime prior to 1940.

[DaveK]

That's fantastic guys - thanks!

Looks like my dad's dates are all wrong then (again). I'll check with him and see when he was at Chicago airport again, where he swears he bought this one! I know I was still at High school when I had this, and I left there in 1984 - so that's it narrowed down to between 1980 - 1984......

Thanks again folks 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I agree so much.  Where's the fun in buying new?  I don't get it    Far too passive for my liking

Much more eco friendly as well, someone (braver than me) should mention that to Mike

Neil

No one's that stupid to mention something like that to me!

[Benner]

I agree so much.  Where's the fun in buying new?  I don't get it    Far too passive for my liking

Much more eco friendly as well, someone (braver than me) should mention that to Mike

Neil

No one's that stupid to mention something like that to me!

I think I am that stupid. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I agree so much.  Where's the fun in buying new?  I don't get it    Far too passive for my liking

Much more eco friendly as well, someone (braver than me) should mention that to Mike

Neil

No one's that stupid to mention something like that to me!

I think I am that stupid. 

And a lot smaller than me

[DaveK]

Thanks to your replies, and this site:

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/wr_case/about_case_knives/date_identification.php

I've established that the knife is dated 1981 (it has 9 dots).

I'm not convinced about the pattern number though. Reading the description of how the pattern numbering works, it should be a pattern "78", but I can't find an example of a pattern 78 yet....

[DaveK]

The plot thickens...

Here's my knife, which according to the code on the small blade tang should be pattern #78:



and here's a Case pattern #79 lifted from here.



I looked at the "coke bottle" and "08" patterns and I'm sure they are something different. I'll keep looking for evidence, but I'm confident enough that I've got a pattern #78 pen-knife here, made in 1981. I checked with my dad and he says he was indeed in the US, in late 1981, so I was in fact 13 or 14 when he gave it to me!

Now for the handle material - can't find anything similar so far....

[Freudian Frog]

Looks like of... tortoiseshellish. Or something made of celluloid?

[DaveK]

Looks like of... tortoiseshellish. Or something made of celluloid?

Yup, I'm pretty sure it's celluloid. No idea what the pattern is called though.

[DaveK]

OK - now we're cooking. From Corpus Christi Coin and Currency Inc:

This knife is truly a classic with its Imitation Ivory handle and Pen style. From the collectible year of 1981 comes this fantastic knife that is a must have for any collection. Sure to raise questions, this knife is different, but still with the same Case signature that guarantees quality! Its two stainless steel pen blades and unique handle are sure to impress anyone with their perfect Mint  condition!

[DaveK]

I know I'm talking to myself here, but I may as well carry on now....

It is Case XX "Crown" pen knife, pattern #78, made between January and September 1981, where is was purchased by my father in Phoenix, Arizona.

The knife (actually 2 of them) were checked in with dad's luggage, which subsequently got on a different plane to dad himself, and was declared "missing" a few weeks later. Dad got payment from the airline shortly afterwards.

Having forgotten all about it, on Christmas Eve 1981, there was a knock at the door, and there was a TWA rep standing there with the case! The bag had apparently been round the world a few times and displayed tags from Sydney, Singapore and various other far-flung destinations but had miraculously remained intact throughout. I actually remember this happening, particularly that dad's camera had survived the ordeal, and that he hadn't lost all of his pics. I didn't remember the knife being in there though, but he's sure that's what happened on reflection.

So - it all adds up now, I still don't know the name of the handle material, but I know much more than I did 

[Benner]

I'm listening Dave. 

Interesting story that.    It's good how you have managed to narrow the date down to just a few months.  I like finding information about these old knives.

[Gareth]

Nice story Dave.   

[Neil]

We were reading Dave   Its just that we had nothing useful to add. 

Feel privileged that we didn't just derail the thread as normal with idle banter

You know... - - - - -  - -  ... or something similar.

Well done on the excellent detective work 

Neil

[Poncho65]

Just jumping in on this thread and it is a very nice Case knife you have there Dave The newer Cases are nowhere near the quality of metal or manufacturing as that knife was There now just thrown together and shipped out as fast as they can

[Benner]

Just jumping in on this thread and it is a very nice Case knife you have there Dave The newer Cases are nowhere near the quality of metal or manufacturing as that knife was There now just thrown together and shipped out as fast as they can

They are still meant to be pretty impressive quality wise though.