Okay ... let loose with a little rant in the Case Seahorse group. I am just seeing a continuing trend from Case with the attention to detail on these ponies coming straight from the factory. Unevenly ground edges, massive burrs, blade rubs and unrefined wood finishes. These are all problems that I can easily correct with a bit of time and effort. But, no one should really have to. My three new seahorses cost between $99 - $110 each. Certainly not a fortune. But, decided to compare quality with a lower end 3-blade whittler. Bought this Rough Rider Reserve Black Micarta Dude Whittler for roughly $51 (around half the price of any of the new seahorses).

Quality on this RRR is heads and heels better than the Case. No blade rubs, more than adequately sharpened blade that was well ground with no burrs. Great action and had blade half stops. While much larger than the seahorse ... an overall nice piece for someone who likes larger whittlers (I don’t, so it will go into my gift drawer.) But, it has to make one think ... what’s going on in Bradford?