This column first appeared in September 2011.
I remember when my husband gave our son Sean his first pocket knife the Christmas he was twelve. “This Case knife was carried by my grandpa, then my dad, and I have carried it for thirty years” he told him. “Now it is time for it to be passed to you.” Then as fathers do, he added, “carry it, use it, and remember above all else to BE VERY CAREFUL.” It was definitely one of those Kodak moments. Minutes later we had another moment to remember when we all rushed to the emergency room, where Sean got five stitches on his hand!
Owning a Case knife has been an American tradition since 1889. Founded by William Russell Case in Little Valley, New York, the company was originally named Case Brothers Cutlery Company. In 1902 management of the family business was passed to William’s son, J. Russell Case, who relocated the factory to it’s present location, Bradford Pennsylvania and the company name was changed to W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery Company.
Throughout their long history, the Case family has led the way in pioneering new materials and design in the knife industry. With blades stamped from heat treated domestic steel, they are made to last for decades. Their hand crafted handles have been made from a variety of beautiful materials including, Brazilian cattle bone, buffalo horn, ivory, and exotic hardwoods. Durability has become a given with knives from Case, who back their products with a limited warranty, which protects against defects in the workmanship and materials over the life of the product.
Establishing themselves as a part of U.S. history, Case has been making knives for our men and women in uniform since World War I. Two of the more collectible are the Ka-bar made for the United States Marine Corps and the V-42 combat knife. In 1965 Case manufactured the first knife to be used in outer space by astronauts John Young and Gus Grissom and at least 1.5. US presidents have been known to carry a Case, including Dwight D Eisenhower who was an avid collector.
Stylings have stayed consistent through the years. One of the most enduring of all is the “Cheetah” with a locking clip and swing guard. Variations of the Cheetah were produced from 1896-1982, all of which are of interest to collectors. A fine knife, but less collectible, is the redesigned version of this classic that was introduced in 2002.
The Hobo, first produced in 1902, is unique in that the handle splits apart revealing a separate knife, fork, spoon and bottle opener. Case produced two variations of the Hobo from 1902-1940 with different utensils. In 1983 a fourth version was released and remains a top seller to this day.
The Slim Lock (73L), first issued in 2005, is one of the more popular of the newer Case knives. This pattern is not only one of the most innovative Case designs, but also a fitting tribute to the legacy of the founder, John Russell Case. Each knife carries a unique JRC (John Russell Case) stamp and a liner that locks.
There’s good news and bad news when it comes to identifying your Case. The good news is that all knives are clearly marked with the company name on the tang of the master blade. The bad news is, there have been dozens of different marks used through the years. For more in-depth information pick up a copy of Steve Pfeiffer’s Case Knives Identification and Price Guide. Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates.