Join us in celebrating a rich history of W. R. Case & Son Cutlery

W.R. Case was not involved with his brothers’ business, but the Case Brothers Company served to train his son. During the years 1900-1902, John Russell Case had worked for his uncles and earned his indoctrination into the cutlery business.  Through the support and financial assistance of his father, Russ Case founded a knife brokerage firm in Little Valley, New York in 1902.
In an effort to have customers perceive his new business as being well established, he not only used his grandfather’s (Job R. Case) picture in the company’s advertising, but he also used his father’s name in naming the company W. R. Case & Son. Russ Case purchased knives for his brokerage business on contract from Platts Brothers Cutlery Co., Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. and others.  Consequently, there were many pattern variations during the 1902-1905 period preceding the establishment of his factory. They were various tang marks on the contract knives during this period.

W. R. Case & Sons Knife Manufacturers
Russ Case was an excellent salesman and flourishing business encouraged him to move to Bradford, Pennsylvania, and to build a knife factory there.
Another family member, by marriage, would provide the manufacturing expertise needed to complement Case’s sales ability. The husband of Russ’s sister, Debbie, had come from a family well established in knife making.
So in 1905, H. N. Platts joined with his brother-in-law in combining their operations under one company name. Since Platts was a son-in-law of W. R. Case, and since Russ Case had established strong brand recognition, the SON in the company’s name was simply replaced with SONS, making the new name W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company.

Business was excellent and many new knife patterns were introduced during the 1905-1914 period, but the prestigious XX symbol still belonged to Case Brothers.
With the failure of that company in 1914, W. R. Case & Sons was able to acquire the trademark, one that has been a standby for the company to this day.
Due to his failing health, H. N. Platts left the company in about 1910 and moved to Colorado where he started a new cutlery company called Western Cutlery Company.
At about the same time, Russ Case’s other brother-in-law Herbert Crandall merged his Crandall Cutlery Company with W. R. Case & Sons.
Russ Case had no children but for many years his company would remain under the ownership and leadership of family members. When he died in 1953, majority ownership of W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company passed to his niece.
Rhea Crandall was the daughter of Theresa (Case) and Herbert Crandall, Russ Case’s early partner.
Rhea was first married to Harold Osborne, to whom she bore a son. After the elder Osborne’s death, she married John O’Kain. O’Kain led the company as president until his retirement in 1971. At that time, he became chairman of the board and Rhea’s son Russell B. Osborne, became the company’s president.
Ending of Case Family Ownership
In 1972, ownership of the W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company was passed from the Case family members to American Brands Inc, but leadership influences of the Case family would remain for yet a while.  Russell B. Osborne continued as president until his death in 1975 and his son John served as vice president and new products manager.

In 1979 Bob Farquharson becomes the President of Case.  Bob is credited with many Case firsts, including the organization of Case tang stamp dating history.  He'd also become recognized as the founder of the Case Collectors Club in 1981.

1989 brings James Parker to Case Knives.  During his time at Case, Jim Parker did much to promote Knife Collecting as we know it today.

1990 Mel Armstrong is named the President of WR Case & Sons and makes some great strides in returning the company to a strengthened financial status.

1996 Tom Arrowsmith is appointed President and remains as such until 2012.

2012 Greg Booth continues in this role 

Saturday June 22, 2013....Kevin Pipes, Greg Booth will be attending as well as Tony Bose.

Many iKC and Case Collecotrs Club Members will be present.  Join us for the fun

Case Celebrity/Tour: President, Collector Appreciation, & Tony Bose Tours

Date: 2013-06-22      Time: 9 am - 2 pm
Address: 2320 Winfield Dunn Pkwy 
Sevierville, TN 37876