Anybody that periodically checks out my photo page may know that I've recently been quite upset with what I see coming out of Case. I've labeled them as the "bi-polar knife company" because, quite literally, you just never know what you're going to get. In fact, I'd say that when it comes to "consistency", Case is the worst manufacturer of all the knife companies whose products I collect and use.

As long as I'm talking about this, I'll let you know that I did attempt to contact Case about the piss-poor quality on my Ebony Back Pocket and my G10 Barehead Slimline Trapper. I got some stupid form letter response. Forbid that they should ever respond with an actual human. I'll be sending those knives in for warranty work/evaluation and will keep everybody posted on how this experience goes. This all said...now on to the knife shown in the photo.

The stockman shown in the photo perfectly illustrates why I've labeled Case as "the bi-polar knife company". This simple, unassuming stockman (jumbo variety) was a relatively cheap knife ($35 US). Yet, the fit and overall quality of this very basic blade absolutely beats that of my Back Pocket and my Slimline Trapper. You wouldn't even know that all 3 blades were made by the same company.

This knife is a good, basic EDC knife. The blades are sharp...if not "pretty looking". They are...surprise of surprises, "centered". The "fit" of the knife is decently tight. The "snap" is slightly underpowered...but not by much. The handle is well executed. The bolsters are nicely finished. The pins are properly set into the handle. In fact, this extremely affordable $35 knife, could easily last me most of the remainder of my life...as long as I provide basic care and maintenance...and don't abuse it.

You know what? I'm convinced that with some driven leadership...somebody at the helm that not only knew how to "pay attention", but to imbue their management staff with the right kind of motivation, Case would not only be one of the oldest surviving knife companies in the world, it would be one of the very best. It would positively thrive in today's market. Of course, it may be that being "big" is the disease that Case really suffers from. Comparatively, both Great Eastern Cutlery and Canal Street Cutlery...companies that are small fractions of the size of Case, know how to make GREAT knives. Maybe that is because they are small enough that the right kind of spirit drives their work. Maybe the experienced people make up a large enough portion of their staff that taking pride in what you make is absolutely integral to their existence.

I don't care what "age" were in; doing it "right" is doing it "right". If US companies don't want to wash themselves down the drain, they need to recognize the importance of "doing it right".