CASE KNIFES

[Shonkster]

Anyone had anything to do with theCASE XX CHANGER its a folding knife with interchangable blades, it should be very versatile, whats your opinion?

[Whopper Stopper]

From what I have read on some of the knife boards it sounds like Case is not the knife it use to be. I guess some are made in Japan and unless you know for sure it is easy to end up with a low quality item.

 Buyer beware.

[Graybeard]

I guess some are made in Japan and unless you know for sure it is easy to end up with a low quality item.

While that could be true I've yet to see anything of poor quality come out of Japan since the early days after the war. I'd say if it the knife is made there it likely will be made right. I know for certain I've yet to buy a Case brand knife that wasn't of excellent quality. My latest duplicates the knife I toted in my pocket as a boy back in the 50s and is of just as high quality as far as I can see. Not a single blemish or defect in workmanship on it that I can find. It does say it is made in the USA on the blade.

Anyone had anything to do with theCASE XX CHANGER its a folding knife with interchangable blades, it should be very versatile, whats your opinion?

My personal knife of this type is a Buck and it is my favorite for game on the ground. I bought my oldest son one of the Case XX Changers and extra blades for a Christmas present many long years ago. I assume it is still the knife he uses but haven't really asked. I think it was a fine knife from what I saw of it. Since I've not used it I can't say from first hand experience. Not sure if the Buck is still made or not but I can for sure say it is one first class knife and I'd hate to be without it.

GB

[Joel]

I'm afraid I've not much use for most of the "modern" Case knives using stainless steel.  The steel is that "surgical" stainless, i.e. 420 or one of its crappy clones.  I've two new Cases that were given to me as gifts(what do you give a knifemaker?-----storebought knives of course).  One is a trapper and the other is a two bladed muskrat.  The steel in both of them truly sucks.  Neither one holds an edge for very long, and I don't like carrying a knife I have to sharpen constantly
Also, I think the fit/finish on them is......adequate, but not nearly as good as the older(pre WW-II) ones.  The muskrat lost its logo that was glued(?) into the scales; it was one of those "one of 2500" collectibles.  Not being a collector, I used it.  If I was going to invest that much money in a factory knife; the prices I've seen on the xx changer range from around $60-120, I'd surely opt for a blade with much better steel and workmanship....one of the many EXCELLANT Japanese blades for instance.  The Japanese have a POWERFUL knife/sword making tradition that borders on the spiritual.....been a lot of years since I saw a bad Japanese knife.  The German Company Boker is producing a folder using 440V stainless/titanium handles for around $74.00 that would work "down under" since you all don't have our cold winters.  Last, and most probably least important of all, I don't find the xx-changer or their equivlants very appealing.  The designs are  necessarily on the weak side, which is no big thing if you just cut with them, but I pride myself on being able to use ONE Blade well.   A good knife made with a good steel is better than  a medicore one equipped with multiple blades of poor quality materials. The idea of the saw is a good one, though.  I carry a small gerber saw in my hunting game pouch.

[TimWieneke]

"(what do you give a knifemaker?-----storebought knives of course)."

LOL    - I feel your pain.  It's even better when they ask me what tools I want.  Well, there's this $2,500, 500 lb. anvil....  You can giftwrap that right?

My feeling on the topic of purchasing a "versatile" knife is very much in line with Joels.  When you are buying a knife - remember you are buying a knife.  Don't get distracted with the other accessory items.  At best they are occasional use items meant to half-way work in a pinch.  

Also, beyond the blade, so many people neglect to study the handle of a knife to see if it will work for them.  Even I have committed this, but I still don't understand it.  IMHO the handle is just as, if not more crucial to the intended use of the knife than the blade itself.  Hold the case knife you're thinking of buying then imagine the pressure against your thumb and the web of your hand as your using it.  Will you be able to hold the knife comfortably and will the working pressure distribute the way you want it too.

Tim

[WD45]

I had a shrade changeable blade years ago and found I did not like it after some use but I can not vouch for the case version.
I had to constantly keep resetting the locking thingy that held the blade to the handle and it did not hold an edge very well. The saw blade did not work very well either. I also started to carry a small folding saw and a GOOD knife. The shrade is in that pile of useless stuff you buy because it looks good and sounds good by theory but when put to real life use is useless or worse yet you end up hurting yourself
Maybe other people had a better experience with them.... Maybe not

[dread]

One knife for each job. That way I can use the excuse to buy more knives.  :grin:
to update a little: I saw in the Smoke Mountain Knife Works catalog that they have a Puma that has a bunch of extra blades with it. Has a saw too. Might just be a hundred dollar butter knife tho? Have to agree with Joel and Tim about the surgical steel. My butter knives have that. Won't take an edge, won't hold an edge , won't get carried. Jim

[ihuntbucks]

Hey guys,ya'll do know what CASE stands for?At least it use too.        Rick