Welcome Home...THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY

iKnife Collector

The online community of knife collectors, A Knife Family Forged in Steel

I need to tap the expertise that exist here on IKC

I am a real newbie when it comes to these pocket knives even though I have always carried a pocket knife since I was a kid. The Knife Acquisition Bug (KAD) didn't bite me until a year or so ago but left me with latent desires to own every knife I see and blooms into must purchase crisis situations several times a year. I own Case, GEC, Canal Street, Queen and Schatt & Morgan. I was doing fine with my KAD until I went to my first knife show last weekend. I fear that I may have picked up an even more serious case than I had.

I saw some beautiful custom traditional knives but the ones that stick in my head are the Bose and Tabers that I was able to see and handle. Holy Smokes! The symptoms were made worse by meeting and speaking with Tony Bose. Now it is highly unlikely that I will ever own a Tony Bose custom due to availability (his knives and my money). I do want to own something that this guy had something to do with. After ignoring them for a long time I am now trying to learn as much as I can about the Case/Bose collabs. I know a bit about their price, how they come to be and what Tony's involvement in these collabs is. If I had not been in such an unfocused state of mind at the show I could have answered my own question but all the eye candy just wouldn't allow a focused state of mind to exist.

1. So for those of you Case experts would you please share with me your thoughts about the overall quality and feel of the Case/Bose collabs as compared to the standard production Case knives?

2. For those of you who own knives from Case and any of the other 4 companies that I mention would you please share with me your thoughts about the overall quality and feel of the Case/Bose collabs as compared to the knives being produced by GEC, Canal Street, Queen and Schatt & Morgan?

I know we all have our preferences for any number of reasons. Please, please, please understand I do not want this post to start any flame wars or incite any disparaging remarks about ANY of these companies. I am just sincerely asking for the opinions of some folks that have knowledge that I respect and need.

So let's hear it. Help an old boy understand what these Case/Bose collabs are all about. If you prefer not to answer here send me a message.

2 members like this

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of iKnife Collector to add comments!

Join iKnife Collector

Comment by David Selph on March 16, 2014 at 16:57: On a recent visit to SMKW I had the chance to see, inspect and handled some Case/Bose collabs. I was impressed with the quality of these knives. Very near custom quality. The prices were not far from custom either but impressive none the less. If you have the money and can't wait for custom then I would highly recommend them.

Comment by Brad T. on March 12, 2014 at 9:34: I have a Case created Tony Bose Saddlehorn. It is in a word "Awesome". You get all the design and functionality of a Bose custom at a third of the cost from Case.

Comment by Ms Data on March 11, 2014 at 21:32: Jan may be your best resource on Case/Bose. As far as Knife Acquisition Disease in concerned - there is no known cure. I myself will always have a passion for Buck fixed blades but since hanging around here I also started to fancy doctors knives. I only have 3 or 4 but the ones I have I just love. I don't often go out seeking them but every now and then I start thinking I need another one and I will find myself on EBay lurking and searching for my fix. Good luck to you.

KnifeMaker Comment by Nathan Raptis on March 11, 2014 at 21:23: Hello David. I had the damascus version the Tony Bose / Case Gardeners Knife. It was an excellent knife. Very well put together and I could not find a flaw in it at all. It has some custom touches that I have never seen such as milled liners and I think they all have pivot bushings. The stainless bolsters were a nice touch as well. They seem to be a little more durable. I think you will enjoy one if you get the chance. As with any knife at that price, the chance to hold it in your hand and inspect before buying would be nice. Take care,

Nathan

Comment by David Selph on March 11, 2014 at 18:38: LOL. You are not alone brother!

In Memoriam Comment by Robert Burris on March 11, 2014 at 18:17: Yes, as we learn and experience new things our taste changes. I now collect patterns I use to pay no attention to. When we do decide to change directions in one of our hobby's, real thought and study should accompany it. The reason for this is a fascination with some new item may not hold lasting interest and may cost us time, energy and of course money. I have taken the wrong turn in some of my hobbies over the years so I know this first hand.

Comment by Ken Spielvogel on March 11, 2014 at 18:13: Sounds like you know more about it than I do. But IMO I would watch my money unless you are looking for investment.

Comment by David Selph on March 11, 2014 at 18:04: Robert I think there is a tendency for most folks to at least dabble in a change of direction or focus after a long period of time with any hobby. One of my hobbies is enjoying fine wine. When I first started I wanted the big, fruit forward reds but after a few years I found that I enjoyed wines with more finesse and character. I have had similar experiences with regards to fly fishing gear. On the other hand I know some folks who only buy something when they need a replacement for what they have and then they buy exactly the same thing. Guess those individual differences is what makes the world go around.

In Memoriam Comment by Robert Burris on March 11, 2014 at 17:55: I wish I could help you out on info about those collabs Case/Bose, but I can't. When reading your post though, it made me think about a Blog/post I was about to start on peoples knife collections. Have people collected knives in the right direction or wrong. What I mean is, has a person collected knives for several years only to find out that those are not the knives he really wants in his collection.

Comment by J.J. Smith III on March 11, 2014 at 17:51: You got it bad, David.
I've heard that KAD that's picked up after you've reached adulthood is a bug that's hard to overcome.
When I met Tony Bose, my mind went blank. All I could do was say howdy...
I'll have to see what others have to say, but I'm wanting one of his away back jacks.