Swords and Knives Collection

The Case family has been making history since four brothers started selling Case knives from the back of a wagon in 1889. They were in upstate New York, and their customers were pioneers heading west in the epic adventure of settling the frontier. A good knife was an indispensable tool.

The family business was incorporated in 1900 as Case Brothers Cutlery Company, and the brand has been an industry standard since that time. Case blades went to war with the GIs and to outer space with the astronauts. They have been collected by presidents and national entertainers, as well as knife lovers in every state. Excellently crafted of both traditional and innovative materials, they carry a lifetime – of the original owner – guarantee and are prized heirlooms when passed from generation to generation.

The study of knives is fascinating, necessitating the understanding of why the hardness, sharpness and angle of the blade are important, and of terms like tang and high carbon or low carbon steel. Steel can be either very hard or very strong, but skill is needed to achieve the perfect balance of both qualities by properly heating and cooling the metal. The angle of the blade will differ according to the use it is intended for, as will the shape, thickness, and weight.

The history is romantic, with trappers, hunters, and soldiers all going off with a knife to help them survive. Knives have been used to cut, slash, slice, chop, pierce, scrape, and thrust ever since the cavemen gripped sharp rocks, and Case knives are guaranteed to do all that for a lifetime. Using them to hammer, pry, unscrew, or chisel, however, will void the warranty, although the company will repair them for a fee.

Case knives have different ‘profiles’ – the shape that makes them suitable for a certain task. The names given the models are often illuminating, but not always. Easy to understand the uses of the Stockman, the Trapper, the Sodbuster, the Birdhunter, or the Hobo versus the Executive. But what about the Peanut, the Mako, or the Texas Jack? More study is indicated.

Camping, hunting, fishing, and every day living are all enhanced by the right knife. Made of steel, high carbon or stainless, or other more recent metals like vanadium and chrome, with handles of everything from traditional wood and bone to high tech plastics, these knives are made to be used and treasured as well. The materials and workmanship are guaranteed to do the job, with repair or replacement at the company’s option. Replacement with the same model is not always possible, since a knife may have seen many years of service before it breaks down.

Whether someone needs a knife, wants a knife, or collects knives, Case knives are among the most trusted and prized of all brands. Knowing their heritage simply makes them that much more interesting.